2-705-240 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'Alfred in the Neatherd's Cottage', (mid 19th century). Youngest son of King Æthelwulf, Alfred (849-899 AD) became King of Wessex during a time of constant Viking attack. He was driven into hiding by a Viking raid into Wessex, led by the Dane, Guthorm, and took refuge in the Athelney marshes in Somerset. According to legend, he was given shelter by a peasant woman who, unaware of his identity, told him to watch some wheaten cakes she had left cooking on the fire. He is shown here flexing his bow, as the neatherd's wife rebukes him for allowing her cakes to burn. [John Tallis & Company, London & New York]