The Alfred Jewel is one of the most famous and beautiful artefacts from Anglo-Saxon England.
- Discovery:
- It was found in 1693 in a field at North Petherton, Somerset, not far from Athelney Abbey – the marshland stronghold of King Alfred the Great during the Viking invasions.
- Description:
- The jewel is about 2½ inches (6.4 cm) long.
- It consists of a tear-shaped piece of highly polished rock crystal, under which is an enamel portrait (thought to represent either Christ, or a personification of “Sight” or “Wisdom”).
- Around the crystal runs a gold frame inscribed in Old English: “ÆLFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN” – “Alfred ordered me to be made.”
- It ends with a dragon-headed socket, probably designed to hold a thin pointer or staff.
- Purpose:
- Scholars generally believe it was the ornate head of a “aestel” – a pointer used to follow text while reading manuscripts, preventing damage to the delicate vellum. Alfred’s will mentions that he sent such aestels, each worth 50 mancuses of gold, to bishoprics along with copies of his translations.
- Historical Context:
- King Alfred (871–899), famous for resisting the Vikings and promoting learning, initiated a revival of education and literacy. The Alfred Jewel is seen as physical evidence of his cultural programme, especially his encouragement of clergy to read and teach in English.
- Late 9th century (r. 871–899) — Jewel made in Alfred the Great’s reign; inscription reads “Ælfred mec heht gewyrcan” (“Alfred ordered me to be made”). Purpose is widely accepted as the handle of an æstel (reading pointer).
- 878 — Context: Alfred’s victory at Edington after regrouping near Athelney in the Somerset Levels, a few miles from the Jewel’s later findspot.
- 1693 — Discovery at Petherton Park, North Petherton (Somerset), ploughed up in a field on Wroth family land.
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- Present Location:
- The jewel is now one of the treasures of the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, where it has been displayed since the 18th century. Replicas exist in several places, including North Petherton Church.