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unusual facts about ealdorman


Ealdorman

Uhtred of Bebbanburg, hero of The Saxon Stories, a series of books written by the historical novelist Bernard Cornwell.


Æthelmær the Stout

Wulfheah is known to have been blinded after Eadric murdered his father, ealdorman Ælfhelm of York, while Wulfgeat was deprived of all his lands; it may be significant that, if correctly identified with the 'Ælmaer' in the will of Æthelstan Ætheling, Æthelmaer's estate at Hambledon also appears to have fallen into royal hands.

Æthelstan Half-King

Other people associated with Æthelstan's family include Ealdorman Byrhtnoth, whose defeat at the Battle of Maldon is commemorated in verse.

Cuthred of Wessex

In 748, Cuthred's aetheling Cynric, possibly his son, was killed (according to Henry of Huntingdon in a mutiny), while in 750 the ealdorman Æthelhun led an unsuccessful rebellion.

Gaini

In 868, before he became king, Alfred the Great married Ealhswith, daughter of a Mercian nobleman, Æthelred, known as Mucel, ealdorman of the Gaini.

Oslac of York

On the other hand Oslac is also a genuine English name, and the common Os element Oslac's name shared with the name of Osulf of Bamburgh, previous ealdorman of York, points to a connection with the Bamburgh family of the English far north.


see also