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.
Why Were Some “Round” Shields Not Quite Round? Plus: New Training Swords
A Shield MysteryHello fellow shield enthusiasts and (pre-)history aficionados, First of all, my very best wishes for the New Year. May the edge of your sword never dull, and may your shield protect you as you step into realms unknown in 2026. Recent discussions with archaeologist Ingo Petri raise intriguing questions about the shape, balance and handling of Germanic and Viking Age shields. From the Bronze Age Herzsprung type to Iron Age bog finds and the Trelleborg shield, subtle deviations from perfect circularity may have been deliberate—and tactically meaningful. In my latest Patreon post, I explore how shield geometry, grip orientation and edge fittings relate to close-combat function, and what experimental practice can add to the archaeological record.
Unboxing New Training SwordsRecently, I received a shipment from Landsknecht Emporium in Hungary — the kind that sword enthusiasts enjoy most. It consisted of three boxes, each containing a pair of training swords from the company’s revised Dietrich range thin-edged blunts, thick-edged blunts, and sharps. If you are on the lookout for very light good value swords that still balance like weapons, read my according post.
The swords will be tested at Dimicator Schola, and we will share our insights with you. From Drawing To SwordIt is always a particular pleasure to see my research being turned into actual objects. My patron and swordmaker Nikolas Miller used my documentation of a type XIII Great Sword from Lübeck to create a version for his personal training. Learn more here. The documentation of its mighty sister sword is waiting for you in my shop. Take a look here. I hope you are all enjoying your favourite winter sports. Remember to always take Walpurgis' advice! 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 sword-and-buckler 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.
Prehistoric Belief, Bronze Age Design and Imperial Remains Documenting a Late Bronze Age sword at the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle. Hello fellow (pre-)history enthusiasts, from time to time, closer inspection of artefacts reveals patterns that are as simple as they are profound. At other times, new discoveries remind us how complex and layered our understanding of the past has become. This issue brings together both: geometry and belief, craftsmanship and power — and the enduring human...
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...