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 New I.33 Sword & Buckler Course Is Here!
Now available: Schutzen – Fighting with Sword & Buckler 2Dear fellow fencers and fighters, medievalists and scholars, The long-awaited follow-up to our foundational online course has arrived! Schutzen – Fighting with Sword & Buckler 2 presents the plays of the second and third wards. Together with the section on half-shield against first ward (covered in Course 1), these form the core of the combat system preserved in Royal Armouries manuscript I.33—the oldest known treatise on sword fighting. This course will significantly expand your repertoire as a practitioner of medieval sword-and-buckler fencing. More importantly, it will equip you to train and apply a conceptual approach rooted in I.33’s original martial idea of schutzen—the act of covering and protecting. Take advantage of the limited launch offer and get the course for no less than 40% off when purchasing before 19th March 2025 via the link below.
Take a look, watch free previews, and get started today! Still missing the foundational course?The Medieval Art of Fighting with Sword & Buckler 1 is currently available to readers at 35% off—the perfect way to start or complete your I.33 journey.
Sebastiaan Pollet of the Bruges-based fencing guild De Hallebardiers says: I am amazed by the amount of detail that you have put into this course. You managed to deliver tons of information in a very clear way that leaves you wanting for more. And I appreciate that this course allows the viewer to walk through your journey of years and years of trying out, helping the viewer understand what you do and why you do it.
The fact you try and adhere to martial principles with every single movement and technique only adds to my appreciation and respect for all the work and knowledge you have gathered in that course. :)
Shields up! We look forward to supporting your practice and studies—please send us your feedback and questions any time. Train hard, train safely, You are receiving this message because you have previously expressed your interest in the work of Dimicator. If you prefer to not receive further newsletters, 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.
Continuity in European Combat Arts? Hello fellow sword enthusiasts, researchers, and fighters, How did people actually fight in close combat 3,000 years ago—and how much of that knowledge survived into the age of the fechtbücher? Mycenaean imagery occassionally shows an overhand thrust known as oberstich in late medieval German combat treatises Recently, a viewer asked why I do not demonstrate the use of Bronze Age swords with what he called a “hammer grip” — essentially gripping the weapon...
Studying Originals, Recreating History Holding an original Bronze Age sword in your hands is always a moment of quiet astonishment. Hello archaeology aficionados, The ingenious design and ergonomics of these weapons never cease to amaze me. Thanks to the courtesy of Professor Harald Meller and Dr Jan-Heinrich Bunnefeld, I had the opportunity to examine several bronze swords at the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle, home of the world-famous Nebra Sky Disc. One of the grips that works really...
Hello fellow bucklerista, You are most welcome to sign up for an action-packed weekend of sword & buckler fencing with practitioners from all over the world. The next BBB are scheduled for the weekend of 30/31 May 2026. Find info on the event and registration here: Go to Event Post We are looking forward to fencing and celebrating international friendship with you at the Berlin Buckler Bouts. Ralf, Roland & the Twerchhau team Attendees of the 24th BBB. Get the group photo here.