Harriet
Harriet was an Anglo-Saxon woman who lived in Wincestre in the 9th century. The sister of Bishop Ealhferth, Harriet held a strong position against both the Vikings' and the Order of the Ancients' presence in England, yet she continued to support her brother after he joined the latter group.
Biography[edit | edit source]
Early life[edit | edit source]
Like Ealhferth, Harriet grew up in the north of England and followed the tenets of Christianity along with her family. During the Viking expansion in England, her family was attacked and her mother died during a raid conducted by Vikings, who stole her copper ring.[1]
While this incident led both Harriet and Ealhferth to develop a grudge against the Danes, the former remained faithful to God, unlike her brother, who denounced Christianity altogether. In their adulthood, Harriet and Ealhferth moved to Wincestre, where Ealhferth was secretly recruited into the Order of the Ancients and rose to become the city's bishop.[1]
Life in Wincestre[edit | edit source]
Around 877, Ealhferth plotted to assassinate King Alfred, a plan that required him to fake his death. Harriet assisted her brother, yet remained unaware of his intentions, believing Ealhferth merely intended to convince Alfred to step down from the throne. During Ealhferth's "funeral" at Saint Peter's Church, Harriet prayed over her brother's apparent dead body while talking to the attendees. However, she was soon confronted by the Viking Eivor Varinsdottir of the Raven Clan, who deduced Ealhferth's ploy.[1]
Harriet admitted her part in the funeral sham and called the guards on Eivor, who quickly defeated them. The Viking then confronted Harriet again, who revealed that Ealhferth had gone to Witan Hall to confront Alfred and convince him to renounce the crown. Knowing Ealhferth actually intended to murder the king, Eivor rushed to the hall and was able to save Alfred, assassinating Ealhferth before he could strike.[1]
Following her brother's death, Harriet discovered his body and fell down in tears. Mad at Eivor, Harriet asked why Ealhferth had to die, to which the Viking explained that Ealhferth was part of the Order of the Ancients and had attempted to kill King Alfred. She then showed her a key from Ealhferth and asked what it was for. Harriet stated that Eivor had shown her kindness throughout the entire ordeal while the Order had led her brother astray, and directed her to Ealhferth's home to find the answers she sought.[1]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
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Eivor confronting Harriet at the funeral -
Eivor telling Harriet of Ealhferth's plan to kill Alfred -
Harriet directing Eivor to her brother's home
Appearances[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]