Ealdrid

A Saxon minstrel, Ealdrid is the son of Edward, a Saxon thane of Mercia who fought alongside Eadric the Wild in rebellion against the Normans. After the rebellion's defeat, Edward and his family hid rather than submitting to the Conqueror. Ealdrid was born during these years of hiding, but soon after his birth Edward was slain by the Normans.

For several years, the young Saxon and his family continued to move from village to village, avoiding the scrutiny of the Norman lords, until eventually, they settled in the manor of Hardwick. There the clever Ealdrid was taken as a student by the young parish priest, Father Alnoth. From Alnoth, Ealdrid learned his letters and some Latin but, above all, he took to music and the wisdom of the old bards - for Ealdrid had inherited the gift of his forefathers: the Sight.

When he came of age, Ealdrid struck out on his own, wandering the Welsh Marches as a minstrel and playing in village and court alike. He carries with him a lute, the sword of his forefathers, and a magical wolf-pelt cloak of his own making.