KING ALFRED AND ST. THOMAS IN INDIA – From some British Museum documents

Alfred Coin
King Alfred the Great of England on a ninth century Anglo Saxon Coin in the British Museum.
- Copy in the Menachery Collection 1975.


The Saxon Chronicle
A page of the Saxon Chronicle begun by King Alfred. British Museum Ms., London.
- Xerox in the Menachery Collection 1975.


The Alfred Jewel
This is the Alfred Jewel obtained from the place where King Alfred the Great, before winning the decisive battle, is said to have burnt the cake of the woman who had given him shelter during his days in hiding. Bedecked with precious stones it is made in gold and has an inscription saying: “I was made by King Alfred”. There is also a portrait in enamel under the crystal. The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
- Photo in the Menachery Collection 1975.


Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, Oxford, England.

Alfred’s Gifts to “Thomas in India”
A translation of the passage in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle for DCCCLXXXIII (DCCCLXXXIV) [883 / 884 A. D.] referring to the gifts sent by King Alfred to “Thomas in India”. Benjamin Thorpe, II, 1861, British Museum.
- Copy in the Menachery Collection 1975.

King Alfred’s Embassy to India
And what seems stranger than all, he sent an embassy all the way to India, with alms for the Christians there, called the Christians of Saint Thomas and Saint Bartholomew. Old English History, London, 1869 [British Museum copy].
- Xerox in the Menachery Collection 1975.

Swithelm brings back Pearls and Spices for King Alfred from India
On one occasion to the Indian Christians at Meliapur (Mylapore) also (Alfred sent gifts). Swithelm, the bearer of the royal alms, brought back to the king several oriental pearls, and aromatic liquors. History of England, 1854.
- Xerox in the Menachery Collection 1975.

King Alfred sending gifts to Saint Thomas in India

Various British Museum Ms. versions of King Alfred sending gifts to Saint Thomas in India according to the Anglo Saxon Chronicles (Thorpe, I, 1861). [“The only use I had of having studied Old English under Prof. E. P. Narayana Pillai & Ayyappa Panicker in the Trivandrum University College and under Fr. Theodotius CMI was when I had to decipher these lines” – Prof. G. M.]
- Copy in the Menachery Collection 1975.

From the Anglo Saxon Chronicles for 883(Tr.)
[A. D. 883.] The aforesaid army Dragged their ships up the river called Sealdad (Seheld) against the stream, to a convent of nuns called Cundath (Conde) and there remained a whole year. Asser bishop of Sherborne, died, and was succeeded (as bishop) by Swethelm, who carried King Alfred’s Alms to St. Thomas in India and returned thence in safety. [Also about the martial success of King Alfred and of the Pope’s gift of a piece of the True Cross.]
- Copy in the Menachery Collection 1975.