Two men have been charged after pieces of a historically significant Viking treasure were recovered during a police investigation.
Raids on two properties in County Durham and Lancashire led to the discovery in 2019 of coins and silver bars estimated to be worth nearly £ 1million.
They came from undeclared Viking treasure and are said to be of major historical significance.
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The treasury includes coins from Alfred the Great of Wessex and his lesser-known contemporary Ceolwulf II of Mercia.
It is considered important because it fills a gap in the understanding of history at that time.
Until now, accounts have suggested that Ceolwulf of Mercia was a Viking puppet and a minor nobleman rather than an actual king.
But the plays tell a very different historical story and show two leaders side by side as allies.
King Alfred inflicted a major defeat on the Vikings in 878 and experts at the British Museum believe the pieces belong to a treasure corresponding to the location of the Viking army at that time.
A 44-year-old man, from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, and a 73-year-old man, from Loveclough, Lancashire, were both charged with Conspiracy to Convert Criminal Property and Possession of Criminal Property between September 2018 and May 2019.
The 73-year-old has also been charged with possession of criminal property.
They are on unconditional bail and will appear in Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on September 7.
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