The remains of an unmarked grave suspected to be that of King Alfred of England who died in 899 AD were exhumed in order to protect them for security reasons from St Bartholomew's Church in Winchester. Prayers were led by The Right Reverend Peter Hancock during the exhumation which was led by archaeologists on March 25–26 due to fears that the bones may be subject to theft.
Wikinews interviewed Nick Edmonds from the Diocese of Winchester and Professor John Clarke from the University of Buckingham about why the bones were dug up and the likelihood that they are those of Alfred the Great.
((Wikinews))  Why were the remains exhumed from the unmarked grave? Did you believe that it may attract criminal activity?
((WN))  Are there plans for some form of testing to be carried out on the bones, such as DNA testing or carbon dating?
((WN))  What is the likelihood that these are the remains of the former King?
((WN))  How long did the operation to exhume the bones take?
((WN))  Could the bones be potentially buried again in the near future?
((Wikinews))  What is your role at the University of Buckingham?
((WN))  How likely do you think it is that these are the remains of King Alfred?
((WN))  Is DNA testing difficult to conduct on bones of such an age? Would you say that there has been a surge in interest in finding the remains of former British monarchs?

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Could an unmarked grave in Winchester contain the remains of King Alfred?