Keith Seeley researches the weapons and martial arts of early modern China.

His master's degree in history informs his approach to contextualizing and deciphering military treatises and manuals from the late Ming to mid Qing dynasties. His primary weapon of study is the yaodao or single-handed saber, which served as the mainstay military sidearm and civilian self-defense tool throughout this historical period.

In this episode, Keith and host Gabriele Culot dive head-first into a long and distinguished history of combat and martial arts, and into a lineage of weapons that is as interesting as it is often overlooked outside of China.

Roland Warzecha is a world-renowned expert in historical swordsmanship, with 25 years of martial arts practice under his belt. He has also been a devoted re-enactor since the 1990s.

His primary focus of research is medieval sword and buckler combat as outlined in MS I.33, for which he and his fellow instructor/researcher Cornelius Berthold have developed dedicated online courses which you can find here: https://dimicator.teachable.com/p/home

Roland is well-known for exploring sword and shield fighting that predates the Fechtbücher (fencing manuals), such as close combat of the Viking Age and the High Middle Ages. He regularly examines associated weaponry in collections worldwide. Find a continuously growing number of sword documentations here: https://www.patreon.com/dimicator/shop?redirect=true

Supported by international scholars and museums, he has published the results of his research in scholarly journals and books and has lectured at specialist conferences.

As a long-term martial artist and swordsman, he has taught sword fighting across the globe. A key element of his training curriculum is the regular practice with sharp weapons.

In this episode, Roland and I dive into his study and analysis of original antique swords, discover the small details that showcase the mastery of the craft of bladesmiths from the early Middle Ages, and discuss how these learnings influence Roland's approach to practice and his understanding of combat in the past.

For additional resources and to learn more about Roland’s work, visit the Dimicator website: https://dimicator.com/

While you are there, you are welcome to sign up for his newsletter. To read more and to support his work, visit his Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Dimicator

Having trained with swords and other medieval arms in a stage combat context since the age of fifteen while performing in fight shows throughout the New England Renaissance Festival circuit, James Hester encountered early pioneers of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) and began studying the works of medieval and Renaissance masters.

His path then led him to academia and education, working at the Higgins Armory and other museums before journeying to England to complete an MA in Medieval Studies. He subsequently joined the Royal Armouries Museum, where he progressed over five years to become Curator of Tower Collections at the Tower of London. In 2015, James was awarded the Arms & Armour Heritage Trust Studentship to pursue a PhD focusing on late medieval martial arts at the University of Southampton, which he successfully completed in 2018.

Alongside his academic pursuits, James has undertaken in-depth study and practice of diverse traditions, including Wudang Taijiquan and Internal Arts, Zen, European and Asian Philosophy, the Ars Memoriae, and meditation. These explorations have enriched his personal practice and broadened it from the pursuit of an interest into a comprehensive way of living.

In this episode, James and host Gabriele Culot discuss his studies, focusing especially on his research into historical damage to antique weapons and armour, and what the signs of battles from the past can teach modern HEMA practitioners.

Find James' writing and work on his Patreon: / museumcercamon