Renowned historian and TV presenter, Michael Wood visited Bath on Friday (13th November) to deliver a lecture to a packed audience of over 200 people, gathered at King Edward’s School.
Part of the School’s annual Wroughton Lecture series, sponsored by former Headmaster, Dr John Wroughton, Michael Wood, currently Professor of Public History at the University of Manchester and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, told the story of King Alfred the Great and his children and grandson.
They argued that they were the most important rulers in the history of England, shaping the nation itself, founding cities, establishing law and government and reviving the language and literature of England that still influences us today.
Local history was mentioned as Wood talked about the Danes seizing Chippenham, forcing Alfred to flee to the land of his youth, the marshes of Somerset, to fight a guerrilla war.
The famous legend of Alfred burning the bread or cakes of a peasant woman, was, believes Wood, probably based on a true story, as native resistance would have relied on local support for food.
Considering the role of King Alfred’s immediate descendants, Michael Wood placed great emphasis on Alfred’s eldest daughter Aethelflaed, an oft forgotten figure in history.
Well educated and married to the ruler of Mercia, Aethelflaed took what she had learnt from her father and instilled a similar political culture within her husband’s kingdom.
A brilliant diplomat, she built fortresses and led armies and campaigns against the Vikings. Without her, said Wood, ‘England’ might never have emerged.
Speaking at the sell-out event, Wood ended the evening by taking questions from the audience.
The historian is currently working on The Story of China, a major new BBC TV series airing in 2016.
