Hairstyle of the Vestal Virgins

Slightly out-of-period, but interesting nonetheless, is an instruction video by hairdresser Janet Stephens re-creating the hairstyle of the Vestal Virgins of ancient Rome. The Seni Crines is the oldest known hairstyle in Rome, and influenced later styles.

The power of cheese

Travelers in northern Norway were inconvenienced recently when a truckload of burning cheese closed the Brattli Tunnel at Tysfjord. The fire continued for five days, releasing toxic gases, and making clearing the tunnel hazardous.

Residents hope to raise UK£3m to save Cornish church

Residents of south east Cornwall are hoping to raise the UK£3m needed to save the priory at St Germans, a 9th century church in dire need of modernization. The fundraising efforts hope to attract such organizations as the Heritage Lottery Fund to their cause.

Deputy Seneschal for Market Research

The Society Seneschal's office is seeking a Deputy Seneschal for Market Research to develop and implement a market research capability support the ongoing primary research needs that will prove fundamental to the continued improvement of decision-making for the Society for Creative Anachronism.

Estrella War - Pelican Protege Party

All Pelicans & Proteges of the Known World are invited to come together to enjoy nosh, libations and conversation.

The face of Richard III

Now that Richard III has been offically identified, millions of readers are seeking to learn more about the English king. An extremely-detailed article on the Daily Mail website follows the saga of Richard from the discovery of his bones to the reveal of his appearance through facial reconstruction. (photos)

xkcd: Drop Those Pounds

The online comic xkcd offers advice for "dropping pounds" in a recent cartoon.

The 6th Annual Gulf Wars War Bard Competion

Greetings from the Performing Arts of this years Gulf Wars XXII. We are proud to announce that we will conducting the 6th Annual Gulf Wars War Bard Competion on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.

Estrella War early set-up - help wanted

Magdalen, Victoria and Tigra, Estrella War Mains 2013, are requesting volunteers to help with Early Set Up at the War.

Additional Staffordshire finds declared treasure

Over 80 additional artifacts found in the area of the Staffordshire Hoard have been declared treasure. The gold and silver items were discovered near the original site when a field was ploughed. (photo)

A new look at Viking women

“To assume that Viking men were ranked above women is to impose modern values on the past, which would be misleading,” cautions Marianne Moen one of the organizers of the Viking Worlds Conference, to be held in March 2013.

What Is On That Comb?!?

The decoration of "leaves" on what was thought to be a medieval pilgrim badge of St Blaise was actually something else!

Drought reveals early Byzantine city

For a thousand years, the Byzantine port city of Bathonea lay hidden and forgotten beneath farmland, but a recent drought revealed the town's seawall, leading to the discovery of a "well-connected, wealthy, fully outfitted harbor city that thrived from the fourth to 11th century." (photos)

Elizabeth Hardyn elevated to Pelican in Atlantia

Senor Santiago Ruiz de Zaragoza reports that, at Their Midwinter's Revel, Their Royal Majesties, Vladimir and Kalisa of the Kingdom of Atlantia offered elevation to the Order of the Pelican to Baroness Elizabeth Hardyn.

Historical Costume Contest deadline March 31, 2013

The historic costuming pattern site Old Time Patterns is currently holding an Historical Costume Contest for costumes created from the time periods 1500-1630 Tudor, Elizabethan, Early Settler through 1910-1940 Vintage, Titanic, WW1, Flapper.

Power lines to come down at Sutton Hoo

A UK£200,000 grant is set to finance the removal of power lines and poles from the site of the world-famous Anglo-Saxon burial mounds at Sutton Hoo near Woodbridge, England. Over a mile of lines will be replaced with underground cables.

Reporter witnesses crowning of Lochac Royalty

"And lo it came to pass that on Saturday, in Mulgrave, David was crowned King of Lochac, with Claudia at his side as his Queen," writes John Elder, a reporter for The Age (Victoria) about the recent crowning of Felix and Eva in the Kingdom of Lochac. (photos)

Henry VIII's Wine Cellar

Henry VIII's perfectly preserved wine cellar is underneath Britain's Ministry of Defence building - floating in a subterranean chamber.

Cracking the myths of the Middle Ages

In an article on Cracked.com, Steve Kolenberg sets the world straight on 6 Ridiculous Myths About the Middle Ages Everyone Believes including the "Dark" Ages, everything was filthy, and knights were chivalrous.

Amalie von Brisache joins Laurels in Lochac

At Canterbury Faire, Their Majesties Felix and Eva of the Kingdom of Lochac have offered elevation to the Order of the Laurel to Amalie von Brisache.

Remains of King Richard III found

DNA analysis has confirned that the skeleton found buried underneath a parking lot in Leicester, England are those of King Richard III. The king, who died in 1485, was demonized in literature and in history as the man who killed two young princes in the Tower of London.

11th century Jewish documents found in Afghan fox den

Two years ago, the chance discovery of a collection of documents in a cave in Afghanistan gave experts a first ever glimpse of 11th century "religious, cultural and commercial life of the Jewish community in a central location on the trade route between China and the West."

Input sought for youth classes and activities at Lilies War

HL Apple, Minister of Youth for the Kingdom of Calontir, is seeking input and instructors for youth and teen classes and actiities of the 2013 Lilies War.

Medieval Icelandic textile paper presented online

Those interested in Icelandic and Scandanavian textiles will want to watch a video featuring archaeologist and textile expert Michele Hayeur Smith presenting at the Anthropology Distinguished Lecture at Bridgewater State University.

Pennsic Registration is Open

Registration for Pennsic 42 is now officially open. Those wishing to register may do so online

Poll for Estrella War A&S Competition 2014

Master Raven Mayne, Kingdom of Atenveldt Arts and Sciences Minister, encourages potential attendees of Estrella War 2014 to take part in choosing categories for the Estrella War Arts and Sciences Competition at next year's War.

Bardolf Gundwaldtsson to be knighted in the Outlands

Kathryn reports that Their Majesties Garick and Yasamin, of the Kingdom of the Outlands, have offered admittance to the Order of the Chivalry to Bardolf Gundwaldtsson.

In search of rockets

While rockets are often thought of as the realm of modern scientists and the military, they have their roots in medieval China. This article traces their roots from a 12th century party trick to their evolution as the terror of Mongolian invaders.

East Kingdom Pelicans accept new members

Alys Mackyntoich, Vox Regis Herald for Their Majesties Edward and Thyra of the Kingdom of the East, reports that Their Majesties offered elevation to the Order of the Pelican to two of Their subjects at the recent Feast of Twelfth Night.

Pope tweets

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.