Eilidh Swann reports that her photos from the 3rd Annual Bard of Caid competition, which was held recently at Caid's Kingdom 12th Night, are now available to view online.

Stanford University Professor William Mahrt has dedicated his life to the study and preservation of Gregorian chant as director of the the St. Ann Choir of at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Palo Alto, California.

An article from Time and CNN reports on the large number of works of art stolen from houses of worship each year, a tragic loss of irreplaceable items that represents a lucrative business for thieves.

The Portinari Altarpiece, a three-part Flemish religious painting created by Hugo van der Goes in the late 15th century, was sent as a gift to the hospital of Santa Maria Nuova. Martin Gayford looks at the importance of the painting for The Spectator (photo)

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The West Kingdom Needleworkers Guild and the Caidan School of Needlework invite one and all to come & enjoy classes designed for the Embroiderer seeking more in-depth instruction and historical information.

Some of the featured classes include Opus Anglicanum (Dame Richenda Elizabeth Coffin), Elizabethan Sweetbags in Depth (Baroness Eowyn Amberdrake), and Voided Work Pattern Design (Baroness Sabrina de la Location:
West Kingdom Needleworkers Guild (Torrance, California)

Duchess Katerina O'Callaghan reports that volunteers are neede for the Estrella War Battlefield Clean-up Crew (EWBCC).

THLord Stefan li Rous provides updates to Stefan's Florilegium for January 2008.

Archaeologists working in Vietnam's central province of Quang Ngai have discovered an ancient brick kiln dating to the 8th century CE.

THLady Eilidh Swann has uploaded photos from the third Bard of Caid competition, held Saturday January 5, 2008 in the Barony of Dreiburgen (Hemet, CA).

A course being taught at Oxford University, through the Berkeley Extension program, covers the history and role of England's later medieval queens from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Elizabeth Woodville.

Mistress Ælflæd of Duckford has created a blog for the purpose of deep discussion of a number of topics of interest to SCA members including the SCA, the peerages, A&S and knightly virtues.

Amaze your friends! Learn how to open a champagne bottle with a sword! No kidding, WikiHow has the instructions.

Nick Owchar of the Vancouver Sun offers a review of the new novel by Nicola Barker, Darkmans, which tells the story of "a long-dead king's jester, a precocious child and the debris of history that keeps floating to the surface."

February 24, 2008 – June 1, 2008 the Cleveland Museum of Art will host Arms and Armor from Imperial Austria, an exhibit of over 200 pieces of armor from the 16th and 17th centuries.

David Howe of Frederick, Maryland was recently crowned king of the Isle of Man, a fact that might be surprising to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England. Howe, who became King David of Mann in March, 2007, has filed a claim for the island with the British government.

Wayne Freedman of KGO in San Francisco, the ABC affiliate, takes a look at the SCA in a story subtitled "Not your typical weekend adventure." (photos)

The website People in Place "introduces the methods and findings of a research project focused on family and household in London in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, a period of great social and economic transformation."

Duchess Katerina O'Callaghan shares revised driving directions for the upcoming Estrella War XXIV.

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The time is Italy in the mid-14th century. Come join us for a day celebrating the joys of this time. Display your expertise in the arts; demonstrate your music and storytelling skills. Join others on the fighting field and pledge your devotion to your lord or lady.

Martial Activities:
Armored and rapier fighting will take place in the Equestrian Barn throughout the day. This is an enclosed building, but dress for warmth. Location:
Barony of Ponte Alto (Leesburg, Virginia)

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Caer Galen is known as a Barony full of wonderfully talented artisans. Once a year they come together impressing all spectators with the variety of talents this lovely Barony offers. This time again draws nigh! I have been blessed the honor of autocratting this year's Baronial Arts and Sciences. I humbly invite all artisans of Caer Galen, and onward to demonstrate their talents before very fortunate spectators. Location:
Barony of Caer Galen (Boulder Colorado)

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Schola Saint George the Omaha Study Group* Announces a Western Martial Arts Seminar” Join with Us, Saturday, February – 2nd – 2008

Meet and Study with; Mr. Brian Price, Historical Combat Systems Instructor - Founder & Head-Researcher; Schola Saint George, (a historical western martial arts academy, Hq; DFW Tx, USA) who will be presenting: “Longsword Fundamentals” using Fiore dei Liberi’s /Fior di Location:
Schola Saint George Omaha Study Group (Papillion, Nebraska)

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Their Sufficiencies, the Marquee and Marqessa of Boldt Castle, and their Mainlander Friends, the Canton of Greyfells, invite one and all to participate in the celebration of Skraeling Althing Baronial 12th Night, on the 12th of January 2008. Doors open at noon and will close no later than 10pm. It shall be an evening of enjoyment with friends, food, fun and laughter sufficient for all. There is a theme, which shall become apparent, Location:
Canton of Greyfells (Kingston, Ontario)

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Didn't get enough dancing at Twelfth Night? Love to dance and didn't get to Twelfth Night? Never fear! It is time once again for the Crosston Dance Ball!

If you enjoy historical dancing to music made by live musicians, here is your chance to twinkle your toes, flex your feet, nimbly amble, sonorously stamp, and lithely leap.

Saturday 26 January

Doors open at 10 AM
Beginning at 1 PM, there will be dance instruction led by our Location:
Shire of Crosston (Santa Clara, California)

Glasgow historian Mark Oxbrow believes he has found the real Holy Grail in - of all places - the Louvre in Paris. Oxbrow believes it is a "green gem-encrusted serving dish which he thinks could have been used at the Last Supper."

Norwegian historians are rethinking the distribution of power in Viking Norway after the recent discovery of two massive Viking halls in Borre. The halls date to around 700-800 C.E. (photos)

Caelin on Andrede has posted two albums of photos from recent events in the Kingdom of Ansteorra on Flickr.

The haunting, ethereal beauty of Simonetta Cattaneo de Vespucci graced the paintings of Sandro Botticelli in 15th century Florence. Darla Goodroad tells her fascinating story in an article for the December 2007 Renstore newsletter.

Archaeologists working at an Anglo Saxon village in West Stow, near Bury St Edmunds, England have discovered the remains of three 6th century pits. The pits contained a "mysterious black substance."

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It is my pleasure to announce the Shire of Rockhaven will be hosting Officers' Day.

Saturday, March 1, 2008, 9 am - 6 pm
Saint Cloud State University's Brown Hall
151 8th Street South
Saint Cloud, MN 56301

A day for the Kingdom's Great Officers to meet with group officers, share their vision and answer questions. Current officers and those considering taking office are strongly encouraged to attend. Location:
Shire of Rockhaven (Saint Cloud, Minnesota)

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Celebrate the ancient Czech holiday of Hromnice, akin to Groundhogs day, and a day of mid-winter feasting!

Hosted by: Shire of Shattered Oak
Start Date: 2/2/2008 12:00:00 AM Thru End Date: 2/2/2008 12:00:00 AM
Hyde Center for the Arts
3 S. High Street
Chippewa Falls WI 54729

Heavy Weapons Fighting Prize Tournament
This double elimination tournament will be seated by eight pooled tournaments (Pool size and number is subject to change as required by participant registrations) Location:
Shire of Shattered Oak (Chippewa Falls Wisconsin)