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.
Swords — From the Bronze Age to the Renaissance and onto the Big Screen
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Hello fellow sword enthusiasts, This week, I have some new sword illustrations to share, an invitation to cross blades in Berlin, and good news for those eagerly awaiting the release of FIORE 2. The Lost Colours of the Nebra SwordsWhat did the famous Bronze Age swords from the Nebra hoard look like some 3,600 years ago? Their present appearance, covered in green patina, tells only part of the story. Polished bronze, gold and deliberately darkened copper inlays may once have created a striking contrast. In my latest Patreon post, I explore the unusual construction of these swords and the possibility that their original colour scheme carried a deeper meaning. I created new illustrations and the above animation. There is more to discover about these remarkable weapons!
A Magnificent 16th-Century LongswordIf the Bronze Age is not quite your thing, there is another good reason to visit my Patreon. My sword shop now features a full-size colour illustration of a stunning early 16th-century longsword, preserved in remarkable condition — even its original leather grip bindings have survived! This is my most complex sword illustration to date, and the downloadable high-resolution artwork includes all relevant measurements. Something for fellow researchers, sword makers and anyone who appreciates the craftsmanship of historical weapons.
Berlin Buckler Bouts — See You Next Week?Of course, looking at swords is one thing. Actually wielding them is quite another! The 26th Berlin Buckler Bouts are coming up on 21–22 November, and you are still welcome to join us for a weekend of sword-and-buckler fencing. Or simply come by and say hello! All event information and registration details are available here:
Participants will receive the final event information next week. FIORE 2 — The Premiere!And when the swords are safely resting in their scabbards again, you might be looking for some suitable entertainment. Fortunately, the wait for FIORE 2 – La Lince e il Biscione is nearly over! Read my movie review here. The first public screening of Alberto Mattea's long-awaited film will take place on 13 December 2026 at 17:30, at the Auditorium Giovanni Arpino in Bra, Italy. Best of all, admission is free and the event is open to everyone! If you can make it to Bra, don't miss this opportunity. Reserve your place: schermaalba@gmail.com That's all for this week. I hope to see some of you in Berlin! ⚔️Swords up!⚔️ Roland P.S. 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 online courses. 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. 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.
I Watched FIORE 2! To sword enthusiasts like you and me, filmmaker Alberto Mattea is probably best known for his celebrated, award-winning 2022 short film Fiore. I have written about the long-awaited sequel in previous newsletters. Thanks to Alberto's generosity, I had the privilege of being among the chosen few who have already enjoyed a pre-release screening. The film picks up exactly where the first instalment left off: at an inn where Fiore has just made the acquaintance of Galeazzo da...
Hello historical arms enthusiasts, First of all, a big thank you to everyone who purchased our new Spear & Shield Combat online course, and to everyone who followed us through the launch campaign! Your special gift should have arrived by now. I hope you will enjoy it! And apologies for a little digital hiccup that may have caused the gift email to land in your inbox twice. No worries — you're welcome to keep both! Now, on to some swords, upcoming events, and a glimpse behind the scenes of two...
Hello history enthusiasts and fellow fighters, just a quick heads-up: Spear & Shield Combat is now live! Arttu Peltoniemi and the Hirdmenn team have put a tremendous amount of research, experimentation and training into this system, and I am very happy to finally make their work available through Dimicator School. The 41% launch discount runs until midnight on 11 October. Explore Spear & Shield Combat There are several free previews, including a video chat with Arttu about his approach and...