When History Gets Distorted – And Bucklers Get Raised

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 beloved gathering for training, sparring, and celebrating international friendship.

Distorted History – Another 1066 Fail

People crave stories—it’s in our DNA. That’s why history fascinates us. But stories only gain depth when they respect evidence.

The BBC’s new series King & Conqueror claims to bring 1066 to life, yet within seconds the trailer reveals how little interest it has in authenticity. Wrong costumes, wrong props, clichéd sets—and not a trace of the rich archaeological and historical sources we actually have.

Instead of taking inspiration from authentic mysteries like the enigmatic Turold of the Bayeux Tapestry, the show falls back on generic fantasy medievalism. Good intentions alone don’t make good art—research does.

If you care about history, read my full review on Patreon.

Distorted History – University AI Fail

It's no news that the entertainment industry leans heavily on fantasy medievalism, however, you would expect academia to set a higher standard in terms of historical accuracy. Yet Zürich University’s Re-experiencing History project—promising to bring antiquity to life with AI—delivers results that fall far short: fantasy helmets, inaccurate clothing, and even a horse bizarrely hitched to a triumphal chariot of dubious design.

In times of rampant disinformation, universities have a particular duty to remain reliable beacons of knowledge. Instead, this risks adding to the confusion with more inaccurate pseudo-history. If it’s spectacle you’re after, you’d be better off with a Ridley Scott film—at least the camera work will be superb.

Here's my dedicated post:

Berlin Buckler Bouts 24 – Registration Now Open!

The 24th Berlin Buckler Bouts will take place on the weekend of 22/23 November 2025. This much-loved event brings together sword-and-buckler practitioners from across the globe for two days of intense fencing, hands-on exchange, and international friendship.

Registration is officially open, and places are already in demand—so don’t wait. You’ll find all details, including the liability waiver, travel tips, and links to videos from previous editions, in my dedicated post.

Join us in Berlin for an action-packed weekend of training, learning, and celebrating the art of sword and buckler!

If you would like to take your fencing to a new level, check out the Dimicator I.33 online courses—currently available at a 15% discount.

The discount applies to both one-time payments and 10 monthly instalments, with no additional cost for choosing the latter.

​Find Course 1 here​

​Find Course 2 here​

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about our courses—or our tailors.

Shields up, blades out—and see you at the next bout.

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Yours,

Roland

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