For ten years, archaeologists have been excavating the Islamic convent/fortress near Aljezur, Portugal. recent discoveries include "a mosque, 21 burials and a funerary head stone with an Arabic inscription," all of which have added to the impressive site.

A medieval Islamic necropolis, containing over 200 human remains, has been discovered in the southern Portuguese city of Beja during renovation of a high school.

Among the five new saints created recently by Pope Benedict were a 14th century Portuguese friar and an early 14th-century Sienese aristocrat. The saints were canonized in a ceremony at the Vatican.

Rhys Terafan Greydragon has posted photos of an elaborate military pavilion, once owned by Carlos V of Spain, on his greydragon.org website. The photos were taken at the Museo del Ejercito in Madrid, Spain.

Archaeologists are working furiously to save the wreck of a 16th century Portuguese ship discovered recently on the Namibian coast. "This is perhaps the largest find in terms of artefacts from a shipwreck in this part of the world," said project manager Webber Ndoro.

Dr. Scott Fitzpatrick of North Carolina State University has an intense interest in the historic climate. A recent paper by the professor and University of Calgary researcher Dr. Richard Callaghan, hopes to prove that Magellan's 1519 circumnavigation of the globe was aided by weather favorable weather condition including El Niño.

Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon, Portugal was built on spice. Actually, it was funded with taxes raised from eastern spices brought back by the country's famous explorers.

A silver coin dated 1597 has been found on North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia, possibly predating Captain Cook's discovery of the continent.

A new exhibit at Washington D.C.'s Freer Gallery, Encompassing the Globe: Portugal and the World in the 16th and 17th Centuries, "explores the artistic achievements that flourished when these sailors exposed new creative techniques and imagery to the world as they transported goods from port to port."

Beyond Capricorn, a new book by Australian author Peter Trickett, theorizes that the Portuguese, rather than the Dutch or British, are responsible for the discovery of Australia. The theory is based largely on a 16th century maritime map.

Elisabeth de Valois, third of the four wives of Philip II of Spain, died on October 4, 1568. She had originally been betrothed to his son but married the father as part of a peace settlement.

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The Marche of Gwyntarian cordially invites you to attend "Gwyntarian - First Contact" on July 1, 2006. The event is themed on the first interactions between Portuguese traders and the inhabitants of Japan. We have planned many exciting activities to divert and entertain you, including classes taught by folks from Alderford, Cleftlands & Gwyntarian; special fighting and fencing tourneys (can you say, "War Fans?" I knew Location:
Marche of Gwyntarian (Akron, Ohio)

Amerigo Vespucci departed Lisbon on May 13, 1501 on the voyage that would put his name on two continents.

On May 9, 1386, England and Portugal signed the Treaty of Windsor, a pledge of mutual assistance which remains in effect to this day.

Recent theories have led to speculation that Portuguese mariner Cristovao de Mendonca may have reached Australia in the 16th century, but not so, according to historian Michael Pearson.

A medieval ark hidden behind a false wall tells the tale of a secret 16th century synagogue concealed by the city's persecuted Jews.

A small stretch of Roman road has been discovered near Tavira, Portugal by historian Luís Fraga da Silva. The road originally connected the cities of Ossónoba and Balsa to Pax Júlia and dates to the 2nd century C.E.

The wreck of a 17th century ship off the coast of Dorset, England, will now be protected from treasure hunters and unlicenced divers by the British government.

35 skeletons, discovered recently near Lisbon Portugal, are believed to be from one of the largest medieval Muslim burial grounds in Europe.

In her latest column, Dame Aoife provides many annotated links to websites on medieval Iberia: Spain and Portugal.