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.
Events 2026, Bronze Swords, Sword & Buckler
Mark Your CalendarHello fellow fighters, sword enthusiasts and living history experts, I’ve just returned from a wonderful sword-and-shield weekend in Berlin, training at the 24th Berlin Buckler Bouts with around forty dedicated practitioners from all over the world. As one of the organisers, I’d like to express my gratitude for a cheerful and safe training environment. It was a physically demanding two days — yet I enjoyed each of my 500+ passes. Thank you all! The 25th edition of the BBB will take place on the last weekend in May 2026, that is 30th–31st May. Mark your calendars! Drawing SwordsAs in previous years, I visited the storages of the Deutsches Historisches Museum prior to the BBB. With the kind support of the staff — and assisted by fellow swordsman Dr Marc Heimann — I documented a rare 14th-century dagger and completed detailed drawings of a beautifully preserved early 16th-century longsword. Once I’ve added colour to the drawings, I’ll share the illustrations on my Patreon. Thanks to the support of my patrons, this research can continue.
Commonalities of Historical Buckler TraditionsAt the BBB, I spoke with Tobias Prüwer, sword-and-buckler instructor at Stahlakademie Leipzig, about the striking overlaps between certain buckler plays of the 15th-century master Andres Lignitzer and the concept of schutzen (cover) in the 14th-century manuscript I.33. These insights have certainly enriched and refined my fencing. Tobias was intrigued, and I mentioned that until 1st December, our online course on schutzen is available at a unique 41% discount. So don’t wait!
Set Sail for Hedeby and RibeSave the dates! These two wonderful Viking venues will open their gates to us again in 2026.
Unlike the Berlin Buckler Bouts, these events combine martial arts practice with period arms and full living-history immersion. I look forward to training with you there! Bronze Age Sword-FightingI’m currently preparing for two video productions initiated by Professor Harald Meller of the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle. Together, we’ll explore the ergonomics of full-hilted Bronze Age swords and examine sword-and-shield combat techniques of the period. Archaeologist and fellow swordsman Ingo Petri has kindly provided his replica sword, while additional Bronze Age replica shields and weapons will be supplied by expert reenactor Jonas Radtke, who will also assist in demonstrations. I’m greatly looking forward to contributing to the museum’s award-winning video library and YouTube channel. I.33 GaloreIf you haven’t signed up for the I.33 Black Friday list, you’ve missed my I.33 cartoon characters and the best online course offers yet — shared below along with a wonderful testimonial from Chile. “Thanks to your teachings, I was soon able to hold my ground and effortlessly resist most of those brutish attacks and advances — even attacking and hitting during the tempos created by them.”
Stefan von Bischoffshausen
This fellow martial artist overcame the same challenges we all face — now it’s your turn. 👉 Join us before 1st December!
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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.
The Endless Cycle Pierpont Morgan Library, New York, MS M. 638, fol. 38r (c. 1250) Dear history enthusiasts, When this newsletter goes out, I will be on the road, heading home from my mother’s funeral. She passed away last week, in the company of loved ones, only moments after receiving her final blessing. At first, I was reluctant to share something so personal. But then I realised that this is precisely what history is about: the endless cycle of arrival and departure, the story of those...
A Kingdom for a Horse! It could be worse: it could be raining! Hello history enthusiasts, My fellow illustrator Oliver Wünsch and I are still busy exploring new AI-assisted opportunities for visual storytelling. We feel it is the best way to spend our time now that traditional illustration work has largely vanished, thanks to generative AI. The good news—at least for us—is that our particular application of AI still requires artistic skill as well as archaeological and historical expertise....
Viking Houses Need Maintenance Danes in the house: very hyggelig Hello fellow medieval military enthusiasts and time travellers, I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits, swinging swords as one ought to. If you are doing so in preparation for the first Dimicator venture of the year in Hedeby on the weekend of 18/19 April, make sure to sign up swiftly. No Danish Viking venture without sufficient sausage supplies The museum has notified me that, due to maintenance and...