Max Planck Institute scientists report that they have once again glimpsed echoes of a supernova chronicled in 1572 by Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe. The event was bright enough to be visible during the day. (photos and video)

The Viking Society for Northern Research has digitized most of its back issues of publication beginning in 1895 and made them available for free on its wensite.

Kubb, "a modern imitation of an old Viking game," is a combination of chess, horseshoes and bowling. It was also the focus of the October 26 Kubb 2008 Championship of the Carolinas in Salisbury, NC. Brent Johnson of the Salisbury Post was there to catch the action.

Recent discoveries of Viking burial sites have led researchers to rethink previously-held beliefs about the lives of the Norse, especially in regard to their spiritual life.

Scholars at Cambridge University feel that Vikings have gotten a bad rep, and they have set out to right it by way of a campaign "to recast them as 'new men' with an interest in grooming, fashion and poetry."

New research on excavations of early pagan Norse burial sites has given scholars a new understanding of the lives of the Vikings, especially in regard to their funeral practices.

An 11th century spindle, discovered recently in Reykjavík, Iceland, is inscribed with ruins which may be the oldest yet discovered in the country.

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Please join the Barony of Stargate as we celebrate our 35th Anniversary with our annual Yule Celebration. The Barony will also be choosing their A&S and Bardic Champions.

The Norse have opened their longhouse and invited Ansteorra to celebrate the day with feasting, friends, and mirth. This year's Yule theme is based on the Myth of Mistletoe.

Site Info & Fees
St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church Location:
Barony of Stargate (Houston, Texas)

A team of archaeologists from the University of Nottingham are trying to determine if Vikings brought Christianity to Caithness, Scotland before Saint Columba brought the religion to Iona. (video)

Archaeologists working on excavations at the site of the new Hungate development in York, England, have discovered what they believe is the basement of a two-story Viking house. The structure has been dated to mid 10th century. (photo)

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Border Downs Project Day: Norse Poetry and Prose Edition

WHO: You! Me! Them! Everyone!
WHAT: Project Day, with a focus on norse poetry and prose
WHERE: Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD

Take your best route to the section of South Grange Ave that sits between 26th and 33rd streets. Look for the SCA sign. There will be a big parking lot, so park there, then head into the building with the bright blue on the front. That is the Commons. Once you are inside the Commons, head to the right, past the mailboxes. When you reach the end of the mail boxes, take a left down that hallway and you will be on site! Look for the SCA signs once you have hit the right area of Grange. Location:
Shire of Border Downs (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)

An article in a Royal Society journal suggests that modern British mice may have "Viking" genetics - or at least may have traveled with the Scandinavian invaders on their journeys of conquest.

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Disappointed that the Beijing Olympics have come and gone? Craving more sporting competitions? Want to ogle more sweating athletes glistening in the sun? ant to play with weapons that double as sporting equipment?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, do we have the event for you!

The Barony of Bryn Madoc proudly presents: Viking Games
October 17-19, 2008

Camp Daniel Morgan Location:
Barony of Bryn Madoc (Rutledge, Georgia)

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The Shire of Nithgaard will host its sixth annual textile symposium on the weekend of November 14-16, at the Sieg Conference Center located on Narrows Road in Lamar, PA (no street address). Saturday the 15th will be a day of classes and workshops devoted to fabric, string, and their glorious arts. Melee and tournament combat engagements in a medieval style will be organized by Thorvaldr Frithsamr. Head cook Aurora Nicola will be providing an Icelandic feast. The site opens at 2PM on Friday, and closes at noon on Sunday. Location:
Shire of Nithgaard (Lamar, Pennsylvania)

New research may show that the Viking raids of the 8th through 11th centuries may have been triggered by a shortage of marriageable women, possibly brought on by the Norsemen themselves.

Archaeologists working on a Viking site 62 miles west of Copenhagen have discovered a 10th century shield. The wooden artifact is said to be well-preserved. (photo)

Visitors to the Kingdom of Northshield might want to plan a visit to the Viking Inn, "Central Minnesota 's Nordic Inn Medieval Brew and Bed."

"The largest collection of antique shipwrecks ever found in Norway" has been unearthed at the site of a new highway near Oslo, Norway. At least nine well-preserved wooden ships dating to the early 17th century were uncovered near Bjoervika.

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Kubb a classic Viking game, has traveled thousands of miles from a distant and magical land and now resides in the USA! KUBB is perfect for 2-6 players and for ages 8-80! Come and learn about the game, participate and ENJOY!

When: Sunday, October 26, 2008 1:00PM-6:00PM

Where: On the grounds of the Salisbury Civic Center 315 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Salisbury, NC

Cost: $5.00 per participant/General Admission: FREE Location:
SAGA (Salisbury, North Carolina)

New research shows that Viking settlers in Newfoundland were not driven from the country by the native Thule, a native ancestor of the Inuits. Scientific re-dating has placed the native tribes in the area 150 years after the Viking settlements.

On Instructables, Morfmir shows step-by-step instructions for making a wooden spoon with Viking era reproduction tools (or modern equivalents).

A rare gold ring, possibly belonging to a monk or a sheriff, has been discovered in a grave near Skriduklaustur, Iceland. Gold rings are an uncommon find in Icelandic archaeology.

In your heart are you a Viking? Here's your chance to prove it to the world. The heavy metal group is sponsoring a Viking video contest in which entrants are encouraged to "Create a video of yourself and your friends inspired by Viking lore!" Caution: No raping, pillaging or burning of churches allowed!

A romantic comedy set in the world of Viking re-enactment? It's true. The film is Faintheart and it's scheduled for release in the UK in September 2008. View a trailer online.

Nils Olav, a king penguin residing at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland, was knighted by the King of Norway for his long service to the military.

Chris Abram of the Department of Scandinavian Studies, University College London has created a website to cover news and resources in the field of Medieval Scandinavian Studies.

Del Cover Woodworking, a one-man furniture business in San Diego, California, has created an amazing Viking hammock, the perfect place of repose for a Viking king.

A team of Swedish and English archaeologists have excavated a 9th century Viking ship burial which has shed new light on the life and beliefs of the pre-Christian Norse.

The July 2008 issue of Smithsonian Magazine features a cover story on last year's voyage of the Viking replica ship Sea Stallion. The ship is scheduled to return to Denmark this summer.

New research on the bones of monks interred in six Danish cemeteries shows that the brothers may have been exposed to toxic mercury while copying Biblical texts. Mercury was used in the preparation of red ink.