English

Today in the Middle Ages: June 20, 1367

Submitted by Ursula on Tue, 2006-06-20 10:41
On June 20, 1367, King Edward III of England awarded Geoffrey Chaucer an annual pension and the position of valet at court.

Rare Exmoor ponies to help save dwindling peat bog

Submitted by Justin on Mon, 2006-06-19 16:29
Ponies from an endangered breed, descended from the original British "hill ponies," are being brought into a nature preserve on the Solway Plain in England, to graze away grasses that threaten one of the area's few remaining peat bogs.

British archaeologists find the King's Table

Submitted by Karen on Fri, 2006-06-16 15:37
The Australian reports that sections of the King's Table, an elaborately-carved stone table used for English coronation feasts and state banquets as far back as the 13th century, have been found under the floor of the Palace of Westminster.

Today in the Middle Ages: June 16, 1567

Submitted by Ursula on Fri, 2006-06-16 11:48
The 25-year-old Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned in England on June 16, 1567, a few weeks before being forced to abdicate her throne.

Googling Shakespeare

Submitted by Milica on Thu, 2006-06-15 19:09
Google has placed "The complete plays of Shakespeare... at your fingertips," according to the Google Book Search website.

Today in the Middle Ages: June 15, 1330

Submitted by Ursula on Thu, 2006-06-15 11:58
Edward the Black Prince was born on June 15, 1330.

"The World of Chaucer" Online

Submitted by Milica on Tue, 2006-06-13 20:48
A web version of The World of Chaucer: Medieval Books and Manuscripts is now available on the website of the University of Glasgow. The site includes reproductions of manuscripts from the exhibition catalog.

Isle of Wight Hobbyist Finds Period Gold Brooch

Submitted by Ursula on Tue, 2006-06-13 12:34
Two friends with metal detectors turned up a gold annular brooch on the Isle of Wight.

Replica of Godspeed to Sail

Submitted by Milica on Tue, 2006-06-13 08:18
The Godspeed is set to sail this summer. A replica of the 17th century ship that carried the first settlers to Jamestown, Virginia, the ship will be touring the East Coast of the United States.

Today in the Middle Ages: June 12, 918

Submitted by Ursula on Mon, 2006-06-12 11:26
Ethelfleda, oldest daughter of King Alfred the Great of Wessex, died on June 12, 918.

Today in the Middle Ages: June 11, 1186

Submitted by Ursula on Sun, 2006-06-11 10:39
The Lady Chapel of Glastonbury Abbey was consecrated on June 11, 1186.

Today in the Middle Ages: June 7, 1520

Submitted by Ursula on Wed, 2006-06-07 11:07
The rival kings of England and France, Henry VIII and Francis I, met near Calais on June 7, 1520 for the meeting and tournament that became known as the Field of the Cloth of Gold.

Today in the Middle Ages: June 6, 1178

Submitted by Ursula on Tue, 2006-06-06 12:22
On June 6, 1178, a group of monks in Canterbury reported seeing "two hours of light" on the shadowed part of the moon.

Lest London Fall

Submitted by Ursula on Tue, 2006-06-06 11:27
The stone which legend says was placed in London by Brutus the Trojan has a new protector: Chris Cheek, the manager of a sporting goods shop.

Today in the Middle Ages: June 2, 1420

Submitted by Ursula on Fri, 2006-06-02 23:59
King Henry V of England married Catherine of Valois, the French king's niece, on June 2, 1420, in an effort to consolidate power over both nations.

Boudicca's Burial Site Found?

Submitted by Milica on Fri, 2006-06-02 21:04
Archaeologists are pondering whether or not a burial site discovered near a McDonald's restaurant in Birmingham, England may be that of warrior queen Boudicca.

Unprecedented Brooch Find near Hadrian's Wall

Submitted by Ursula on Wed, 2006-05-31 07:30
A remarkable brooch, probably the property of a very senior Roman legionary, has been discovered in Northumberland. The object is outstanding for its size and workmanship and also because it is marked with two personal names.

Gladiator: The Musical?

Submitted by Milica on Tue, 2006-05-30 07:25
We know Russell Crowe can sing rock music, but how would he measure up in a musical version of Ridley Scott's Gladiator?

Large Roman Cemetery Found in Gloucestershire

Submitted by Milica on Sat, 2006-05-27 18:50
A large Roman cemetery, containing at least 100 skeletons, has been discovered near Fairford in Gloucestershire, England.

Today in the Middle Ages: May 26, 1583

Submitted by Ursula on Fri, 2006-05-26 11:44
William and Anne Shakespeare's firstborn child, Susannah, was baptized on May 26, 1583.

Today in the Middle Ages: May 25, 735

Submitted by Ursula on Thu, 2006-05-25 20:44
On May 25, 735, the Venerable Bede ended his peaceful, learned life in the Northumbrian monastery where he had lived over fifty years.

White Monks May Have Pursued Alchemy

Submitted by Ursula on Wed, 2006-05-24 20:25
An alembic found at a remote North Yorkshire monastery may be evidence that Cistercian monks were involved in the arcane quest to make gold from base metal.

Eight New British Knights Installed in 12th Century Ceremony

Submitted by Milica on Wed, 2006-05-24 16:20
England is known for its long-standing traditions, and the installation ceremony for the Order of the Bath is no exception. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth recently oversaw the latest elevation when eight men from the British military and intelligence services were installed.

Website Offers Fifteenth Century English Patents of Arms

Submitted by Milica on Tue, 2006-05-23 17:10
A website gives examples, both text and graphical, of English patents and grants of arms awarded in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Today in the Middle Ages: May 22, 1216

Submitted by Ursula on Mon, 2006-05-22 15:52
On May 22, 1216, French troops entered England by invitation in the First Baron's War, a rebellion ignited by King John's refusal to follow some provisions of the Magna Carta.

Today in the Middle Ages: May 21, 1420

Submitted by Ursula on Sun, 2006-05-21 12:21
On May 21, 1420, the Treaty of Troyes was concluded between England and France. Its terms included Henry V of England's betrothal to Catherine de Valois of France.

Today in the Middle Ages: May 20, 635

Submitted by Ursula on Sat, 2006-05-20 10:42
On May 20, 635, an invading Northumbrian army was soundly trounced by the Picts under the command of King Bridei.

Today in the Middle Ages: May 19, 1214

Submitted by Ursula on Fri, 2006-05-19 23:59
The City of London received a charter allowing it to elect its own officials on May 19, 1214.

Romani DNA Found in 11th Century Anglo-Saxon Skeleton

Submitted by JaneStockton on Fri, 2006-05-19 17:11
The 11th Century skeleton of a young Anglo-Saxon Christian male has found to contain a rare form of mitochondrial DNA identified as Romani.

Anglo-Norman Dictionary Online

Submitted by Milica on Fri, 2006-05-19 13:52
The University of Wales Aberystwyth and the University of Wales Swansea have teamed up to produce an electronic edition of the Anglo-Norman Dictionary. Anglo-Norman is the language spoken throughout Britain between 1066 and the middle of the 15th century.