Just when you thought the reputation of the Norsemen was getting rehabilitated, along comes this article from Smithsonian, giving a good overview of what sounds like an awesome museum exhibit, “Vikings,” opening next month in London and then moving on to Berlin. The article has a pretty silly tone, but the exhibit itself sounds first-rate.… Continue reading Review of the “Viking” museum exhibit
From Tuscon Weekly (more at the link): English derives from the Germanic dialects of the Angles, Saxons and Jutes who conquered southern Britain in the 5th and 6th centuries A.D. When they arrived, the native Britons spoke Celtic. Latin was also common among upper crust Brits, having adopted it during four centuries of Roman occupation.… Continue reading The history of English in five minutes
From The Big Issue (much more at the link): Scandinavian settlers also made a very positive contribution to the development of England, which is overlooked by contemporary chroniclers. From archaeology we know that they played a key role in the massive growth of urban life in the 9th and 10th centuries. In towns such as York,… Continue reading How the Vikings enhanced British life
From the Sleaford Standard (more at the link): Among the artefacts, a rare complete Viking brooch, dating back to 850-950 AD, was found near Sleaford. Most objects found copy Viking styles, but this one is likely to have originated from Scandinavia. It is feasible that the brooch arrived via the ancient port of Saltfleetby, near… Continue reading Rare Viking brooch found in Lincolnshire
This sounds like so much fun, I wish I was in the UK! From The York Press (more at the link): York has taken a turn for the Norse as a celebration of the city’s Scandinavian history begins. A display of roar power signalled the start of the 30th Jorvik Viking Festival in Coppergate on Saturday… Continue reading Week-long Viking Festival kicks off in York (UK)
From NERC (more at the link): Human remains dug up from an ancient grave in Oxfordshire add to a growing body of evidence that Britain’s fifth-century transition from Roman to Anglo-Saxon was cultural rather than bloody. … Had there been a mass invasion, the graves would be expected to contain around 20 per cent immigrant remains.… Continue reading Study shows Anglo-Saxon conquest of Britain was more peaceful than previously thought
“You have nothing to apologize for, Wes.” Somehow I managed to remain ignorant of the whole Wil Wheaton “spirit animal” brouhaha that erupted last week. Now that I’ve been made aware of it (thanks, Pundit!), I have a thing or two to say about it. But first, a recap for those who have been living… Continue reading Wil Wheaton’s Spirit Animal Problem
It seems that the Danish Agricultural and Food Minister, Dan Jørgensen, told Danish television recently that “animal rights come before religion.” Naturally, the Jewish and Muslim communities in Denmark are not pleased with this attitude, as it has direct impacts on both the Kosher and Halal food industries. In fact, there aren’t any, because such slaughter… Continue reading Animal Rights or Religious Rights?
There’s a story out of Dallas that should be of interest to every Pagan and Heathen out there. A Dallas man, Rabbi Yaakov Rich, has been holding Jewish worship services in his home twice a day. His neighbor, David Schneider, who lives across the street and who happens to have just been elected as president… Continue reading Home Worship Under Attack in Dallas
Last week a California federal magistrate judge dismissed with leave to amend in the case of Fowler v. the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The plaintiffs had alleged a host of violations of their religious liberties over the course of several years, including: Lack of access to the prison chapel for Asatru/Odinist worship Refusal… Continue reading Asatru Prisoner News: Fowler v. CDCR