In honour of our Lupine Majesties Thormot Quilliam and Dagmar Halvdan, Step Spritely 2012 has a Viking theme. This is an opportunity to work on an alternate persona OR to come as your Renaissance self attending a Viking theme party.

Maria Vretmark has a "fantastic story" to tell: Who is buried in King Magnus Ladulås' tomb? New DNA tests carried out by her team have determined that at least some of the bodies in the tomb in central Stockholm, Sweden are several centuries younger than the reign of Magnus, who ruled from 1275 until 1290.

The people of Stavanger, Norway are on a quest to discover the exact year their town was founded. A good starting place may be with the huge collection of human bones dating to the Middle Ages found beneath their cathedral.

A recent report in Urðarbrunnur, the journal of the science association at Laugar in the rural district Þingeyjarsveit, Iceland, suggests that remains found in a large hole in the turf wall in Þegjandadalur, Iceland show the practice of ritual sacrifice in the time before the country converted to Christianity.

On his blog, British woodworker Robin Wood writes about his participation in the construction of a full size replica of the Oseberg Viking longboat in Oslo, Norway.

Somewhere along the Cumbria-Lancashire border, a metal detector enthusiast named Darren Webster uncovered a simple lead pot, and out spilled a fortune in Viking silver. "That's when I noticed I'd found something of great importance," he said. (photo)

Recent Nordic archaeological discoveries in Great Britain have sparked a new interest in all things Viking. In an article for the Guardian, arts and media correspondent Vanessa Thorpe looks at new trends, based on old tales that are driving current British culture.

It's beautiful, but what is it? Archaeologists are asking that question about three gold and silver pieces from the Staffordshire Hoard that fit together. Guesses include a saddle fitting and the decorative terminal to a parchment scroll. (photos)

For those old enough to have grooved to German popstar Nena's 99 Luftballoons, this video will make your day. Nena showcases her bardic chops with a retelling of Beowulf to the tune of her signature song.

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.

Since 1985, the Viking Leather Crafts team has continually strived to provide the highest quality leatherwork for the history enthusiast on a budget - and the finest in customer service as well. After 26 years, their products are still being worn by countless swordsmen, swordswomen, and Living History enthusiasts around the world.

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)

In 2007, metal detectorists David and Andrew Whelan hit the jackpot when they discovered a huge hoard of Viking treasure in a field north of Harrogate, England. Now the Vale of York Viking Hoard will return to Harrogate for an exhibition at the Mercer Art Gallery.

An intact Viking boat burial has been found in the highlands of Scotland, the first burial of its kind found on the UK mainland. The artifacts found at the site indicate the man buried there may have been a high ranking warrior.

Dr. James Frankki, of Sam Houston State University, has studied the Kensington Runestone in Minnesota and the Heavener Runestone in Oklahoma. Now he is taking look at a recently-discovered stone in Missouri.

On Monday November 7, 2011, the National Geographic Channel will present two, hour-long programs on the Staffordshire Hoard, the Viking treasure discovered in 2010 in England. The programs are scheduled for 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. (EST).

Filmmakers Davide Marco Zori and Jesse Byock from the UCLA Archaeology Department explore "whether oral and written histories can help us understand the relics of the past" in The Saga of a Viking Age Longhouse in Iceland.

Dr. Emily Lethbridge of Cambridge University is seeking to understand the significance of the Icelandic Sagas, why they were created during the 13th and 14th centuries, and why they still resonate with the people of Iceland today.

Archaeologists working on the excavation of a Viking village in Louth County, Ireland are calling it "one of the most important Viking sites in the world." The site is believed to be where the Vikings brought their long ships for wintering and repair.

An intact Viking boat burial has been found in the highlands of Scotland, the first burial of its kind found on the UK mainland. The artifacts found at the site indicate the man buried there may have been a high-ranking warrior.

"Imagine a rotten fish, and multiply that smell and taste by 97, and that is the smell and taste of this strange food," said Halldor Sigurdsson of Reykjavik, Iceland, CNN iReporter for Eatocracy about an authentic Viking fish stew. (video & photos)

Hrothgar reports that he has posted two albums of photos from recent activities in the Kingdom of Calontir. The photos are available to view on Flickr.

In a recent message posted on the Merry Rose eList of the Kingdom of Atlantia, Thomas Brant of Salem shares a memory from last year's War of the Wings.

In  the past, Durán Textiles has showcased some amazing women's garb in their newsletter. Now it's the man's turn. The latest issue concentrates on an elaborate 17th century embroidered traveling suit worn by King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden, who ruled 1615-1632.

Eirik Anderson reports that he has posted several videos and an album of photos from the Icelandic-Althing, which took place recently in the Kingdom of Ealdormere. The videos and photos are available on his website.

The College of Bellewode invites you to Winternights October 22, 2011

Satu Hovi offers techniques for creating a Finnish Viking dress on her website. The article includes research on the Eura dress and her replica from Luistari cemetery in Eura, grave 56.

Dan Carlsson of the Fröjel Discovery Programme has posted an album of Viking artifacts from the harbor and lands around Fröjel, Sweden including explantion of the objects and how they were made.

Andreas Olsson, head archaeologist at the Royal Swedish Maritime museum, believes that a team of divers has discovered the wreck of the Mars, the "legendary Swedish warship lost in a sea battle with the Danish-Lübeckian navy in 1564."

Jack reports that he has uploaded two videos of the christening and launching of Calontir's cardboard longship as part of a fund raiser for the Wings of Hope charity.