Fans of the movie A Knight's Tale might be surprised to learn that Ulrich von Liechtenstein was a real person who, in fact, wrote an autobiography. Service of Ladies: an autobiography was first published in 2004 and is available from Boydell & Brewer Press.

In a TEDTalks video on YouTube, ancient books curator William Noel discusses "the fascinating story behind the Archimedes palimpsest, a Byzantine prayer book containing previously-unknown original writings from ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes and others." (video)

Officials at Wakefield Cathedral in England have invited visitors to pay respects to recently unearthed remains, dating to the Middle Ages, discovered during renovations to the church. The remains are scheduled to be reburied.

Workmen renovating a medieval house in St Katherine’s, England, have enlisted the help of a former mayor to translate the ancient text discovered on the ceiling. The writing is believed to be Latin.

Thomas W. Hughes, President of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., has announced that the SCA Board of Directors is now accepting applications for the position of Society Chirurgeon.

Some British citizens, disgusted with the current government, are looking to their Anglo-Saxon roots for inspiration. They would like to institute a new level of "civic engagement" harking back to the moots and witans of the post-Roman times.

In 2010, the British Library began its quest to own the St Cuthbert Gospel, a manuscript discovered in 1104 when the saint's coffin was opened after a Viking raid. The book was finally acquired from the Society of Jesus (British Province), or Jesuits, for UK£9m.

Alaric reports that Their Majesties Kenric and Avelina of the East Kingdom have placed Doña Sol la Cantor on vigil to contemplate elevation to the Order of the Laurel.

In a short video clip on YouTube, Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor discusses the helmet, sword and saddle believed to have belonged to Henry V from his tomb in Westminster Abbey.

Furness Abbey, one of the most powerful and richest Cistercian abbeys" in England, was the home of well-fed, well-heeled monks and abbots. Now it is the site of several rare archaeological finds including a silver-gilt crozier and a jewelled ring in remarkable condition. (photo)

Over the last several years our intrepid, wayfaring brother (called "Bubba" in a beloved child's dialect) has come home to bring us many archery challenges and stories.  This year he brings us tales from Scotland. 

Baron Khevron reports that Viscount Sir Rurik Varyag defeated Sir Søren j Alborghin the final bout of the July 21, 2012 Coronet Tournament in the Principality of Oertha, Kingdom of the West. (video)

It's August!  The crops that have not yet been burned to a crisp by the drought wither on the stalk and pray for a quick harvest to end their misery! In like manner the OLDE FARTS of The Shire of Otherhill will gather down by the Bear River to harvest those brash young men and women that venture out under the hot August sun. 

Education in the duties of their office is important for all Officers in the Kingdom; but for those of us who must manage the business/money-side of our game, it is vital. To this end instruction in the "How To" of being an Exchequer is being made available in a full day "Exchequer Workshop". 

Brisk fall air, the sound of combat rings in the distance … the smell of food mingled with wood smoke wafts through the air. It's not just fanciful imagery, it's the theme of the Shire of Sunderoak's upcoming event.

A US$3.17 million , four-year project, funded by the Polonsky Foundation, will make available for the first time materials from the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana and the Bodleian Libraries of the University of Oxford.

The Shire of Cúm an Iolair welcomes you to Feast of Eagles July 28, 2012

Come and join in the pageantry and plaudits as we gather to determine the Heirs to the crown of fair Atlantia.

Bring your spinning wheels, drop spindles, carding tools, knitting, crochet, lucet etc.
Teach what you know, learn new tricks, meet like minded artisans.

The year is 1530, and Henry the Eighth, by the Grace of God, King of England, France, Defender of the Faith and Lord of Ireland has invited His Brother Atlantia, and the whole of the Atlantian Court, to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany at Hampton Court Palace...

Hear Ye Hear Ye. The Barony of Atenveldt is having a birthday. Come celebrate our upcoming 43rd birthday on Saturday, September 22, 2012.

The sparks that ignite the everlasting fires of history can sometimes be small, but burn the longest! And forever change the shape of things to come.

Fair Ladies and Honorable Lords of the realm, Come one, come all! to Shire Rio de Las Animas  for our LOST  SOULS  DEFENDER

Clio, Thalia, Erato, Euterpe, Polyhymnia, Calliope, Terpsichore, Urania, and Melpomene. These nine goddesses have inspired artists, musicians, writers, and even scientists since the time of ancient Greece, and now they can inspire you. In honor of the ninth year of Chalice, we celebrate the Nine Greek Muses and all that they represent.

The island of Iona was recently the site of a gathering of international experts to study the island's carved stones and grave markers, and its unique history. The workshop was sponsored by Historic Scotland and the Iona community.

The Craftsmanspace blog offers a free PDF download of plans to craft and assemble a spinning wheel. The blog also includes a history of spinning wheel use.

A team of archaeologists has discovered a "monumental" synagogue dating to the 4th or 5th centuries C.E. in excavations at Huqoq in Israel’s Galilee. The excavations revealed a "stunning" mosaic depicting Samson "placing torches between the tails of foxes." (photo)

Master Broom reports that he has created an album of photos from Pax Interruptus which took place recently in the Kingdom of AEthelmearc. The photos are available on PicasaWeb.

While slightly off-topic, this blog article from ABC News could save a life, especially with Pennsic coming. The article by Elisabeth Leamy teaches How to Use Fire Extinguishers Correctly: Think P.A.S.S. (You do keep a fire extinguisher in your camp, right?)

Archaeologists excavating the Convent of Saint Ursula in Florence believe they have found the remains of Lisa Gherardini, thought by art historians to be the model for Leonardo DaVinci's famed Mona Lisa.