From his FB page: "We did shoot it from three angles. The demo lasted about an hour and twenty minutes. So it may take a while until you see an edited version of all the footage we recorded. Bear with us." So guess we will get a great video of it at some point. :-)
You are talking too much and even without using immediately your weapons-I suggest less bla bla even if it is sometimes to the point, and more doing the explication practically with (less)talking into it-the practice....
i have watch so many sword and shield technique video . .but not one can answer my question on my mind ,how do we control that huge shield . so much to learn after see this awesome video THANK YOU ALOT! from malaysia :)
I've been watching hema channels for a long time know and this is one of the most interesting topics about shields I've seen so far. Also the lecturer's stance is in my eye superb so I'd think he knows what he's doing.
As well to say 'try a Katana'. Its a non-comparison. Clever tho the Vikings were (as Roland Warzecha makes clear above and in other vids) I doubt their smiths and metalurgists had the technology or knowledge to make the quality of metals needed for later swords. So they wouldn't develop the associated techniques. We don't now know whether they had a word for 'tempo' in the way a rapier weilding fencer uses it - But they sure as hell understood the *concept* of tempo. Brilliant video BTW
Finally available: Five years after this popular recording of Mikkel's and my Viking shield demo at Moesgaard Museum, here is my latest video on Viking Age close combat and the origins of medieval swordsmanship: . Enjoy!
Dietz Stolzenburg Die Schilde sind nicht aus Sperrholz, sondern aus Spaltbohlen/-planken, wie die Originale. Mehr Info hier: facebook.com/266934476773420/photos/a.549286731871525.1073741918.266934476773420/291897017610499/?type=3&theater
This is a very good lecture..the best I have seen on the topic..and I don't understand those who try to argue against it simply because in combat there is always a chance that even the best technique/training will fail..and you will die..there is no 100 % fail safe technique. It's risky business to try to kill an armed enemy..even the best viking fighters died sometimes ;0) But this is very very effective and well tested fighting. And even common sense when you understand it. Good video...
i am just outweirded by their Huten, their guards they most often stand with the sword arm side forward? which is a weird thing to me, maybe because i am more using Meyer based instructions? it just weirds me out
@@patriciusvunkempen102 Meyer's manuscripts that worked with single-handed weapons were devoted to the rapier and the dussack, and neither his rapier nor dussack guards and forms function on the sword arm being back. I couldn't find anything that did from his manuscripts, so you might have been misinformed.
I'm still watching this yearly, even in 2020. It's one of my most favorite videos regarding the correct usage of a round shield and sword. Brilliant lecture, Roland!
DAMMIT!It's been YEARS I WONDERED WHY THE HELL the early medieval swords had practically ALMOST NO CROSS-GUARD, unlike those from the LATER periods, that had the cross-guards much developed! ...here you got the response!...because they DID NOT NEED IT! :) - as THAT SIMPLE!... :)
They say that the reason that movie sword fights are more flashy (heaving hack and lots of blade on blade hacking) is because it's more exciting on screen. . . . . .really? I would MUCH rather see this kind of fighting on screen! I always find the awkwardness and in the moment improvisation of real combat so much more interesting than the perfect, obviously choreographed sword fights in movies.
well it depends on the type of movie. Kung Fu movies are depicting characters of mythical skill, technique, strength, and speed. The idea is that they are such master of fighting technique (and are fighting against similar opponents) that their fighting looks choreographed and planned...because it almost is story-wise. They respond to attacks with defense and attacks of their own by reflex following relatively rigid technique forms and so you get something more akin to a dance than a fight. Since the movie lore explains how such a fight happens, I love it. But if you're talking about a gritty, realistic setting movie, especially a historical piece, then I agree with you completely.
For a 1-2 hour movie for people that don't know much about fighting techniques and are more interested in the story, the way they do fight scenes now is good. Real fighting would be better for a tv series, where we follow a group through training and learn the techniques while there is an interesting historical back-story. Since there are so many weapons and styles, and interesting stories from history, I think it would be a long and educational series while still being very entertaining. But not for the short time in movies
I would love to see this level of skill in a movie. Just imagine these guys in armor with their faces covered hacking at each other (while taking all precautions to avoid injuries) in action scenes and everything else is covered by professional actors. I grow bored watching the action scenes from Game of Thrones and others that completely ignore armor, shields and every bit of realism in it's action scenes.
i love the offensive shield technique when he pines the other's shield to his shoulder to strike the opposing side; but the defense for the same is just as, if not more, ingenious at about 14 minutes in. this is awesome!
I am pleased to see that this video of the museum demo I did with Mikkel Mønsted five years ago is so popular. You may care to note that some new videos on Viking Age close combat are in the works. See a trailer here:
For those interested, Roland continues to pursue this study in great detail and his FB page includes almost daily updates. He's putting together a book on sword and shield theories which will expand on the concepts outlined here.
Although the effect varies from age and size of the audience, the responsibility lies with the performer/educator. From my experience, as difficult as it sometimes may be, it is up to the speaker to work the crowd and learn to play off of what motivates them. Like I said though, this also depends heavily on the size of the crowd and many other factors that make public speaking so difficult for some.
I completely agree with you, but the guy wasn't really bad at all so I don't see why people can't just shout out the answers or at least try because they're all there for the same reasons probably and they all have some interest in the subject in not by any stretch of the imagination was the man a bad teacher nor talker. From my perspective, it just looks like the crowd needs to grow some and just speak up because I think they're all adults and showed be able to be brave enough to answer a few sometimes simple questions... But that's just my opinion, I've never taught in my life so my opinion could be completely invalid but that's just how it looks to me.
No, the guy is very well informed and is trying his best, but he isn't that amazing of a public speaker. I'm sure he's a great teacher one on one, but just from my experience, he doesn't know how to work the crowd that well. Nothing against him, it's just something that comes with experience.
***** I don't know if you teach anything at all but if you did you would realize the value of gaining the attention of your audience with the correct amount of charisma and public speaking abilities. If he was doing a video tutorial, this would suffice. If he didn't care if people were engaged or interested, he would've told everyone to leave accept those willing to learn. He does not because he, just like any teacher, is invested in gaining their student's attention and respect. He simply didn't do that well enough even though he was obviously trying. It's not one thing you can simply say or do that makes you a better demonstrator or teacher. It's experience and learning how to tailor your actions and script to the audience watching. He obviously wanted to teach and asked questions but no one answered. This means he needs to be a little better at communicating and creating a dialog to encourage group cooperation. Yes, it is a concert. We aren't computers that listen to every command given. If we're not interested, we lose focus to the next attention grabbing thing. Every lesson is a performance and you're either good at it or your students learn nothing.
Thank you SO MUCH for posting this! This is the most comprehensive and creative demonstration on the use of the center boss shield I've ever seen. Until today I've never thought of them as a fencing weapon! This is so unlike any previous demonstration or film representation I've seen to date, yet it makes absolute sense. Very well done!
The sword an buckler segment does a great job of showing why metal helmets and gorgets remained in use for so long after other types of armour had gone out of use.
I go back to this a lot. This is probably the best explanation of body mechanics for fencing on the web. Go Roland! Cannot wait to train with that guy some day.
at 32:00 he explains the 'coiled ' position, as we call it in Kali, that is, one weapon chambered underneath the armpit, ready to counterattack. That really enlightened me on that stance. Looking at his site, Roland was first raised on UCC, an eskrima-kali based system, so he has great insight from both west and east.
O. M. G.. I've been on the edge of learning this for years and never put 2+2 together on this. You've completely revolutionized what I'm going to be trying in my fighting styles. This is brilliant, and what's more you can do this while appearing to be a flat shield fighter on engagement. Sneaky sneaky.
You really open my eyes. I see the Viking Sword and Shield as a new art. I'm learning the Viking Ax at this time, and i'll be building a shield and looking into a Viking sword to learn. You've also open my eyes to the buckler. No Hollywood here,how wonderful to see the real teachings. You explain and show very good. Thank you for your sharing.
I just imagined PewDiePie with a Viking sword and shield and armor. He looks like an authentic Nord. I'm pretty sure his ancestors were. He's Swedish, after all.
Bulk isn't everything. Muscle mass doesn't always denote strength in the technique, and muscle is heavy and too much can slow you down. Speed can kill as much as mass.
Fascinating. I watched this video about a year ago, but on second viewing (with more knowledge of the subject) I find it even more fascinating. Hand to hand fighting is a brutal business, but weapons were designed the way they were, even in the early periods, for very specific reasons. Some great insights.
This person has very good understanding of bio mechanics and what we call absolute. I rarely find or even see such person. Thumbs up! He is going through the right track.
Nosondakar The shields they are using are a little bigger then the ones they where using. like he said the tactics in this video don't work with a smaller shield so you have to use a different style. In this video the shield is used to open gaps in the opponents defense and in the other it is used almost exclusively to defend when you use the sword to open gaps and strike like they did with the buckler but their shields where bigger so it was a bit different there too. Also in this video they where showing theory more then trying to kill each other.
Awesome ... So good at articulating, and evidencing the techniques and then with the demonstration it is all so eloquently related. The only thing I can not wrap my head around is how you survive enough fights with all that can go wrong in the chaos of combat to become really skilled.
To elaborate on why the edge would be stronger than the flat side, Pressure = Force divided by Area, decrease the area on which you apply the Force and the Pressure increases. Basic physics. This is why in fighting the weaker guy can win if he cleverly uses this physics principle.
The reason why he isn't talking much of formation/shield wall is mainly because I think its cause this is about individual skills. To learn to use the sword and shield against a single opponent....Why? Because, just like when you do the easy moves before you do the big moves, you gota learn to be able to look after yourself first with the weapons in hand. What's the point of talking about group-formation fight loonngg before a individual can even look after himself? =I
In the wall you defend and let the guys behid you stab your opponents in the face with their spears..or knocking them in the ground with a big daneaxe.
secularnevrosis Read my comment. This is teaching "Individual" skill with the viking shield and sword. You know, 1 person? 1 person looking after himself first? 1 person doing the basics of shield and sword techniques? I know in a Shield wall you can defend and let others do the attack for you, but for that you need a "Group" of people, and that involves a "group" skill to work on, which won't work if the "individuals" can't use the shield properly. I'm saying, to everyone saying "THIS IS BAD HE ISN"T MENTIONING THE EPIC SHIELD WALL" that this training session is talking about individual skill with what you can do with sword and shield. Just like manga-drawing. You don't get 5, random people who hasn't had experience in manga drawing or with completely different art-level from one another togther, and make them do group work on how to make a manga together. They have 5, individual people who has learnt the basics, on their own time how to draw manga in their style and THEN, with similar art-level, they make a group together and draw a big manga series together.
Hiroo Fukuoka Sure...This video isn't about shield walls or "team fighting"...Maybe thats why he isn't talking about it. Refering to your first post. Now to the "Why".... Many instances in 'viking' society revolved around individual skill in arms..Like setteling of disputes, challenging opponents warriors prior to a battle, protecting the farm etc etc. Most of the fighting were with a few of your guys against a few of others..man against man is a good skill to have when the lines break and total chaos ensues. Maybe I missunderstood your comment?
secularnevrosis Possibly. Sorry for that too. I should have said that "In this video..." rather than the entirety of things. What I meant to say was, in THIS video, he;s only talking about individual techniques with viking sword and shield. Just that most people just goes straight into how this video is bad for not mentioning or teaching the shield-wall when there's only 2 guys being shown on the video, which I found rather ridonculous.
You're assuming that the shield boss spike wouldn't work as a weapon when you're fighting 1 on 1. In mass shieldwall battles when two armies clash and the front soldiers are mercilessly pushed forward, a spike might actually cut into an enemy soldier also being push forwards by his army.
The Romans used the shields to push their enemies in mass combat. A spike is uselss cause as Viking said the oponent would have a shield aswell. If he wouldnt, you wouldnt need the spike anyway since then your weapon is the attaking thingy. In roman times there was no pushing the man in front of you. such things are stupid. actually they made shure there always is a little space in between battle lines. The lines behind the first ones would be trowing spears into the enem lines, breaking the formation. Having a spike would make a shield heavier while the protection of it would not really increase.. so rather have a thicker shield that slows down spears or arrows more (shields do let spears get through and arrows can have enormous power aswell.. )
It's probably more about mobility than fashion. It allows the mobility of shorts, without any bare skin being exposed. Safety equipment against bare skin is going to chafe like hell. Just my guess.
If he/she had practiced in fighting vs. right handed fighters, wich would probably be tha case, there would be a definite advantage - and I say this as I have fought left handed fighters in the style Roland uses here, using viking weaponry. It's very different from fighting right handed fighters, and since most people are right handed, they would be used to fight right handed fighters, so a left handed one would be something they aren't used to; i.e. worse at. Hope that was a good enough answer! :)
It would be very awkward for both parties because they are sword on sword and shield on shield. The only way I can think to attack would be to move in diagonally with the shield to block the opponent's sword and push it to the side to create an opening, but then to exploit it you have to attack over your own arm! If your opponent blocks your shield with his then you could roll around his back and deal a backhanded slash; maybe that would work better in practice. Still, I wouldn't want to be spinning all over the place on the battlefield.
I actually fought a "lefty" just yesterday at training, it was quite a nice variation. What happens it that there is a lot more "fencing" rather than blocking with the shield, as no one wants to attack on the shield side both fighters keep standing with shield on shield and sword on sword. Sure, the shield is still used to steer away the opponents sword and to block out his later attacks, but the first thing that seemed to happen was sword-on-sword attacks with blocks occuring first after the initiating blows had come. However, I've gotten more used to fighting left-handers since in the club i first learned to fight, there was a left handed guy. So it's been part of the learning process from the start, rather than being something to get used to after already mastering a technique.
There's actually some evidence to suggest that some weapons from the Migration Era, like the bearded axe, were used left-handed. The Bayeux Tapestry shows invading Vikings wielding axes in their left hand as well as with both hands.
Hell yes. I had fits fencing (epee) against lefties. Even the coach said about the best guys (pre-olympic team, sabre - "too bad he's not left handed").
Excellent informative video, well researched and carefully explained as to why things were designed a certain way. Weapons were designed in response to specific situations, and it's very interesting to hear these reasons explored here. About the shield boss having a spike - the only advantage I can think of is to cause extra damage to the opponent's arm during a shield trap move, or to weaken/break the opponent's arm's posture in this movement. What I enjoyed most about Roland's discussions is that each component of weaponry shouldn't be considered alone. The design of the shield diameter, shield edge, shield boss, lack of an arm strap, sword crossguard, they're all integrated into a clever fighting system and make a lot of sense. Regarding people saying firearms requiring less skill: it's easy to shoot a gun just like it's easy to stab someone. Guns started off as a trump card to traditional warfare, and so at the start it's easier to train soldiers to a basic level and beat well trained melee soldiers and archers. But when everyone has a gun, training is required to maintain the advantage. Whoever has the better accuracy, range, rate of fire, tactics, endurance, speed, on and on. Guns have seen constant improvements to become more effective, and now we have aircraft and drones and guided missiles. Once again, training and technology continue to be pushed forward.
Mason Revington I know, but thats a huge difference. Average Northern Central European Height today is a little over 5'10, long ago it would have been 5'6 or 5'7. I bet that Roland here is 6' plus. The shorter height means that even smaller shields (than 80cm) would have been useful in the way described in the video. This gives even more credit to the theory.
Kiln Firelink Not true, you cannot simply hack and slash wildly like in movies and get a decent cut through anything, swords can cut very deep but not in a hacking motion.
Kiln Firelink They are not saying swords CAN NOT hack, they are saying swords are not DESIGNED for hacking. The steak cutting example is very good because steak is a type of flesh, cow. Scientifically speaking, any bladed edge should be beveled to a single molecule of whatever material, be it bronze, iron, steel etc., all the way down the blade from the point. This is why constant sharpening on whetstones is required to keep a blades edge, the stone wears away excess material from the edge to keep it razor sharp. The sharpened edge is so fine that when you draw the sword across a persons skin and slice it, its actually separating the bonds the molecules use to hold together the skin or flesh. Axes are designed for hacking. On a side note, I think the metal cap on the viking age shields are merely a way to protect the shield hand, like a gantlet. Too many broken shields and hands, someone figured out putting a shield on the shield.
This is great. Really frustrated at sword fights were the two opponents just concentrate on whacking each other's swords with no interest in hitting the body. Very instructive. Thanks Roland. Great work!
I always knew that the shield was an important component of combat, but the concept of the shield being the "attacking' weapon and the sword being the "exploiting" weapon never occurred to me, and totally blew my mind. It's pretty much transformed my view of sword-and-shield dynamics.
i liked this video, good talk on biomechanics. I was a wrestler, and the pushpull/lateral push is very true for any martial art, armed or unarmed. I will tell you the #1 most important thing in fighting is footwork. Footwork is best defense and the best offense. a good sidestep trumps all attacks, and a good advancing flank compromises all foes.
I keep coming back to watching this video! Roland is amazing and It would be great if a professional film team made a documentary on actual historically accurate sword fighting. An interesting scope would be to have the intention of debunking (or mythbusting if you will) swordfighting movie tropes or "Hollywood glorifications" with Roland as the lead!
This is an excellent video. I hope movies in the future start to portray more accurate swordfighting like this. Most of the sword fighting you see in movies is all flash and flare.
I plan on making a upcoming video on this video but it will be in praise and show some variations of this Fighting style and other moves.This Video is correct about the Style in all ways.
I am glad to here this. It is important for people to understand that Europeans had fighting systems every bit as sophisticated as anything from Asia. Next I suggest looking for information about the German and Italian masters and Fechtbuchs. You can find many good videos here on UA-cam.
easily the most legitimate example of its kind i have ever seen. this guy obviously hs done his research and done a lot of intelligent experimentation of his own.
Love this insightful and intuitively switched on accn of Viking age sword and shield. The only missing ingredient is more principle geared POV including 'mindset' governing strategy which was an all important ingredient in the days of yore.
Ive never been much of a sword and board guy...more so of a greatsword/twinblade. Though in one on one scenarios, makes it tough to beat people who use sword and shield. Personally, I've only been able to counter this by grabbing the biggest weapon I could get (my amazingly ridiculous (why I love it) greatsword) and give them a swing they cant block. Watching this, though, helps me understand more on how I could win in a means that isn't turning myself into a berserker.
The Freiburg lecture will be in English because there will be at least one guest from Sweden: renowned sword expert Peter Johnsson of Albion Armorers. If you are interested to come by, get in touch via the Hammborg website!
7:57 The way he manipulates the shield is awesome, that's how actual vikings did it, they create an opener in the shield then they attack with the tip or blade of the broadsword.
I just fixed the audio and re-upped the video. The lecturers themselves mainly focus on sword & buckler. Google "hammaborg" or "hammaborg dvd". There are some links in the description, too.
Come to see a revised version of this Viking shield demo staged at Moesgaard Viking Moot 2017: ua-cam.com/video/O1wMek0E1Mk/v-deo.html
From his FB page:
"We did shoot it from three angles. The demo lasted about an hour and twenty minutes. So it may take a while until you see an edited version of all the footage we recorded. Bear with us."
So guess we will get a great video of it at some point. :-)
You are talking too much and even without using immediately your weapons-I suggest less bla bla even if it is sometimes to the point, and more doing the explication practically with (less)talking into it-the practice....
i have watch so many sword and shield technique video . .but not one can answer my question on my mind ,how do we control that huge shield .
so much to learn after see this awesome video
THANK YOU ALOT!
from malaysia :)
This guy is an awesome lecturer. Someone needs to get him together with a professional camera man and a director/editor to film this properly.
He has a Sword & Buckler DVD out: www.albion-europe.com/books/item.aspx?item=478
+Noneofyerbiz And a UA-cam channel (just Roland Warzecha)
+Noneofyerbiz My Hema couch just did a course with him!
I've been watching hema channels for a long time know and this is one of the most interesting topics about shields I've seen so far. Also the lecturer's stance is in my eye superb so I'd think he knows what he's doing.
go on his youtube channel
"If he's not a competent swordsman, he's going to die any way."
*hits like button*
It's eerie how sophisticated this stuff is.
Fighting for your life is a serious thing.
It's almost like... people from the middle ages... were as smart as we are...
+Tom J lol
It isn't. Try rapier
As well to say 'try a Katana'. Its a non-comparison.
Clever tho the Vikings were (as Roland Warzecha makes clear above and in other vids) I doubt their smiths and metalurgists had the technology or knowledge to make the quality of metals needed for later swords.
So they wouldn't develop the associated techniques.
We don't now know whether they had a word for 'tempo' in the way a rapier weilding fencer uses it - But they sure as hell understood the *concept* of tempo.
Brilliant video BTW
"If your arm was attached to your ass you would have won" - Roland Warzecha 2011
I beautiful sentiment that applies to all aspects of life.
Actually it was in 2010, though. Awesome quote nontheless
Now I wish combat in movies and TV shows would adhere to these principles.
tough crowd
Finally available: Five years after this popular recording of Mikkel's and my Viking shield demo at Moesgaard Museum, here is my latest video on Viking Age close combat and the origins of medieval swordsmanship: . Enjoy!
Roland Warzecha It seems like I became interested at a good time!
Wayward Son Thank you. Glad you like our presentation.
+Roland Warzecha Roland aus welchem Sperrholz / mm baut ihr eure Schilde, sie sehen sehr leicht aus?
Dietz Stolzenburg Die Schilde sind nicht aus Sperrholz, sondern aus Spaltbohlen/-planken, wie die Originale. Mehr Info hier: facebook.com/266934476773420/photos/a.549286731871525.1073741918.266934476773420/291897017610499/?type=3&theater
Amazing job my friend
Teaching with a bit of humor is the best kind. I love it great video.
This is a very good lecture..the best I have seen on the topic..and I don't understand those who try to argue against it simply because in combat there is always a chance that even the best technique/training will fail..and you will die..there is no 100 % fail safe technique. It's risky business to try to kill an armed enemy..even the best viking fighters died sometimes ;0) But this is very very effective and well tested fighting. And even common sense when you understand it. Good video...
+Joshua Levi Renard he he. Yes.......Well it sometimes sounds there is a lot of people that have developed that very technique when they commentate 😀
i am just outweirded by their Huten,
their guards
they most often stand with the sword arm side forward? which is a weird thing to me, maybe because i am more using Meyer based instructions? it just weirds me out
@@patriciusvunkempen102 Meyer's manuscripts that worked with single-handed weapons were devoted to the rapier and the dussack, and neither his rapier nor dussack guards and forms function on the sword arm being back. I couldn't find anything that did from his manuscripts, so you might have been misinformed.
@@MathasiaJ interesting , but happens.
I'm still watching this yearly, even in 2020. It's one of my most favorite videos regarding the correct usage of a round shield and sword. Brilliant lecture, Roland!
DAMMIT!It's been YEARS I WONDERED WHY THE HELL the early medieval swords had practically ALMOST NO CROSS-GUARD, unlike those from the LATER periods, that had the cross-guards much developed! ...here you got the response!...because they DID NOT NEED IT! :) - as THAT SIMPLE!... :)
They say that the reason that movie sword fights are more flashy (heaving hack and lots of blade on blade hacking) is because it's more exciting on screen. . . . . .really? I would MUCH rather see this kind of fighting on screen! I always find the awkwardness and in the moment improvisation of real combat so much more interesting than the perfect, obviously choreographed sword fights in movies.
Movie fights tell a story. Think of all the fights in Forbidden Kingdom, especially between Liu & the Silent Monk.
Aspie Sean Yes. They tell a disingenuous story.
ginemginem And your premise for this is what exactly?
well it depends on the type of movie. Kung Fu movies are depicting characters of mythical skill, technique, strength, and speed. The idea is that they are such master of fighting technique (and are fighting against similar opponents) that their fighting looks choreographed and planned...because it almost is story-wise. They respond to attacks with defense and attacks of their own by reflex following relatively rigid technique forms and so you get something more akin to a dance than a fight. Since the movie lore explains how such a fight happens, I love it. But if you're talking about a gritty, realistic setting movie, especially a historical piece, then I agree with you completely.
For a 1-2 hour movie for people that don't know much about fighting techniques and are more interested in the story, the way they do fight scenes now is good. Real fighting would be better for a tv series, where we follow a group through training and learn the techniques while there is an interesting historical back-story. Since there are so many weapons and styles, and interesting stories from history, I think it would be a long and educational series while still being very entertaining. But not for the short time in movies
I would love to see this level of skill in a movie. Just imagine these guys in armor with their faces covered hacking at each other (while taking all precautions to avoid injuries) in action scenes and everything else is covered by professional actors. I grow bored watching the action scenes from Game of Thrones and others that completely ignore armor, shields and every bit of realism in it's action scenes.
I know your comment is 3 years old but you can find realistic 1v1 medical combat arena videos, actual competitions, minus the killing.
i love the offensive shield technique when he pines the other's shield to his shoulder to strike the opposing side; but the defense for the same is just as, if not more, ingenious at about 14 minutes in. this is awesome!
I am pleased to see that this video of the museum demo I did with Mikkel Mønsted five years ago is so popular. You may care to note that some new videos on Viking Age close combat are in the works. See a trailer here:
For those interested, Roland continues to pursue this study in great detail and his FB page includes almost daily updates. He's putting together a book on sword and shield theories which will expand on the concepts outlined here.
finally some usefull non holywood kungfu fighting lesson, great video thanks for upload
Kungfu?
Firstly, kung-fu
Second, kung-fu was an eastern martial arts technique featuring a variety of weaponry, but never shields
Useful? For your larping adventures?
God, the crowd sure shows enthusiasm... every question even if you can just guess, they don't say a fucking thing...
Although the effect varies from age and size of the audience, the responsibility lies with the performer/educator. From my experience, as difficult as it sometimes may be, it is up to the speaker to work the crowd and learn to play off of what motivates them. Like I said though, this also depends heavily on the size of the crowd and many other factors that make public speaking so difficult for some.
I completely agree with you, but the guy wasn't really bad at all so I don't see why people can't just shout out the answers or at least try because they're all there for the same reasons probably and they all have some interest in the subject in not by any stretch of the imagination was the man a bad teacher nor talker. From my perspective, it just looks like the crowd needs to grow some and just speak up because I think they're all adults and showed be able to be brave enough to answer a few sometimes simple questions... But that's just my opinion, I've never taught in my life so my opinion could be completely invalid but that's just how it looks to me.
No, the guy is very well informed and is trying his best, but he isn't that amazing of a public speaker. I'm sure he's a great teacher one on one, but just from my experience, he doesn't know how to work the crowd that well. Nothing against him, it's just something that comes with experience.
***** I don't know if you teach anything at all but if you did you would realize the value of gaining the attention of your audience with the correct amount of charisma and public speaking abilities.
If he was doing a video tutorial, this would suffice. If he didn't care if people were engaged or interested, he would've told everyone to leave accept those willing to learn. He does not because he, just like any teacher, is invested in gaining their student's attention and respect. He simply didn't do that well enough even though he was obviously trying.
It's not one thing you can simply say or do that makes you a better demonstrator or teacher. It's experience and learning how to tailor your actions and script to the audience watching. He obviously wanted to teach and asked questions but no one answered. This means he needs to be a little better at communicating and creating a dialog to encourage group cooperation. Yes, it is a concert. We aren't computers that listen to every command given. If we're not interested, we lose focus to the next attention grabbing thing. Every lesson is a performance and you're either good at it or your students learn nothing.
Thank you SO MUCH for posting this! This is the most comprehensive and creative demonstration on the use of the center boss shield I've ever seen. Until today I've never thought of them as a fencing weapon! This is so unlike any previous demonstration or film representation I've seen to date, yet it makes absolute sense. Very well done!
This is a wonderful demonstration, easily one of the best I've seen on swordsmanship. Simple, straightforward, and still thorough. Thank you!
I've watched this video a few times now. It made me pretty interested in viking age swords.
I like this guy, I like this guy a lot! He strikes me as a very smart fellow.
you strike me as a dumbass
The sword an buckler segment does a great job of showing why metal helmets and gorgets remained in use for so long after other types of armour had gone out of use.
I go back to this a lot. This is probably the best explanation of body mechanics for fencing on the web. Go Roland! Cannot wait to train with that guy some day.
I literally think this is the best thing i've ever seen
at 32:00 he explains the 'coiled ' position, as we call it in Kali, that is, one weapon chambered underneath the armpit, ready to counterattack. That really enlightened me on that stance.
Looking at his site, Roland was first raised on UCC, an eskrima-kali based system, so he has great insight from both west and east.
O. M. G.. I've been on the edge of learning this for years and never put 2+2 together on this. You've completely revolutionized what I'm going to be trying in my fighting styles. This is brilliant, and what's more you can do this while appearing to be a flat shield fighter on engagement. Sneaky sneaky.
You really open my eyes. I see the Viking Sword and Shield as a new art. I'm learning the Viking Ax at this time, and i'll be building a shield and looking into a Viking sword to learn. You've also open my eyes to the buckler. No Hollywood here,how wonderful to see the real teachings. You explain and show very good. Thank you for your sharing.
"He's completely sealed off. And I even step on his foot!" lol cold blooded
not to hurt his foot but it stops him from being able to take a step backwards or could cause him to fall over if he tries to.
I just imagined PewDiePie with a Viking sword and shield and armor. He looks like an authentic Nord. I'm pretty sure his ancestors were. He's Swedish, after all.
Syed Fazlur Rahman
He's a little thin though. Boi needs to bulk up! He can grow a mean beard so he's a real Nord in that regard.
Bulk isn't everything. Muscle mass doesn't always denote strength in the technique, and muscle is heavy and too much can slow you down. Speed can kill as much as mass.
PewDiePie is stupid and so are you.
This is an amazing presentation of historical single sword techniques. I will be looking for more of these fine efforts.
It's amazing all the knowledge we've lost on this stuff, there's so much to it.
So......how does this help me tank in mythic raids??
Go back to your bridge, troll.
@@mikeycrabtree123 learn to take joke. Damn
Press Shield Block on cooldown, good to go.
i leveled up into level 2 swordsman after watching this video. lol xD
Fascinating. I watched this video about a year ago, but on second viewing (with more knowledge of the subject) I find it even more fascinating.
Hand to hand fighting is a brutal business, but weapons were designed the way they were, even in the early periods, for very specific reasons. Some great insights.
This person has very good understanding of bio mechanics and what we call absolute. I rarely find or even see such person. Thumbs up! He is going through the right track.
ahhhhh, quite a difference.
unlike "Sword Fighting As It Was For the Vikings" video
Nosondakar The shields they are using are a little bigger then the ones they where using. like he said the tactics in this video don't work with a smaller shield so you have to use a different style. In this video the shield is used to open gaps in the opponents defense and in the other it is used almost exclusively to defend when you use the sword to open gaps and strike like they did with the buckler but their shields where bigger so it was a bit different there too. Also in this video they where showing theory more then trying to kill each other.
If you also like to see what our fencing with medieval sword & buckler currently looks like, you are welcome to watch this video:
Awesome ... So good at articulating, and evidencing the techniques and then with the demonstration it is all so eloquently related. The only thing I can not wrap my head around is how you survive enough fights with all that can go wrong in the chaos of combat to become really skilled.
Superbly thought analysis of how sword and shield work together and masterly portrayed. It all made perfect sense without counter argument..
"If his arm was attached to his ass, he would have won." Brilliant!
I AM ENTERTAINED! Like you and you comrades thought process.
Am I the only one who comes back to this wonderful vid once in a while just because of it's sheer awesomeness?
To elaborate on why the edge would be stronger than the flat side, Pressure = Force divided by Area, decrease the area on which you apply the Force and the Pressure increases. Basic physics. This is why in fighting the weaker guy can win if he cleverly uses this physics principle.
A. K. A. Hit hard and where it counts.
Came here expecting to have a good laugh at 'these grown kids with too much time on their hands', but it's actually very interesting.
I never get tired of this video!
I hope this guy is still making success with his classes (or whatever program he has). Really excited to learn more!
A lot of these concepts are relateble to wing chun
The reason why he isn't talking much of formation/shield wall is mainly because I think its cause this is about individual skills. To learn to use the sword and shield against a single opponent....Why? Because, just like when you do the easy moves before you do the big moves, you gota learn to be able to look after yourself first with the weapons in hand. What's the point of talking about group-formation fight loonngg before a individual can even look after himself? =I
In the wall you defend and let the guys behid you stab your opponents in the face with their spears..or knocking them in the ground with a big daneaxe.
secularnevrosis Read my comment. This is teaching "Individual" skill with the viking shield and sword. You know, 1 person? 1 person looking after himself first? 1 person doing the basics of shield and sword techniques? I know in a Shield wall you can defend and let others do the attack for you, but for that you need a "Group" of people, and that involves a "group" skill to work on, which won't work if the "individuals" can't use the shield properly.
I'm saying, to everyone saying "THIS IS BAD HE ISN"T MENTIONING THE EPIC SHIELD WALL" that this training session is talking about individual skill with what you can do with sword and shield.
Just like manga-drawing. You don't get 5, random people who hasn't had experience in manga drawing or with completely different art-level from one another togther, and make them do group work on how to make a manga together. They have 5, individual people who has learnt the basics, on their own time how to draw manga in their style and THEN, with similar art-level, they make a group together and draw a big manga series together.
Hiroo Fukuoka
Sure...This video isn't about shield walls or "team fighting"...Maybe thats why he isn't talking about it. Refering to your first post.
Now to the "Why".... Many instances in 'viking' society revolved around individual skill in arms..Like setteling of disputes, challenging opponents warriors prior to a battle, protecting the farm etc etc. Most of the fighting were with a few of your guys against a few of others..man against man is a good skill to have when the lines break and total chaos ensues.
Maybe I missunderstood your comment?
secularnevrosis
Possibly. Sorry for that too. I should have said that "In this video..." rather than the entirety of things. What I meant to say was, in THIS video, he;s only talking about individual techniques with viking sword and shield.
Just that most people just goes straight into how this video is bad for not mentioning or teaching the shield-wall when there's only 2 guys being shown on the video, which I found rather ridonculous.
Hiroo Fukuoka
Then we are on the same page :)
THANK YOU FOR FIXING THE AUDIO!
This is some innovative stuff. Among the best about Iron Age shield combat I have seen.
real life barristan selmy
My exact thoughts. Thank you, good sir, for brightening my day.
You're assuming that the shield boss spike wouldn't work as a weapon when you're fighting 1 on 1. In mass shieldwall battles when two armies clash and the front soldiers are mercilessly pushed forward, a spike might actually cut into an enemy soldier also being push forwards by his army.
Possible, but it seems unlikely that someone would be stuck against an enemy shield without having his own shield against it aswell.
The Romans used the shields to push their enemies in mass combat. A spike is uselss cause as Viking said the oponent would have a shield aswell. If he wouldnt, you wouldnt need the spike anyway since then your weapon is the attaking thingy. In roman times there was no pushing the man in front of you. such things are stupid. actually they made shure there always is a little space in between battle lines. The lines behind the first ones would be trowing spears into the enem lines, breaking the formation. Having a spike would make a shield heavier while the protection of it would not really increase.. so rather have a thicker shield that slows down spears or arrows more (shields do let spears get through and arrows can have enormous power aswell.. )
but what if your attacking thingy struck his whachamacallit? then the doohicky thingamabob might break off in his doodad?
huh lol?
mistanix Just listen to this man and you'll understand what i'm talking about.
What a physically and intellectually gifted man. An superb presenter.
Best Viking Sword and Shield Video on the internet! Thanks so much for the information!
Can somebody please explain to me the 3 quarter length and high socks thing in HEMA, Where is everyone getting this look from?
It's probably more about mobility than fashion. It allows the mobility of shorts, without any bare skin being exposed. Safety equipment against bare skin is going to chafe like hell. Just my guess.
We use shin guards under the socks, just like in football (or soccer if you do not understand Europa).
KnightSquire huh, odd to see you here. I do t usually think of people with their own channels commenting on videos. Lol
My comments are littered all over the place. XD
KnightSquire and fine comments they are my good sir.
here's a question, what if the Viking was left handed and was used to fighting right handed fighters? would he/she be at an advantage?
If he/she had practiced in fighting vs. right handed fighters, wich would probably be tha case, there would be a definite advantage - and I say this as I have fought left handed fighters in the style Roland uses here, using viking weaponry. It's very different from fighting right handed fighters, and since most people are right handed, they would be used to fight right handed fighters, so a left handed one would be something they aren't used to; i.e. worse at. Hope that was a good enough answer! :)
It would be very awkward for both parties because they are sword on sword and shield on shield. The only way I can think to attack would be to move in diagonally with the shield to block the opponent's sword and push it to the side to create an opening, but then to exploit it you have to attack over your own arm! If your opponent blocks your shield with his then you could roll around his back and deal a backhanded slash; maybe that would work better in practice. Still, I wouldn't want to be spinning all over the place on the battlefield.
I actually fought a "lefty" just yesterday at training, it was quite a nice variation. What happens it that there is a lot more "fencing" rather than blocking with the shield, as no one wants to attack on the shield side both fighters keep standing with shield on shield and sword on sword. Sure, the shield is still used to steer away the opponents sword and to block out his later attacks, but the first thing that seemed to happen was sword-on-sword attacks with blocks occuring first after the initiating blows had come. However, I've gotten more used to fighting left-handers since in the club i first learned to fight, there was a left handed guy. So it's been part of the learning process from the start, rather than being something to get used to after already mastering a technique.
There's actually some evidence to suggest that some weapons from the Migration Era, like the bearded axe, were used left-handed. The Bayeux Tapestry shows invading Vikings wielding axes in their left hand as well as with both hands.
Hell yes. I had fits fencing (epee) against lefties. Even the coach said about the best guys (pre-olympic team, sabre - "too bad he's not left handed").
Excellent informative video, well researched and carefully explained as to why things were designed a certain way. Weapons were designed in response to specific situations, and it's very interesting to hear these reasons explored here.
About the shield boss having a spike - the only advantage I can think of is to cause extra damage to the opponent's arm during a shield trap move, or to weaken/break the opponent's arm's posture in this movement.
What I enjoyed most about Roland's discussions is that each component of weaponry shouldn't be considered alone. The design of the shield diameter, shield edge, shield boss, lack of an arm strap, sword crossguard, they're all integrated into a clever fighting system and make a lot of sense.
Regarding people saying firearms requiring less skill: it's easy to shoot a gun just like it's easy to stab someone. Guns started off as a trump card to traditional warfare, and so at the start it's easier to train soldiers to a basic level and beat well trained melee soldiers and archers. But when everyone has a gun, training is required to maintain the advantage. Whoever has the better accuracy, range, rate of fire, tactics, endurance, speed, on and on. Guns have seen constant improvements to become more effective, and now we have aircraft and drones and guided missiles. Once again, training and technology continue to be pushed forward.
Good to see you back on youtube, Thrand!
People were far shorter a thousand years ago, so in proportion to their bodies, the shields would be even larger.
they were only 2-3 inches shorter
Mason Revington I know, but thats a huge difference. Average Northern Central European Height today is a little over 5'10, long ago it would have been 5'6 or 5'7. I bet that Roland here is 6' plus. The shorter height means that even smaller shields (than 80cm) would have been useful in the way described in the video. This gives even more credit to the theory.
You know they do some of those averages like they do average life span right?
Nick Kraw the average Viking was 6ft tall.You have them confused with southern Europeans who were puny in comparison
@@juliusstriecher7319 skeletal remains put the average adult male Scandinavian at around 5'7" or 5'8".
very insightful. Thank you for this, I hope to see more lectures from you.
Very freaking informative. Never knew fighting principles could get so complex and sensible..
Great Video, but swords can hack. Two-handed sword hack limbs extremely well.
they usually use 2mm blunted so they will only crush bones
VikingFromHalland svärd anpassade för strid är alltid skarpslipade.
*****
Argument not that out of context, they say swords can't hack in the video ^w^
Kiln Firelink Not true, you cannot simply hack and slash wildly like in movies and get a decent cut through anything, swords can cut very deep but not in a hacking motion.
Kiln Firelink They are not saying swords CAN NOT hack, they are saying swords are not DESIGNED for hacking. The steak cutting example is very good because steak is a type of flesh, cow. Scientifically speaking, any bladed edge should be beveled to a single molecule of whatever material, be it bronze, iron, steel etc., all the way down the blade from the point. This is why constant sharpening on whetstones is required to keep a blades edge, the stone wears away excess material from the edge to keep it razor sharp. The sharpened edge is so fine that when you draw the sword across a persons skin and slice it, its actually separating the bonds the molecules use to hold together the skin or flesh. Axes are designed for hacking.
On a side note, I think the metal cap on the viking age shields are merely a way to protect the shield hand, like a gantlet. Too many broken shields and hands, someone figured out putting a shield on the shield.
this is incredibly fun to watch
This guy is an excellent teacher, regards from Chile
This is fascinating. I learned a lot from this video.
Great presentation! I would have been delighted to have been there.
Wow! What a great video. Have been searching everywhere for stuff like this just for my own curiosity. Cheers to your knowledge on the topic!
This is great. Really frustrated at sword fights were the two opponents just concentrate on whacking each other's swords with no interest in hitting the body. Very instructive. Thanks Roland. Great work!
Mr Roland is such a bad ass, and you can tell he is a very kind and funny spirit. I hope to train with him one day.
I always knew that the shield was an important component of combat, but the concept of the shield being the "attacking' weapon and the sword being the "exploiting" weapon never occurred to me, and totally blew my mind. It's pretty much transformed my view of sword-and-shield dynamics.
An excellent tutorial; very insightful and enjoyable.
This was very interesting, going to have to look up this guy and see what else he has done.
for the first time ive found a man who applies science, wonderful job.
Outstanding presentation and great video! Thank you for sharing!
i liked this video, good talk on biomechanics. I was a wrestler, and the pushpull/lateral push is very true for any martial art, armed or unarmed. I will tell you the #1 most important thing in fighting is footwork. Footwork is best defense and the best offense. a good sidestep trumps all attacks, and a good advancing flank compromises all foes.
I keep coming back to watching this video! Roland is amazing and It would be great if a professional film team made a documentary on actual historically accurate sword fighting. An interesting scope would be to have the intention of debunking (or mythbusting if you will) swordfighting movie tropes or "Hollywood glorifications" with Roland as the lead!
I trained with theese guys at swordfish 2008 in Gothenburg. It was really interesting and they know a great deal about this which I love learning
AMAZING video! thnx for edit and full version!
Excellent presentation ... the instructor here is very good.
This is an excellent video. I hope movies in the future start to portray more accurate swordfighting like this. Most of the sword fighting you see in movies is all flash and flare.
Nice lesson on body mechanics and warfare tactics here for martial artists in general
Cheers! Very cool demo! Studying Chinese and Filipino arts and enjoyed this greatly.
I plan on making a upcoming video on this video but it will be in praise and show some variations of this Fighting style and other moves.This Video is correct about the Style in all ways.
Really awesome! I love learning about ancient sword/shield play; it's really interesting to me
thanks for posting this it's great. I will be using these Viking techniques in my Viking faction in my LARP, Melee.
This is Thrand!!! Excellent Video!!! all true and valid points about Viking round shield.
Still one of my favorite videos on this website :3
I am glad to here this. It is important for people to understand that Europeans had fighting systems every bit as sophisticated as anything from Asia.
Next I suggest looking for information about the German and Italian masters and Fechtbuchs. You can find many good videos here on UA-cam.
easily the most legitimate example of its kind i have ever seen. this guy obviously hs done his research and done a lot of intelligent experimentation of his own.
Excellent lecture. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing this!
Love this insightful and intuitively switched on accn of Viking age sword and shield. The only missing ingredient is more principle geared POV including 'mindset' governing strategy which was an all important ingredient in the days of yore.
Ive never been much of a sword and board guy...more so of a greatsword/twinblade. Though in one on one scenarios, makes it tough to beat people who use sword and shield. Personally, I've only been able to counter this by grabbing the biggest weapon I could get (my amazingly ridiculous (why I love it) greatsword) and give them a swing they cant block. Watching this, though, helps me understand more on how I could win in a means that isn't turning myself into a berserker.
The Freiburg lecture will be in English because there will be at least one guest from Sweden: renowned sword expert Peter Johnsson of Albion Armorers. If you are interested to come by, get in touch via the Hammborg website!
one clip and fixed sound. Fantastic.
7:57 The way he manipulates the shield is awesome, that's how actual vikings did it, they create an opener in the shield then they attack with the tip or blade of the broadsword.
I just fixed the audio and re-upped the video. The lecturers themselves mainly focus on sword & buckler. Google "hammaborg" or "hammaborg dvd". There are some links in the description, too.
This was veeeeeery interesting, thank you alot for making my evening!
Прекрасное видео, достойное объяснение с долей юмора - то что нужно, для приятного и информативного просмотра)