Hoard of Children's Toys Discovered

A stash of "street toys", dated from 1570-1630, was unearthed in an old stairwell of the Market Harborough parish church, England.

William of Glen Lyon Elevated to Chivalry

At Gleann Abhann's Fighter's Collegium on February 23, William of Glen Lyon was placed on vigil early Saturday morning, and elevated to the Order of the Chivalry by TRM Rey and Miriel of Gleann Abhann at court that evening.

Online instructor registration for Lilies War 2013

Gwen A’Brooke, A&S Coordinator for Lilies War 2013, is seeking instructors for the upcoming War, and announces that online registration is available for those instructors.

Pennsic University teacher registration is open

Capt Elias Gedney, Pennsic 42 University Point Coordinator, reports that Pennsic University teacher registration is now open.

Canada's Oldest Shipwreck to be Replicated

A 16th-century Basque whaling galleon, the San Juan, will be re-constructed full-scale and seaworthy.

Ancient bones can reveal hair and eye color

Dr Wojciech Branicki, from the Institute of Forensic Research and Jagielonian University, Kraków and Prof Manfred Kayser, from the Erasmus University Rotterdam have spent the past few years developing a process to determine the hair and eye color of human remains up to 800 years old.

Theft in Smythkepe

Edrei the Quiet of the Shire of Smythkepe in Fort Smith, Arkansas (Kingdom of Gleann Abhann), reports that his storage unit was robbed on February 13, 2013. Any help in locating lost items will be welcome.

Spencer Museum of Art to present two-day symposium on Color in Ancient and Medieval East Asia

The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas will present a two-day symposium bringing "together an international and interdisciplinary team of scholars from the arts, humanities, and sciences to explore the roles that color played in the society, politics, thought, art, and ritual practices of ancient and medieval East Asia." Deadline for online registration is March 1, 2013.

"Mini dome" may be clue to Brunelleschi building secrets

A team of Italian archaeologists has uncovered the remains of a "mini dome" during excavations to expand the museum of Florence’s cathedral, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi in the 15th century. The structure might be a scale model of the cathedral and the first use of a building technique in Italy.

Escrick ring baffles archaeologists

A beautiful sapphire ring discovered in 2009 by a metal detectorist in North York, England, has stumped experts who have been unable to date the ring. (photo)

Stafford Castle to be restored

The Stafford Borough Council reports that over UK£75,000 will be spent to restore Stafford Castle, a late 11th century Norman castle in Stafford, England.

Catherine Zeta Jones hopes to help find "lost palace" of Welsh princes

Welsh actress Catherine Zeta Jones and her husband Michael Douglas have donated a "substantial" sum of money to help purchase Abergwyngregyn in Gwynedd, the purported site of the "lost palace" of medieval Welsh princes.

Tolkien's tower bought for UK£1

Decades after J.R.R. Tolkien wrote The Lord of the Rings, one of the "two towers" which may have inspired the writer in the second book, has been purchased with plans for restoration. (video)

Heather Dale needs your help

Canadian muscian and SCA member Heather Dale (Marian of Heatherdale) is seeking help from fellow musicians who post their music of YouTube. A video, (ironically posted on YouTube), sums up the situation.

Shoes of Roman children correct myth about military life

Professor Elizabeth Greene looks at shoes differently than most people. At the recent 2013 Annual Meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America, she presented research on how Roman children's shoes reflected their family status, especially in military familities.

Pennsic 42 Pre-registration

Due to Pennsic starting a week early this year (July 19 - August 3), pre-registration is also closing earlier.

Two offered elevation in the Outlands

Kathryn reports that Their Majesties Garick and Yasamin of the Kingdom of the Outlands have offered elevation to two of Their subjects at the recent StagCon event.

Bayeux tapestry complete at last

The residents of he Channel Island of Alderney, led by librarian Kate Russell, have recently completed a major project: the final panels of the Bayeux tapestry. (photo)

Clancy Fairchild knighted in Drachenwald

Their Majesties ThorvaldR and Tofa of the Kingdom of Drachenwald report that they have offered elevation to the Order of Chivalry to Clancy Fairchild.

Arrest Warrant for Niccolo Machiavelli is Unearthed

The 1513 document calls for Machiavelli's arrest, to be proclaimed by the town crier.

Tiny coin tells story of post-Roman York

The discovery of a tiny silver coin has had a big impact on archaeologists studying medieval York, England.

Gulf Wars Sable and Gules Stage Volunteers Needed

The stage at Gulf Wars, built as a place for performers of all types to showcase their art, is celebrating its sixth year. This year the stage is in need of your assistance.

Swiss farmer relieved of 14th century debt

In 1357, A Swiss land owner, Konrad Müller, killed another town resident. In restitution, Müller pledged to provide for a sanctuary lamp at the Catholic church of Näfels. Finally the debt, passed perpetually to his heirs, has been declared invalid.

"La mandragola" online

Hirsch reports that a video of Niccolò Machiavelli's play La mandragola (The Mandrake Root), as performed by the Golden Stag Players at West Kingdom Twelfth Night, is now available to view online.

Face to face

After centuries - and a world-changing divorce - Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon are back together, at least in London’s National Portrait Gallery. The portrait of a young Henry VIII and a newly-restored portrait of Catherine, both from the 1520s, now hang together in the gallery. (photo)

Stefan's Florilegium updates for February 2013

THLord Stefan li Rous offers updates to Stefan's Florilegium for February 2013.

Open A&S at Gulf Wars

Magistra Rosemounde of Mercia and Mistress Jennet of Tewkesbury report that the A&S open will take place on Friday March 15, 2013 at Gulf Wars from 8 AM to 3 PM at Bede Hall, and the surrounding area.

SCA Board allows limited PayPal test

The Board of Directors has granted a  one-time variance to the following Society Financial Policy, Section  XII, B to allow the Barony of Gyldenholt, Caid to test the PayPal system  for accepting credit cards at the Gyldenhold - Calafia Friendship Tournament on March 9, 2013. 

SCA Artists: Pennsic Merchant Space

Dr Henry Best of the Midrealm reports that his booth at the Pennsic War, Starlit Studios, will be renting retail space at the upcoming War.

Society Seneschal reports on SCA lawsuit

On the Unofficial SCA Society Seneschal's Announcement Page, SCA Society Seneschal Erik Langhans (Sir Modius von Mergentheim) reports the latest news on the 2009 lawsuit brought against the Society.