For those with long hair who appreciate a challenge, consider this thoroughly researched tutorial exploring the ancient Germanic hairstyle worn by the Suebi tribe east of the Rhine river. The styling is performed using only period-appropriate tools and techniques and is accompanied by an introduction to the ancient artifacts and primary sources associated with the…
Medieval samurai did not do things halfway. If a skill was worth having, it was worth perfecting, preferably while riding a horse, wearing heavy armor, and being watched. These ten facts show how Japan’s warrior class turned discipline into an extreme sport. 1. They started as… estate defenders for nobles who were busy drinking tea…
The very first pandemic on record didn’t start with drama. The Plague of Justinian (541 – 549 CE) started with fleas, grain shipments, and a supply chain doing exactly what it was designed to do. We owe a lot of what we know to Procopius of Caesarea (Προκόπιος ὁ Καισαρεύς), a Byzantine historian whose works…
The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul is one of the most remarkable buildings in the world. It was completed in 537 CE during the reign of Byzantine emperor Justinian I. Originally built as a Christian cathedral, it has undergone multiple “rebrands” over the centuries: it became a mosque after the Ottoman conquest, then a…
If you’re interested in researching Britain during the Migration Period (circa 300 to 600 CE), the Thegns of Mercia website is a great place to find well researched ideas for reenactment. It has clear and well-researched articles about clothing, weapons, daily life, crafts, and important archaeological finds. Each topic is explained in a way that…
Do you have questions about the basics of heraldry but are too afraid to ask? Thegn Cormac Mor, OP has created a series of videos to help the everyperson get up to speed on SCA heraldic conventions.
Some of you may be noticing that there have been changes to the site, lately. This is because Esa inghean Alasdair has passed the torch on to Æbbe aet Uuluic, who will be serving as Webminister for the next two years. Æbbe has big plans, including the following: Bringing the website up-to-date Creating a dynamic…
