The controversy over the prosecution of a Ludlow, England woman who failed to report the discovery of a 14th century piedfort, a ceremonial coin, has led to claims of being "heartless authoritarians" against the officials. (photo)

For many years, visitors to the Cloisters in New York were treated to a glimpse of one of the museum's most precious artifacts, the Belles Heures of Jean de France, Duc de Berry, a 14th century manuscript, opened to only one page. Now, with the book unbound, they can gaze at all all 172 illuminations. (photos)

A casual interest in the history of computing led Erwin Tomash, who started his career in computer engineering in the 1940s and became one of the pioneers of the information age, to compile an encyclopedic, illustrated catalog of primary source references dating back to the 12th century CE. The catalog is available online for free access.

The Hundred Years War Underground is a  new forum created "for those interested in exploring the history of the Hundred Years War."

A visit to Westminster Abbey will show visitors the tomb of King Richard II - or will it? Researchers are wondering if tests on remains found at a former Dominican friary in Stirling, Scotland might determine them to be those of the 14th century king.

Lisa Evans, from the Quilt History discussion list, reports that two famous period quilts, the Tristan Quilt and the Coperta di Usella, will be on display this spring at museums in London and Florence.

A research group at Uppsala University's Department of Genetics and Pathology recently used DNA and other tests to determine whether or not the skulls of Saint Bridget (Birgitta) of Swedenand her daughter Katarina are authentic.

Ongoing excavations on the grounds of Rothe House in Kilkenny, Ireland, have discovered that Cistercian abbots, who had a previous residence at the site, lived a lavish lifestyle of roast swan and French wine.

The Shire of Anglespur is proud to sponsor the East Kingdom Royal University and Knights college.

The Freer and Sackler Galleries of the Smithsonian Institution have announced a new online resource for the study of early Chinese painting. The site features over 80 examples of 10th through 14th century artwork.

Paternoster Ladies recently opened their new online shopping portal, using the Etsy e-commerce hosting provider.

Paternoster Ladies produces one-of-a-kind handmade medieval rosaries, paternosters and chaplets for sale. Their line uses historically available materials to create items inspired by medieval sources such as museum examples and artwork of the time period. Many of their raw materials come from upcycling antique and vintage beads and findings, and the results are pure heaven.

A collection of 105 documents, some dating back over 1,000 years, has been published in book form by the Vatican. The Vatican Secret Archives features a such diverse documents as a letter from the grandson of Genghis Khan to a 1550 note from Michelangelo demanding payment.

Recent analysis of skeletons from Wharram Percy, a village on the Yorkshire Wolds, shows that the thick bones of the medieval women demonstrated a life of hard labor which built up their strength.

Apparently the Byzantines had a werewolf problem, according to a new article by four scholars from the University of Athens. "Lycanthropy in Byzantine times ([CE] 330–1453)," looks at how doctors in the Empire dealt with patients who believed they were werewolves.

Archaeological volunteers at York, England's Hungate Dig don't expect to find much, but Richard Daniel was lucky when he recently unearthed a 14th century gold coin.

At 11:00 a.m., 12 December 2009, Members of the Canton of Attillium and the Barony of Windmaster's Hill participated in the 2009 Christmas Rotary Parade. This year two horses complete with armored riders, barding, lance and shield were introduced.

Metal detectorist John Lyon was thrilled to find a hoard of 44 coins dating to the 13th century in a farmyard near Pinchbeck, Wales, but the real discovery may be the source of the coins: a 13th century "well-built house" with a possible ecclesiastical connection.

In the 1640s, followers of Oliver Cromwell vandalized Canterbury Cathedral, especially stained glass windows overlooking the tomb of Edward, Prince of Wales, known as the Black Prince. The decay continues to this day, causing concern to those charged with maintaining the cathedral.

In celebration of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new Year, officials at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem are displaying the Nuremberg Mahzor, a 14th century collection of "handwritten Ashkenazi, or northern European, prayers and liturgical poems." The manuscript is considered the largest surviving text of its kind with only 7 of its 528 pages missing.

Bring out your dead! These words will ring true once again in our current Middle Ages. The sights and sounds of the season will bring forth the return of The Plague Mask, October 29 through November 1 at Ft. Gaines in Dauphin Island, Alabama.

Matthew Saunders, honorary director of The Friends of Friendless Churches in Mundon, England, reports that the organization has received a UK£138,000 grant from English Heritage to preserve St Mary's Church, the medieval chapel of a manor house. (photo)

A team of archaeologists working in Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria’s medieval capital, have discovered the tomb of what they believe is a 14th century Bulgarian princess.

On her medieval history page, Karen Larsdatter shares research and links on beard styles of the Middle Ages -- from peasants to princes -- from 12th century to the 15th.

Fabric Dragon sells many items, but of especial interest to most SCAdians are the linen threads in multiple weights and colors, silk threads in multiple weights, colors, and degree of twist, beads (including those small enough to use easily in embroidery) and pearls of various types.

Concealed for more than 100 years behind plaster, a mosaic angel dating to the 14th century has been revealed in the Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul.

A new web site provides searchable databases of the detailed service records of 250,000 medieval soldiers, including archers who served with Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt.

This web site, created by Dr. Adrian Bell of the ICMA Centre and Professor Anne Curry of the University of Southampton (UK) and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, catalogs all known service records for soldiers in the Hundred Years War between 1369 and 1453 CE.

The detailed service records of 250,000 soldiers who served during the Hundred Years War is now availa le to view online. The website, sponsored by Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), was the brainchild of Anne Curry of the University of Southampton and Dr Adrian Bell of the University of Reading.

For years, experts have disputed the legitimacy of the Vinland Map, the famous 15th century map which depicted parts of North America many years before its discovery by Christopher Columbus. Now Rene Larsen, rector of the School of Conservation under the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, has declared the map genuine.