Welcome to Assassin's Creed Wiki! Log in and join the community.
Ealhferth: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
imported>Gener4l Cl4ank4 No edit summary |
mNo edit summary |
||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
===Early life=== | ===Early life=== | ||
{{Quote|My mother would cradle me beneath the stars and whisper dovelike, "God watches over you." Then your people came. And God fixed his stout eye as they slit her throat for a copper ring. No stars threw down their spears as barbarians smeared her blood through fields of broken wheat. God watched all... and I hated him.|Ealhferth recalling his mother's death, 877.|Assassin's Creed: Valhalla|Impaling the Seax}} | {{Quote|My mother would cradle me beneath the stars and whisper dovelike, "God watches over you." Then your people came. And God fixed his stout eye as they slit her throat for a copper ring. No stars threw down their spears as barbarians smeared her blood through fields of broken wheat. God watched all... and I hated him.|Ealhferth recalling his mother's death, 877.|Assassin's Creed: Valhalla|Impaling the Seax}} | ||
Ealhferth was born into a poor and religious family who settled in northern England in the 9th century. Having a tight relationship with his mother, Ealhferth heard stories of God's permanent love and long kindness from her. However, all of this changed when his mother died at the hands of [[Norse people|Norse]] | Ealhferth was born into a poor and religious family who settled in northern England in the 9th century. Having a tight relationship with his mother, Ealhferth heard stories of God's permanent love and long kindness from her. However, all of this changed when his mother died at the hands of [[Norse people|Norse]] raiders, who killed her for a mere [[copper]] ring.<ref name="IS">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Impaling the Seax]]</ref> | ||
Starting that day, Ealhferth renounced [[Christianity]] and with the Order, he found the means for vengeance. Posing as a bishop, he controlled the people of Wincestre by using the alleged words of God.<ref name="ACV">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Breaking the Order]]</ref> | Starting that day, Ealhferth renounced [[Christianity]] and, with the Order of the Ancients, he found the means for vengeance. Posing as a bishop, he controlled the people of Wincestre by using the alleged words of God.<ref name="ACV">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Breaking the Order]]</ref> | ||
===Plotting the king's assassination=== | ===Plotting the king's assassination=== | ||
| Line 21: | Line 21: | ||
Around 877, Ealhferth and two fellow Order members in Wincestre, [[Selwyn]] and [[Hilda]], known in Order communications as The Gallows and The Quill respectively, were assigned by the [[Maegester]] [[Fulke]] to kill King [[Alfred the Great|Aelfred]] due to his collaboration with the “Poor Fellow-Soldier of Christ", an informant who sought to undermine the Order in England. Ealhferth subsequently faked his death in order to plot against the king from the shadows.<ref name="IS" /> | Around 877, Ealhferth and two fellow Order members in Wincestre, [[Selwyn]] and [[Hilda]], known in Order communications as The Gallows and The Quill respectively, were assigned by the [[Maegester]] [[Fulke]] to kill King [[Alfred the Great|Aelfred]] due to his collaboration with the “Poor Fellow-Soldier of Christ", an informant who sought to undermine the Order in England. Ealhferth subsequently faked his death in order to plot against the king from the shadows.<ref name="IS" /> | ||
Learning about the Order's plot against him, Aelfred summoned the [[Vikings|Viking]] [[shieldmaiden]] [[Eivor Varinsdottir]] to Wincestre and enlisted her help to flush out the three Ancients operating in the city. To aid her investigation, Aelfred provided the Viking with a letter from the Poor Fellow-Soldier of Christ, which mentioned The Seax, The Gallows and The Quill's cryptonyms, as well as The Seax's supposed death.<ref name="TRW">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[The Reeve of Wincestre]]</ref> | Learning about the Order's plot against him, Aelfred summoned the [[Vikings|Viking]] [[shieldmaiden]] [[Eivor Varinsdottir]] to Wincestre and enlisted her help to flush out the three Ancients operating in the city. To aid her investigation, Aelfred provided the Viking with a letter from the Poor Fellow-Soldier of Christ, which mentioned The Seax's, The Gallows', and The Quill's cryptonyms, as well as The Seax's supposed death.<ref name="TRW">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[The Reeve of Wincestre]]</ref> | ||
After eliminating both Selwyn and Hilda,<ref name="CG">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Choking the Gallows]]</ref><ref name="PQ">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Plucking the Quill]]</ref> Eivor discussed The Seax's fate with the [[ | After eliminating both Selwyn and Hilda,<ref name="CG">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Choking the Gallows]]</ref><ref name="PQ">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Plucking the Quill]]</ref> Eivor discussed The Seax's fate with the [[reeve]] [[Goodwin]]. To determine the validity of the Ancient's death, Eivor decided to attend Bishop Ealhferth's funeral, which was set to take place in [[Saint Peter's Church]]'s courtyard.<ref name="IS" /> | ||
===Death=== | ===Death=== | ||
{{Quote|With my death, The Order will not die. It will only transform... into something far worse for all of us.|Ealhferth to Eivor in his final moments, 877.|Assassin's Creed: Valhalla|Impaling the Seax}} | {{Quote|With my death, The Order will not die. It will only transform... into something far worse for all of us.|Ealhferth to Eivor in his final moments, 877.|Assassin's Creed: Valhalla|Impaling the Seax}} | ||
[[File:ACV Impaling the Seax 8.png|thumb|250px|Eivor assassinating Ealhferth]] | [[File:ACV Impaling the Seax 8.png|thumb|250px|Eivor assassinating Ealhferth]] | ||
During the funeral, the body in question proved to be that of a random man. When [[Harriet]], Ealhferth's sister, was rightfully accused of burning the dead man's face to make him more difficult to identify, she refused to talk anymore and summoned the [[Soldier|guards]] to attack Eivor. However, the guards were defeated and Harriet revealed that Ealhferth was at the [[Witan Hall]] to convince Aelfred to abdicate the throne of [[Wessex]]. Ealhferth's true plan, however, was to strike Aelfred down during his speech.<ref name="IS" /> | During the funeral, the body in question proved to be that of a random [[Leof|man]]. When [[Harriet]], Ealhferth's sister, was rightfully accused of burning the dead man's face to make him more difficult to identify, she refused to talk anymore and summoned the [[Soldier|guards]] to attack Eivor. However, the guards were defeated, and Harriet revealed that Ealhferth was at the [[Witan Hall]] to convince Aelfred to abdicate the throne of [[Wessex]]. Ealhferth's true plan, however, was to strike Aelfred down during his speech.<ref name="IS" /> | ||
Moments later, at the Witan Hall, Ealhferth was hiding among the guards bearing the same appearance. Waiting for the right time, Ealhferth walked up in front of | Moments later, at the Witan Hall, Ealhferth was hiding among the guards bearing the same appearance. Waiting for the right time to strike, Ealhferth walked up in front of Aelfred and announced his attack. However, before the bishop could deliver the first blow, he was assassinated by Eivor, saving Aelfred's life and putting an end to the Order's plots against him.<ref name="IS" /> | ||
Prior to his demise, Ealhferth had left Harriet a key, which she subsequently gave to Eivor. This key unlocked | Prior to his demise, Ealhferth had left Harriet a key, which she subsequently gave to Eivor. This key unlocked the entrance to the [[Temple of Mithras, Winchester|Temple of Mithras]], under the [[Bishop's Residence]], which was used by the Order as a base of operations. There, Eivor found an unsealed letter detaling Ealhferth and Fulke's plan to eliminate King Aelfred.<ref name="IS" /> After his death, Ealhferth was succeeded as bishop by Tunbeorht.<ref name="DTVA">''[[Discovery Tour: Viking Age]]''</ref> | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
*Historically, there was a Bishop of Wincestre named Ealhferth, who died between 871 and 877.<ref name="Wiki">{{WP|Ealhferth}}</ref> | *Historically, there was a Bishop of Wincestre named Ealhferth, who died between 871 and 877.<ref name="Wiki">{{WP|Ealhferth}}</ref> | ||
*Like other Order members, Ealhferth's cutscene in the [[Memory Corridor]] differs. His confession | *Like other Order members, Ealhferth's cutscene in the [[Memory Corridor]] differs. His confession consists of the shadows of Danes surrounding Ealhferth as he proclaims that his death will start a new, worse [[Templars|Order]], before throwing his [[Order of the Ancients medallion|medallion]] towards Eivor and walking into his grave. | ||
*Ealhferth's facial profile is not seen until his cutscene in the Memory Corridor. In fact, the given profile is similar to the Order's [[Zealots]]. | *Ealhferth's facial profile is not seen until his cutscene in the Memory Corridor. In fact, the given profile is similar to the Order's [[Zealots]]. | ||
*Ealhferth is similar to his fellow Order members [[Herefrith|The Crozier]], [[Frideswid|The Leech]], [[Ingeborg|The Firebrand]], and [[Blaeswith|The Rake]], in that they all faked their Christian beliefs in public, while in reality they believed in the "true" [[Isu|Gods]] who created humanity. | *Ealhferth is similar to his fellow Order members [[Herefrith|The Crozier]], [[Frideswid|The Leech]], [[Ingeborg|The Firebrand]], and [[Blaeswith|The Rake]], in that they all faked their Christian beliefs in public, while in reality they believed in the "true" [[Isu|Gods]] who had created humanity. | ||
*Ealhferth's assassination shares several similarities with the assassination of [[Robert de Sablé]] from the 2007 video game ''[[Assassin's Creed]]''. Both try to kill the protagonist during a funeral and use a decoy to deceive their murderer. | *Ealhferth's assassination shares several similarities with the assassination of [[Robert de Sablé]] from the 2007 video game ''[[Assassin's Creed]]''. Both try to kill the protagonist during a funeral and use a decoy to deceive their murderer. | ||
Latest revision as of 02:39, 4 May 2026
Ealhferth (died 877), also known as The Seax, was Bishop of Wincestre from 871 until his death. Secretly, he was also a member of the Wardens of Faith sect of the Order of the Ancients in England. Holding the rank of Preost, Ealhferth faked his death in order to remain hidden from prying eyes within the city of Wincestre.
Biography[edit | edit source]
Early life[edit | edit source]
- "My mother would cradle me beneath the stars and whisper dovelike, "God watches over you." Then your people came. And God fixed his stout eye as they slit her throat for a copper ring. No stars threw down their spears as barbarians smeared her blood through fields of broken wheat. God watched all... and I hated him."
- ―Ealhferth recalling his mother's death, 877.[src]-[m]
Ealhferth was born into a poor and religious family who settled in northern England in the 9th century. Having a tight relationship with his mother, Ealhferth heard stories of God's permanent love and long kindness from her. However, all of this changed when his mother died at the hands of Norse raiders, who killed her for a mere copper ring.[1]
Starting that day, Ealhferth renounced Christianity and, with the Order of the Ancients, he found the means for vengeance. Posing as a bishop, he controlled the people of Wincestre by using the alleged words of God.[2]
Plotting the king's assassination[edit | edit source]
Around 877, Ealhferth and two fellow Order members in Wincestre, Selwyn and Hilda, known in Order communications as The Gallows and The Quill respectively, were assigned by the Maegester Fulke to kill King Aelfred due to his collaboration with the “Poor Fellow-Soldier of Christ", an informant who sought to undermine the Order in England. Ealhferth subsequently faked his death in order to plot against the king from the shadows.[1]
Learning about the Order's plot against him, Aelfred summoned the Viking shieldmaiden Eivor Varinsdottir to Wincestre and enlisted her help to flush out the three Ancients operating in the city. To aid her investigation, Aelfred provided the Viking with a letter from the Poor Fellow-Soldier of Christ, which mentioned The Seax's, The Gallows', and The Quill's cryptonyms, as well as The Seax's supposed death.[3]
After eliminating both Selwyn and Hilda,[4][5] Eivor discussed The Seax's fate with the reeve Goodwin. To determine the validity of the Ancient's death, Eivor decided to attend Bishop Ealhferth's funeral, which was set to take place in Saint Peter's Church's courtyard.[1]
Death[edit | edit source]
During the funeral, the body in question proved to be that of a random man. When Harriet, Ealhferth's sister, was rightfully accused of burning the dead man's face to make him more difficult to identify, she refused to talk anymore and summoned the guards to attack Eivor. However, the guards were defeated, and Harriet revealed that Ealhferth was at the Witan Hall to convince Aelfred to abdicate the throne of Wessex. Ealhferth's true plan, however, was to strike Aelfred down during his speech.[1]
Moments later, at the Witan Hall, Ealhferth was hiding among the guards bearing the same appearance. Waiting for the right time to strike, Ealhferth walked up in front of Aelfred and announced his attack. However, before the bishop could deliver the first blow, he was assassinated by Eivor, saving Aelfred's life and putting an end to the Order's plots against him.[1]
Prior to his demise, Ealhferth had left Harriet a key, which she subsequently gave to Eivor. This key unlocked the entrance to the Temple of Mithras, under the Bishop's Residence, which was used by the Order as a base of operations. There, Eivor found an unsealed letter detaling Ealhferth and Fulke's plan to eliminate King Aelfred.[1] After his death, Ealhferth was succeeded as bishop by Tunbeorht.[6]
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- Historically, there was a Bishop of Wincestre named Ealhferth, who died between 871 and 877.[7]
- Like other Order members, Ealhferth's cutscene in the Memory Corridor differs. His confession consists of the shadows of Danes surrounding Ealhferth as he proclaims that his death will start a new, worse Order, before throwing his medallion towards Eivor and walking into his grave.
- Ealhferth's facial profile is not seen until his cutscene in the Memory Corridor. In fact, the given profile is similar to the Order's Zealots.
- Ealhferth is similar to his fellow Order members The Crozier, The Leech, The Firebrand, and The Rake, in that they all faked their Christian beliefs in public, while in reality they believed in the "true" Gods who had created humanity.
- Ealhferth's assassination shares several similarities with the assassination of Robert de Sablé from the 2007 video game Assassin's Creed. Both try to kill the protagonist during a funeral and use a decoy to deceive their murderer.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
-
Ealhferth helmet-less -
Ealhferth with Eivor and Odin in the Memory Corridor
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (first appearance)
- Discovery Tour: Viking Age (mentioned only)
- The World of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Journey to the North – Logs and Files of a Hidden One (mentioned only)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Impaling the Seax
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Breaking the Order
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – The Reeve of Wincestre
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Choking the Gallows
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Plucking the Quill
- ↑ Discovery Tour: Viking Age
- ↑
Ealhferth on Wikipedia