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Click here to find out more about Alfred the Great.

The display - Alfred the Great: Warfare, Wealth and Wisdom - is described by the county council as a once in a lifetime chance to see the objects under one roof.

It brings together manuscripts, coins, religious artefacts, weapons, household items and the priceless Alfred Jewel, one of seven aestels, or reading pointers on display. The jewel is made of gold, enamel and rock crystal and has lettering around the edge "Aelfred mec heht gewyrcan" or "Alfred ordered me to be made."

The only English king to be hailed "Great", in the late ninth century, Alfred prevented Wessex being defeated by the Vikings and laid the foundations of the English nation. He nurtured education and learning.

The exhibition, which has cost £200,000, marks the opening of the £7m Discovery Centre.

The cost, except for staff time, has come from outside funding such as the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Government.

The council is charging for entry, £5 for adults and £3 concessions (including Hampshire library card holders and students).

Caroline Dudley, head of museums and archives, explained why the council is imposing an admission charge: "If we want to carry on doing blockbuster exhibitions we need to build up a fund for the future."

She hopes that 25,000 people will visit the show before it closes on April 27.

Ms Dudley said: "It is a unique exhibition, a gathering of the most important relics from the reign of Alfred. We think it will attract interest from across Hampshire and all over the country, even foreign tourists as well.

"It's extremely important to us that Alfred has links with Winchester. Everything he did for learning is important in the context of the Discovery Centre which is all about words, language and discovery."

7:05am Thursday 7th February 2008

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