In November of 1095, Pope Urban II made an electrifying speech exhorting Christian warriors to go to the Holy Land and free Jerusalem from the rule of Muslim Turks. What he expected was an organized military campaign led by experienced commanders. But before such a well-ordered expedition could be pulled together, something else entirely emerged. Find out more about the People's Crusade in this introduction by your Guide.

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Just a few news items I ran across recently:

• Student Archaeologists on Trail of Yorkshire Gem's Hidden Past
  A team of archaeologists from the University of York are unearthing the remnants of Gawthorpe Hall. Feature at Science Daily.
  
  
• Archeologists unearth 900-year-old artefacts
  Objects discovered in Bury St Edmunds shed light on the town's past. Item at Bury Free Press.
  
  
• Viking Shipyard found on a Scottish Island
  Investigations at Loch na h-Airde have led to the discoery of boat timbers dating from the 1100s, a stone-built quay, and other signs of a medieval shipyard. Article at Past Horizons.

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For how pleasant are the letters of absent friends . . .
-- Heloise in her first letter to Abelard

She's best known for her relationship with Peter Abelard (a love story like no other, then or now), but Heloise was a brilliant scholar in her own right. And after the heated affair with her teacher was long over, she drew her beloved out with letters that have survived for us across the sands of time.

The image of Heloise is a 19th-century drawing, and is in the public domain.

Find out more about Heloise in these resources:

• Who's Who Profile of Heloise
• Heloise on the Web

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Treasure found, treasure on display, treasure looters on trial.

• Loftus royal treasure to go on display
  Extremely rare Anglo-Sacon artifacts. Article at BBC News.
  
  
• Calls to protect 'rare' Roman Southwell
  Some academics believe that the discovery of 7th- to 8th-century remains make the site inappropriate for development. Feature at BBC News.
  
  
• Viking houses uncovered in Temple Bar
  Remains of a Viking settlement on what was once an Island in Dublin. Brief item at RTE News.
  
  
• Looted Viking treasure trial gets under way
  The trial marks the first time in Sweden that anyone has been charged with aggravated crime against relics. Article at The Local.
  
  
• Medieval jewels found in garden
  A trove found by an Austrian man in his garden could be worth €100,000. Brief item from the AP at The Independent.

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