2-370-191 - Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images

King Alfred in the neatherd's cottage c878 (1864). Early in his reign as King of Wessex, while a fugitive from the Danish conquerors of his kingdom, Alfred the Great (849-899) lived for a time in secret in a neatherd's cottage. On one occasion it is said that he was scolded by her after he absent-mindedly allowed her cakes to burn. From a private collection.