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Life of Alfred, who was resident at his court, and by Florence of 

 Worcester, by GeofFry Guimar, and also in the chronicle of 

 Ethelward. The only doubt was as to the position of this villa. 

 A tradition has been handed down tliat it was situated at Mudgley, 

 1^ miles from Wedraore, whei'e ancient walls were known to exist 

 under the surfoce. Theseiiave been opi^ned under the care and 

 superintendence of ]\Ir. Hervey, and have revealed very extensive 

 buildings, apparently of different dates and different construction. 

 They have occupied a space of above two acres, and the walls are 

 of unusual thickness. The situation is very fine, the view is 

 extensive, and in ancient times the approach must have been 

 difficult and dangerous to any not knowing the nature of the 

 country, Wedmore appearing once to have been surrounded 

 almost, if not entirely by marshes. In the process of excavation 

 not only had the walls been traced, but an arched chamber laid 

 open, and the well which supplied the residence with water. 

 The members of the club would now have every opportunity of 

 examining these and forming their own opinions as to the date. 

 They could also afterwards inspect the pottery and coins found in 

 the process of digging, now at the Vicarage. The pottery appeared 

 to be of different dates, from early to comparatively late times, and 

 the coins were of the Edwardian period. This led to the belief 

 that the villa had been inhabited to a late period, and after ceasing 

 to be used as a residence became a quarry for building material. 

 The Vice-President observed in conclusion that we must be 

 prepared to accept this as the site of Alfred's villa, until such times 

 as another locality could be pointed out wliich should produce 

 more satisfactary evidence of regal occupation. 



The excavations were carefully examined by the members, and 

 there was but one opinion as to the energy and jjublic spirit of 

 the Vicar, who had at his own expense uncovered the site and 

 pursued these investigations. The accumulation of earth above 

 the ancient roadway which he had uncovered some four feet below 

 the present surface attracted particular attention, but a desire was 



