He first went to Wimborne to attend to the funeral solemnities which were to be observed at his royal brother's burial.

He then went to Winchester, which, as well as Wimborne, is in the south of England, to be crowned and anointed king.

Winchester was, even in those early days, a great ecclesiastical center.

It was for some time the capital of the West Saxon realm.

It was a very sacred place, and the crown was there placed upon Alfred's head, with the most imposing and solemn ceremonies.