1501 CE to 1600 CE

Sting to Release Album of Lute Music

Submitted by Milica on Wed, 2006-05-24 07:02
Rock musician Sting, known for his wide range of interests, will release an album of John Dowland's lute music sometime in the fall of 2006.

Pelican Rolling Pin at V&A

Submitted by Milica on Mon, 2006-05-22 19:22
The Victoria and Albert Museum in London is in possession of a unique artifact: a "culinary roller" dating to 1598 and bearing, among other decorations, a "pelican in her piety." One may only speculate possible SCA uses for this item.

Today in the Middle Ages: May 18, 1593

Submitted by Ursula on Thu, 2006-05-18 12:20
On May 18, 1593, just days before his death, playwright Christopher Marlowe was arrested on charges of atheism.

Today in the Middle Ages: May 13, 1501

Submitted by Ursula on Sat, 2006-05-13 11:52
Amerigo Vespucci departed Lisbon on May 13, 1501 on the voyage that would put his name on two continents.

World's Oldest Football to be Displayed in Hamburg

Submitted by Milica on Sat, 2006-05-06 15:25
A 16th century football (that's soccer to those of us in the States) will be on display in Hamburg, Germany during the summer of 2006 for the game's World Cup.

Today in the Middle Ages: May 6, 1527

Submitted by Ursula on Sat, 2006-05-06 11:52
Rebellious unpaid soldiers of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V sacked Rome on May 6, 1527.

Portland Art Museum hosts exhibit of Renaissance art from Brescia

Submitted by Karen on Fri, 2006-05-05 12:31
"Great Painters in Brescia From the Renaissance to the 18th Century" will be on display at the Portland Museum of Art, in Portland, Oregon, through September 17.

Travel in Sardinia

Submitted by Vallawulf on Tue, 2006-05-02 20:44
Travel writer John Clarke writes about Sardinia. Along the way, visit ancient towns and medieval castles that "cling to mountain tops," the nuraghi (stone-built conical towers dating back to the 1500s), the neolithic necropolis of Bonorvo which dates back to 3500-2700 B.C. and the Spanish ruins of Burgos.

Today in the Middle Ages: May 1, 1576

Submitted by Ursula on Mon, 2006-05-01 22:23
On May 1, 1576, Stephen Báthory, former lord of Transylvania, was crowned king of Poland after his election by a majority of Polish nobles.

Folger Shakespeare Library Worth the Trip

Submitted by Milica on Mon, 2006-05-01 15:57
Julienne fille Gaspard of the Kingdom of Atlantia discusses a recent visit to the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington D.C.

Today in the Middle Ages: April 28, 1521

Submitted by Ursula on Fri, 2006-04-28 11:31
The final defeat of the Aztec empire began when Hernan Cortes laid siege to the capital city of Tenochtitlan on April 28, 1521.

Today in the Middle Ages: April 26, 1573

Submitted by Ursula on Wed, 2006-04-26 11:01
Marie de'Medici, Queen of France, was born on April 26, 1573.

Today in the Middle Ages: April 23, 1564

Submitted by Ursula on Sun, 2006-04-23 22:23
The most famous writer in the English language, William Shakespeare, was born on April 23, 1564.

Today in the Middle Ages: April 21, 1509

Submitted by Ursula on Fri, 2006-04-21 10:43
Henry VII of England, the Tudor victor in the Wars of the Roses, died on April 21, 1509.

Today in the Middle Ages: April 17, 1521

Submitted by Ursula on Mon, 2006-04-17 11:14
Already excommunicated, Martin Luther appeared before the Emperor on April 17, 1521 at Worms to answer for his views.

Today in the Middle Ages: April 11, 1554

Submitted by Ursula on Tue, 2006-04-11 17:23
Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger was executed on April 11, 1554, for leading a rebellion against Queen Mary Tudor of England, known to history as "Bloody Mary."

Today in the Middle Ages: April 10, 1512

Submitted by Ursula on Mon, 2006-04-10 12:55
King James V of Scotland was born on April 10, 1512. He was the son of James IV of Scotland and Margaret Tudor, the sister of King Henry VIII.

Today in the Middle Ages: April 7, 1506

Submitted by Ursula on Fri, 2006-04-07 13:13
Today is the 500th anniversary of the birth of St. Francis Xavier. The Spanish-born missionary studied at the University of Paris and was one of the seven priests who joined Ignatius Loyola to found the Jesuit order.

Naval Construction Site Yields 16th Century Shipwreck

Submitted by Milica on Sun, 2006-04-02 20:39
The Associated Press reports that a construction crew working at Pensacola's Naval Air Station in Florida has discovered a 16th century Spanish ship buried in the sand.

April Fools or April Fish?

Submitted by Milica on Sat, 2006-04-01 15:46
Wonder about the origins of the calendar's silliest holiday? What the heck was a "Poisson d’Avril?" Novopress.info has the story on its website.

Historian says Australia not discovered by the Portuguese

Submitted by Milica on Thu, 2006-03-30 17:06
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.

Bird Paintings of Pierre Eskrich Rediscovered

Submitted by Milica on Sun, 2006-03-26 10:28
Several albums of paintings of birds dating to the 16th century have been "rediscovered" by Roberta J.M. Olson, art curator for the New York Historical Society. The works were painted by French artist Pierre Eskrich, considered to be the inspiration for James Audubon.

16th Century Spanish Patterns Online

Submitted by Milica on Tue, 2006-03-21 17:52
The Folger Shakespeare Library has posted digitized versions of 16th century Spanish patterns on its website.

Columbus mystery nearly solved 500 yrs after death

Submitted by lilli on Mon, 2006-03-20 19:43
Debate about origins and final resting place of Columbus has raged for over a century, with historians questioning the traditional theory that he hails from Genoa, Italy. Some say he was a Spanish Jew, a Greek, a Basque or Portuguese.

Cate Blanchett back as Elizabeth in "The Golden Age"

Submitted by JaneStockton on Mon, 2006-03-20 12:53
Cate Blanchett is to reprise her role as Elizabeth I, in a new movie called The Golden Age. It is set 15 years after the last movie and will touch on her relationship with Mary, Queen of Scots and end just before the battle with the Spanish Armada.

Shakespearean Insult Generator

Submitted by Milica on Sat, 2006-03-18 15:29
Thou villainous doghearted gudgeon! Chris Seidel has created an insult generator based on the original Shakespeare Insult Kit. Have fun!

Vandals Hit 15th Century Baptistry

Submitted by Vallawulf on Tue, 2006-03-07 14:53
Vandals (modern-day) attacked the 15th century baptistry at Madron over the past weekend, causing damage to the structure of the ancient building just four months after major restoration began.

Sterling Renaissance Festival to Hold Auditions

Submitted by Milica on Mon, 2006-03-06 14:43
David Salley reports that the Sterling Renaissance Festival (near Syracuse, New York), will be holding auditions throughout the next month for its interactive improvisational troupe, "The Bless the Mark Players."

Aztec Mural Documents Spanish Conquest

Submitted by Milica on Sun, 2006-03-05 14:19
A recently unearthed Aztec mural, painted shortly after the Spanish conquest, combines Aztec mythology with Christian symbols including a large black and white cross.

Tudor Bananas

Submitted by Milica on Sat, 2006-03-04 19:48
Are bananas period? Apparently so, according to the recent discovery of a 500-year-old banana skin in London. The development shatters previously-held beliefs that the banana first came to Britain in 1633.