[MR] information request

[David Gilbert]

Gentles:
A friend of an aquaintance  has contacted me for references about the period of Alfred the Great.  In particular, he is looking for descriptions of the royal residence at Winchester and any description of the coronation of Ethelred in 866 or, in case that is not available to anyone in the tavern, any other ceremonious events of the period to give him a grasp of the customs of the era and place.  This man is a writer, and I gather that this is part of research for a fiction book involving the period.  Any direct information or references to either articles or books might be helpful.
Thanks for any help.
Your most obedient servant,
Njáll þorvaldsson 

Argent, a cross azure between a Maltese cross gules and a tower sable within a bordure azure.