According to Hrafns Saga in the 13th century, the mighty king used a sunstone to navigate in cloudy weather. This is one of several texts that list such artifacts as among the legendary Norse seafaring abilities. New research suggests that the sunstone may be a real navigational tool.

In 1202, life in western Europe was changed by the publication of Liber abbaci, a book by Leonardo of Pisa, known as Fibonacci, the first general-purpose book of arithmetic in the West, which "explained the 'new' methods in terms understandable to ordinary people."

A 13th century inscription written in Arabic has been translated and found to be a proclamation by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. The inscription is thought to originally be from a wall in Jaffa, Israel. The inscription is the only known example of its kind.

In the 13th century, Henry III built the Black Gate at Newcastle, England's castle to help beef up the defenses of the City. Now the City Council has been awarded UK£1.4m by the Heritage Lottery Fund to make the site available to the public.

Attention linguists! Prepare for your tutorial on the History of the English Language as presented by OpenLearn. The ten one-minute video sessions are narrated by Clive Anderson and illustrated by animated line drawings. Get your pencils - and senses of humor - ready.

Tarmach ben Yehuda al-Khazar reports that he has posted several albums of photos from TRM Eikbrandr and Runa which took place October 15, 2011 in the Middle Kingdom. The photos are available on Shutterfly.

"Ralph Picton loves to dress up, play swords, eat with his hands and learn about the lords and ladies of days gone by," writes Megan Masters in a piece for the Toowoomba Chronicle (Queensland, Australia) about one of the members of the local SCA group. (photos)

"It seems always to have stood in the churchyard at Nigg," said Liz Budge, of Nigg Old Trust about an intricately carved Pictish stone in Easter Ross, Scotland. The Nigg Old Trust has recently received a funding package of UK£178,000 for conservation and display. (photo)

On the blog Puremedievalry, Sirthopas, a graduate student at Trinity College in Dublin, has posted a 14th century ghost story - in Middle English. Fortunately, he also includes his translation.

Maistir Brandubh Donnghaile, Silver Buccle Herald for the Kingdom of AEthelmearc, reports that at Their Court in the Barony of Saint Swithin's Bog, Their Majesties Isenwulf and Rosalinda offered elevation to the Peerage to two of Their subjects.

Their Majesties Cornelius and Elizabeth of the Kingdom of Lochac have announced that Lord Oswyn and Mistress Isabella Marie will be the new Baron and Baroness of Southron Gaard.

An inscribed woman's wedding ring, believed to date to the Tudor period, has been found by a metal detectorist in Boroughbridge in North Yorkshire, England. The inscription on the gold ring is unreadable.

Arcaheologists have discovered the remains of a Viking settlement beneath Temple Bar, the cultural area of Dublin. Originally on an island, the settlement is believed to have been destroyed by floods in the 10th or 11th century. (photos)

A two-minute video, produced by Elizeth Labega, chronicles armoured and rapier combat as well as a lady being fitted for garb by a merchant.

Bran Buchanan reports that Gunnar and Bryndis are the new Prince and Princess of the Kingdom of Trimaris.

Gwynneth wraig Rhys, of the Barony of Three Rivers in Calontir, reports that Sir Uther von Ziemer was the victor of the November 12, 2011 Crown Tournament in the Kingdom of Gleann Abhann.

Augusto G. reports that he has created an album of photos from Agincourt 2011 which took place recently in the Kingdom of AEthelmearc. The photos are available on PhotoBucket.

Over two thousand years ago, a Roman ship sank off the coast of Italy, near the island of Elba. Among the items on the ship was an ancient medical kit containing a mortar and pestle set, medicine spatulas, and pills and tablets that are surprisingly similar to our modern ones.

Nominations are now being accepted for The Best of Tournaments Illuminated, A special 68-page publication planned to be available for purchase in the fall of 2012.

One of the largest caches of Roman shoes and sandals ever found in Scotland was discovered recently in Camelon, Scotland when workers at a supermarket construction site unearthed the footwear.

”The identity of modern Greece,” said Minister Pavlos Geroulanos in a recent speech, ”is seen by the way in which it manages its enormous cultural heritage, the way in which it protects it and with which it spreads knowledge of it to every corner of the globe.”

Fausta reports that she has posted several albums of photos from Great Western War 2011. The photos are available on the Facebook public site.

Co-autocrats THL Jethro Stille and Mistress Catrin von Berlin have announced that the 2012 Known World Bardic Congress and Cooks Collegium will be April 20~23 in the Kingdom of the Outlands.

Writer Chris Rowe, winner of a recent Just Back article-writing contest for the travel page of the Telegraph, chronicles a summer-school visit to Vindolanda, the famous Roman fort near Hadrian's Wall in the north of England.

One of the most important manuscripts in the Bodleian Library's Hebrew collection is the 12th century Mishneh Torah, a guide to Jewish law handwritten and signed by Hebrew scholar Maimonides. The manuscript has now been digitized and is available online.

Beginning with issue 81, Renaissance Magazine will offer a new column: The Renaissance Herbalist. The column is authored by SCA member Melandra of the Woods.

Northshield Kingdom Chronicler, Viscountess Elashava bas Riva, reports that she has created an album of photos from the Fall 2011 Crown Tournament in the Kingdom of Northshield. The photos are available on the Northshield Gallery.

Archaeologists excavating at Nevern Castle in Pembrokeshire, Wales have uncovered several slates dating to the 12th century scratched with images of stars and other symbols designed to ward off evil spirits. The slates were found in the castle's entranceway.

More than 70 workers are busy excavating an area beneath the Central Bus Station in Be'er Sheva, Israel. Thus far, the experts have identified the remains of several houses dating to the Byzantine area.

Giano reports that Plain Fare, Drachenwald's Camp Cookery Book, is now available to download on the Kingdom's A&S website. The book is in Adobe Acrobat™ (PDF) format.