Ancient meets modern when Pope Benedict XVI tweeked his first message last month - in Latin. Since that time, the Pope has amassed 2.5 million followers.

The Society Social Media Policy has been approved by the Board of Directors and is now available for download at http://www.sca.org/docs/pdf/SCASocialMediaPolicy.pdf.

Last week news outlets reported that militant Islamic rebels fleeing Timbuktu in Mali had torched a new library, destroying many of the city's famed ancient books. Preservationists and the Mali government are now reporting that many of the manuscripts were hidden in a safe house before the attack.

Notre Dame de Paris, on the River Seine, has seen over 8 centuries of history, from the Crusades to World War II. Now the city will fête the world's best-known church in a year-long celebration that will include recasting of its bells.

Duncan Bane fuar Bhathais has been placed on vigil by Their Majesties Tristan and Damiana of the Kingdom of Atenveldt to contemplate elevation to the Order of the Chivalry.

A restoration project completed on time is a rare happening. Even rarer is one completed 6 months early and under budget, but that is the case with work on the 12th century Torre Abbey in Torquay, Devon.

In a scholarly paper, an abstract of which was published recently at Medievalists.net, K.F. Werner examines techniques for forging Frankish swords from 700-1000 CE. Werner disputes the generally-accepted techniques.

The Roskilde 6, the largest Viking long ship ever found, is traveling to England, not to loot and pillage, but to educate, 1,000 years after it carried troops for King Canute of Denmark. The warship wil be displayed by the British Museum in 2014.

THLady Barbara Sterling reports that an album of photos from Tournament of Champions IV, which took place September 29, 2012 in the Kingdom of Gleann Abhann, are now available to view on the Travels with Lady Barbara website.

Her Excellency Countess Alys Katharine reports that Their Majesties Dag and AnneMarie offered elevation to the Order of the Chivalry to Master Calum MacDhaibhidh, Baron of the Cleftlands, at Their recent Regular Event: Gloriana's Frost Faire.

In the 14th century, the city of Myra near Demre, Turkey, disappeared under the silt of the Myros River. Now, 700 years later, the city, once an importance pilgrimage site of the Byzantine Empire, is re-remerging - building by building. (photo)

Andreas von Meissen reports that Count Lochlan Dunn was the winner of the January 12, 2013 Crown Tournament in the Kingdom of Ansteorra. Count Lochlan Dunn was inspired in his endeavor by Countess Gwen verch Cynwrig de Insula Mona.

Bannthegn Lisabetta Bartholomea Zanca, Estrella War Promotions Emergency Deputy and Kingdom Seneschal Kingdom of Atenveldt, reports that incorrect information has been posted on the Estrella War Parking and RV page of the website, and offers corrections.

The result of the January 19, 2013 Coronet Tournet in the Principality of Oertha, Kingdom of the West, as reported by cell phone, was: Viscount Sir Kenric Maur defeated Cruscillius, 2 out of 3 in the final bout to take the Coronet.

Who built the 16th century water mill recently discovered in North York Moors National Park? Archaeologists are looking for the answer among official documents after unearthing the complex, complete with millstones and the outlines of watercourses.

Francesca di Pavia, Blue Iris Herald, reports that at Their Court at Caerthen Twelfth Night, Their Majesties Garick and Yasamin, King and Queen of the Outlands, offered elevation to the Peerage to two of Their subjects.

Wearing the "wrong clothes" helped experts decide that the portrait wasn't of Henry VIII's last wife but was of his first.

The city of Lincoln, England has been a Roman outpost since the first century. Situated on the trade route between London and York, the area was first a fortress town and later a colonia, a retirement settlement for soldiers who wished to stay in Britain.

In early January, 2013, the West Kingdom crowned its King and Queen with all the pomp and ceremony due Their ranks. Karen Rarey, correspondent for the Contra Costa Times, attended the Coronation and learned about the SCA.

According to reporter Jeremy Reeves of the Kenosha News, Dennis Nedweski has created two "man caves" for his hobbies. One is full of football and hockey memorabilia, and the other is full of armor.

Lady Norah Rose Tenpenny, Volunteer Coordinator and Lady Eilina Elfski, Emergency Deputy Volunteer Coordinator for Estrella War XXIX, report that volunteers are needed for the upcoming War.

The perfect footgear to pair with your chainmail bikini, PaleoBarefoots offers customers the opportunity to have "100% protection and 100% barefoot feel."

A recent study by a team of Danish-Canadian scientists rules out cold weather as the reason that the Vikings abandoned their settlements in Greenland in the 15th century. When cold destroyed crops, say the experts, the settlers just changed their diets to seal meat.

In the Middle Ages, some church members had what, in modern life, would be considered an odd way to express an idea or offer a prayer: they wrote on the church wall. Now the Norfolk Medieval Graffiti Survey hopes to record pre-Reformation graffiti in area churches.

A Better Way to Practice, a motivational article by Noa Kageyama on the website Lifehacker, looks at effective ways to practice, whether writing, music, dancing - or SCA combat.

Omar reports that Their Majesties Edward Grey and Thyra Eiriksdottir of the East Kingdom have offered elevation to the Order of the Pelican to Their subject Marie du Blois.

A 700-year-old map of the world, the Hereford Mappa Mundi, has been removed from display in Hereford Cathedral for evaluation of its condition. The 52 in. (132cm) circular map shows a medieval view of the world with Jerusalem at the center and Paradise "surrounded by a wall and a ring of fire, roughly where Japan would be." (photos)

Think your toilet paper is rough? Try these! Formerly thought to be broken Roman "gaming pieces", these round ceramic  discs are now believed to be the equivalent of a roll of toilet paper.

Lady Cait O'Hara, Page School Dept. Head Gulf Wars XXII, reports on youth activities which will take place at the upcoming War.

The National Sporting Library & Museum seeks applications for the John H. Daniels Fellowship which supports scholars doing research in the area of equestrian, angling and field sports. Applications must be made via email no later than March 1, 2013.