ABSTRACT
The late nineteenth century generated a wave of 'Alfredian' enthusiasm across the English-speaking world as the millenary of the death of Alfred the Great approached in 1901. King Alfred was likewise seen as the father of English prose through his support for the use of the vernacular and in his role in promoting the writing of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Britain was looking for more than literary ancestors to honour, though. The Alfred campaign promoted the late king as both the first figure in English literature as well as a stout defender of the homeland. The assassination of President McKinley threatened to derail the American contribution of the Winchester celebrations. The Winchester ceremonial programme had multiple opportunities to display English-speaking unity. The Alfred commemoration did not end with the events at Winchester but was soon continued across the Atlantic. Many American cities held some form of Alfred commemoration, but New York was the focal point of the American celebrations.
