Note 23 — Part Two The Fabric of the Cathedral

See Abbott’s “History of King Alfred” for legends concerning the cakes. One is, that Alfred, when a fugitive from the Danes, was hiding one day in a peasant’s cottage, and while sitting by the fire-place mending his bow, he was requested by the house-wife to watch her cakes which were baking. Absorbed in thoughts of his kingdom, he forgot the cakes, and for his neglect was roundly scolded by the woman who little realized his character.