Medieval Times: The Movie

In a move that is tragically not part of an SCA Today April Fool's story, two Hollywood production companies are teaming up to make a movie based on Medieval Times "Dinner and Tournament" theme restaurant.

"Mysterious" skeleton found in Irish crannog

Archaeologists are pondering the cause of death of a 15th century teenager buried in an "irregular" manner on a crannog, a man made island settlement, in County Fermanagh, Ireland. The remains of the young woman seem to indicate a hasty burial, leading experts to consider foul play.

Scholars at conference debate cannibalism

Scholars love to debate unusual topics, a fact proven by a recent interdisciplinary cannibal conference held at the Manchester Museum in April, 2013. The museum is connected to the University of Manchester, while the conference is sponsored by Hic Dragones, a creative writing and literature organization based in Manchester.

Bart fitz Neal placed on vigil in Northshield

Baron Maol Mhichil mac Giolla Pheadair, Polaris Principal Herald, reports that at Their Crown Tourney, Their Majesties Morgan and Lusche of the Kingdom of Northshield placed Bart fitz Neal on vigil to contemplate elevation to the Order of the Laurel.

"Romans Revealed" project allows children to "dig" into diversity of Roman Britain

A new interactive website, aimed at children, has been launched by the Runnymede Trust and archaeologists from the University of Reading. The site focusses on the diversity of Roman Britain by allowing children to learn about Roman residents such as the ‘Ivory Bangle Lady,’ a "high status young woman of North African descent who remains were buried in Roman York."

Scottish "wall" built fifty years before Hadrian's

BBC History Magazine reports that archaeologists have identified a first century Roman defense system that extended 120 miles across Scotland. The series of forts, watchtowers and defensive ditches predates Hadrian's Wall by 50 years, and the Antonine Wall by 20. (photos and map)

Public encouraged to participate in Navenby dig

The recent discovery of what is believed to be a Roman dwelling, dating to the 3rd or 4th century, in Navenby, Lincolnshire, England, offers an opportunity to the public to participate in a real archaeological dig. Work on the site is being sponsored by the Heritage Lottery Fund and will continue until September.

The Shakespeare Conspiracy?

The world debate continues. Did William Shakespeare really write his plays or was it someone else? But Stanley Wells, honorary president of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and eminent Shakespearean scholar thinks he knows the truth and has gathered a small army of literary scholars to prove it: a new book William Shakespeare Beyond Doubt.

Plantagenet descendants battle for bones of Richard III

Descendants of King Richard III have launched a legal challenge to the burial of the king's remains in Leicester Cathedral, near the site where his skeleton was discovered. Sian Lloyd of the BBC reports in a short video.

Umayyad Mosque minaret destroyed in Syrian fighting

The iconic minaret of the Umayyad Mosque complex in the Syrian city of Aleppo has collapsed during fighting between rebels and government troops. The minaret dates to the 11th century.

Scholars test medieval recipes

Graduate students at Durham University in England were in for a real medieval treat when they participated in a cookery workshop using recipes from a recently discovered 12th century Durham Priory manuscript, considered to predate the earliest known examples by 150 years. The Latin manuscript was created in the 12th century at Durham Cathedral’s priory.

Ansteorra tornado disaster relief: How you can help

Lady Marion inghean ui Ruanadha, Disaster Relief Coordinator for the Kingdom of Ansteorra, offers detailed information on how other SCA members can help those affected by this week's massive tornado that struck Moore, Oklahoma.

Count Sir Hiromoto victor of Gleann Abhann Spring 2013 Crown Tournament

Reporting Herald Rory reports that Count Sir Hiromoto was the winner of the May 18, 2013 Crown Tournament in the Kingdom of Gleann Abhann. His Highness was inspired in His endeavor by Countess Kimiko.

Equality at Last -- Queen An Tir: “I Am So Proud!”

In the An Tir Crown list processional on Saturday, May 18 XLVII (2013), seven fighters proudly presented their same sex inspirations to the court and fought for them that day upon the fields of honor.

Nigel and Adrielle new Heirs to Ealdormere Thrones

Marion reports that Sir Nigel MacFarlane was victorious in the May 18, 2013 Crown Tournament in the Kingdom of Ealdormere. Sir Nigel was inspired in his endeavor by Countess Adrielle Kerrec.

Ragnarr Blackhammer new Prince of Atlantia

Her Majesty Ysabella reports that Duke Ragnarr Blackhammer, inspired by Baroness Lynette Semere, was the winner of the May 4, 2013 Crown Tourney in the Kingdom of Atlantia.

So you want to be the Kingdom Seneschal? Thoughts from a prior East Kingdom Seneschal

The East Kingdom has put the call out for a new Kingdom Seneschal.  At the East Kingdom Gazette, an editor and prior Kingdom Seneschale published her thoughts on what possible applicants should consider.

"Exciting" find may point to Anglo-Saxon monastery

Work on the heating system of St Hilda’s Church, on Hartlepool’s Headland in England, has unearthed an Anglo Saxon grave, leading experts to believe that the church was constructed over site of St Hilda’s Anglo-Saxon monastery. Dr Steve Sherlock, of Tees Archaeology, said: “It’s an exciting thing."

Timothy and Gabrielle new AEthelmearc Heirs

THL Ishiyama Gen'tarou Yori'ie reports that Timothy of Arindale was the winner of the May 4, 2013 Crown Tournament in the Kingdom of AEthelmearc. Duke Timothy was inspired in his endeavor by Duchess Gabrielle van Nijenrode.

Damien MacGavin victor of Calontir Spring 2013 Crown Tourney

Yesungge reports that Damien MacGavin was the winner of the Spring 2013 Crown Tournament in the Kingdom of Calontir. His Highness was inspired in His endeavor by Issabell St. Charles.

Period concert in Washington D.C.

On June 1-2, 2013, Cantare, Inc. will present Collegium Cantorum under the direction of Timothy Kendall in a program entitled Chance Encounter, 1506, Part II of the occasional series "The Fayrfax Concerts" presenting Renaissance choral masterworks by Pierre de La Rue (c. 1542-1518) and Robert Fayrfax (1464-1521) at two sites in the Washington D.C. area.

Barony of Al-Barran commended for participation in Albuquerque Renaissance Faire

Members of the Barony of Al-Barran were recently commended for their help with the Albuquerque Renaissance Faire by Sandy Wylie, Events Assistant for the City of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Experts use mathematics to study Pictish language

A new study, presented to the Royal Society A, by Rob Lee, Philip Jonathan and Pauline Ziman describes the Pictish inscriptions found on stones in Scotland as a language apart from Celtic Ogham. The characters on the stones are considered to "part of a lexigraphic writing, containing symbols that represent parts of speech.

Archaeologists hope to find Roman fort in Midlands flood zone

After serious flooding, the Environment Agency in England is studying plans to build flood defences along the River Derwent near Derby in the Midlands, but before that work begins, archaeologists are being given access to an area known to be the site of a Roman fort.

Anne Boleyn redux

In her new book, The Creation of Anne Boleyn, author Susan Bordo aims to "strip away all the 'sedimented mythology turned into history by decades of repetition' and to restore a restless, learned, freethinking and ambitious but nondemonic woman to the throne of the public imagination." Jennifer Schuessler of the New York Times has a review.

Construction workers find Bath's Roman wall

Archaeologists are excited by the discovery of part of the 4th century Roman wall in England's city of Bath. The discovery was made during sewer repairs to Burton Street.

Talking Richard III

In a podcast for the University of Leicester, Dr Sarah Knight and Dr Mary Ann Lund both from School of English, discuss the recent discovery of the remains of King Richard III and how it will change the relationship between history, literature and archaeology.

Flanders monks cultivated wetlands to ease overpopulation

Evidence from an archaeological excavation at Boudelo Abbey, once part of the medieval county of Flanders, Belgium, shows that the monks who lived there went to great lengths to cultivate the area's wetlands, building structures on artificially raised soil and providing new lands for occupation.

Royal Brewer Competition at Lilies War

Taro, Brewer's Guild Head, reports that the Royal Brewer Competition will be held the second Saturday of Lilies, 2 pm at the Permanent Shelter near the main Battlefield.

Pennsic University 2013 class list online

The list of classes and instructors for Pennsic 42 is now available to view or download from the Pennsic website.