"Downton Abbey", a hit British TV series about the lives of a noble family on the eve of WWI, is having an effect far beyond television ratings. The show is set at the real-life Highclere Castle in Berkshire, England. The castle is deteriorating and it need of costly repairs.

Archaeologists from the Alamut Castle Research Center in Iran believe they might have discovered the 13th century observatory of polymath Khawja Nasir ad-Din Tusi, who accepted the position of scientific advisor to the Mongols in 1256.

Author Bob Trubshaw is on a mission to document all the gargoyles in Leicestershire, England. He has formed Project Gargoyle which deploys a team of amateur gargoyle hunters and photographers in the first initiative of its type in England.

Fans of Monty Python and the Holy Grail are expected to come from around the world to Doune Castle in September, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the movie. The 14th century Scottish castley features prominently in the movie.

Join us for the annual cookie contest, hardsuit tourney, and rapier tourney.
Tourneys will be mixed weapon styles.

The City Council of Carlisle, England is concerned over the state of the moat at the city's primary attraction, Carlisle Castle, where, for safety reasons, English Heritage has stopped mowing the grass. Mark McAlindon of BBC News has a video report.

Danish archaeologists believe that the discovery of a 13th century castle on Kattegat Island may help fill a hundred-year gap in the island’s history. The castle belonged to King Erik Menved, who reigned between 1287 and 1319.

Archaeologists are excited by recent excavations at Nevern Castle in Pembrokeshire, Wales, which have uncovered evidence of several 12th century buildings including two towers and a "highly desirable stone residence."

Travel writer and television host Rick Steves offers his thoughts on castles to vists that are off the beaten path. The castles are in ruins and offer a dramatic charm all their own. [photo]

THL Melandra of the Woods, who modernly works as the Education Coordinator for Ozark Medieval Fortress, has announced that the organization is offering a discount to traveling SCA folk on their way to or from three of the SCA's major events this year.

Fifty-one visitors to Castell Coch in Tongwynlais near Cardiff, Wales got more than they bargained for when a maintenance crane collapsed the castle's drawbridge, trapping the visitors inside. No one was injured.

This January, seven master stoneworkers from Japan joined a team of "rockknockers" at the International Stoneworkers' Symposium to construct castle ramparts using traditional dry stone masonry techniques in Serra Cross Park, Ventura, California.

The Ozark Medieval Fortress is pleased to announce a Teacher In-Service workshop.  This workshop has received Arkansas Department of Education approval for 6 hours of professional development credit.

Melanie Phillips, a former tour guide at Pembroke Castle in Wales, has begun a campaign to construct a memorial to King Henry VII, who was born in the castle.

Vrank reports that he has created an album of photos from the Garden of Earthly Delights events which took place recently in the Kingdom of Drachenwald. The photos are available on Flickr.

Years of exposure to weather and thick-growing ivy nearly brought about an end to Suffolk, England's Mettingham Castle until a grant of UK£290,565 from English Heritage saved the structure.

Archaeologists working at Prague Castle have discovered a moat dating to the 9th century, and a castle rampart dating to the 10th or 11th century, as well as a "unique schematic depiction of some Prague Castle buildings."

Learn about the Middle Ages - with a little help from Lego - at Hoernersburg, a "mighty make-believe Lego castle" complete with descriptions of life in medieval times.

Amateur archaeologist and inventor Michel Guyot, the master-mind behind the renovation of Château of Saint Fargeau in France, is constructing a medieval fortress in Lead Hill, Arkansas. The project's web site has updated photos.

Construction on new viewing stands for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo has revealed two structures dating to the late medieval period. The walls were believed to have formed part of the defense of the castle.

Shadow has posted several albums of photos taken during a recent European trip featuring closeups of artifacts in various museums. The photos are available on her SmugMug website.

Ewloe Castle, a Welsh structure built in the 13th century by Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, is scheduled to be auctioned December 8, 2009. Starting bid? UK£80,000. (photo)

An archaeologist and a stonemason recently risked life and limb to investigate the ruins of the Old Man of Wick, a 12th century Scottish castle believed to have been built by Harald Maddadsson, the Earl of Orkney. The castle is perched precariously on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea.

On October 7, 2009, General Sir Richard Dannatt was installed as the 159th Constable of the Tower of London. Sir Richard's Installation ceremony is available to view on the Historical Royal Palaces website.

Byron and Ariella have created several albums of photos taken at the Siege of Harlech Castle, held in spring of 2009 in the Kingdom of AEthelmearc.

Most of us have dreamed of building a castle, but these people are actually doing it. Starting in the spring of 2010 the Ozark Medieval Fortress is open.

Dame Alys Katharine of the Midrealm reports that the Hampton Court Palace website includes a series of short videos celebrating Tudor times, cooking, and the life of King Henry VIII.

A new series of articles in the online BBC History Magazine will cover famous historical sites. The first article looks at ten "places associated with the momentous events of 1066 and its aftermath."

Experts from Murray Archeological Services are overseeing excavation of the site of a 15th century palace, occupied by Bishop Carnock, near Brechin Cathedral in Scotland. STV has the story. (video)

More than 100 volunteers recently made an amazing find at Woking Palace, near Old Woking, England: rare tiles, crafted in Valencia, Spain in the late 15th century.