Sigebeald
- Eivor: ""When pride cometh, then cometh shame. But with the lowly cometh wisdom." You know these words, and you know why I speak them."
- Sigebeald: "I do. But I am not yet satisfied that you are the one for the task ahead. As Jesus said onto Thomas, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Speak the deeds of Christ in order. Only then will you cometh unto my Lord."
- —Sigebeald to Eivor, c. 877.[src]-[m]
Sigebeald was an Anglo-Saxon priest who served in The Old Minster in Wincestre during the reign of King Alfred of Wessex.
Around 877, following orders from his king, Sigebeald met with the Viking shieldmaiden Eivor Varinsdottir to facilitate a secret meeting between her and Alfred.
Biography
A confidant of King Alfred, Sigebeald was assigned by him to be his contact person and receive Eivor in the Old Minster. Sigebeald was told to respond to a phrase mentioned in a letter sent by Alfred to Eivor in her settlement of Ravensthorpe.[1]
Upon Eivor's arrival, Sigebeald received her and was given the respective phrase by the shieldmaiden. However, he declined to let her meet King Alfred just yet, and gave her the task of uncovering the deeds of Christ from manuscripts located throughout the building. After Eivor passed the test, a satisfied Sigebeald led her upstairs to Alfred's study.[1]
Personality and traits
A pious man, Sigebeald's confidence in his faith was unwavering, even when faced with a so-called "heathen." He was protective of his king, and even made Eivor search for the deeds of Christ as an act of defiance against the heathen, having to quote Christian scripture at him in order to pass. Sigebeald was also a trusted enough individual to be personally appointed by King Alfred to be his contact person.[1]
Sigebeald was a balding man with a large beard. His hair was similar to all other monks and priests of the time. He wore plain robes with minimal colored embroidery on them.[1]
Behind the scenes
Sigebeald is a character appearing in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, where he is voiced by an uncredited voice actor.
The name "Sigebeald" is Old English in origin, coming from sige (victory), and beald (brave).
Gallery
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Eivor passing Sigebeald's test
