Hello, I am glad to see you in our club and I want to tell you about one very interesting exhibit, which is kept at Oxford University.
This is a rare antique figurine – a valuable find from the time of the first king of England – Alfred the Great. It was accidentally found at the end of the 17th century by a landowner named Thomas Roth, then this figurine adorned the house of Colonel Nathaniel Palmer for a quarter of a century.
After the death of the colonel, the relic was donated to Oxford University. However, for a long time after that, almost no one paid attention to her, until one day she became a real sensation. Scientists were literally shocked by the discovery of whose figurine it was.
Made by the will of Alfred the Great
It turned out to be a real masterpiece of Anglo-Saxon jewelry art, about …. 1000 years.
Exquisite gold filigree work and gold base, covered with transparent quartz in the form of a drop, cause sincere admiration.
Who is depicted in it is a question that scientists still cannot answer, but it is assumed that the statuette could be made in honor of Jesus Christ.
The inscription, in thin black letters, reads: “Aelfred mec heht gewyrcan” / prev. “I was created by the will of Alfred.”
But what was this jewel for, some will ask? – So far, scientists assume that its purpose was to label books? …
King Alfred the Great was the first English king, who ruled in the 9th century. Therefore, now the museum staff call the jewelry relic “Alfred’s Treasure”. Another fact confirms the version that the statuette is the work of King Alfred, namely, that it was found near the place where he hid from enemies, and then founded the abbey – Athelney. Some even think that the figurine was a gift to the abbey.
This is what the former military camp of King Alfred looks like today
King Alfred was the most powerful ruler of England between the fall of the Roman Empire and 1066, when the country came under Norman rule.
He was the first officially proclaimed king of England and a national hero after he succeeded in expelling her enemies.
In the 9th century, the country was subjected to constant invasions of the Normans and Danish Vikings. Alfred hides in his secret residence with a small detachment of fighters. There he hid for three months and gathered an army.
He attacked the Vikings and was initially defeated, but then defeated them at the Battle of Eddington. In 879 he signed the so-called Peace of Vedmore with the Danes sharing the territory south of the Thames.
Alfred the Great reorganized the army by creating infantry. Due to attacks by the Danes, he built forts, which later developed into cities.
According to historians, Alfred laid the foundations of the English kingdom.
Having dealt with the Normans, King Alfred set about restoring and beautifying England.
precious exhibit
The inscription on the statuette in honor of St. Alfred the Great at Wondij reads:
“Alfred saw the wisdom of the dead and resurrected it.
Education was neglected, but he restored.
The church fell into decay – he raised it to its feet.
Alfred’s name will live on as long as humanity respects its past!”
Alfred himself was a very educated man. According to historians, he can be called the “patron of English culture.”
In his time, some Roman and early Christian authors were translated, and an Anglo-Saxon chronicle was compiled that survives in a 12th-century transcript. He himself translated ecclesiastical and philosophical writings into English.
He died at the age of 50, but left an indelible mark on the history of England.
In general, Alfred makes to this day to talk about himself with awe and admiration. And the likelihood that this figurine was created with his personal participation makes it priceless. Would you like to see this treasure with your own eyes?
