Statue of Alfred the Great, Wantage facts for kids

The statue of Alfred the Great stands proudly in the Wantage market place. This impressive statue was created by Count Gleichen. He was a relative of Queen Victoria, a famous British queen. The statue was officially revealed on July 14, 1877. The Prince and Princess of Wales (who later became King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra) were there for the special event. Robert Loyd-Lindsay, 1st Baron Wantage gave the statue as a gift to the town. It shows Alfred the Great, a very important king from the 9th century.

Who Was Alfred the Great?

Alfred the Great was a king who ruled the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex from 871 to 899 AD. He is one of the most famous English monarchs. He is known for defending his kingdom against Viking invaders. He also worked hard to improve education and law in England. People remember him as a wise and strong leader. He helped shape early English history.

Alfred's Early Life and Reign

Alfred was born in Wantage, which is now in Oxfordshire. He became king during a very difficult time. The Vikings, who were fierce warriors from Scandinavia, were attacking and taking over many parts of England. Alfred fought many battles against them. He even had to hide in the marshes at one point.

Uniting England

Alfred eventually defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Edington. This was a huge victory. He then made a peace treaty with them. This treaty divided England into two parts. One part was for the Anglo-Saxons and the other for the Vikings. Alfred also built a strong navy and a system of fortified towns called "burhs." These helped protect his kingdom from future attacks. He is sometimes called the "Father of the English Navy."

Alfred's Legacy

Beyond his military achievements, Alfred was also a great scholar. He encouraged learning and education. He even translated important books from Latin into Old English. This helped more people read and learn. He also created a code of laws. His efforts laid some of the foundations for what would become England.

Building the Statue

The idea for the statue was to honor King Alfred in his birthplace. Count Gleichen, the sculptor, was a talented artist. He was known for his detailed work. The statue shows Alfred holding an axe, ready for battle. This reminds everyone of his bravery and strength as a warrior king. The unveiling ceremony was a big event for Wantage. Many important people attended, including the future king and queen.

The Statue Today

The statue of Alfred the Great is a very important landmark in Wantage. It is listed as a Grade II building. This means it is a historically important structure that needs to be protected. Over the years, the statue has faced some challenges.

Looking After the Statue

Sometimes, the statue has been damaged. For example, on New Year's Eve in 2007, part of its right arm and axe were broken off. These parts were fixed and replaced. However, on Christmas Eve in 2008, the axe was lost again. Despite these incidents, the community works to keep the statue in good condition. It remains a symbol of Wantage's history and its famous son, King Alfred the Great.