While in Winchester last weekend I snapped this picture of King Alfred the Great's statue in the late afternoon Sunshine. It inspired me to do a bit of research on the old geezer, interesting it was too. I never did History at school, I found it boring when I was young and so I hadn't quite realised that when Alfred was on the throne (of Wessex) the UK or even England as unified entities didn't exist as they do today. Our little Island was a patchwork of different kingdoms that were mainly ruled by occupying powers, they seemed to be in a constant state of flux and terror from incursions by Danes, Saxons, Celts, Vikings and various other opportunists, it must have been exhausting! It's interesting to note how the arc of history since those times has been towards unification of our territories and consolidation of power centrally, it's only recently that that tide has turned somewhat. Alfred is celebrated for helping to bring together the various kingdoms against the external forces wishing to occupy this island, for promoting education and instigating the rule of law. If he could see the trajectory of things now I suspect poor old Alfred would be turning in his grave, that is if he had one, it was destroyed in the late 18th century and his bones scattered by workmen building a prison.
Such are the cruel twists and turns of history.
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