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Below is an archived copy of The Knightly Newsletter. Known outdated links have been removed, but the text remains. Please keep in mind that the information contained herein is several years old and may no longer apply; some links may lead to features that are no longer active.

This Week's Feature

Conflagration: The Peasants' Revolt, Part 4

In Part 3: The Flames Consume Reason, we followed the actions of the rebels in the capital. In the conclusion of our series, we'll look at the consequences of those actions and the ultimate fate of the rebels.

Part 4: The Ashes of Justice

In the News

Sixth-century Cornish slate may link Tintagel to Arthur

At the ruins of Tintagel Castle, Cornwall, Archaeologist Kevin Brady has discovered a stone bearing an inscription that includes the word "Artognov" -- the Latin version of "Arthnou." While this is by no means concrete proof that the legendary king existed, it does suggest for the first time that a name similar to "Arthur" was used as early as the sixth century.

Arthurian scholars and enthusiasts are very excited about the find, taking place as it did on the site of the castle where the Arthur of legend was born. Archaeologists are more excited about the fact that the inscription is secular and not part of a church or cemetary, a development that may necessitate another look at who was and was not literate in sixth-century Cornwall. Other finds at the site, including glass fragments of an unusual flagon, indicate that Tintagel may have been the royal residence of a Dark Age king.

To learn more about this archaeological "find of a lifetime," visit the article in the Electronic Herald.

For a more extensive look at the Arthurian connections, check out the Guardian's feature.

And to see a helpful illustration of the inscription, have a look at David Nash Ford's excellent page.

Medieval Minutia

The "Salic Law" that barred women from the throne of France has its origins in the early fourteenth century, when Philip V took the crown, preempting the four-year-old daughter of the late king. He then convoked an assembly that approved his usurpation by announcing that "a woman does not succeed to the throne of France."

Source: A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman

You can find out more about women in the middle ages in our page of net links on the subject; or learn more about Medieval France on the internet.

Site Update

Have you ever had one of those weeks?

If you've been surfing the net recently, you may have encountered some difficulty accessing sites due to a major reworking of one phone company's communication lines. My ISP uses that company's lines, and as a result I found myself unable to explore the web for several days.

We also had four consecutive days of thunderstorms here in central Texas. While I'm not complaining (local ranchers really needed that rain!), this did mean that I disconnected my computer. I did not want to risk another lightning strike like the one that destroyed my last computer back in May.

I probably would have gone into techno-withdrawal if I hadn't had the flu. As it turned out, I couldn't have chosen a more convenient time to be sick!

What does all this have to do with our Site Update? It explains why no new links have been added to the site this week.

Thanks for your patience! There will be new links at the next update.

On the Board

The discovery of the "Arthurian stone" may raise more questions than it answers. Does the inscription prove anything about a "real king Arthur"? I'd like to know your thoughts! I hope you'll take a moment to visit our bulletin board. Please respond to the post "Arthurian Stone?" or start a new thread.

Medieval History Quizlet

The latest quizlet has drawn more participants than ever before. If you haven't added your opinion to the poll, I hope you'll do so this week. And if you have anything you'd like to say on the subject, please feel free to share your thoughts on the board !

Quote of the Knight Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.   Michel Eyquem de Montaigne

I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Knightly Newsletter. Please feel free to email me with any questions or suggestions. And thank you for visiting the site!

Melissa Snell
Your Medieval History Guide at the Mining Co.

The Knightly Newsletter is copyrighted © 1998 by Melissa Snell and The Mining Co. All graphics used on this page were created by your guide.

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