I am Roland Warzecha, a professional illustrator – and a swordsman. Hence the name ‘Dimicator’ which is a Latin term meaning sword fighter. I present to you cutting-edge research into historical martial arts, and Viking & high medieval sword & shield fighting in particular. I am co-operating with museums, fellow martial artists and scholars worldwide. Renowned expert for historical arms, Dr Alfred Geibig, says: “The careful reconstruction of historical swordsmanship, impressively demonstrated by Mr. Warzecha, is a valuable supplement to archaeological insights, and clearly proves the efficiency of European swords and the sophistication of the associated historical fighting arts.” To get regular up-dates on the archaeology and history of sword & shield and how they were used, sign up for my newsletter! I would be delighted if you would join my quest.
Swords Galore: On the Field, in the Salle, Online and in Art
Fechtschule 2025Dear fellow sword enthusiasts, HEMA practitioners, and living history aficionados, I'm all packed and ready to travel to Bruges with my friends and fellow instructors/researchers Dierk Hagedorn and Cornelius Berthold. We’re very much looking forward to spending a few formidable days at Fechtschule 2025, organised by Sint-Michielsgilde de Hallebardiers. To mark the occasion, Cornelius and I have prepared a special offer: Here are the direct links with the discount already applied:
Let us polish our shields and brandish our swords! Scabbard Making-Of ContinuesI'm sure you've spotted my new sword by Atelier Thibaud, as well as its matching scabbard. I’ll share more about the sword once it’s passed its first testing at Fechtschule 2025. In the meantime, don’t miss the latest update on the scabbard-making project—you'll find explanations and images in my dedicated posts:
... to be continued: next, I will make a belt. New Addition to My Sword Art ShopThis immaculate bronze sword of the Riegsee type (c. 1300 BC) was found at the site of a Bronze Age conflict in the Tollense Valley, north-eastern Germany. It may have been deliberately deposited rather than lost in battle—but traces of re-sharpening and a small notch suggest it saw use, either in training or in combat. Here’s a brief video clip. Get your full-colour, full-size images and all measurements of this unique piece for only $12.50!
Live Chat on Rapier’s DelightMark your calendars! Talking about swords comes second only to wielding them on my list of favourite activities—so of course, I jumped at the opportunity. Join us for a lively discussion on 11 May 2025, where we’ll explore how the study of original period swords informs modern interpretations of historical sword fighting. What better way to spend two hours on a Sunday?
Hedeby Bouts: Photos & VideosThe recent Hedeby Bouts were two absolutely delightful days of fencing in an amazing venue. Add to that excellent company, good food, and a bit of luck with the weather—and you’ve got the perfect weekend. Hedeby veteran Tom Jersø has shared some fantastic photos and a brief video on his social channels. And if you’re still craving more, I’ve posted additional fencing footage from last year's bouts on Patreon. Watch some sword-and-shield practice with Mikkel Mønsted. You can watch the first fight as a preview—or even better, excellent patrons to view the full video and many more.
Shields up! So, that's it for today. Take care, and keep your blade well-honed. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please recommend it to your friends. They can sign up here or on my website. Or simply forward them this email. Improve your skills with our sword-and-buckler online courses. If you wish to read more, find hundreds of related posts on my Patreon. Special thanks to all my loyal supporters on Patreon – you keep me going! And if you are not a patron yet, you are most welcome to join. If you feel like dropping a coin into my tip jar, you can do so here. Thank you for your time and your interest. Yours, Roland You are receiving this newsletter because you have signed up for it, or because you have previously expressed your interest in my work and events. If you prefer to not receive further emails, you can unsubscribe below. |
Dimicator
I am Roland Warzecha, a professional illustrator – and a swordsman. Hence the name ‘Dimicator’ which is a Latin term meaning sword fighter. I present to you cutting-edge research into historical martial arts, and Viking & high medieval sword & shield fighting in particular. I am co-operating with museums, fellow martial artists and scholars worldwide. Renowned expert for historical arms, Dr Alfred Geibig, says: “The careful reconstruction of historical swordsmanship, impressively demonstrated by Mr. Warzecha, is a valuable supplement to archaeological insights, and clearly proves the efficiency of European swords and the sophistication of the associated historical fighting arts.” To get regular up-dates on the archaeology and history of sword & shield and how they were used, sign up for my newsletter! I would be delighted if you would join my quest.
Are We But Brutal Primates? Chimps make war, bonobos make love. What about us? (My illustration) Hello fellow history enthusiasts, I suspect many of you share my feeling that we are living through particularly unusual and turbulent times. While I generally make a conscious effort to maintain a positive outlook and focus on the good, I must admit this has grown increasingly difficult in recent years. Stupidity, ignorance and brutality seem all too prominent among our species at present....
Berlin Buckler Bouts, Posture, Courses & Excursions Brave Berlin Bucklerists, May 2025 Hello fellow buckler fighters, researchers, and enthusiasts, Last weekend marked the 23rd Berlin Buckler Bouts, with participants joining us from Canada, the US, Poland, and Germany. As usual, I particularly enjoyed the Sunday session, when I could focus on addressing issues in my fencing that had become apparent during Saturday’s bouts—a sentiment I shared with many other participants. Fencing Ewan...
The Guild in the Gatehouse The hooded men! Hello fellow HEMA practitioners, I’ve just uploaded a folder of photos I took at the recent Fechtschule 2025, hosted by the Hallebardiers in Bruges. You can download it here. Feel free to share the images as you please. It was a fantastic event—great fencing, excellent spirit, and outstanding hospitality. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The current Cross Gate was constructed in 1400. The Hallebardiers undoubtedly have the coolest guild house imaginable....