Learning from the Past

Throughout history, flourishing societies have occasionally undermined the very foundations of their own prosperity.

Archaeology provides many examples. Around Lake Constance, Neolithic and Bronze Age communities appear to have exhausted the surrounding forests through intensive timber use, gradually reducing an essential resource. Centuries later, the decline of the Classic Maya was likely driven by a combination of prolonged drought and human-induced environmental degradation. In both cases, environmental resilience had been weakened long before the final crisis became visible.

Experiences such as these eventually led to one of Europe's most enduring ideas: sustainability. In 1713, the Saxon mining administrator Hans Carl von Carlowitz coined the concept of managing forests so that future generations could continue to benefit from them. Denmark provides a remarkable example of this long-term thinking. In 2010, Queen Margrethe II was informed that oak trees planted by King Frederik VI in 1810 had finally matured and were ready to supply timber for rebuilding the Danish fleet. Although wooden warships had long since become obsolete, the trees remained a powerful symbol of planning for a future far beyond one's own lifetime.

Today, the European Union's Habitats Directive provides an important legal framework for protecting biodiversity and the natural landscapes on which we all depend. The Directive is currently undergoing a public "stress test", including an open consultation that remains available until 10 August 2026. Environmental organisations, public authorities and many experts regard public participation in this process as important, regardless of individual views on the Directive itself.

If you live in the European Union, I encourage you to take part. The questionnaire takes around 30–45 minutes to complete, and even if you cannot answer every technical question, your participation demonstrates that the future of Europe's natural environment matters to you.

From Ancient Forests to Ancient Swordsmanship

When we think of inheritance, we often think of monuments, forests, or landscapes. Yet an equally important legacy we can leave is not material at all, but knowledge.

For years, I have explored the possibility that the fundamental principles of European swordsmanship reach far deeper into history than the surviving medieval fight books alone might suggest.

A recent Patreon post brings together several strands of evidence that point in that direction. It examines the Bronze Age Combat Project, the remarkable correspondence between archaeological wear patterns and medieval fencing techniques, and asks why efficient martial principles can endure for thousands of years.

If that sounds intriguing, I invite you to read the full article here:

More on prehistoric aswell as late medieval swords soon.

Stay sharp — and swords up!⚔️

Roland

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