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.
Unlock Advanced Swordsmanship Skills with Our New Course
This Concept Won Me Many FightsDear Fellow Students of the Art of Combat, Cornelius Berthold and I are thrilled to announce the launch of a brand-new sword-fighting online course. We’re particularly proud of this little gem. At the recent Berlin Buckler Bouts, I personally applied its strategies with repeated success—it truly works! This new online course equips you with the tools to escape compromised positions and turn the fight back in your favour. Drawing on examples from medieval sword-and-buckler techniques, the course offers strategies that transcend specific weapon types. The concepts are easily transferable to longsword, rapier, messer, and other traditions, making it an invaluable resource for training across a variety of weapons. The course forms part of the upcoming second I.33 sword-and-buckler programme, which we anticipate launching in early 2025. However, we’re confident it will prove immensely useful to sword fighters everywhere, even if you don’t plan to purchase the complete course next year. And if you do? You’ll find a special coupon included in the new course that grants you a massive 50% discount on your next purchase! Why not elevate your fencing skills today for just $50?
We hope you’ll find the course as valuable and inspiring as we do. Stay safe, train hard, and enjoy the journey. Warm regards, 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’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...