Ealdred was an Earl in north-east England from the death of his uncle, Eadwulf Cudel, soon after 1018[1] until his murder in 1038. He is variously described by historians as Earl of Northumbria,[2] Earl of Bernicia (northern Northumbria)[1] and Earl of Bamburgh,[3] his stronghold on the Northumbrian coast.[4] He was the son of Uhtred, Earl of Northumbria, who was murdered by Thurbrand the Hold in 1016 with the connivance of Cnut. Ealdred's mother was Ecgfrida, daughter of Aldhun, bishop of Durham.