EDO5018 - Discovery of a Purbeck marble sarcophagus, Sherborne Abbey, 1801

'In 1801 a sarcophagus of Purbeck marble was unearthed in the Abbey, which attracted much attention as probably being the coffin of Aethelbald: but its measurements proved inexact according to the ancient records.' The exact location of the find is not mentioned and it is not made clear if the sarcophagus was removed or remains in situ. There is a tradition that the Royal court was transferred to Sherborne from Winchester in 860 AD when the latter was sacked by the Danes. Furthermore, Sherborne is reputedly the burial place of Aethelbald and Aethelbert and that Alfred was educated here at the age of 11.