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.
Viking Ship, Crafts & Photos, Sword News, Buckler News
Viking Age come to Life ...Hi Viking enthusiasts, sword people and time travellers, I’ve created this piece of concept art for a new video that my fellow illustrator Oliver Wünsch at HistoRealities and I are currently working on. See the full image on my Patreon, watch previous videos here. Frosty Nights and Daily Fights at RibePreviously, I shared with you images from Arttu's spear workshop at the recent Ribe Bouts. Now comes a gallery of photos taken by Christina, kindly provided for your enjoyment. Browse the public gallery on my Patreon, and while you are there, sign up as a member — there's more to come soon! Viking Craftsmanship RecreatedMy Viking Age kit includes a set of beautiful splint boxes crafted by expert artisan Hannes Hirsch. Two of them are reconstructions based on finds from Hedeby, decorated with authentic patterns. In my latest Patreon post, I show how I incised, painted and finished the most recent addition (in the foreground) using authentic tools, natural pigments, and a lot of patience!
A Most Beautiful 12th-Century SwordGraceful lines and perfect craftsmanship make this weapon one of the most striking examples featuring a so-called Brazil-nut pommel. The superbly proportioned hilt is left plain, while the blade bears fine engravings inlaid with gold wire — a true masterpiece. I share all my research with supporters on Patreon first. If you’ve ever considered joining them, now’s a good time — prices for new members and for ugrades will rise soon for the first time in eleven years (current paid members remain unaffected). Your Foundation in I.33 Sword & BucklerSword-and-buckler fighters around the world use our I.33 online courses to build a solid foundation in medieval swordsmanship—learning essential techniques, tactical principles, and historical context. If you're new to online training or have been thinking about joining, keep an eye out for our upcoming Black Friday special offers Cornelius and I are currently preparing. Plus, there's a surprise waiting for you. More info soon. Now it's time to pack up for training to hone my very own sword-and-buckler skills. The Berlin Buckler Bouts are coming up next week! 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. 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.
Close Combat with Shield and Short Spear The threat of a throw is how Arttu dominates an opponent at wide range Hello historical martial arts enthusiasts, What happens when a professional dancer, researcher, and martial artist explores the dynamics of spear and shield combat? At the Ribe Bouts 2025, Arttu Peltoniemi shared fifteen years of study on how javelin-sized spears and sharp spearheads behave in close combat — with impressive precision and physical control. The Ribe class also...
HistoRealities.com — Authenticity Animated Our new project: Historical accuracy meets cutting-edge animation Hello history enthusiasts, Regular readers will recall recent editions of this newsletter discussing both the exciting possibilities and the frustrating absurdities of AI image and video generation — particularly when it comes to creating animated depictions of historical figures and settings. The conference took place at Augsburg University on 9/10 October I’ve just returned from a...
Fall for Swords: From Viking Shields to Bronze Blades On the training field in the Ribe VikingeCenter Hello fellow sword enthusiasts, Autumn has arrived, and the calendar is brimming with exciting events. The Ribe Bouts are now fully booked. I am delighted by the event’s popularity and look forward to welcoming Viking re-enactors from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Finland at the wonderful Ribe VikingeCenter in just two weeks. Attendees will receive final information by email...