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.
Your New Guides to Medieval Sword & Shield, Virtual and Real
New I.33 Online Course Launches This Weekend!Dear sword-and-shield enthusiasts, martial artists, and gamers, Cornelius and I are excited about our new online course on medieval sword-and-buckler fencing, based on Europe’s oldest surviving combat treatise—Royal Armouries manuscript I.33. It will be released this weekend. What we will present to you adds an important set of options to your repertoire of sword-and-buckler techniques, complementing the material covered in our first foundational course, which explores the plays of First Ward (Prima Custodia) against Half-Shield. For my esteemed readers, this foundational course is still available at a 35% discount. In any case, you can look forward to a unique course—and be ready to take advantage of special offers during the upcoming launch campaign! Cornelius on the Fighting in KCD 2If this acronym doesn’t ring a bell, you’re as unfamiliar with computer games as I am. Everyone else will recognise it as "Kingdom Come: Deliverance II"—a medieval open-world game featuring plenty of sword fights, as you might expect. Cornelius was invited by a popular YouTube channel to comment on the authenticity of the weapons, armour, and combat mechanics in the game (in German). Even I found the video highly entertaining, and I must say, the quality of the props and animations is truly impressive.
My Favourite 3D ArtistSpeaking of KCD 2, I’d like to highlight the work of Béla Csampai, an artist whose work I deeply admire. Inspired by the game last weekend, he created his own 3D model of a sword featured in KCD 2. I’m sharing it with you here—not least because it would be perfectly suited for sword-and-buckler combat—if only it were real!
If practicing swordplay in the real world is more to your taste, don't forget to sign up for the Hedeby Bouts and the BBB! So, that's it for today. Take care, and keep your sword and buckler at hand. 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. 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’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...