I’m Roland Warzecha — professional illustrator and swordsman. The name Dimicator comes from the Latin for “sword fighter.” I share cutting-edge research into historical martial arts, focusing in particular on Viking and high medieval sword-and-shield combat. My work is carried out in collaboration with museums, fellow martial artists, and scholars around the world.
The New I.33 Sword & Buckler Course Is Here!
Now available: Schutzen – Fighting with Sword & Buckler 2Dear fellow fencers and fighters, medievalists and scholars, The long-awaited follow-up to our foundational online course has arrived! Schutzen – Fighting with Sword & Buckler 2 presents the plays of the second and third wards. Together with the section on half-shield against first ward (covered in Course 1), these form the core of the combat system preserved in Royal Armouries manuscript I.33—the oldest known treatise on sword fighting. This course will significantly expand your repertoire as a practitioner of medieval sword-and-buckler fencing. More importantly, it will equip you to train and apply a conceptual approach rooted in I.33’s original martial idea of schutzen—the act of covering and protecting. Take advantage of the limited launch offer and get the course for no less than 40% off when purchasing before 19th March 2025 via the link below.
Take a look, watch free previews, and get started today! Still missing the foundational course?The Medieval Art of Fighting with Sword & Buckler 1 is currently available to readers at 35% off—the perfect way to start or complete your I.33 journey.
Sebastiaan Pollet of the Bruges-based fencing guild De Hallebardiers says: I am amazed by the amount of detail that you have put into this course. You managed to deliver tons of information in a very clear way that leaves you wanting for more. And I appreciate that this course allows the viewer to walk through your journey of years and years of trying out, helping the viewer understand what you do and why you do it.
The fact you try and adhere to martial principles with every single movement and technique only adds to my appreciation and respect for all the work and knowledge you have gathered in that course. :)
Shields up! We look forward to supporting your practice and studies—please send us your feedback and questions any time. Train hard, train safely, You are receiving this message because you have previously expressed your interest in the work of Dimicator. If you prefer to not receive further newsletters, you can unsubscribe below. |
Dimicator
I’m Roland Warzecha — professional illustrator and swordsman. The name Dimicator comes from the Latin for “sword fighter.” I share cutting-edge research into historical martial arts, focusing in particular on Viking and high medieval sword-and-shield combat. My work is carried out in collaboration with museums, fellow martial artists, and scholars around the world.
When History Gets Distorted – And Bucklers Get Raised Train, Fence, Connect – Berlin Buckler Bouts 24 Await! Dear fellow history enthusiasts and sword-and-shield fighters, in this edition, I invite you to take a closer look at how history is sometimes bent out of shape—whether in glossy TV dramas or even academic projects—through my two recent posts on Distorted History. At the same time, I’m delighted to share that registration is now open for the 24th Berlin Buckler Bouts this November—our...
Join the Ribe Bouts! Spear-and-shield workshop at the 2024 Ribe Bouts Hello sword-and-shield enthusiasts, I am delighted to announce that the Ribe VikingeCenter will once again host the second Ribe Bouts from 17–19 October 2025. All meals will be prepared authentically on site. This unique event combines the practice of historical martial arts with a full-time living history experience. You can find more details and many images in my dedicated post—feel free to share the link with your fellow...
Don’t strike the initial blow from your right, if you are left-handed! My friend Ingo Petri with a left-handed schiavona from the collection of the Veste Coburg Hello fellow history enthusiasts and martial artists, The above advice comes from the late medieval German Fechtbuch Hs 44 A 8. On folio 11v, the author offers general tips on how to fight in a duel between a right- and a left-handed combatant. Clearly, left-handed fighters were a historical reality—something also supported by the...