At his weekly public audience on September 29, Pope Benedict XVI continued his series of talks on the influential women of the Middle Ages, speaking about St. Matilda of Hackeborn. Born into a noble family in 1241 or 1242, St. Matilda entered religious life and soon became head of a convent school; later she became…
Monthly Archives: September 2010
Bicycle Jousting, transferring a medieval sport into a modern sport
Jousting was a sport that originated in Medieval England and it was brutal. Two Knights in full armour on horseback would charge towards one another and would each try to impale the other with a long pointed lance. It was a very dangerous and thrilling sport but slowly over the years it faded away because…
Two-day history fair returns to Carlisle
A two-day fair showcasing Roman, Viking and Victorian life will take place in Carlisle this weekend. The international historical market starts on Friday and is expected to attract around 500 visitors to the city. More than 50 stalls and traders in period dress from across the UK and Europe are heading to the fair, which…
Find out more about medieval moat at Barrs Court
The Friends of Barrs Court Moat, the conservation group which looks after the 14th century relic, is planning to hold a working weekend at the two-are site on October 23 and 24. If you are interested in learning more about the historic ancient monument site you are invited to the group’s next quarterly meeting which…
Students spar in new fencing club
History aficionados or people interested in learning about ancient fencing techniques can check out the emerging Medieval Swordsmanship Club and class meetings Wednesday nights at Cal State Fullerton. What turned out to be a six-week course taught at the Student Recreation Center, soon turned into a club. Students who took the class felt that the…
Chippenham medieval day is a hit
More than 1,000 people got a taste of life in ye olde days at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre’s medieval day on Saturday. The event in Chippenham was the fourth of its kind, during which families enjoyed broadsword demonstrations, making music with medieval instruments and craft activities. Archives and local studies manager Terry Bracher…
Battle of Wakefield anniversary recap
The clash of swords and the screams of battle cries were brought back to Sandal Castle to celebrate the 550th anniversary of the Battle of Wakefield. Sandal Castle was the site of the one of the bloodiest battles of the War of the Roses on December 30, 1460 – ending with Lancastrian defeat and the…
University of Sydney hosts Celtic studies conference
Topics as unique and diverse as medieval Irish magic and the drinking of blood in the ritual context of mourning will be explored at the Seventh Australian Conference of Celtic Studies at the University of Sydney this week. Sydney is the only university in the southern hemisphere that offers Celtic studies, which examines Celtic languages,…
Tailoring the Medieval Festival, one costume at a time
A taffeta dress with a metallic sheen to it swishes by. Flowers line the women’s hair. Men saunter around in faux armor. Silk, sheer scarves, and ribbon laced-up bodices are a blur across the green lawns. On Sun., Oct. 3, approximately 40,000 people will converge at Fort Tryon Park for the 26th annual Medieval Festival….
At 1841 Society Luncheon, a Medieval Pilgrimage Comes to Life
At a recent luncheon, a Fordham professor gave a virtual tour of a European pilgrimage route that has attracted untold thousands of people throughout history, ranging from medieval noblemen to Fordham students who posted travel dispatches on the Internet. Richard Gyug, Ph.D., professor of history and medieval studies, spoke on Sept. 21 at a luncheon…
Work unearths evidence of a medieval manor house in Kent
A previously unknown Roman road and evidence of a medieval manor house have been uncovered during excavations in Kent. Archaeologists employed by South East Water made the finds ahead of a £321,000 scheme to lay a pipe near Bearsted. Tim Allen, from Kent Archaeological Projects, described the discoveries as “very exciting”. South East Water said…
Remnants of Medieval City Gate Discovered in Pärnu
Construction workers and archaeologists digging at the future site of Pärnu’s history museum have unearthed remnants of a city gate, thought to date from the 13th or 14th century. The workers discovered the gate’s oak foundations and pillars, as well as a wooden walkway, during drainage works at the location. In medieval times the gate…
Historic Battle of Harlaw rages again
Costumed warriors brought a centuries-old north-east battle back to life at the weekend. Groups at Archaeolink prehistory park at Oyne re-enacted events surrounding the Battle of Harlaw, which took place just a few miles away in 1411. Members of Medieval Realm, Northern Alliance and Knights of Monymusk set up camp over the weekend, living as…
Medieval festival in Arcata draws a crowd
With a couple of wooden boxes, a rope and a small crowd of spectators, you might’ve thought you were watching a scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The game, Hunker-Hauser, a sort of tug-of-war on small boxes, was just one of many reenactments at the annual Excalibur Medieval Tournament and Market Faire over…
Connecticut Renaissance Faire returns for five weeks
The Connecticut Renaissance Fair returns to Hebron Saturday, Sept. 25 for the first of five weekends of medieval-themed entertainment. The 12th annual event is held at the Hebron Lions Fairgrounds at 347 Gilead St. (Route 85), every weekend from Saturday, Sept. 25 through Oct. 24, plus Columbus Day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entertainment…