Wynnstan
Wynnstan was an East Anglian man who served as the reeve of Theotford during the 9th century.
Biography[edit | edit source]
Following Oswald of Elmenham's apparent death at the hands of the Viking Rued,[1] the towns and cities of East Anglia were subjected to numerous raids by Rued's men, including Theotford. In 873, Wynnstan was visited by the Viking shieldmaiden Eivor Varinsdottir of the Raven Clan and her companion Finnr. Wynnstan initially received them with hostility due to them being raiders like Rued and his clan. When Eivor offered her assistance, Wynnstan directed her to the nearby village of King's Bury, which had been occupied by Rued's men. After Eivor kept her promise and liberated the village, Wynnstan and his men arrived, pledging their aid to Eivor's cause against Rued's clan.[2]
Wynnstan and his men joined the forward camp north of Burgh Castle, which saw a combination of East Anglian farmers and Vikings rallying to defeat Rued. During the night, Wynnstan participated in the assault which saw the defeat of Rued and his clan, and the rescue of Oswald, who was revealed to have survived during the events in Dunwic.[3]
Later on, Wynnstan participated in the wedding and coronation ceremony of Oswald and his spouse Valdis. Wynnstan was responsible for handing over the crown to the steward Finnr, who crowned Oswald and Valdis as King and Queen of East Anglia.[4]
Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]
Wynnstan is an Anglo-Saxon name derived from the Old English words wynn, meaning 'joy', and stan, meaning 'stone'.[5]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
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Wynnstan sought out by Eivor -
Wynnstan agreeing to aid Eivor against Rued's clan -
Wynnstan handing the crown to Finnr
Appearances[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – A Triumphant Return
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Raising Iron
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – A Fury from the Sea
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Wedding Horns
- ↑ Campbell, Mike (10 January, 2017). Meaning, origin and history of the name Wynnstan. Behind the Name. Retrieved on 24 July 2020.