SCAtoday.net - New York Times

A genetic map of Europe

Fri, 5 Sep 2008 19:13:42 -0400

A genetic map of Europe constructed by Dr. Kayser, Dr. Oscar Lao and others from Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands, shows where 23 populations live in Europe and the genetic relationships between them. (graphics)

Medieval China being lost to modernisation

Fri, 5 Sep 2008 14:49:26 -0400

Historic Chinese buildings, some dating to the 13th century, are being lost to progress as an explosion of construction overcomes Beijing's old neighborhoods. Especially at risk are the classic hutongs, narrow alleyways created by Mongols during the Yuan dynasty.

Medieval "beguine" movement still alive in Belgium

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:13:00 -0400

Life was tough for women in the 13th century, especially those who had lost their husbands and protectors to the Crusades. Experts believe this was the origin of the "beguines — a Roman Catholic laic order that began in the 13th century and branched across northwest Europe."

Arthur C. Clarke Dies

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:47:52 -0400

Famed science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke has died on March 18 at a hospital in Colombo, Sri Lanka, at the age of 90. Best-known for his work 2001: A Space Odyssey, his work on communications satellites also helped change the world.

The Other Boleyn Girl "more slog than romp"

Wed, 5 Mar 2008 13:13:41 -0500

"According to this oddly plotted and frantically paced pastiche — written by Peter Morgan, directed by Justin Chadwick — the girls were more or less the Paris and Nicky Hilton of the Tudor court," writes reviewer Manohla Dargis for the New York Times.

Patrick Stewart stars in modern Macbeth

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 10:41:16 -0500

A "good and nasty interpretation of Macbeth" starring Patrick Stewart is being performed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music through March 22, 2008. Ben Brantley of the New York Times has a review.

Black Plague selective killer

Sat, 9 Feb 2008 21:36:14 -0500

A new study of nearly 500 skeletons in a London plague cemetery proves that many of the victims had weaker immune systems when they died than normal, leading experts to believe that most who succumbed were old, sick or poor.

“Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!” called "giggle-worthy"

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 17:14:03 -0500

"I itch in the cathedral; When I pray upon my knees: God, You saved us from damnation; Now save us from the fleas!" writes Laura Amy Schlitz in Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices From a Medieval Village, a new children's book reviewed by John Schwartz for the Sunday New York Times.

Sculptural weaver Lenore Tawney dead at 100

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 20:27:48 -0400

Lenore Tawney, a weaver who "helped create the genre of fiber art" died September 24, 2007 in her home at the age of 100. Holland Cotter for the New York Times remembers her and her work.

Sir Ian McKellen stars in "King Lear"

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 17:43:55 -0400

Sir Ian McKellen, known for his role of Gandolf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, will take on a new role when he appears as the title character in Shakespeare's King Lear.

Karen Hess, food historian (1918-2007)

Thu, 31 May 2007 18:57:59 -0400

Culinary historian Karen Hess died May 15, 2007 at the age of 88. To SCA cooks and others with an interest in medieval and renaissance foods and cookery, she is best known as the editor of a collection of 16th and 17th century recipe manuscripts owned by Martha (Mrs. George) Washington.

Staging Wagner's 'Tristan and Isolde'

Tue, 8 May 2007 19:11:20 -0400

"Staging Wagner’s 'Tristan und Isolde' is a notoriously treacherous proposition," begins Matthew Gurewitsch, as he examines many different versions of the story which have appeared on stage.

A Death in the Family: Milton Friedman, Father of Master Cariadoc of the Bow

Sat, 18 Nov 2006 16:46:32 -0500

Nobel-Laureate economist Milton Friedman, father of Dr. David Friedman (Master Cariadoc of the Bow, Duke of the East and Midrealm) has died at age 94. The news was announced late afternoon November 16, 2006.

Chimney Sweeps Face Change to Ancient Trade

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 07:29:12 -0500

German chimney sweeps, their jobs protected by law since the Middle Ages, now face competition from sweeps immigrating from other European countries.

"Gates of Paradise" to Tour USA

Sat, 28 Oct 2006 19:20:44 -0400

Lorenzo Ghiberti's immense gilded doors, completed in 1452 and nicknamed the "Gates of Paradise," will tour the United States beginning in April 2007. The intricately decorated doors are 20 feet high and weigh three tons.