In the 1640s, followers of Oliver Cromwell vandalized Canterbury Cathedral, especially stained glass windows overlooking the tomb of Edward, Prince of Wales, known as the Black Prince. The decay continues to this day, causing concern to those charged with maintaining the cathedral.

The Shakespeare Quartos Archive, a website featuring "high-quality reproductions and searchable full text of surviving copies of Shakespeare’s" works, has been launched thanks to a grant JISC in the UK and the National Endowment for the Humanities in the US.

A hoard of over 350 pieces of rare, antique marble has been discovered beneath a cellar floor in the Israeli coastal city of Akko. The hoard dates to the 13th century, and is believed to have been collected from nearby destroyed buildings.

A recent episode of the web-series All's Faire considers the implications of a visit to the Ren Faire by a Romulan and a robot. (PG-13 for language)

Dr Laura Ashe, a professor in the English Faculty at Oxford University, has been awarded the prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize given to academics under the age of 36 for "contribution to their particular field of study, are recognised at an international level, and whose future contributions are held to be of correspondingly high promise."

Gleann Abhann Historian, Baroness Barbara Sterling, has posted an album of photos from the recent Swamp Romp event which took place October 17, 2009 in Troll Fen.

In a tutorial entitled Battle Chic, Annalee Newitz demonstrates how to make chainmail, a skill she learned from Henrik of Havn, six-time King of the West Kingdom. The article is posted on the Craft website.

Through Winter's bleak silence comes a Bedouin's plaintive call. Harken! Harken to the call of the desert sands. Hear the music call you to Al-Hafla. Come, let your spirit soar on the wings of dance. Experience the art of henna. Let the savory food of the sand's denizens fill your belly and senses. Glory in the warmth of friends, old and new.

Come, come to Al-Hafla.

On this day in the fall of 1274 on the island of Tsushima (off the coast of Japan), we are about to witness historic events. The Mongols are prepared to invade Japan, and the negotiations and banquet today are an attempt to forestall the invasion. A wealthy Japanese lord has laid on an amazing day of festivities, highlighted by a feast guaranteed to delight all guests! In honor of the attendees, the feast will feature courses of Mongol and Chinese cuisine, in addition to Japanese. Unfortunately, these important negotiations are destined to be marred by murder(s) most foul!

In the dark days of February our ancestors celebrated Imbolc in honour of the godess Brigit. We would like to do the same this year and we would to invite everyone to come celebrate with us!

Long, long, ago in a barony far, far, away One Square Foot of Land from what is now within Gleann Abhann's borders was ceded to the Queen of Trimaris by King Ailgheanan I. The Barony of the Osprey is now in possession of this land. Come help the brave Osprey loyalists turn back the hordes of the Magenta Marauder from Seleone as the pirates attempt to steal it back.

The Shire of Cote du Ciel is holding a Five Weapons Tournament at our Shire Birthday celebration on December 5th, 2009. This tournament will be open to everyone who wants to fight, but there is a special prize that will be awarded to the winning fighter with three years or less experience in armored combat.

Their Excellencies, The Baron and Baroness of Axemoor, Charles de Bourbon and Martha Effingham of Stewart’s Kepe extend this invitation to all whom this Yule missive finds.

The darkest part of the Winter is upon us! Come help us celebrate the Winter Solstice and the return of sunlight and longer days. Come join us as we share in the warmth of friendship, the joy of laughter and the delight of good food. Games, songs, and dancing will be encouraged! There will be an autocrat's whim contest for the best table decorations, an A&S contest for black and white in any mode, and a Heart's whim contest for the person who is best able to stay in persona. Dust off your creativity and imagination and give these contests a try!

Hrorek and Slaine, Baron and Baroness of al-Barran, are pleased to invite you to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of their halls and delight in sharing the delicacies and treasures of the Silk Road with you at al-Barran Midwinter Celebration

Come one, come all! Vielburgen's Yule Revel will take place on 12 December at the Obermohrer Burgerhaus. Join us for a semi-potluck feast, drinking, mirth and revelry.

Come and celebrate the season. This year's Yule Court will be held at the Huachuca Oaks Camp. Please bring your games and your dancing shoes. There will be cookies for the young (and young at heart) to decorate and take with them and a few other activities for them as well.

Slavic University is coming to Aethelmearc! The Russians are Coming!!! The Russians are Coming!!!

Shire of Sylvan Glen 12th Night - Jan. 16, 2010

Come join us as we celebrate the season and while away the winter hours in merriment!

Come join the Silver Desert for our Yule feast. This year the feast will be potluck. Please bring a dish to share. (Bread will be provided and desserts are a separate competition.)

History professor Valerie Garver knows that women faced challenges in the medieval world, but believes that they still played an important role in the world of Charlemagne. Garver's book, Women and Aristocratic Culture in the Carolingian World has been published by Cornell University Press.

Join Tree Girt Sea for 12th Night in 12th night--A Celtic Faire January 16th 2010

We in the Canton of Hawks Haven look forward to welcoming you to the Winter Darkwood Archery Tourney on January 16, 2010. We will be running the Royal Rounds as usual, with submissions going towards IKAC ranking.

The Shire Drei Eichen invites all the nobles of the Kingdom to a market followed by a tourney. This will be held in the forest of the Sayntal, in the ancient forests at the most west border of our Lands.

The rapier community of the Barony of Ben Dunfirth is proud to offer a Super Sunday Practice!

The Barony of Roaring Wastes Presents Twelfth Night A day of dancing, feasting and socializing January 9th, 9:30am to 11:00pm

With the ghosts of Halloween 2009 still lingering in the corners, writer Dara McBride Irish Central looks at The 10 scariest monsters and demons from Celtic myth.

Once a jewel of the Victoria and Albert Museum, the War of Troy Tapestry was removed from exhibit twenty years ago "when it became too damaged to display." Now, after 4,000 hours of restoration, the tapestry will once again take a place of honor in the museum. (photos)

When blogger Keir Roper-Caldbeck planned to bicycle the length of -- and report on -- Scotland's newest World Heritage site, the Antonine Wall, he thought it would be an easy task. That proved not to be the case. His blog of the journey is online.