Below you will find 266 items from around the world on many different topics in the news concerning the Middle Ages. These might range from obituaries of great scholars of the period to articles about the last efforts to preserve a medieval barn. The Middle Ages comes up quite regularly in the news and so we will aim to bring you the latest. To help with that we have also set up two methods for you to get these items:

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Castle's medieval Christmas

Tourists have had an opportunity to find out what Christmas was really like for the residents of a 14th century castle. For the first time, Chirk Castle is coming out of winter hibernation and opening its doors for a weekend of seasonal celebrations.
Source: BBC News       Date: 7 Dec 2003

King's grave mystery may be unearthed

A group of amateur historians are battling to open a tomb which they claim contains the remains of King Harold II. The historians say if they break open the tomb at Holy Trinity Church in Bosham, West Sussex, they will uncover the mystery surrounding the final resting place of the last Anglo-Saxon king.
Source: BBC News       Date: 24 Nov 2003

Psychic 'reads' medieval ship

A psychic has tried to 'read' the wood of the medieval ship raised from a south Wales river bank to try and uncover its past. Despite being pored over by teams of archaeologists and scientists, there is still a lot of mystery over the boat which was unearthed from the banks of the River Usk in Newport 16 months ago.
Source: BBC News       Date: 22 Oct 2003

From Plagues to People

How many degrees separate Herodotus and the Egyptians from the Black Death? Not very many, according to Prof. Laura Harrington's new two-credit course entitled "Plagues and People," Entomology 210. The ancient scholar and the Nile-centered civilization both discovered methods of avoiding bug bites with the use of nets; the plague was a flea-bred disease that killed up to one-third of the European population in the 14th century.
Source: Cornell Daily Sun       Date: 16 Sep 2003

Schools celebrate Glyndwr day

Tales of the dramatic exploits and weaponry used by Owain Glyndwr - thought by many to be one of the great heroes of Welsh history - are part of a commemoration for schoolchildren in north Wales. Owain Glyndwr, the last Welsh-born Prince of Wales, is being remembered in an Owain Glyndwr Day on Tuesday with celebrations continuing until Friday.
Source: BBC News       Date: 16 Sep 2003

Work Goes on to Save Greyfriars

It lost the nation's vote but West Norfolk's leaning tower is still in line for public funds to save it. The 14th-century Greyfriars Tower missed out on up to £3.3m when it failed on Sunday to win the BBC's Restoration.
Source: EDP 24       Date: 16 Sep 2003

Monty Python Fans Flock to Castle

Strange things happen to many a traveler while roaming the dark passages and chambers of Doune Castle. They are overcome with an irresistible urge to say silly things like "Bring out your dead!" and "We are the knights who say NI!" The 14th-century castle was the location for much of the filming of the 1974 classic "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," considered by devotees one of the funniest films ever made.
Source: CNN International       Date: 15 Sep 2003

Iron Age Fort Blaze Sparks Fear For Relics

Hidden archaeological treasures at the site of an Iron Age fort may have been destroyed by a massive fire which has burned for five days. It is thought a carelessly dropped cigarette could have sparked the huge grass fire at Traprain Law, East Lothian. The site of the historic hill fort, which also contains remnants of a medieval settlement, was still shrouded in smoke yesterday as a fire which started on Sunday continued to burn underground.
Source: Edinburgh News       Date: 13 Sep 2003

Library shows its rarest books

Rare books dating back to the 13th century have gone on display in Liverpool for one weekend only. The city's Central Library has thrown open its doors on what it describes as its "crown jewels", as part of the UKs annual Heritage Open Days. There is also access to the city's town hall.
Source: BBC News       Date: 13 Sep 2003

Princely Support For Restoration Bid

Plans to restore an ancient Norfolk monument have been given a royal seal of approval by the Prince of Wales. The 15th century Greyfriars Tower at King's Lynn was voted the eastern region's representative in the final in the popular BBC2 series Restoration. On the programme's grand finale tomorrow, Prince Charles will reveal he has been watching the show during its five-week run.
Source: EDP 24       Date: 13 Sep 2003

How Chickens Helped Fire Medieval Cannon

Medieval gunpowder packed more of a punch than scientists thought, according to a project to recreate the explosive using dung pits, foot stomping and wood ash. Researchers at the Royal Armouries in Leeds were astonished by the results of a 10-year collaboration with European colleagues to recreate 14th century gunpowder recipes.
Source: Telegraph       Date: 11 Sep 2003

Islam Had Specialist Medicine in Dark Ages

Specialist medical research, free public health treatment and retirement homes for the aged were available in Baghdad and other parts of the Islamic world in AD950, while Britons were still in the Dark Ages, Emilie Savage-Smith of the University of Oxford told the British Association science festival in Salford yesterday.
Source: Guardian Unlimited       Date: 11 Sep 2003

Medieval Gunpowder Packed a Modern Punch

Medieval gunners knew a thing or two their modern day counterparts might find surprising, producing gunpowder of equal potency to that in use today. A mixture of charcoal, saltpetre and sulphur -- the recipe for gunpowder used by Edward III's gunners as his armies rampaged across France in the 14th century -- equalled the explosive force of the 20th century version, Robert Smith of the Royal Armouries told reporters on Wednesday.
Source: Mirror       Date: 11 Sep 2003

Medieval Weapons of Mass Destruction

Medieval recipes for gunpowder produce nearly the same firepower as today's manufactured equivalent, according to recent weapons tests, providing clues as to how the British fleet became one of the largest fighting forces in the world. Robert Smith who is Head of Conservation at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, told the British Association for the Advancement of Science conference in Manchester this week that the medieval gunpowder was made from ancient recipes or formulas still surviving from the 14th Century.
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation       Date: 11 Sep 2003

Conservation Site Found For Ship

A medieval ship is being transported to a secret location to allow a conservation programme to begin in earnest. The 15th Century vessel was discovered in the banks of the River Usk in Newport by workers building a new arts centre. Around 1,700 timbers of the boat were excavated and have been in storage at a building at Corus' Llanwern site.
Source: BBC News       Date: 10 Sep 2003

Possible Viking Boat Found in Norway

A dugout canoe that may date from Viking times has been found in Norway, yielding clues to the lives of people who fished a small lake perhaps 1,000 years ago. The pine vessel was dragged from Royraas lake in southern Norway Monday after a tip from the family of two elderly men who had spotted the boat when they swam in the lake as children in the 1930s. "We believe it dates from the Viking times or perhaps from the early Middle Ages," Snorre Haukalid, a county archeologist , told Reuters on Tuesday.
Source: CNN       Date: 10 Sep 2003

Grave Goings-on as Slab Spooks Shoe Shop Staff

Spooked staff at a South Yorkshire shoe shop feared they'd put one foot in the grave when they walked into their new Victorian premises. Workers were shocked to discover what may be a medieval tombstone in the cellar of Hambys at the top of High Street, Rotherham. English Heritage experts were called in to confirm that the 5ft-long, 2-inch deep slab was a grave stone, dating back to the 14th or 15th century. Part of an old inscription still appears to be visible on the hard stone. There is no real grave beneath it and the heavy slab must have been moved there at some point.
Source: Sheffield Today       Date: 8 Sep 2003

Medieval Remains Found at Bank Site

Medieval remains have been discovered near the site of the new headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland. Pottery shards, rubbish pits and animal bones were unearthed north of the A8 opposite the banking giant’s headquarters, which are currently under construction at Gogarburn in the west of the city.
Source: Edinburgh News       Date: 8 Sep 2003

Pier’s Ghostly Goings-On

Cromer Pier normally echoes to the sights and sounds of seaside entertainers and laughing crowds. But the end-of-the-pier theatre stage is also home to some rather spookier goings-on. So who are they gonna call? The ghosthunters. Paranormal experts are on their way to check out chilling stories of medieval men in rags, unhappy lifeboatmen and a jaunty former theatre boss continuing to visit the jetty after their deaths.
Source: EDP 24       Date: 8 Sep 2003

Ivan Shishman: a Lust for Power

Ivan Shishman (1371-1395) was Bulgaria's last medieval ruler and has since become a national hero. Driven by deep longing for power, having achieved it, he held his position for one of the shortest periods in the country's history.
Source: Sofia Echo       Date: 5 Sep 2003

Outrage Over Plan to Charge for Castle Entry

Guardians of the castle English Heritage are to put an end to the privileges currently enjoyed by townsfolk, who can get into the castle without paying. Instead, they will allow residents to bring in children free of charge, and get reduced prices for certain events. But many are furious at the reduced benefits and want a public consultation before the decision is implemented.
Source: Kenilworth Weekly News       Date: 5 Sep 2003

Probe into Gallows Street Site

Archaeologists are to be brought in to hunt for medieval remains in a Torquay street which may have been the site of public hangings. The area at Rowley Road in St Marychurch is the subject of a planning bid to build five homes, which has now been approved. Local folklore suggests hangings of criminals may have taken place there, in what is now a popular residential street. Before any building work starts, an archaeologist will be given access to the site to see if any medieval remains can be found.
Source: This is South Devon       Date: 5 Sep 2003

Secrets of Burial Site

Preston scientists launched a rescue mission to save the graveyard remains of more than 100 people from the sea. The team of lecturers and students from the University of Central Lancashire have spent weeks digging at an archaeological site in Anglesey, off the coast of North Wales.
Source: This is Lancashire       Date: 5 Sep 2003

Ancient Boat Found Buried in Mud

A wooden boat thought to date back more than 1,500 years is to be raised from its resting place on the Hampshire coast. Archaeologists are to attempt to raise the canoe from the intertidal mud of Langstone Harbour, near Portsmouth.
Source: BBC News       Date: 4 Sep 2003

Spooky Sutton Hoo Loses its Magic

The National Trust visitor centre at one of Britain's prime historical sites has attracted thousands of tourists - which is bad news, says Giles Worsley. Sutton Hoo is one of those names that send shivers down the spine. Who has seen the enigmatic warrior's helmet with its sinister eye sockets - discovered there and now kept in the British Museum - and not wanted to know more of its owner?
Source: Telegraph       Date: 3 Sep 2003

14th Century Castle For Sale

A Scottish castle and title are up for grabs, but only if the sellers decide that a prospective buyer is rich and famous enough to take possession. The 700-year-old Castle Lee, its contents and benefits, including the barony title, three lodge houses and 261 acres of land, are being sold via an exclusive website.
Source: The Scotsman       Date: 2 Sep 2003

Call for Some Towering Support

Let's hear it for Greyfriars! That was the heartfelt plea to conservation enthusiasts across East Anglia last night as a voting campaign for one of Norfolk's most historic monuments shifted into top gear. Greyfriars Tower, in King's Lynn, will be taking part in the final of the BBC's Restoration programme next month, having beaten competition from Essex and Lincolnshire to triumph in the regional heat.
Source: EDP 24       Date: 1 Sep 2003

Does Norse blood flow in Inuit?

A centuries-old Arctic mystery may be weeks away from resolution as an Icelandic anthropologist prepares to release his findings on the so-called "Blond Eskimos" of the Canadian North. "It's an old story," says Gisli Palsson of the University of Iceland in Reykjavik. "We want to try to throw new light on the history of the Inuit." Stories about Inuit with distinct European features -- blue eyes, fair hair, beards -- living in the central Arctic have their roots in ancient tales of Norse settlements and explorations.
Source: Edmonton Journal       Date: 1 Sep 2003

New Findings From Cathedral Study

Controversial new evidence suggests the famous west front of Lincoln Cathedral might not have been part of the cathedral at all. It was thought to be the only remaining part of the original Norman cathedral built in 1092. But now it is being claimed it was actually a separate house built for the man in charge of construction, Remigius, the first Bishop of Lincoln.
Source: BBC News       Date: 1 Sep 2003

Light in the Dark Ages

Cats are suited to a monastic life; they spend hours in silent contemplation and have little interest in worldly goods. Back in the Dark Ages, a cat could do a lot worse than make a home in a monastery, with its warm kitchens and quiet, cool corners. Opportunist strays were adopted by monks who appreciated the pest control and waste disposal services they offered. No doubt the companionship was also a welcome intrusion into a life of isolation and austerity.
Source: Guardian Unlimited       Date: 30 Aug 2003

Sutton Hoo Helmet to Feature on Stamps

A new set of stamps are to feature the famous Sutton Hoo helmet, found near Woodbridge in 1939. The Post Office is bringing out stamps in October to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the British Museum. One of the stamps will feature the helmet which was donated to the British Museum after being found in the remains of a ship on land owned by Edith Pretty.
Source: Evening Star       Date: 30 Aug 2003

Ancient Motifs in Medieval Manuscripts at the Getty

The brilliant, complex, and colorful decorations of medieval illuminated manuscripts were rarely the result of pure artistic inspiration. Medieval artists often looked to the rich past for ideas. The new exhibition “Transforming Tradition: Ancient Motifs in Medieval Manuscripts”, at the Getty from September 23 through November 30, 2003, points out that some of the subjects and details of these dazzling painted books originated, directly or indirectly, in the arts of classical Greece and Rome.
Source: Art Museum Network News       Date: 29 Aug 2003

Medieval Relic for Gozo

Just a few weeks after the relics of St Therese of Lisieux were brought to Malta and Gozo, it was yesterday announced that a relic dating from medieval times is being brought to Gozo for the first time ever, the relic of Offida is being allowed to leave the Italian town and will be brought to Gozo. The relic dates to 1273 in Lanciano, a town in the southern province of Puglia, when, as tradition has it, a woman who wanted children to be able to get her husband’s love back, went to a sorceress who told her to maltreat the Host. But when the woman tried to obey the sorceress, the Host was changed into flesh and blood flowed from it.
Source: Malta Independent Daily       Date: 29 Aug 2003

Building Site was Saxon Burial Ground

A new housing estate will be built in Ely on a site believed to have once been an Anglo Saxon cemetery. Archaeologists, who have just finished an extensive dig on what is known as The Golden Triangle in Cambridge Road, opposite Ely Golf Club, uncovered evidence that showed it was a burial ground in the 6th Century AD. They found fragments of bone and copper brooches, glass and amber beads and an iron spearhead.
Source: The Ely Standard       Date: 28 Aug 2003

Manor Named Oldest Continually Occupied House

A manor house dating from before 1150 has been named as Britain's oldest continually occupied house. Saltford Manor House, in Saltford, near Bristol, took the title from a list drawn up for Country Life magazine. Writer Dr John Goodall considered suggestions from readers and national experts before naming the property as his choice.
Source: Ananova       Date: 27 Aug 2003

Wharram Percy Shows up Medieval Way of Life

The first ever scientific study of breast-feeding habits in medieval England has discovered that otherwise malnourished peasants followed present-day doctor's orders and breast fed their babies a better chance of survival. Dr Simon Mays, human skeletal biologist at English Heritage's centre for archaeology, has carried out extensive research on bones found 40 years ago at the deserted medieval village of Wharram Percy, near Malton.
Source: This is Ryedale       Date: 27 Aug 2003

Skeleton Find Points to Huge Mediaeval Graveyard Below St Andrews Town Centre

The discovery of more than 50 human skeletons in a shallow grave beneath a St Andrews public library has provided the strongest evidence yet that the town centre is built over an extensive mediaeval graveyard. “Every building in the entire central region of St Andrews is built on top of a mediaeval cemetery,” said the senior archaeologist at Fife Council archaeology unit, Douglas Speirs. “If you were to lift the floors in any one of the buildings in this area you would find what we have found.”
Source: Sunday Herald       Date: 24 Aug 2003

Medieval Babes 'Thrived Because of Breastfeeding'

Babies in medieval England fared as well as their modern counterparts because of extended breastfeeding by their mothers, according to tests on bones found in an abandoned village. Lengthy breastfeeding was recommended by the classical Roman writer Soranus in the 1st century AD, which influenced medieval physicians. Now it seems this advice was heeded by medieval mothers in Yorkshire who shielded their young from early death by suckling them for up to 18 months
Source: Telegraph       Date: 23 Aug 2003

Breast Best for Medieval Children

When the Black Death came to a Yorkshire village, medieval mothers protected their newborn babies through prolonged breast-feeding, new research shows.The first-ever scientific study of breast-feeding habits in medieval England has discovered that otherwise malnourished peasants in an abandoned village in the Yorkshire Wolds breast-fed their children for 18 months. And while the peasant villagers of Wharram Percy faced a bleak struggle for survival, their breast-fed babies grew as well as today's babies.
Source: Yorkshire Post Today       Date: 22 Aug 2003

Medieval Hall Gets a Lift to New Home

A medieval hall was picked up and moved 70ft in one piece yesterday to make way for a new shopping centre. The operation, costing hundreds of thousands of pounds, saw the Grade II listed Pescod Hall hoisted off its original foundations and rotated through 180 degrees before being taken to its new site nearby.
Source: Telegraph       Date: 22 Aug 2003

Preserving the Past

UNESCO will sign an agreement to restore seven houses in the Old City of Plovdiv during Secretary General Koichiro Matsura's visit to Sofia next week. Deputy Foreign Minister Petko Draganov, who announced the impending agreement, said the buildings are located in the city centre and would be an attractive tourist destination.
Source: Sofia Echo       Date: 22 Aug 2003

Swiss Bewitched by Magic of the Middle Ages

The Middle Ages have an increasing fascination for the Swiss, who are falling over themselves to re-enact this dark period in history. Revels are currently taking place in Bern. The main aim is to entertain and appeal to the imagination, but the celebrations are also helping visitors to rediscover their cultural heritage. To celebrate canton Bern’s 650th anniversary as part of the Swiss Confederation, the city’s historical museum has set up the usual themed exhibitions.
Source: NZZ Online       Date: 22 Aug 2003

Vandal Castle

Vandals have once again wreaked havoc at Wakefield's most treasured tourist attraction. The public have been left counting the cost after 17 stainless steel panels were stolen from the bridge at Sandal Castle. This latest mindless act at the medieval site has forced the temporary closure of the bailey and moat to public ahead of the busy bank holiday weekend. Local independent councillor Norman Hazell: "The panels had been specially made to order to enable people to walk across."
Source: Wakefield Today       Date: 22 Aug 2003

Rare Sword to go on Display in Town

A rare 7th Century gold sword mount is to go on display in the town where it was unearthed by a treasure hunter. The £20,000 gold and garnet mount, which measures barely 14mm square and is a mere 11mm high, was found in the Bury St Edmunds area by a metal detector enthusiast sweeping the earth for precious artefacts.
Source: East Anglian Daily Times       Date: 21 Aug 2003

Skulls Take Secrets Back to the Grave

The secrets of 14 people who lived and died on Rathlin Island more than 1,000 years ago were buried with them yesterday. Mystery surrounds the skull remains which were unearthed by workmen carrying out renovation work at St Thomas' church. The tradesmen were stopped in their tracks when they unearthed the skulls beneath a wooden floor.
Source: ic Northern Ireland       Date: 21 Aug 2003

Society Fears for Future of Ancient Barn

The fate of a 630-year-old barn in St Albans was discussed by worried members of St Albans Civic Society and representatives of the Gorhambury Estate during a private meeting on Monday, August 18. The Grade II listed Kingsbury Barn, owned by Lord Verulam's estate, sits on a site off Branch Road, in St Michael's village. The site is leased to Express Dairies, which closed its milk depot in May, until next month. There has been speculation that the site might be used for housing.
Source: This is Hertfordshire       Date: 21 Aug 2003

Ancient Building on the Move

A major engineering project has moved part of Boston's history. The 15th Century Pescod Hall is in the process of being transported to a new location, 20 metres away. Work to move the hall, a Grade II listed building and former merchant's house, started on Tuesday. It has been lifted onto two computer-operated trailers and moved across a precinct in advance of the area being developed.
Source: BBC News       Date: 20 Aug 2003

Ancient Medieval City of Hasankeyf Coming to Light

One of the world’s only intact medieval cities’ Hasankeyf, faces a dark fate of being inundated beneath the waters of a dam. Archaeologists have resumed excavations on the ancient city of Hasankeyf, located in the south eastern Turkish province of Mardin, fighting against time before construction of a dam on the nearby Tigris River threatens to flood the site.
Source: NTV MSNBC       Date: 20 Aug 2003

Attack on Ship Rescue 'Folly'

The decision not to save sections of a medieval ship found in south Wales has been described as "folly" by an AM. William Graham, the AM for south east Wales, spoke out after it was revealed that parts of the Tudor warship, the Mary Rose, have been found this week - 20 years after the vessel was raised. He said that the decision by Newport Council not to save parts of a 15th Century vessel found during the construction of a new arts centre in the city in June 2002 has "deprived" the city.
Source: BBC News       Date: 20 Aug 2003

Bern Relives its Medieval Past

Bern is celebrating 650 years in the Swiss Confederation with a week-long medieval festival. The grounds around the city’s history museum have been turned into a 15th century village, complete with jousting knights and tumbling fools. The project is the brainchild of the museum’s director, Peter Jezler, who has dreamt for years of bringing history to life in this way.
Source: NZZ Online       Date: 20 Aug 2003

Dig Unearths Old Secrets

An amateur archaeological dig in King's Stanley has unearthed 800 years of secrets. Trenches have been reopened in an orchard next to St Georges Church on the site of a large 12th century dwelling - complete with kitchens, stables and even a moat. The dig was started more than 30 years ago by amateur archaeologist David Evans, but work commitments forced him to close the site in 1972.
Source: This is Shroud       Date: 20 Aug 2003

Saxon Find Goes on Display

A newly discovered piece of Saxon silver will soon be on display at the Norris Museum in St Ives. The object is a "hooked tag", dating from approximately AD900. It was discovered during an archaeological dig at Stukeley Road, Huntingdon, on land that was about to be used for building homes. The owner of the site, Nene Housing Society Ltd, has given the artefact to the Norris Museum.
Source: The Hunts Post       Date: 20 Aug 2003

Secrets of the Ancients Revealed

An independent archaeological dig on the Welsh border has emerged as one of Britain's most important excavations. Experts working on farmland alongside the Duke of Westminster's Eaton estate, have discovered evidence of human activity dating back 9,000 years. They have unearthed five Bronze Age burial mounds, two Roman buildings and a medieval chapel and cemetery, unique in the UK.
Source: ic North Wales       Date: 20 Aug 2003

Bypass Site Yields Historical Treasures

The site of the planned Dundalk bypass has yielded archaeological treasures dating back thousands of years, it emerged today. The Irish Archaelogical Consultancy is digging beneath the proposed route of the Dundalk western bypass which, when completed, would complete a network of high-quality road stretching from Dublin to the border. Archaeologists have uncovered settlements from the Neolithic (3000-2000 BC) and Bronze Ages (1400-700 BC) as well as more recent findings such as disused railways.
Source: Belfast Telegraph       Date: 19 Aug 2003

Divers 'Find Missing Piece' in Mary Rose Jigsaw

Divers could have found the front section of the Tudor warship Mary Rose, marine archaeologists have confirmed. Experts, who have been diving down to the wreck off Portsmouth for the last month, have excavated a five-metre-long piece of wood which they believe is the front stem of the ship's keel.
Source: Ananova       Date: 18 Aug 2003

In Pictures: New Mary Rose find

Photos from the Mary Rose excavation site.
Source: BBC News       Date: 18 Aug 2003

Mary Rose Divers' 'Exciting' Find

Experts working on the site of the Mary Rose say they have uncovered the front section of the Tudor warship. Divers have excavated a five-metre-long piece of wood, which they believe is the front stem of the vessel's keel. Archaeologists believe this stem could be attached to the front section, the bowcastle, of the ship which sunk in 1545.
Source: BBC News       Date: 18 Aug 2003

New Discovery at Mary Rose Site

Marine archaeologists will reveal details on Monday of a "significant find" on the wreck site of the Tudor warship Mary Rose. Divers have been at the site for a month looking for more pieces of the ship, which was raised in 1982 after 437 years under the sea off Portsmouth.
Source: BBC News       Date: 17 Aug 2003

The Big One is Coming

The earthquake of January 18, 749, is thought to be one of the strongest ever to hit the Middle East. Till recently, researchers knew about the quake only from historical sources. A Coptic priest from Alexandria reported that support beams in houses in Egypt had shifted; a Syrian priest wrote that a village in the region of Mount Tavor had moved a distance of four miles; while other sources spoke of huge tidal waves in the Mediterranean Sea, of Damascus shaking for a few days, and of smaller cities and towns being swallowed up in the earth.
Source: Haaretz       Date: 17 Aug 2003

Clan Chief Yearns for Return of Castle

Simon Fraser may soon have his attention focused on a single room, but in the longer term his heart is set on a much more prestigious property. Next week, the 25th Lord Lovat and chief of the Lovat Fraser clan will perform one of his official duties when he opens the Fraser Room, a small museum in Beauly, the clan’s historic heartland. It will bring the young chief, now a stockbroker in London, back to the land of his forefathers and where he eventually wants to set up a permanent home.
Source: The Scotsman       Date: 16 Aug 2003

Royal Seal is Seen For First Time

The first exclusive photographs of Tenbury's Great Seal, said to have been attached to the market town's Royal Charter, is seen in the safe hands of chairman of The Bailey Charity, Frank Crisp. It shows Henry III enthroned as king. Discovered in a cigar box at the bottom of the heavy metal chest and recently handed over to the charity trustees, it is being kept in a secure environment until a decision can be made on its future.
Source: This is Tenbury Wells       Date: 16 Aug 2003

The Getty Emerges as an Important Repository of Early Stained Glass

Highlights from the Getty’s new collection of medieval and Renaissance stained glass will be presented in the debut exhibition "Images in Light: Newly Acquired Stained Glass", at the Getty Center, October 28, 2003–April 4, 2004. With the Getty’s recent addition of this group of objects, Los Angeles has become one of the most important cities in the country for the study of early stained glass.
Source: Art Musuem Network News       Date: 15 Aug 2003

Castle Mound Plans Moat-er Forward

The remains of Bedford's demolished castle are set for a makeover as plans to create a new landmark in the town moat-er forward. Castle Mound on the Embankment has languished for years as a hangout for drinkers, with its pathways crumbling and even a car abandoned off-road in its grounds. But a scheme to return the site to its former glory with impressive views over the river is edging nearer, with special permission to develop the protected ancient monument now in the bag.
Source: Bedford Today       Date: 13 Aug 2003

Experts Uncover Castle Secrets

The Archaeological dig at Carmarthen Castle could prove to be of national importance. For over nine weeks a team from Llandeilo-based Cambrian Archaeology have spent endless hours digging and sifting through the earth at the medieval castle for time-locked clues into life of Carmarthen's past. And in the last week, they have made some significant discoveries. Probably the earliest of the man-made structure - the edge of the moat - was found.
Source: Carmarthen Journal       Date: 13 Aug 2003

Remains of Viking Warrior Uncovered in Dublin

Archaeologists said Tuesday they had uncovered the remains of a Viking warrior during excavations on a building site in the Irish capital. A skeleton was found with an iron shield and what appeared to be a dagger in a shallow grave near the centre of Dublin, according to archaeologist Linzi Simpson. The site is near the ninth century settlement of Dubh Linn, a Gaelic phrase denoting "black pool", from which Dublin gets its name.
Source: Pro Log       Date: 13 Aug 2003

Archaelogists Unearth Ancient Shrine

A 12th century relic discovered in Northern Ireland has been described by a leading archaeologist as the "find of his life". Brian Williams, joint excavation director of the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS), found the rare bronze bell shrine during a dig near Ballycastle, County Antrim. "I was digging in a pit and the soil just fell away from it and I could see the side of it and realised immediately it was going to be a very important piece.
Source: BBC News       Date: 12 Aug 2003

12th Century Relic 'Greatest Find' of Archaeologist's Life

A 12th century holy relic discovered in Northern Ireland was today described by a leading archaeologist as the greatest find of his life. Brian Williams, joint excavation director of the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS), came across the extremely rare and beautiful bronze bell shrine during a dig near Ballycastle, Co Antrim. He said: ``I was digging in a pit and the soil just fell away from it and I could see the side of it and realised immediately it was going to be a very important piece.
Source: U.tv       Date: 11 Aug 2003

Ancient Ship May Have Been Kingmaker's Pirated Booty

A 15th-century ship discovered last year in the mud of a building site in south Wales may have belonged to Warwick the Kingmaker, once one of England's most powerful men. Archaeologists believe the ship may have been captured from the Portuguese by pirates acting for Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, a significant figure in the Wars of the Roses.
Source: Telegraph       Date: 11 Aug 2003

Bronze Relic is One of Northern Ireland's Most Important Ever Finds

Recent excavations at a site in County Antrim, Northern Ireland have unearthed what archaeologists are describing as one of the most significant objects ever to be found in the country. A bronze bell shrine, dating back to between 1180 and 1200 AD has been uncovered during a dig at Drumadoon near Ballycastle. One of only eight such objects currently known to exist in Ireland, the shrine is the first to be found by archaeologists.
Source: 24 Hour Museum       Date: 11 Aug 2003

Digging into Town's Past

Digging works for a new car park in Dumbarton have thrown up a surprise. Old items dating back as far as the 14th century have been uncovered under grassland at Risk Street. A team of archaeologists made the discovery last week while assisting West Dunbartonshire Council and the Town Centres Initiative in its excavation works for an extended car park.
Source: This is Dumbartonshire       Date: 11 Aug 2003

One of the Most Significant Archaeological Finds in Ireland Goes on Display

A recent archaeological dig by DOE’s Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) and the Centre for Archaeological fieldwork at Queen’s University, has lead to the discovery of one of the most important holy relics ever found on an excavation in Ireland. The excavation at Drumadoon near Ballycastle saw the discovery of a rare and most remarkable object. It is a bronze bell shrine of the Romanesque period and dates between AD 1180 and 1200.
Source: Northern Ireland Executive       Date: 11 Aug 2003

Our Heritage Under Sail

With the wind in her sails and her pennants flying, Newport's medieval ship makes a stunning sight on the River Usk. This stunning painting shows the 15th-century ship as she sails close to Newport Castle. The skill of Newport artist Paul Deacon brings the ship to life in the painting, which shows the one-mast ship turning by a wooden bridge across the River Usk.
Source: This is Gwent       Date: 11 Aug 2003

Castle Puts on Tales of Two Kings

The legends of two ancient Celtic kings will be retold at Stokesay Castle in Shropshire over the Bank Holiday weekend. The Blue Chicken Theatre Company is putting on two plays that take audiences back to the days of Roman and Saxon invasions. Both performances feature fast-moving drama, masks, puppetry and audience participation.
Source: BBC News       Date: 10 Aug 2003

Mystery of Newport's Mediaeval Ship

A medieval ship older than the Mary Rose may have been a Portuguese vessel captured by pirates, an expert said today. The 15th century ship was discovered in June last year during the construction of a theatre and arts centre on the banks of the River Usk in Newport, South Wales. Now the mystery of who the ship belonged to and why it was in Newport may be close to being solved. Bob Trett, chairman of the trustees of Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust, believes it may have been part of a fleet belonging to the Earl of Warwick.
Source: ic Wales       Date: 10 Aug 2003

Old London Calling

The Clerkenwell Tales, by Peter Ackroyd. Religious extremism, suicide bombings and an invading army known only through a veil of propaganda and conspiracy theories: although such things may seem a present and frightening reality, the closest many of us have come to them is by reading about them at a distance of hundreds of miles. In Peter Ackroyd's latest book, we come closer than ever before to experiencing this world for ourselves, although this time at a distance not of miles, but of 600 years.
Source: Guardian Unlimited       Date: 10 Aug 2003

US Bid to Save Gaelic Culture … From Scots

As if the Clearances were not bad enough, the Highland calamity continues to be compounded by a view of the glens as home to woad-painted savages, lawless thugs and bloodthirsty MacMafiosi. It is time to get real about genuine Highland heritage in the post-Braveheart era, and to recognise that Gaelic culture was at the forefront of literature, medicine and European law long before English began to crawl from the linguistic slime and evolve out of Anglo-Saxon.
Source: Sunday Herald       Date: 10 Aug 2003

Expert Praises Castle Decision Process

The process of deciding on plans for one of Jersey's oldest and most famous landmarks has been praised by a UK expert on historic monuments. The island's Planning Committee approved the majority of proposals for Mont Orgueil Castle on Thursday after months of consultation and debate.
Source: BBC News       Date: 9 Aug 2003

Preserving Pages in Charlottesville

The Rare Book School at the University of Virginia is the only one if its kind in the United States. NPR's Jacki Lyden took a tour of the school's collection, and talked with elite scholars attending week-long sessions to learn more about the preservation and art of rare books.
Source: NPR       Date: 9 Aug 2003

Quick Work Needed at Ancient Site

Archaeologists have less than a week to complete their work on the site of a mediaeval monastery it took 20 years to locate. The foundation stones of St Guthlac's Priory, which dates back to the 12th Century, were recently discovered underneath land at Hereford County Hospital. About 20 skeletons, believed to be of mediaeval monks, were also uncovered.
Source: BBC News       Date: 9 Aug 2003

The Crusades: the Consequences and the Comparisons

For most people living in the modern day Middle East, the Crusades are more than just a period in medieval history. The two hundred years of conflict between European invaders and the various Muslim princedoms are used as a metaphor to describe, morally judge or even distort many political events. The repetitive colonial encounters between Arabs and Europeans that followed the Crusades kept the memory alive.
Source: Daily Star, Lebanon       Date: 9 Aug 2003

The Latest in Viking Fashion?

It wasn't quite haute couture and the models weren't exactly Givenchy. But the clothes were chic, or at least fashionable in their time -- thousands of years ago. Models in hides, wool and coarse linen strutted the Viking catwalk Saturday, showing off the "latest" in prehistoric and medieval fashion at an outdoor museum near this small town, 25 miles west of the capital, Copenhagen.
Source: CNN       Date: 9 Aug 2003

Castle Plans Receive Approval

The majority of proposals to restore one of Jersey's oldest and most famous landmarks have been approved by the island's Planning Committee. Months of consultation and debate about Jersey Heritage Trust's £3m plans for Mont Orgueil Castle came to a conclusion at a public meeting. A controversial plan to put a roof over the Tudor Great Hall was approved.
Source: BBC News       Date: 8 Aug 2003

How to Mean Well and Give Grave Offence

When Lancashire farmer Peter Bennett bought a remote smallholding in the Scottish Borders, he hoped to provide a place of peaceful, Christian retreat. Instead, he sparked a holy war.
Source: Telegraph       Date: 8 Aug 2003

Legendary King the Subject of Discussion

An international conference is being held in Winchester next year to explore the various representations throughout history of one of our greatest mythical characters. King Arthur will be up for discussion at King Alfred's College in 2004 and the event has already received interest from academics as far a field as the USA, Russia, Europe and the Philippines.
Source: This is Southampton       Date: 8 Aug 2003

Medieval Skeletons Discovered at Library

A major medieval excavation is underway in the centre of St Andrews after workers involved in a major refurbishment project made a gruesome discovery. Skeletal remains dating back to the early 15th Century were uncovered beneath the town's public library as a new disabled access lift was being installed.
Source: Fife On-line       Date: 8 Aug 2003

Mont Orgueil: Truce is Called

The States-funded restoration project for Mont Orgueil Castle was approved by the Environment and Public Services Committee yesterday. Three years after the Jersey Heritage Trust's proposals to spend £3 million of public money ignited a row that has attracted national attention, plans for more than 120 items of work have been approved in principle. These include gardens, a new ticket office and a café.
Source: Jersey Evening Post       Date: 8 Aug 2003

Review: The Mysteries

Coventry's old Cathedral provides an atmospheric backdrop for the latest Mystery Plays. Performed since medieval times, these interpretations of old and new testament stories are an important part of Coventry's heritage and famous throughout the world. This year, the Belgrade has reinforced its links with Irish theatre by involving Macnas and a community cast from Galway.
Source: ic Coventry       Date: 8 Aug 2003

Royal Seal Turns Up in a Tin Box

A Royal Seal -- identified as that of Henry III -- has been discovered in a big metal box containing letters and documents relating to the Baylie Charity, custodians of Tenbury's Round Market. Investigations show it could be the original Great Seal attached to the charter given to the town by King Henry in the 13th century. It is on the Charter Roll of Henry III held by the Office of the Master of the Rolls. The Sovereign enthroned is on the front of the seal and on the reverse a coat of arms instead of the king in battle armour.
Source: This is Tenbury Wells       Date: 8 Aug 2003

Scientific Muckraking Makes a City Privy to its Past

The filth and waste of generations past is giving Aberdonians a fascinating insight into medi-eval life in the city. Muck from middens and cesspits has been microscopically analysed and has helped archaeologists build up a detailed picture of life in Aberdeen several centuries ago. Samples from historic excavation sites have been sent to a laboratory at York University, where beetles, seeds, pollen, parasite eggs, tiny animal and fish bones, and minute fragments of leather and textiles have been extracted.
Source: The Herald       Date: 8 Aug 2003

Yarmouth's Town-Wall Tower to Close

The finance-driven world of 'best value' has led to the closure of Yarmouth's only accessible town-wall tower. Medieval North West Tower has shut to the public ending an 11-year spell as a Broads Authority information centre and museum. Authority spokeswoman Hilary Franzen said: "Unfortunately we have given up the lease. We just did not have enough people going through it. It just seems to be too much off the beaten track. People just weren't visiting it.
Source: EDP 24       Date: 8 Aug 2003

Bathing Fun Like in the Middle Ages

We refresh ourselves in the Totengässlein in Basel in a cool medieval atmosphere: Bathing fun like in the Middle Ages! No, it hasn’t yet become a tradition. But almost. For this is the second time already that Michi Kessler and his pill makers invite people to the dream court of the Pharmacy–Historical Museum. People are invited to take a bath. Gigantic wooden tubs are ready – but there is also a rocking tub from Berlin, which will make sea waves if handled properly. Then there are sitting tubs, a cool well trough, which will cool you down fabulously – and all this is accompanied by live medieval music.
Source: Basler Zeitung       Date: 7 Aug 2003

Keep York Mystery Plays Alive

The Evening Press has launched a major campaign to keep York’s world-famous Mystery Plays alive. Readers responded with dismay and outrage ever since it was revealed that the Plays will not be staged next year, with no major production in prospect until at least 2010 – and quite possibly not even then. They have been shocked that this historic city could contemplate abandoning an artistic, spiritual and community tradition which stretches back to 1951 and attracts visitors from all over the globe, as well as involving hundreds of local actors, young and old.
Source: Evening Press       Date: 7 Aug 2003

Time Team Finds Vault

Archaeologists have an unearthed a large 18th century brick vault under Lichfield Cathedral which probably belonged to an important family. Workers have also discovered two other burials of similar age along with a number of medieval burials - one which could have belonged to a priest. The finds are from a dig in the nave which is taking place before a pit is dug to install a new altar platform
Source: Express and Star       Date: 7 Aug 2003

York Mystery Plays Cancelled in 2004?

The Evening Press in York, horrified that cash problems may prevent the city's world-famous mystery plays from being produced in 2004, has launched a campaign to save the dramas originally produced on wagons by craft guilds. The plays are usually performed in the Museum Gardens every four years, but the tradition is now under threat. "Readers responded with dismay and outrage ever since it was revealed that the plays will not be staged next year, with no major production in prospect until at least 2010 - and quite possibly not even then," the paper reported. [Editor's note: scroll down until you reach the section entitled Play Mystery.]
Source: Guardian Unlimited       Date: 7 Aug 2003

Huge Hoard of Viking-Age Silver Unearthed on the Isle of Man

A hoard of Viking-age silver, considered by experts to be of international importance has been unearthed on the Isle of Man by a metal detectorist. Uncovered in March this year by detectorist Andy Whewell, the collection is comprised of 464 coins, 25 ingots and a broken armlet, all dating back to around 1020 AD. The hoard has now been declared Treasure by the island's High Bailiff and will go on display at the Manx Museum once further research and conservation work has been carried out.
Source: 24 Hour Museum       Date: 6 Aug 2003

Mystery of Newport's Mediaeval Ship

A medieval ship older than the Mary Rose may have been a Portuguese vessel captured by pirates, an expert said today. The 15th century ship was discovered in June last year during the construction of a theatre and arts centre on the banks of the River Usk in Newport, South Wales. Now the mystery of who the ship belonged to and why it was in Newport may be close to being solved.
Source: ic Wales       Date: 5 Aug 2003

Revealed: Secrets of Our Ship

EXPERTS believe they have uncovered the identity of the owner of Newport's medieval ship. The Gwent and Glamorgan Archaeological Trust (GGAT), who extracted the ship from the mud of the bank of the River Usk at the site of the new theatre and arts centre but has since been in a £100,000 dispute with Newport council, say they believe the ship was a Portuguese vessel - captured and brought to South Wales by pirates. And they say they believe the owner of the ship was a key figure in medieval politics - the Earl of Warwick.
Source: This is Gwent       Date: 5 Aug 2003

Rescued Castle to Open its Doors

One of Scotland’s hidden architectural gems, the historic Guthrie Castle in Angus, saved from property developers and restored to its former glory, is to be opened to the public. The ancient seat of Clan Guthrie, the castle was built in 1468 by Sir David Guthrie, Lord Treasurer and Armour Bearer to King James III.
Source: The Scotsman       Date: 4 Aug 2003

Ship's Recoverers Out to Sue Council

The archaeological trust that recovered Newport's medieval ship will this week issue a writ against the city council, claiming it is still owed more than £100,000 for the work. The Argus reported at the beginning of March that the Gwent and Glamorgan Archaeological Trust (GGAT) was in dispute with the council over £102,000 for work done after being called in to remove the15th-century ship's remains from the muddy banks of the River Usk.
Source: This is Gwent       Date: 4 Aug 2003

King Erik: Dead in Cyprus, But Where’s the Body?

One of Denmark's most beloved monarchs - crusader King Erik Ejegod - Erik the Evergood - died in Cyprus 900 years ago this summer - an event remembered seemingly by only a tiny group of Danes who attended a memorial service in Paphos, in the southwest of the eastern Mediterranean island. Historians still disagree about the exact location of the king's actual grave - but the fact that he died in Paphos, Cyprus on his way to the Holy Land is not contested.
Source: Copenhagen Post       Date: 1 Aug 2003

Local Woman Thought Treasure Piece Was ‘a Bit of Old Tat’

One Eddleston woman’s desire to have her lucky find made into a brooch for herself has been cut short by the National Museum of Scotland. Louise Forsyth came across an unusual looking metal ring in a her horse’s paddock some time ago. And though she kept a hold of it in her home with the intention of wearing it herself someday, the mother of two was blissfully unaware that she had managed to get her hands on a medieval brooch dating back around 700 years.
Source: Peeblesshire News       Date: 1 Aug 2003

Relics Reveal a Past Wealth

Historic artefacts dating back to the Middle Ages have been unearthed on Newcastle's Quayside. An archaeological dig behind the Cooperage pub has unearthed an unusually well-preserved wooden bowl and various pieces of pottery from the 14th and 15th Centuries. And an underground waterway from the late medieval or Tudor period was also uncovered by site archaeologist Percival Turnbull.
Source: ic Newcastle       Date: 1 Aug 2003

'Saxons' March to Disprove History

History records that King Harold and his army took two days to walk from London to the site of defeat in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. But a military expert from Kent says there is no way the Saxons could have marched the 58 miles that quickly with their armour and equipment. So Dave Kinsey - and his family - are walking about half the distance in full Saxon costume in a bid to prove history is wrong.
Source: BBC News       Date: 31 Jul 2003

Castle Battle Reigns

The battle is continuing to secure the future of a medieval fortress in Swansea. The walls of Oystermouth Castle are crumbling away and a £50,000 survey was carried out last year to investigate the extent of the damage. Progress is now being made in an attempt to gather funds for repair and restoration work which aims to bolster the castle as a tourism attraction and keep it standing for another 800 years. Welsh ancient monument watchdog Cadw is supporting the plans to safeguard the future of the 12th Century building which was once home to the Lords of Gower.
Source: South Wales Evening Post       Date: 31 Jul 2003

Pru Helps Revive Godiva Feast Day

A Medieval celebration of Coventry's most famous daughter is to be revived for the first time since the Middle Ages. In the 15th century, when Coventry's woollen trade was failing, city traders celebrated the life of Lady Godiva with the feast of "Dame Godyver Daye" held on the anniversary of her death - September 10. Now the feast is to be revived at the city's historic guildhall with a banquet for about 150 people on the same date.
Source: ic Coventry       Date: 31 Jul 2003

Bones Shock at Grave Yard

A Teesside churchyard wants to close for new burials after the vicar found ancient human bones appearing on the surface. It is believed burials have taken place in the old St Peter and St Paul's church in Stainton village since mediaeval times, leading to the ground becoming full to capacity. The church's Parochial Council has now applied to the Home Office to close its churchyard for burials.
Source: ic Teesside       Date: 30 Jul 2003

Morpeth Castle Not Longer at Risk

The number of Buildings at Risk in the Borough has been whittled down to four, with Morpeth Castle now off the critical list. Those carried over on to English Heritage's 2003 Register were Cockle Park Tower at Hebron, the Pithead Baths at Lynemouth Colliery, Mitford Castle and Newminster Abbey. Cockle Park Tower is a 16th Century Grade I Listed building in 'very bad' condition. The report summary describes structural problems and lack of maintenance.
Source: Morpeth Today       Date: 29 Jul 2003

Church's Mystery Skeletons May Have Been Priests

The six skeletons found last week beneath the floorboards of a Church of Scotland parish church could be the bones of Roman Catholic priests. This is the opinion of Canon Bernard Canning, a Catholic historian and parish priest of St Thomas’s, in Neilston, Renfrewshire. The find was made by workers on the major refurbishment programme at the parish church in Neilston, which has been a place of prayer or a site of a church for the past 1,000 years.
Source: The Scotsman       Date: 26 Jul 2003

Farmers Wrecking Ancient Sites

A campaign launched 133 years ago finally resulted yesterday in a demand by archaeologists to end the trashing of 8,000 years of British history, through successive governments permitting and even encouraging farmers to plough archaeologically sensitive land. "This is not a new story, which in a sense makes it an even bigger story," Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, said yesterday.
Source: Guardian Unlimited       Date: 26 Jul 2003

Keeping it in the Family

A Huddersfield telecoms expert is determined to put his family on the map after tracing their history back to 997AD. Robert Broadbent, from Launds, Pole Moor, has spent the last 20 years researching 1,000 years of his past. The telecoms designer has used both public and private documents to work out he is the 38th generation of the Broadbent family. He said he carried out the task to set the record straight about the history of the Colne Valley.
Source: BBC News       Date: 26 Jul 2003

Ukraine's Knights and Damsels Relive Battle

The French fortress of Orleans is standing firm in the face of an English onslaught. But the defenders are on their last legs and desperately need a hero. Fires in the English camp are burning all night, as foreign mercenaries mingle with monks and noble damsels in the queue for freshly baked pancakes, one gold coin a piece. The Hundred Years War is raging on - not far from the Ukrainian capital Kiev.
Source: BBC News       Date: 26 Jul 2003

Ancient History Damaged by Farmers

Thousands of archaeological sites are being damaged by farmers, English Heritage has warned. Ploughs had damaged or destroyed valuable sites, including Neolithic long barrows, Roman villas, Anglo-Saxon cemeteries and medieval field systems. English Heritage wants for a new strategy to protect sites but said farmers were not to blame.
Source: BBC News       Date: 25 Jul 2003

Canoe - as Precious as Moon Rock

It does not look remotely shipshape but at over 1200 years old it has every right to be a bit battered. This week this unpromising dug-out canoe was described as "the maritime equivalent of moon-rock" after scientists at Queen's University Belfast revealed it dated from 720 AD – much earlier than expected. James Steward, curator of Great Yarmouth's maritime collections, said: "The boat itself I am sure in time will become an icon for the maritime heritage of the borough.
Source: EDP 24       Date: 25 Jul 2003

Relics are Uncovered in Quay Dig

Artefacts dating back to the 15th Century have been uncovered during an archaeological dig on Newcastle's Quayside. The dig, which precedes work on the Merchants Quay housing development and forms part of the planning consent, has unearthed an unusually well preserved wooden bowl and various pieces of 15th Century pottery. A culvert belonging to the late medieval or Tudor period has also been discovered.
Source: The Northern Echo       Date: 25 Jul 2003

Scouts Help Test-Fire Siege Engine

Dursley Scouts have helped test the firing power of a mediaeval weapon that will soon be installed in a museum in Switzerland. Members of 1st Dursley group helped test the range of a model trebuchet for its Dursley-based constructor, Paul Denney. Siege engines like the trebuchet were invented in China more than 1,000 years ago and were later used in battles all over Europe to hurl missiles, fireballs, and even prisoners over the walls of a castle. The advent of cannon in the Middle Ages gradually made it obsolete.
Source: This is the South Cotswolds       Date: 25 Jul 2003

Ancient Town Walls at Risk, Says Report

Ludlow's rundown town walls