King Alfred’s Monument

Athelney is a small village on the Somerset levels. Its name has been translated as ‘isle of the aethlings’ and is now home to a monument which commemorates Alfred taking refuge here when he hid from Danes in 879. The monument stands over the site of the abbey Alfred built, and the famous Alfred Jewel, found nearby, close to the village of North Petherton.

Although on private land, a marked footpath leads across fields and up a small hill to the monument. A plaque reads:

King Alfred the Great in the year of Our Lord 879 having been defeated by the Danes, fled for refuge to the Forest of Athelney, where he lay concealed from his enemies for the space of a whole year. He soon after regained possession of his throne, and in grateful remembrance of the protection he had received under the favour of Heaven, erected a monastery on this spot and endowed it with all the lands contained in the Isle of Athelney. To perpetuate the memorial of so remarkable an incident in the life of that illustrious prince this edifice was founded by John Slade, Esq. of Mansel, the proprietor of Athelney Farm and lord of the manor of North Petherton'.

The traditional tale of Alfred burning the cakes comes from his time here, with the most popular version of the tale saying that when Alfred travelling in disguise to escape the Danes, Alfred sought shelter with a poor peasant woman. Not recognising the king, she told him to look after her cakes while they cooked on the fire so that she could go out and gather firewood. Lost in thought, he allowed them to burn…

Although there is very little to see, the views across the levels are beautiful, with Burrow Mump visible in the distance. The monument is a short walk from the road where it is possible to park.

Athelney Monument,

Lyng,

Bridgwater

TA7 0SD

You can read about Burrow Mump here.