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Anglo-Saxon gravestone auctioned in Dorchester Anglo-Saxon gravestone auctioned in Dorchester
(about 11 hours later)
An Anglo Saxon gravestone dating from the time of Alfred the Great is to be auctioned in Dorset later. An Anglo Saxon gravestone dating from the time of Alfred the Great has been sold at auction in Dorset for £4,300.
The 9th Century artefact was discovered in the garage of a house in Guildford, Surrey, buried under some cardboard. The 9th Century artefact was discovered under some cardboard in the garage of a house in Guildford, Surrey.
Engraved with a Celtic cross, the 81cm-high (32in) stone is expected to attract the attention of museums and private collectors. Engraved with a Celtic cross, the 81cm-high (32in) stone was sold to a private company in London.
Duke's Auctioneers, of Dorchester, said grave markers like this "very rarely come on the market". A spokesperson for Duke's Auctioneers, of Dorchester, said: "putting a price on it was difficult as it is extremely unusual".
'Danelaw country''Danelaw country'
The stone was originally found during road construction in the early 20th Century at Little Eaton, Derbyshire.The stone was originally found during road construction in the early 20th Century at Little Eaton, Derbyshire.
It appeared at auction, where it was bought by the present owner who had "almost forgotten about it", according to Duke's.It appeared at auction, where it was bought by the present owner who had "almost forgotten about it", according to Duke's.
Experts from Buxton Museum, in Derbyshire, have confirmed the grave marker, which is expected to fetch up to £6,000, dates from the 9th Century. Experts from Buxton Museum, in Derbyshire, have confirmed the grave marker dates from the 9th Century.
A spokesperson at the saleroom said: "This grave marker actually comes from an area of the country known as the Danelaw because it was under the influence of the Danes, and their laws held sway. The spokesperson at the saleroom said: "This grave marker actually comes from an area of the country known as the Danelaw because it was under the influence of the Danes, and their laws held sway.
"The area [which covered northern and eastern England] was defined in a treaty following the defeat of the Danish warlord, Guthrum, in a battle with King Alfred at Edington in AD878.""The area [which covered northern and eastern England] was defined in a treaty following the defeat of the Danish warlord, Guthrum, in a battle with King Alfred at Edington in AD878."
Alfred, who died in 899, was King of Wessex but was referred to as King of the English towards the end of his reign, after he united areas of the country and defeated the Danes in several battles.Alfred, who died in 899, was King of Wessex but was referred to as King of the English towards the end of his reign, after he united areas of the country and defeated the Danes in several battles.