ONE of the most celebrated treasures from Anglo-Saxon England is returning to Somerset for the first time in nearly 300 years.

The Alfred Jewel, which dates from the 9th Century and was found near North Petherton Church in 1693, is being loaned to the Museum of Somerset, in Taunton throughout February.

The item, which belongs to Oxford University’s Ashmolean Museum, is lavishly made of gold, enamel and rock crystal, includes a sealed figure and bears an inscription which translates as “Alfred ordered me to be made”.

It is assumed that King Alfred the Great commissioned the jewel, possibly as a gift to the abbey of Athelney, which he founded in thanksgiving for his defeat of the Vikings in 878.

Tom Mayberry, chief executive of the South West Heritage Trust, said, “The Alfred Jewel is a unique and compelling object which goes to the heart of West Country history.

“It left Somerset in 1718 and has never returned, so this is a very special occasion.

“We are deeply grateful to the Ashmolean Museum for making possible the loan of one of its greatest treasures and to Arts Council England, who contributed to the costs of the exhibition.”

David Gwyther, chairman of the South West Heritage Trust, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to see one of England’s undoubted national treasures.

“We hope as many people as possible will visit the Museum of Somerset during February to experience this unique and beautiful survival from the distant past.”

Dr Alexander Sturgis, Director of the Ashmolean Museum, said: “The Alfred Jewel is an iconic object of Anglo-Saxon England and one of the most popular treasures at the Ashmolean.

“For that reason, we rarely part with it, but it is a huge pleasure to lend the Jewel to the Museum of Somerset and thereby return it to its home county.”

The Alfred Jewel will be displayed at the Museum of Somerset, Taunton Castle, from Saturday, January 31, until Saturday, February 28. Talks by two leading Anglo-Saxon experts will take place during the month – by Professor Simon Keynes of Cambridge University on 11 February, and by Leslie Webster of the British Museum on 25 February.

The museum’s opening hours are 10am to 5pm on Tuesdays to Saturdays, with last entry at 4.30pm, as well as special late opening events on Tuesdays. Admission is free.

The Afred Jewel

  • It was found in Parker’s Field, North Petherton, in 1693 by Sir Thomas Wroth.
  • It passed to his uncle, Col Nathaniel Palmer, of Stogursey.
  • On his death in 1718, it was presented to Oxford University by his son, Thomas and has remained in the Ashmolean Museum ever since.
  • It is 6.4cm long, has a gold frame surrounding the image of a seated figure in blue, green, red and white cloisonné enamel.
  • The figure is wearing a green, short-sleeved tunic and holding a flowering plant in each hand.
  • The image is covered by a piece of transparent rock crystal (quartz).
  • The identity of the figure is uncertain, but suggestions have included Christ, St Cuthbert, St Neot and King Alfred himself.
  • Today, most scholarly opinion believes the figure represents the sense of Sight, or Christ as the incarnation of divine wisdom.