2015-12-14 Mon

Alfred the Great is known through British history for his one-time defeat of the Norse invaders while Ceolwulf II is a lesser-known king. A hoard of coins, ingots, and ornaments discovered in Watlington two months ago, has thrown light on the history and relations of the two rulers who, apparently, were allies. Alfred seems to have ruthlessly airbrushed Ceolwulf II out of history after they fell out. Silver coins, ingots, and arm bracelets tell a different story of Alfred than the one we know today. A dozen coins depict the same image of two Roman emperors, believed to symbolise the two rulers, on one side. Many of the coins found in the Watlington hoard bear Alfred’s name on the reverse, while the others display Ceolwulf’s. This signifies an alliance or a coalition between the rulers which seems to have broken up later. The hoard contains 186 coins, 7 jewellery items, and 15 ingots.