King Alfred the Great’s remains are believed to have been found just days before England’s quarter-final World Cup tie with Norway.
The lost bones of King Alfred – who led English forces to kill thousands of Vikings during his reign – have been traced to a car park in Winchester, Hampshire, where the former monarch died and was buried.
Alfred was best known for saving England from Viking forces in 878, but he also laid the basis for a unified English nation.
Despite his importance, the whereabouts of his final resting place have long been shrouded in mystery.
Following his death in 899, his remains were moved multiple times and have been until now untraceable.
Over the last century, there have been several attempts to find the ruler and identify his final resting place, but all have proved inconclusive.
But historian Graham Phillips now says he has discovered his final resting place – and just like Richard III, Alfred is buried under a car park.
He told the Sun the discovery is a ‘good omen’ for England, and a sign they can win this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
The long–lost remains of King Alfred the Great have been found buried under a car park, a historian has claimed (Pictured: King Alfred statue in Winchester)
The find comes just days before England take on Norway and star striker Erling Haaland (pictured) in a quarter-final tie at the World Cup
Mr Phillips said: ‘I am 100 per cent confident the car park site is where the bones were, and I’m confident they are there now.
‘I think it’s a good omen ahead of England’s match against Norway.
‘We may have finally found Alfred’s remains so is this a sign we can win the World Cup?’
The historian, from Birmingham, has been searching for Alfred for 13 years and said it was ‘bizarre’ he is believed to be beneath a car park.
Famously, Richard III’s remains were also found buried beneath a car park in 2012 in a dig in partnership with archaeologists from the University of Leicester.
Alfred was born in 849 and ruled from 871–99, and is the best known of all the Anglo–Saxon kings.
He was believed to be a gifted leader, warrior, strategist, scholar and administrator.
He defended his kingdom from Viking invaders, winning a decisive victory at the Battle of Edington in 878.
It is thought up to 6,000 soldiers were involved in the battle on both sides, with casualties presumed to be ‘heavy’.
Author and historical researcher Graham Phillips claims to have discovered Alfred’s grave after a 13–year hunt
The battle helped Alfred secure Wessex from further attack and saw the Viking leader, Guthrum, baptised as a Christian.
Alfred died in 899 of unknown causes, and his bones were repeatedly moved.
He was buried in Winchester Cathedral until 1110, when his remains were moved to Winchester’s Hyde Abbey where they were interred before the high altar between the bodies of his wife and son.
The abbey was demolished after the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539, and the place left in ruins.
In 1866, during construction of a workhouse on the site, the English antiquarian John Mellor excavated the area and found what he thought were Alfred’s bones, but it was later confirmed this was not the case and the remains were from around 200 years after his death.
Mr Phillips instead believes Alfred’s bones were moved when a prison was built in the area in 1788.
The possible discovery comes just days ahead of England facing off with Norway in Miami in their quarter-final tie.
The match, which kicks off at 10pm on Saturday, will see Thomas Tuchel’s side go head to head with the likes of striker Erling Haaland, after Norway knocked out Brazil on Sunday to make the final eight.
The exact location where Alfred is believed to be buried is set to be revealed for the first time in a new episode of Weird Britain, on Blaze TV tonight at 9pm.
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