Barry Sellers / George Pickles - The Wakeman Of Ripon

The 'Setting of the Watch' dates back more than 1100 years to the year 886. That was Saxon times, and also troubled times. The Vikings were raiding up and down the East coast and occupying parts of the country and the thieves, rouges and
vagabonds were taking advantage of the unsettled situation. On the English throne at that time was 'King Alfred the Great'. He had lost his father and three elder brothers fighting the Vikings but was intent in victory and bringing stability back to the country. In 886, at the age of thirty seven he recaptured London from the intruders and set about touring the country drumming up support and giving
confidence back to the people. When he arrived in Ripon, he liked what he saw and decided to grant a Royal Charter to the settlement, which is all it was at the time, and the only thing he had to offer the people as a symbol of that charter in those simple times was a horn.

www.wakemanofripon.co.uk