I have written a while ago about the possibility that some of the bones of King Alfred could be identified. In 2014 I wrote A bone of King Alfred? which includes links to other, relevant, reports. In 2024 I returned to the subject in Uncovering more of Hyde Abbey
Now the Daily Telegraph online website has a story about a new site at Hyde Abbey which might contain the skeletal remains of King Alfred, his wife and his son King Edward the Elder. The article can be seen at Alfred the Great’s remains ‘located under car park’
There is also a short video about the discovery from the German medieval historian Lemmy history - who is well worth following with his studies of the Yorkist era in particular - which can be viewed at One Of England's Most Important Kings 'Found Under A Carpark' - Yet Again?
Some of the articles make the point that establishing DNA or related evidence would be much harder than with King Richard III whose remains are half a millennium younger, and who had both male and female line relatives who could give the appropriate biological samples.
However two of King Alfred’s elder brothers, King Ethelbald and King Ethelbert, are interred at Sherborne Abbey in a vault where their skeletons are visible. So it might be feasible to see what evidence they could provide, and if it indicated a familial link.
King Alfred from his ‘London Penny’ of 886
Image: Emotions 3D.wordpress.com
For more about the coin and its historic significance see Alfred the Great penny
1 comment:
You have the best car parks in England!
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