Morning Medieval Miscellany

After a weekend of furious holiday baking and running around trying to find linens for unexpected guests, a medieval miscellany and a cup of tea are very welcome indeed.

• Art historian Conrad Rudolph has recreated Hugh of St. Victor's 'The Mystic Ark', a complex mural.
• The Cloisters has posted an entry on their Christmas wreath.
• What is a heater shield?
• Dr. Drout has been busy wondering why Beowulf Aloud is so popular and sharing seasonal cheer with news of a Monsters and Critics reprint.
• Polish archaeologists claim to be able to identify the remains of three Teutonic knights.
• Soon there will be an animated feature film of Brendan and the Secret of Kells! And a play called 'The Song of Hilde' will be put on in January for those of you in able to see it in London.
• Medieval Material Culture has published new pages of links, including a seasonal page with images of ice-skating and sledding.
• There is some new research about genetic diversity in southwest Europe during the Middle Ages, concerning Jewish and Muslim populations.
• Steven Till has an article titled "A Brief History of Medieval Banks".
• Last but not least, a historian of science needs advice on where to stay in Oxford and Cambridge this spring. Help is appreciated!