Training with Viking Axe, Sword & Shield

Join the Hedeby Bouts 7/8 September 2019. Learn more here: / 27701062
This is one of two DIMICATOR videos on Viking close combat shown at the exhibition "Vikings at War" at Ladby Viking Museum: en.vikingemuseetladby.dk/plan-...
Find hundreds of related posts here: / posts
You are welcome to get in touch e.g. via my Facebook page: / dimicator-266934476773420
Or send an email: dimicator.com/contact/

[@swordandshield]

Hi sword people! Would you like to receive weekly up-dates on weapons research, sword-fighting, living history and more straight into your inbox? To read previous newsletters and to sign up, go here: exciting-pioneer-6049.ck.page/a8f72e8432

[@TheHumanSynthesisProject]

Love that you included the loss at the end. Showing those moments when even the most experienced failed often reveal the deepest insights. Grateful for every upload from this channel.

[@swordandshield]

You are most welcome. I am delighted that you enjoy my work.

[@marka7759]

tho it was a double wasn't it? :) Roland also thrusthing

[@zenhydra]

@Roland Warzecha Have you done any research into small unit combat tactics of the Viking Age? It's one thing to see how they may have fought individually, but I'm curious about how their tactics might have changed working as a team. Can you recommend any resources on the subject (if there are any)?

[@JoeyVol]

Good Q

[@defaultytuser]

I'd never had guessed how important a factor the axe vs axe hooking is!

[@richstone2627]

If Roland had lived in the Viking Age they would have sang great songs about him. Stories would have been told around the fires for centuries. In the end, Roland was slain, like all good things come to an end so is the way of the Warrior. Thank you

[@i_love_crpg]

well have you heard of roland in the code of chivalry?

[@Chs_Th_dit]

definetly helped me picture a fight for my story! great video and thanks for the inspo :]

[@MrEnaric]

Fascinating, seeing axes finally in action in a realistic way.

[@MAWarriorG]

Awesome reconstruction! The last opponent looked so professional. I like the way you fight, all or the most the battles you won, you was leading with your plan while opponents just tried to counter, it was noticeable.

[@swordandshield]

Thank you. We are all only beginning to understand the mechanics of these weapon sets. Lots of training ahead.

[@JoeyVol]

Glad to see you haven't been impaled in all your years, Roland.

[@douglassherrod1248]

Would absolutely love to learn from you Roland. I think you have a beautiful fighting technique. I'm goin to be a week behind you coming up soon in Bärnau and Haithabu as you'll be in both areas before I'm there. Schade. Was just talking about you and your techniques with Patrick Last on Saturday while we were in Obermoschel. Looking forward to meeting you some day.

[@swordandshield]

I would be delighted to make your acquaintance.

[@douglassherrod1248]

@@swordandshield I live in Mainz, which is nowhere near close to Bärnau or Haithabu. Will definitely have to find a way to meet you. Irgendwie.

[@kurtschmidt5005]

Love your content

[@konigeurichderwestgoten4460]

A lot of people think the sword and axe is a stupid combination, but that first fight may prove them wrong. Granted, you’re not really trying to kill/maim each other, but still!

[@swordandshield]

Join the Hedeby Bouts 7/8 September 2019 for an action-packed weekend full of sparring. Learn more here: www.patreon.com/posts/27701062

[@Maarrcco]

Roland defeating himself of an other universe 6:00

[@tehkill3r]

Watching this video made me realize how heavy my own shield is, think it weighs around 4kg. Should probably do something about that, but it does give me strength.

[@luizuhtred3116]

Can you do a video on how to secure a scabbard for the viking sword? My scabbard keeps moving while i fight with others weapons with the sword on the scabbard

[@swordandshield]

Already available. Take a look here: www.patreon.com/posts/26165643

[@luizuhtred3116]

Thank you :)

[@herbertmaucher8367]

Cooles Video Dankeschön weiter so LG👍🤘

[@indybastiaenssens7933]

Viking combat is not even close to this, but they do use some of the right hystorical techniques.

[@Druid_Ignacy]

I start thinking that fighting style and principles, which You show us, is actually closer to HEMA tournament combat and even olympic fencing than we might think. Maybe You and your students are just more careful, but well: any fencer is careful unless he or she has to react immediately or strike to the opening, which is exactly what you teach.

[@swordandshield]

I have my reservations in regards to HEMA tournaments and sports competition in general, however, i do agree that a lot more can be learned from sports fencing then I thought only a few years ago.

[@Druid_Ignacy]

@@swordandshield I felt exactly opposite thing: that they can learn a lot from You ;)

[@jeffpurcell7035]

That’s why you always wear a helmet ! Also did you make your shield ?

[@swordandshield]

Yes.

[@luizuhtred3116]

What counsel would you give to the ones who wants to learn how to fight with dane axes?

[@swordandshield]

Hire me for a class!

[@luizuhtred3116]

I wanted so much to hire you,but i'm from Brazil

[@orsettomorbido]

Finally some axes :P

[@rosvik_]

im looking too start with this type off combat ass an hobby were should i buy sword and axes?

[@martinv.b.3415]

You should first find a club to train with - than you're able to test some weapons from your clubmates. The choice of weapons depends on some points 1. should it be close to historical originals 2. what is the intensity of fighting 3. How much are you able to spend. 4. do you have time to wait or should it be on stock aviable 5. is it matcing the hardness of the other swords in your club.

[@swordandshield]

For what you see in the video, you need training weapons that are modeled on originals. they must not have the kind of thick edges that you see in many modern sword-related sports. Note that using weapons effeciently and safely, even blunt ones, requires sound and constant training, Finding a competent instructor comes first. He will give you advice on training weapons. You can also check the sites that are liked by my DIMICATOR facebook page. this list contains good sword makers, too.

[@martinv.b.3415]

@@swordandshield I think that's t more likely to find a group for reenactment fighting than a historical related training group. As far as I know the only ones who do this kind are you and Colin Richards. But to get in touch with early medieval style fighting it's not the worst option to start with - maybe there are clubmates with simmilar motivation to dig deeper. And even the worst codex belli Marktgedengel is some kind of fun - not only for beginners if you show some fancy pants techniques before you die... But finding a club is the first step and can save a lot of money.

[@guntherhuemer1767]

This guys are no enemy for Roland 😃

[@jancello]

If you're using a axe safely with no safety equipment (be it the axe or your gear), there's a lot to bet that you're not using it like an axe.

[@Turgz]

Just think, back then they didn't have "safety equipment". They never used to injure each other and they fought for real. There clearly was training otherwise no one would know how to fight so there IS a way of training safely for a real fight.

[@swordandshield]

Strange though that 99% of modern HEMA sparring in protective gear has zero resemblance with what is shown in historical treatises.

[@jancello]

@@Turgz Oh they did injure each other. A lot. Sometimes fatally. And that was all good sport back then, but has become unacceptable now.

[@jancello]

OK, the issue with comments on KZbin or other social media is that it's difficult to convey a detailed and nuanced thought (99% of people in HEMA do everything wrong, seriously?), but I plead guilty as well. Anyway. How many historical treatises show the use of the one-handed axe, or the mace? Not a single one. How many sources do we have for sparring / fencing competitions involving such weapons without wearing armor ? None. Sure, axes and maces were used for "sparring" if one can call that early medieval tournaments were severe injuries or death occured regularly, but no such weapon was ever used in blossfechten encounters such as the Fechtschulen - because these forward-weighted, one-handed weapons are inherently too dangerous. Pollaxes, halbereds etc. are a different beast because the two hands offer significantly better control - and even then, for "sparring", halberds with wooden heads (lighter, larger impact area in case a blow is landed) would be used. Regarding one-handed axes (and maces), any pictorial evidence (and also common sense) show that these weapons are intended solely for striking - there's even a PhD thesis by Christiane Raynaud on medieval axes, she showed that over 90% of the representation of axes in combat are downward blows (that talks some serious subtlety). So, sure, a battle axe is more manoeuvrable and allows for finer motions than a wood-chopping axe, but using the axe with the head forward for binding etc. goes against the evidence. Also, why would the axes be known by kenningar such as "destroyer of shields", or be forbidden in the holmgang ? Because it's their nature to deal devastating blows. Binding with the shield until one can make such a blow with the axe, sure, but binding with the axe, not so much... Also, regarding safety equipment again, wasters have been used throughout the ages and places. Sparring with a wooden sword (or a blunt steel one), a wooden dagger, wooden polearms, etc. is depicted and mentionned in treatises and secondary material. But a "safe" axe waster just doesn't exist. I'm not saying all you're doing is wrong, far from that! On the contrary, there's tons of very good if not impressive research and swordsmanship in there. But for example with swords, there's tons of iconography that supports the widespread existence of a style of fencing similar to I.33 - where one can pull the blows and fence in a very controlled fashion. For axes, it just doesn't work, at least in my opinion given the sources I've had access to.

[@Turgz]

@@jancello I meant being badly injured. How can they fight when they've had their arm or leg severed during training? How were they considered fighters or how could they fight in the first place? Regarding HEMA, yes, it is done wrong in the context of being truly martial. HEMA is a sport, not combat. It is not training for combat and it does not show how it really is. All it does is show some of the _techniques_ of using a sword, axe or whatever, in a controlled and completely safe environment. There is a fundamental difference in the _mentality_ of HEMA compared to combat. That's to say nothing of things like blunt swords not giving you the right feeling during a bind or not being in the environment that people would have actually fought in.

[@randelldarky3920]

Having a spear and shield is a real game changer.

[@swordandshield]

That is what they say. Yet hardly any period enactor or HEMA practitioner has ever explored spear versus sharp sword. Mikkel and myself have, and if there is a game changer, it is the difference between a blunt sword edge on a spear pole or a sharp one.

[@jancello]

Two handed spear is more of a game changer, providing a significant reach advantage with excellent maneuvrability. Spear and shield not as much. My impression is that it is almost a "social construct" for the commoner's warfare, a combination of weapons for the average joe which allows him to keep the enemy at a distance, protect himself and sometimes stab the other guy in a basic way. Spear+shield vs spear+shield was the most common weapon combination on many battelfields, but it is from experience with various types of shields a remarkably "ineffective" configuration from the point of view of killing people. Which, in a sense, is good, when you're dealing with clan feuds, tribal warfare or petty territorial wars, where people actually don't really want to massacre or fight to their death.

[@vorrnth8734]

@@jancello I got the impression that spear+shield is mainly for shield wall style fighting not so much for duels. In a duel a two handed spear fighting style is definitely superior and I would prefer it over shield+sword.

[@jancello]

@@vorrnth8734 I agree. Spear + shield in a duel did occur (for example among the Greeks), but it's frankly endless. Single spear or sword + shield is a closer match :)

[@markthervguy]

@@swordandshieldis there a video of you and Mikkel on the spear fighting? It would be interesting to see more on the subject. I find it interesting that Ahmad ibn Fadlan's description of the Norsemen includes the sword, knife and ax, but I don't recall reading him mentioning spears or bows. Certainly the Viking Norse had them. Perhaps spears were used in group formations and not as much in individual combat. I'd be interested in your position on spear warfare.

[@hunterthomas8579]

God what I would give to see this full speed

[@coronal2207]

There are full speed clips within the video I think.

[@hunterthomas8579]

Coronal sure but it can never truly be full speed, you would hurt the other guy.

[@orsettomorbido]

During the last bit (6:01) you're both dead imho Cool video!

[@andrewholdaway813]

In actual combat I'd say win to Roly.

[@orsettomorbido]

@@andrewholdaway813 Only because Roland stopped his attack to retract the head.

[@Turgz]

If it were for real roland would have had his leg severed. I don't know about you but thats the end of a fight imo.

[@swordandshield]

Well, it is never about what might have been, but only about what actually was. I failed to raise my shield as I moved back and Mikkel exploited it.

[@MrBig913]

lmao

[@xicristian]

at 4:57 in a real fight Roland would have lost?! :O loosing the thumb would mean you couldnt use the sword as effectively... maybe he would have lost that fight... ?

[@punicwars2]

could be. but i would say he would have used armor or a heavy glove in a real fight

[@swordandshield]

Hahaha, I am flattered by the fact that you watch my video so closely. However, while Konrad struck me a couple of times during this weekend, this action of his did not even touch my fingers, it is just the camera perspective.

[@Ilamarea]

I'm not really buying this style of fighting... It's hard for me to imagine it working in a real fight. Pretty much all of these moves can be out-done by covering your enemies vision and just going for the legs, or simply ramming the shield into them and doing likewise. Then again fighting with sharp blades would increase the level of control in such slapping match. Do you do this at all in protective gear?

[@soldierbreakneck771]

You have some kind of stereotypical vision on it. In real sword fight you dont realy need to apply much power, smashing, pushing and so on, as we see in movies. It looks spectacular, but in most cases completely out of sence. In real fight you will pass 1-2 light invisible strikes and would be out of action. What they are showing is very close to real fight. Of course they work in light contact, preventing injuries. That weapons are very dangerous even blunt.

[@Turgz]

You can't just go in to blind someone since they'll cut you nor can you ram them, for the same reason. Why? Because you're suggesting two actions; go in with the shield, _then_ attack. Your opponent will simply attack you during your first action with the shield. You can't do what you suggest in one action as you won't be within range and your opponent would see what you're doing. If you are in range then your opponent will already be attacking you and your suggestion will be impossible. Remember, they are also trying to hit you so you've got to take into account everything you do and think about how they are going to react. How do you think they practiced 1000 years ago, without severing each other's limbs, when they fought for real? You need training in order to fight efficiently when under stress.

[@Ilamarea]

@@Turgz You can ram while attacking and ramming by definition makes you be within range, also while being rammed the only thing they can do is try not to fall over. And 1000 years ago they practiced with wooden weapons whacking each other for real - not this nonsense. You need strength, speed and stamina to fight in a real fight - this nonsense does not let you train either.

[@dwwolf4636]

The most important thing in a real fight is not taking out the opponent. The most important thing is making sure he doesnt take you out. Controlling the opponents weapon is the most important thing to keep you safe. Now preferably you can fulfill prio 2 while keeping 1 in mind.

[@2adamast]

@@Ilamarea If whacking is the norm why are historical shields so thin and axes so small. Not everything is full plate armor and pollaxe

[@samupsilva]

I'm by no ways a specialist. But I feel like this is way too fancy and...soft, like, with too much technique. Doesn't seem at all like the way an armed person would fight at the battlefield. I might be really wrong though, in wich case I'd be also kinda dissapointed that they fought like that :/

[@samupsilva]

@@swordandshield thank you for the clarification, Roland.

[@vorrnth8734]

@@swordandshield To be honest, that is just one way to look at it. My sparring experiences (japanese MA) are kind of different to both movie and your style. A bit more power and speed change a lot and emotions even more so. Try to look at Kendo matches for example. They have technique and speed/power.

[@swordandshield]

@Vorrnth I have done all sorts of sparring in the past, and I was way more forceful in my approach some years ago. I have changed it to a calmer approach as I consider it more appropriate. It is all about distance management. Still too many modern practitioners, regardless of background, charge in too over-enthusiastically. At any rate, modern kendo is a sports while I am interested in reconstructing historical martial arts.

[@wanderingRebel69]

Silly combat level 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000%

[@Wikingersohn93]

How did the everage joe learn that type of complicated fencing back then? And how come you never show a proper free fight with protection gear and an opponent who isn't on the inside of your fencing style? But of course you are the absolute authority on this subject and everybody saying otherwise is a keyboardwarrior even though they might have some fighting experience of their own. ;)

[@swordandshield]

In regards to your first question:There is no mystery. It is the same as with any craft. At the time of the Vikings, sword-fighting had been around for more than 2000 years. A lot of time to filter out anything that was not useful. Inevitably, combat has always been taught by the survivors. They would pass on exactly what had kept them alive. Kids would ape the training of adults from early age, just like with football today. So the youngsters would have a deeper corporal knowledge and understanding of combat even before they become old enough to join their martial education proper. As for your second query: Unlike historical swordsmen, I have the luxury of using modern protection and fencing masks at training, and I do it all the time. There are more than enough videos showing exactly that. To test my skill, I am also constantly going places to fence others who have a different training background. I have just done so when I went to Ribe Viking market (I announced it on FB. Where have you been?) and the Neustadt-Glewe Burgfest. At re-enactments or in a living history context, I find masks and other unauthentic protection quite out of place, which is why I do not use them there. If you want to test yourself against me in modern protective kit, come to the Berlin Buckler Bouts which take place twice per year. Send an email for your name to be added to the invitational list. You are most welcome to put your sword where your mouth is.

[@Wikingersohn93]

@@swordandshield In sources like the viking sagas and antique reports of military contacts with barbarians like celts and germans it is often mentioned how fighters used brute force to overwhelm their enemies. From my own experience I can say that there is definetly something to it. Psychology plays a huge effect in a fight with proper consequences. Concerning the training fights. As far as I am aware there are only a very few videos on your channel where you fence with masks but no leg protection (which is strange considering that legs are prime targets). Also the force used in these training fights wasn't really sufficient to my liking as swords are not lightsabers that cut off limbs upon touching them. I would like to have a fight with you when possible. I'm sure there will be room to set up a fighting frame that both of us agree with (regarding safety equipment and force used). Concerning a meeting I have to see wether I can combine such a thing with a vacation in that area. If so I would really like to have a look. I thank you for the honest answer.

[@zlock8208]

Learn how to fight maybe you can get more fit and be a viking

[@greed37kills]

Hot garbage. You’re not using any of these tools the way they were designed and your shields look flimsy. An ax was not designed for parry and thrust. It was designed for shattering swings. Swords and shields are exchange weapons and you’re using them simultaneously. Quit it. Just quit it.

[@Arakiel085]

Bullshitto. I dont buy it.

[@Gorislaff]

Your videos about artifacts is so exciting, but "combat" videos make me laugh and facepalm.

[@Turgz]

They're using sharp weapons, do you expect them to hit each other?

[@Gorislaff]

@@Turgz so what? If they wanna demonstrate real duels, they can make larp models of weapons, or maybe some kind of protection under their clothes. Axes and swords are made for crushing, not for scratching

[@swordandshield]

I am delighted that you can enjoy my research of original arms despite your ignorance of swordsmanship. Cool.

[@Gorislaff]

@@swordandshield "ignorance"? Don't make me laugh