A Home for a Sword

Hello sword enthusiasts.

A good sword needs an appropriate scabbard. My friend and fellow buckler fighter Christina had been aware of that for a long time. Last year she approached me and asked if I was willing to supervise her work if she would make scabbards for her training swords. I said I would.

So today I will present to you one of the two scabbards she made. I think she did a great job. I have compiled some photos of details for you in a post.

Read more about scabbards and scabbard making in this previous newsletter.

Viking Age Combat Discussion Forum 2024

When this newsletter hits your inbox, I will be in Copenhagen for a conference on one of my favourite subjects, namely Viking Age Fighting. I have been invited to contribute a lecture about sword design and ergonomics.

I am very much looking forward to it, and to meeting some old friends, as well as making the acquaintance of some fine researchers whose work I have been following. Here is the program:

Is the pen mightier than the sword?

• Combat in the Sagas of the Icelanders - Sixt Wetzler
• The relevance of fight manuals and other texts for Viking combat - Antti Iljäs

Finds and fights in archaeology

• Weapons: What do we know, from where? - Anne Pedersen
• Viking Age shields - Rolf Warming

The Danish Viking Reenactment scene

• The state of Viking Age combat reenactment in Denmark - Klaus Ljørring Pedersen

Reconstructing combat

• Shaping the Sword: Viking Age sword design between functionality and cultural implications - Roland Warzecha
• Fighting as a craft: from Glima to shield and weaponry - Emil O’Gara and Tom Jersø

Special thanks to the event organiser Gustav Hejlesen Solberg for inviting me. I will let you all about the conference when I am back.

So, that's it for today. Take care, and keep your blade well-honed.

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Yours,

Roland

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