Behold the King Alfred The Great Statue a curious blend of eras. This isn’t just any statue. It’s a fascinating time capsule a silent storyteller standing proudly in Trinity Church Square Southwark. Notice its height nearly nine feet tall a commanding presence. The statue depicts a broad-shouldered bearded man wearing regal robes and a crown. He is believed to be the legendary 9th-century Anglo-Saxon king Alfred the Great himself.
But here’s the intriguing part. This seemingly medieval statue holds a Roman secret. During restoration work in 2021 experts discovered something astonishing. The lower half of the statue is Roman in origin dating back to 80-130 AD. It’s made of Bath stone likely transported from the Cotswolds by barge. Initially believed to be medieval this portion is now believed to be a statue of Minerva the Roman goddess of crafts professions arts and later war. The leg is disproportionate for the depiction of Alfred. The original Minerva statue may have been a monumental three meters tall. This makes it one of the largest Roman statues discovered in Britain made from domestically quarried stone.
The upper half however is much more recent a late 18th or early 19th-century addition. It’s made of Coade stone a material developed in the 1770s. The Coade stone was added to the Roman base a complicated process given that Coade stone shrinks during firing. It likely happened in the late 18th century. People at that time perhaps mistook the Roman base for medieval. They used it to create a more authentic Alfred statue.
The statue’s history is a mystery too. It has stood in Trinity Church Square since 1836. But its origin before that time is unknown. Some speculate that it was part of a series from Westminster Hall. Or perhaps a pair with a statue of Edward the Black Prince made for Carlton House. However the discovery of Bath stone eliminates the Westminster Hall connection as those statues were made of Reigate stone.
So next time you pass the King Alfred The Great Statue take a moment to appreciate its unique past. It’s a powerful reminder that history is layered that stories unfold slowly over time. The statue quietly stands. It whispers secrets of Roman goddesses and Anglo-Saxon kings a hidden history beautifully preserved in stone.