Benedict Longsword of Monmouth reports that armor was stolen from the vehicle of Michael Ward (Ian Lowery) in Montgomery, Alabama during the weekend of May 10-11, 2008. Lord Benedict hopes that SCA members will be on the lookout for it.

Dan Crowe and Rob Farrer of the Manx Detectorists Society have found artifacts with their metal detectors before, but nothing quite as dramatic as fragments of a Viking sword, a rare find on the Isle of Man. (photo)

Security was tight for the April 1, 2008 meeting of U.S. President George W. Bush and Ukraine’s President Viktor Yushchenko, as captured by Reuters photographer Grigory Dukor, who observed security's reaction to guys in armor.

The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin is going medieval this summer with a series of exhibits highlighting medieval armor and photographs of SCAdians by California photographer E.F. Kitchen. Keith Uhlig of the Wausau Daily Herald has the story.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City will host Tibetan Arms and Armor from the Permanent Collection through fall 2009 in the Arms and Armor Galleries, 1st floor, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Gallery.

Dragon Swords N Daggers offers medieval weapons and armor as well as articles on medieval history and information about medieval times and the period that spawned Europe from the V to the XV century. The articles include medieval weaponry and torture devices, the life within a castle walls, and knighthood.

California natives Ed and Kim Slone are moving to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario where they hope to pursue their SCA interests. Linda Richardson of the Sault Star caught up with them at the recent “Passport to Unity” event designed to welcome new residents.

The weight of historical swords has often been debated. J. Clements weighs in with his opinion in an online article for ARMA, The Association for Renaissance Martial Arts.

An exhibition, The Age of Armor, will be presented April 19-June 22, 2008 at Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin. The exhibit will consist of armor from the Higgins Armory Museum, as well as photographs by SCA members "in the form of platinum prints of California photographer E.F. Kitchen."

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Oakeshott Institute Master Armorers Residency will present five days of hot-metal forging demonstrations as well as demonstrations of chivalric practices by two armorers from the Minneapolis-based Oakeshott Institute.

Opportunities to try on armor and handle other forged pieces. A tented outdoor program.

http://www.lywam.o Location:
Wausau, Wisconsin

Pitbull Armory supplies protective armor to a number of creatures -- including humans. The latest armored critter is a squirrel.

A plan to regulate antique firearms in New York City may have repercussions for re-enactors and museums who use black powder weapons. If passed, owners of these weapons would be required to submit to the same licensing rules as for other firearms.

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On June 7-8, 2008 the Revolutionary War Veterans Association will conduct a marksmanship and history clinic in Minerva, Ohio.

AQT Marksmanship Training
No range fee.

For Sunday only participants, The majority of the skills will be taught on Saturday. We'll attempt to catch you up best we can, but can't devote a great deal of time to review.

Canton/Minerva, Ohio - June 7 - 8, 2008 Location:
Revolutionary War Veterans Association Canton/Minerva, Ohio

In an article for The Guardian, James Fenton looks at the armorer's craft and its continuing appeal to museum visitors.

Amaze your friends! Learn how to open a champagne bottle with a sword! No kidding, WikiHow has the instructions.

February 24, 2008 – June 1, 2008 the Cleveland Museum of Art will host Arms and Armor from Imperial Austria, an exhibit of over 200 pieces of armor from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Join bronze sword enthusiasts from all over the world for a 4-day event in celebration of sword-making when the 2008 Sword Festival takes place September 5-9, 2008 in Bodmin moor, England.

"In the wrong hands, samurai swords are dangerous weapons," Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said recently on the announcement by the British government that it would ban the sale of the swords.

Reclaiming the Blade, a new film celebrating the art of the sword, is scheduled to be released in the summer of 2008. Narrated by John Rhys-Davies, the film "explores both European and Asian historic swordplay and offers an in-depth look at the fascinating world of stage combat on the silver screen."

Those interested in the re-creation of Roman armor will want to visit Anthony Congiano's website for a tutorial on creating a leather Cuirass Lorica Musculata.

Just in time for the holidays: "High quality, durable, foam latex weapons. They look real and can deliver a sweet beat down!" (video)

The George C. Gordon Library at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts will host The Cutting Edge: Modern Metallography and the Ancient Secrets of Swordmaking October 23 through December 20, 2007.

The Norse Chieftain Helmet is an SCA combat-legal helmet, made with a dynamically sculpted face, made of 14 gauge hot rolled mild steel, some details are a "feather beard, and mustache" It was forged by Jenna Brocious of The Lonely Mountain Forge http://members.aol.com/gijchar/norchief.htm If you are interested please send me a private message or email Anthony: aburdge@si.rr.com for price quote or to make an offer

The discovery of an early 16th century sword has brought smiles to the faces of Swedish archaeologists Katarina Schoerner and August Boj. The sword was found with a metal detector August 30, 2007 near the Harbour of the Sheaf Kings. (photos)

Fred Tang of Tenzan Production and the Weta Workshop have collaborated to create a new process for the lightweight chainmail used in such films as Lord of the Rings and Kingdom of Heaven.

BBC reporter Mario Cacciottolo got a taste of the re-enactor's life when he buckled on armor at the recent Festival of History in Northamptonshire, England.

Lark Books, publisher of books dealing with "crafts, home decorating, woodworking, cooking, and outdoor living," is calling for submissions of images of "outstanding handmade knives, daggers, folding knives, tomahawks, swords, hunting knives, forged blades, and other implements for publication in a juried collection of international studio metalwork."

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Australian Historical Swordplay Conference 2007: German Medieval & Renaissance Martial Arts

Saturday 22nd to Monday 24th September
Greensbourough Secondary College,
Victoria,Greensbrough, Victoria, Australia

The AHSF Conference 07 website is up. You can find it here:
http://events.swordplay.org.au/

The Con will cost $185 for early birds. The price will rise, so sign up Location:
Australian Historical Swordplay Federation (Greensbrough, Australia)

Black Tower Enterprises specializes in Custom made SCA armor and accessories. If you have always wanted leather armor with your SCA device or Celtic knotwork in the colors of your choice, then check out their catalog and gallery of past customized armor.

The skull of what is believed to be the earliest gunshot victim in the western hemisphere has been discovered near Lima, Peru.