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.
Unblurred Sword Images, Spear-and-Shield Video, Para-HEMA
No More Blind BargainsDear fellow sword enthusiasts, researchers, and history fans, When I announced the launch of my online shop for full-size sword drawings last week, some readers rightfully pointed out that the preview images were blurred and the descriptions were too brief. I completely agree—this is far from helpful. I wouldn’t want to buy a pig in a poke either! I’ve passed on your suggestions to the Patreon team, who may enable customisation of the automated blur in the future. In the meantime, to address this issue promptly, I’ve created a public post with clear images and detailed descriptions of all items, along with links to additional information. This list will be continuously updated as I add new items. It is also pinned to the top of my Patreon page for easy access. Prices are very reasonable, generally around $10 (plus Apple’s steep 30% App Store fee if you purchase via the Patreon iOS app). All sword drawings print at full size, reflecting the original dimensions.
Sword-and-Shield VideoAt the first Ribe Bouts in October 2024, my fellow researcher and instructor of early medieval close combat, Mikkel Mønsted, taught a class on fighting with spear and shield. He has now released a video of some subsequent practice bouts and shares his insights in a related post.
Para-HEMA, Anyone?Fellow sword enthusiast Stefan from Austria, who uses a wheelchair, recently reached out to ask if there are any sports related to historical sword fighting for people with physical limitations. While I am not aware of any existing initiatives, there might be something out there. If it works for sports fencing, there’s no reason it couldn’t work for historical sword arts. If you have any information or are interested in exploring this subject, simply reply to this email, and I’ll connect you with Stefan and others who are keen on this idea. Every endeavour starts somewhere—big things have small beginnings. 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 course. 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.
When Will the Book Be Released? Making a full-size drawing of the remains of an VLBERHT blade Dear fellow researchers and martial arts enthusiasts, At the Berlin Buckler Bouts in November 2024, some of my Czech friends asked me the question I hear often: When will the long-awaited first book finally be released? I wish I had a definitive answer—alas, I don’t. The book, with the working title Sword at Hand, is indeed in progress. It will explore how culture on one hand and combat requirements...
When the Going Gets Rough … Last exit infight: I've managed to seize Emil's Dane-Axe but... “Never wrestle a wrestler!” That’s what Emil said to me after he sent me flying through the air during a practice fight at Ribe VikingeCenter this autumn—or should I say fall? Of course, he was right. Grappling should be part of any swordfighter’s repertoire. Alas, despite Cornelius’ best efforts at Dimicator Schola to improve my poor wrestling skills, I am definitely more adept at keeping my opponent...
Do Left-Handers Form a Consistent Minority Throughout History? The pommel of this type XVI sword displays a clockwise offset, optimal for left-handed use. And if so, why? These intriguing questions lie at the heart of a new research project currently being initiated by Dr. Tim Simon, a philosopher and neurobiologist from the University of Trient. The study will specifically, though not exclusively, explore the relevance of left-handedness in antagonistic and duelling contexts, where it is...