SCAtoday.net
Duke Hrodir Toreson new Heir to Northshield Throne
Master Andrixos reports that Duke Hrodir Toreson was the victor of the May 11, 2013 Crown Tournament in the Kingdom of Northshield. His Grace was inspired in his endeavor by Countess Ann of Warrick.
Request for Comment: SCAtoday.net considers change to event calendar policy
We are considering a change to the way we obtain event listings for our calendar, or possibly eliminating the calendar altogether, and comments from readers are encouraged to help us make the decision.
Tolkien inspiration on display in Hampshire
Eight years before J.R.R. Tolkien published The Hobbit, archaeologist Sir Mortimer Wheeler sought the author's opinion about a cursed Roman ring discovered in Silchester, Hampshire in the 1920's. The ring, along with a tablet, cursing any thief who thought to steal it, are believed to have inspired Tolkien's One Ring.
Could Winchester bones be Alfred the Great?
Archaeologists have exhumed the remains from an unmarked grave at St Bartholomew's Church in Winchester, England, hoping they have found the bones of the Saxon king Alfred the Great who died in 899.
14th century Expositiones Vocabulorum Biblie comes home
A 14th century, hand-written copy of the Expositiones Vocabulorum Biblie has returned to its place of origin after surviving the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII in the 1530s. The parchment manuscript, which was created to help the nuns of Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire study and understand the Bible, is now on display at the abbey thanks to the National Trust which purchased the document at auction. (photos)
Mary Rose cannonballs early examples of armour-piercing rounds
The Mary Rose, the flagship of Henry VIII found on the ocean floor off the south coast of England, may once again change English history. Scientists studying cannonballs discovered on the ship have found them to be armor-piercing, a technology believed to have been created in the 18th century. (photos)
Cologne excavations reveal rich Jewish history
For years, archaeologists have concentrated on Roman excavations in western Germany, largely ignoring its medieval past, especially when it came to Jewish history. Now the discovery of over 250,000 artifacts in Cologne, is revealing new insights into "one of Europe's oldest and biggest Jewish communities."
William Shakespeare, tax-evader
William Shakespeare may have been the world's greatest writer, but he routinely failed to pay his taxes. This is the conclusion of a new study by scholars from Aberystwyth University which shows that Shakespeare was "repeatedly prosecuted and fined for illegally hoarding food, and threatened with jail for failing to pay his taxes."
Little footprints on the pages of history
Somewhere in 14th century Croatia, a scribe must have had a few choice words for his pet cat after kitty left his little paw marks on the pages of the scholar's book. The discovery was made by Ph.D student Emir O. Filipović in the Dubrovnik State Archives. (photo)
17 Jewish "souls are now at peace" in Norwich
In a recent burial service considered an "historic event," 17 sets of remains of Jewish descent were laid to rest in Norwich, England. The bones were discovered in 2004 in a well, and are believed to be victoms of 12th century religious persecution.
Canterbury Cathedral May Close
Lack of funding for needed repair work threatens to close Canterbury Cathedral. Allegedly, duct tape has been used on pillars to hold them together.
Brat and brew in Old Town Nuremberg
A walk through old town Nuremberg, Germany takes visitors back in time to the Middle Ages. An 11th century castle, toy museum, the home of Albrecht Dürer and over six acres of brewing tradition make for a memorial travel location. Russ Juskalian of the New York Times Travel section has the story.
Research article compares historical and mythical versions of Saint Patrick
According to an article by Laurel A. Rockefeller, "Saint" Bishop Patrick as we think of him is far more myth than history.
Quivers & Quarrels debuts as archery newsletter for the SCA
A new archery newsletter has recently become available for the SCA. The newsletter, called Quivers & Quarrels, is free and will be going out to all kingdoms via each kingdom's online newsletter.
Archaeologists hope to find tunnels under Nottinghamshire marketplace
Attention Don Wildman of Cities of the Underworld: Archaeologists plan to investigate if the legendary tunnels beneath a Newark, England marketplace really exist. The two-month study, using ground-penetrating radar, will be funded by the town council.
Plague burial discovered in London construction project
In the 14th century, Charterhouse Square in London was no-man's land, making it an excellent place to bury victims of the Black Plague. Now the site is the focus of archaeological investigations after being unearthed during construction of the city's Crossrail project. (video)
Medieval textile sources online
Manchester University in England has created a searchable website of sources for medieval textiles and clothing. The lexis of cloth and clothing in Britain c. 700-1450: origins, identification, contexts and change collects documentation from "diverse academic disciplines: archaeology, archaeological textiles, art history, economic history, literature, languages."
Niall inn Orkneyskii wins Lochac Fall 2013 Crown Tourney
Medb reports that Niall inn Orkneyskii was the winner of the May 4, 2013 Crown Tournament in the Kingdom of Lochac. His Highness was inspired in His endeavor by Liadan ingen Fheradaig.
Secrets revealed at Warwick Castle
Centuries-old Warwick Castle has revealed some new secrets. Time Team presenter Tony Robinson was among the first to see four new rooms opened to visitors as part of Warwick Castle Unlocked. (video)
Roman baths found in Bulgaria
The Bulgarian resort town of Sozopol, on the Black Sea, has long attracted visitors wanting to relax. Now the discovery of a large stone thermae building shows that the attraction may stretch back to Roman times. (photo)