Athelney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Athelney |
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 Athelney
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| OS grid reference | ST348288 |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BRIDGWATER |
| Postcode district | TA7 |
| Dialling code | 01278 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Athelney is a small village in Somerset, England. It is located between the villages of Burrowbridge and East Lyng. The name Athelney likely comes from an old English word meaning "prince's island."
Athelney is most famous for being a secret hiding place for King Alfred the Great. From this hidden spot, he gathered his strength. He then went on to defeat the Great Heathen Army (a large Viking army) in May 878 at the Battle of Edington.
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What is the Isle of Athelney?
The area around Athelney is known as the Isle of Athelney. This is because it used to be a low, isolated island. It was surrounded by huge, swampy areas called the Somerset Levels. Much of these Levels are actually below the level of high tide.
Today, these areas are drained for farming during the summer. However, they still often flood in the winter.
Athelney's Ancient Defenses
Old writings and archaeological digs show that Athelney was connected to East Lyng by a raised path called a causeway. This path was known as Balt Moor Wall. Both ends of the causeway were protected by a semi-circular fence made of strong posts and a ditch.
The ditch on the island itself dates back to the Iron Age. This suggests that King Alfred knew Athelney was an old fort. He likely made its existing defenses even stronger. Evidence of metalworking found there also suggests he used the island to make weapons for his army.
The Island of Princes
When translated from Anglo-Saxon, the name of the isle, Æthelinga īeg, is often thought to mean the Island of Princes. If this is true, it might mean the island had connections to royalty even before King Alfred used it.
Athelney Abbey
After his victory against the Vikings, King Alfred wanted to give thanks. So, in 888, he founded a monastery called Athelney Abbey on the Isle of Athelney. This monastery lasted for many centuries.
However, in 1539, King Henry VIII closed down many monasteries in England. This event is known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Athelney Abbey was one of them.
After the abbey was closed, the monks built a new church in the nearby village of East Lyng.
Searching for the Abbey's Remains
Today, there are no parts of the monastery left standing above ground. But archaeologists have investigated the site. The TV show Time Team explored Athelney Abbey in 1993.
A decade later, in a special episode, more digs were done. These digs showed that Athelney was one of the only known Anglo-Saxon metalworking sites in the UK. This means people were making metal tools and weapons there a very long time ago.
King Alfred's Monument
In 1801, a small monument was built on top of the isle. It marks where the monastery used to be. Sir John Slade, 1st Baronet built it on the site of an old stone vault.
This monument is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This means it is a nationally important historical site. It is also a Grade II listed building. The monument is on private land, but you can visit it by following a path past Athelney Farm.
Athelney is about 6 miles (10 km) from North Petherton. This is where the Alfred Jewel was found in 1693. The Alfred Jewel is a famous Anglo-Saxon ornament from the late 9th century.
See also
In Spanish: Athelney para niños
