The Knightly Newsletter

Medieval History

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Medieval History

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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 Known outdated links have been removed, but the text remains.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the information contained herein is several years old and may no longer apply; some links may lead to features that are no longer active.

The Newsletter for the Medieval History Site at About.com

Vol. IV, No. 10
July 14, 2001

•Philobiblon
•Oh, Calcutta!
•Valuable Fiction

The Knightly Newsletter

In the Spotlight

Philobiblon

In the 14th century, a book-loving bishop wrote a book about the love of books. Find out about the Philobiblon, and read it online, in this feature by your Guide.

In the News

Oh, Calcutta!
The investigations of Indian archaelogists now reveal that a settlement may have existed in Calcutta as early as the ninth century. This conflicts with the historical claim of Englishman Job Charnock to have founded the city in the late 1600s. Read more about it in the report at Ananova.

Spanish Armada Galleon Uncovered
An archaeological team from St. Andrews University is excavating a sixteenth-century wreck discovered off the coast of Scotland. The ship is believed to have been part of the infamous Armada of 1588. For more info, check out the article at Ananova.

Saxon Steel
Recent investigations lead archaeologists to believe that high-quality steel was produced in England as early as the eighth century. Find out more about it in the feature by Michael Stowe at HumanOasis.com.

Recovering Venetian Wrecks
A project to uncover two Renaissance-era ships in the Venetian lagoon is underway. Archaeologists have two weeks to examine the wrecks, accessible due to pumping water away from the sunken island where they lay. Find out more about the project in this story by Bruce Johnston at the Telegraph.

This Week in Medieval History

St. Clare of Assisi was born, Rudolf I died, King Richard II of England was crowned and Charles VII was anointed King of France.

What happened today?

The Value of Fiction

Historical films and novels can draw you into the past with exciting stories, dramatic events, and vivid characters. Yet while it is certainly fiction, can it be history, too?

From the Bookshelf

What if you could go back in time to the Middle Ages? Science Fiction? You bet. Historical accuracy? Find out in your Guide's review of Michael Crichton's popular Timeline.

Site Update

Fresh Links
New links have been added to the following Subject Indices:

Eastern Medieval Art

General Arms and Armor

General Art Collections

General Viking and Scandinavian History

The Hundred Years' War

Places in Medieval Italy

Women of the Middle Ages: General

New links can also be found in the following Who's Who pages:

Cimabue

Henry V

Petrarch

New in Who's Who in Medieval History

Richard de Bury

Elsewhere at About.com

Godiva in Glass
Could fragments of glass found in the rubble of Coventry's first cathedral be from a window depicting the city's heroine? Find out more about the Lady in the Glass in the feature by English Culture Guide Paula Bardell.

Choose Your Weapon!
How would you besiege a medieval castle? Make your choice in this poll by Military History Guide Robert Martin.

Quote of the Knight

How safely we lay bare the poverty of human ignorance to books without feeling any shame! They are masters who instruct us without rod or ferule, without angry words, without clothes or money. If you come to them they are not asleep; if you ask and inquire of them they do not withdraw themselves; they do not chide if you make mistakes; they do not laugh at you if you are ignorant.