King Alfred'S Monument With Railings

King Alfred's Monument, built in 1801 for John Salde, commemorates King Alfred the Great. It features dressed freestone on a plain low lias plinth with a set-off. The monument is a squat obelisk set on a tall two-stage podium, which has a moulded plinth. The lower stage of the podium includes a moulded cornice and a slate inscription panel on the east side. The upper stage has scrolls on the north and south sides, and a bust of Alfred on the east. The monument is surrounded by iron railings with spear caps and urn finials at the corners and the center of each side, and it sits on a renewed red brick plinth with Ham stone capping. It was erected to commemorate Alfred's occupation in 878 and stands on the site of the former monastery at Athelney, established in 893. This site is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument (Somerset County No 367).