Alfred. king of the West Saxons (AD 871-889) drove the Danish invaders from Wessex. He created fortified centres, of which Winchester, the largest was his capital. During his reign, the streets in use today were first established. Alfred was the most esteemed of English kings. He encouraged the revival of learning and monastic life, and laid the foundation for a single kingdom of England. This statue by Hamo Thorneycroft, was erected in 1901.*
*From the signboard beneath the statue.
King Alfred has never really entered into my thoughts before. This is interesting (Especially since my old and noble person appears to have taken me over again, as you can see
)
I like your old and noble persona
Why thank you Fine and Fair Lady Cherie of the Kingdom of CherryPiedom. I do rather find that the persona of an aging shabby, deluded and rather arrogant if essentially kindly Don does suit me well, and without much adjustment of my normality, and I may wear if muchly morely in the future while offering the photos of sights seen on my noble quest for signs of sanity in a sadly sane-free world.
I look forward to seeing the fine photos of the Don’s noble quest.
Part of what used to be taught to schoolchildren – should it be taught again?
I wish I had been taught this sort of thing at school. We learned about the industrial revolution which didn’t capture my imagination at the time.
Interesting to get to know an important yet it seems forgotten king.
It is interesting to read about the Kings and Queens of England.
He’s been one of my heroes ever since I read the Ladybird book. And I used to gaze in awe at this statue when I was a mere lad. Our only ‘Great’ king.
I should imagine as a youngster that the statue was even more impressive.
this is a nice angle on the king. i never heard of him before though, i will look him up
It is a really nice statue.