It was with deep regret that the University learned of the death of Emeritus Professor Alfred Smyth on 16 October.

Alf was a former Master of Keynes College and an Emeritus Professor of Medieval History, specialising in the British Isles. His monumental study of King Alfred the Great, published in 1995, made a major impact in the field of Anglo-Saxon studies, following two important earlier monographs.

In 1997, he was awarded funding from the EU Raphael scheme to hold a conference on Medieval European national identity issues at the University of Kent and at Windsor Castle. He edited the findings in a book titled Medieval Europeans: Studies in Ethnic Identity and National Perspectives in Medieval Europe to which he contributed a chapter. From 1999, Alf was Director of Research and later Dean of Arts and Humanities at Canterbury Christ Church University.

Alf’s funeral will take place at 10.00 on Wednesday 26 October at St Teresa’s RC Church in Ashford, followed by a gathering at Godmersham Village Hall. His family have requested no flowers, but donations may be made to the Pilgrim’s Hospice if you wish.