List of Characters
Book 5: The Exiles Return
Characters are grouped firstly by the location with which the person is associated in the story, and then in alphabetical order by first name. Surnames were rare in the early medieval period, and instead people tended to be known for a notable physical characteristic (e.g. ‘ravenhair’ or ‘lame-legged’) or given a nickname (e.g. ‘troll-tamer’). This was especially common amongst the Norse, and nicknames were often amusing. A person might also be described by their role/profession or their place of residence (e.g. ‘Robert the smith’, or ‘Robert of Wilcote’). Alternatively, they might also be referred to as ‘son of...’ or ‘daughter of...’ The prefix ‘ap’ is Brythonic for ‘son of’, while ‘ferch’ means ‘daughter of.’ The Norse equivalent for daughter is ‘dóttir.’
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You can use the search function (Ctrl + F) on your browser to find a character by name in the lists below.
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DUMNONIA
CAER UISC / ESCANCEASTER (808 AD / 823-24 AD)
Aneurin ap Cadwyr (nickname ‘Nye’)
Cadwyr’s second son, prince of Dumnonia. Missing since the coup of 808 AD, presumed burned in the fires during the destruction of Dumnonia's capital, Caer Uisc. Having survived the coup, Aneurin is now known by his adopted West Saxon name, Saeric of Scirburne.
Aethelred of Twyvertun
Young Dumnonian man, freeholder from the West Saxon borderlands. Biracial with a Saxon father and Dumnonian mother. Shares a meal and drinks with Rathulf in Caer Uisc on the night of Rathulf's arrival in the city in 823. Later provides a description of Rathulf to the returned rebel leader, Camus.
Berec ap Gedyr
Nephew of Camus. Aneurin’s guardian in 808 AD, nicknamed ‘bear-bear’ by Aneurin. Accompanies the fleeing boys after the coup. Survives the collision with the Sea Swift Viking longship but is devastated by the loss of the boys who were in his care. Withdraws from society and becomes a reclusive monk in St Germanus.
Breoc
Rebel warrior. A member of Camus’ cohort on his return from exile in 823 AD. Cousin of Berec.
Bronnen ferch Hernam
Queen of Dumnonia, daughter of King Hernam of Cornubia (Kernow/Cornwall), mother of princes Aneurin and Caelin. Missing since the coup of 808 AD, presumed burned in the fires along with the two boys during the destruction of Dumnonia's capital, Caer Uisc, by Mael.
Brychan of Caer Uisc
Member of the Caer Uisc City Guard in 823 AD. Befriends Saeric.
Cadwyr ap Caradoc
King of Dumnonia, father of princes Aneurin and Caelin. Murdered by his brother Mael in the coup of 808 AD.
Caelin ap Cadwyr
Cadwyr’s youngest son, one of the two 'lost princes' of Dumnonia. Missing since the coup of 808 AD, presumed burned in the fires during the destruction of Dumnonia's capital, Caer Uisc. Was in fact taken west to St Germanus by Camus and Berec only to stumble upon a Viking raid in progress at the abbey. Caelin was taken by the Vikings to Norvegr as a baby. Now known as Rathulf Thorvaldarsson.
Camus ap Truran
Cadwyr’s brother-in-law and fyrd leader, uncle and guardian to princes Aneurin and Caelin. Formerly the leader those survivors of the ousted regime, he is forced to flee Dumnonia after leading the disastrous failed rebellion of 815 AD. Recently returned from exile in Cornugallia (Brittany) after hearing of a possible sighting of one of the lost princes.
Abbot Ceolburh of St Germanus
Former Lector of Caer Uisc Mynster, and tutor to the princes of Dumnonia before the coup. Now Abbot of Sanctus Germanus, succeeding Bishop Mewan.
Conothec, Duke of Kemper
Duke of Kemper, emissary of Cornugallia (Brittany) to Caer Uisc. Arianwyn’s father.
Elowyn ferch Cadwyr
King Cadwyr’s daughter, princess of Dumnonia. Killed during Mael’s coup in 808 AD.
Geraint of Caer Uisc
Teenage stable hand at the Caer Uisc North Gate Farrier’s in 823 AD. Exceptionally gifted equine handler. Originally captured and taken as a slave from the Welsh marches by his current master, the farrier.
Godrum, Thegn of Escanceaster
Talec’s Saxon-born inquisitor, appointed by Wessex. Assassinated in 823 AD by Kernowyons under the orders of Princess Delwen.
Archbishop Hendra
Formerly Abbot of St Germanus at the time of the coup in 808 AD. Now Archbishop of Dumnonia under King Mael. Occupies the cathedra in Caer Uisc.
Mael ap Caradoc, ‘The Usurper'
Cadwyr’s older brother, king of British Dumnonia and Frankish Domnonée. Also referred to as 'The Traitor'. Prefers to remain in his Frankish seat of Sanctus Briocus due to the better weather and more civilized surrounds.
Bishop Mewan
Bishop of Caer Uisc at the time of the coup. Found dead in the water near the abbey of St Germanus in 808 AD.
Friar Osbert
Bretonic Monk visiting Dumnonia from the sister kingdom of Cornugallia. Supporter of the rebellion. Archbishop Hendra’s older brother. Was Prior of St Germanus abbey before the coup in 808 AD. Believes that the lost princes are alive.
Owain ap Cadwyr
Cadwyr’s oldest son, crown prince (aetheling) of Dumnonia. Killed during Mael’s coup in 808 AD.
Pedyr ap Yann
Camus’ bodyguard, so technically a rebel, although he does not support it. Ruthless and handy with any bladed weapon. Normally resides at Camus’ modest estate in Cornugallia.
Penda of Caer Uisc
Member of the Caer Uisc City Guard in 823 AD. Befriends Saeric.
Talec ap Perran, ‘The Turncoat’
Earl under Cadwyr at the time of the coup, then Regent of Dumnonia under King Mael. Also King Mael’s Master-of-Coin. Aneurin and Caelin's princpal enemy. Knows the boys escaped the fires of Caer Uisc, but maintains the official version that they died in the fires alongside their mother.
Tegen ‘The Frail’
Cousin of Queen Bronnen, nursemaid to baby Caelin in 808 AD. Taken with Caelin to the heathen lands by Thorvald. Dies in Norvegr from an illness when Caelin is still only a small child.
Wilfred
Street urchin of Caer Uisc in 823 AD. Dies helping Rathulf escape from the city.
THE ABBEYS OF HLIDAFORD (ST ALDHELM'S & ST COLUMBA'S)
Arann ap Gethyn (‘The Apostate’)
Teenage novice from the newly-established Hlidaford Mynster (St Aldhelm’s Abbey). Former prince and nephew of Cadwyr.
Brother Æbbe
Chamberlain of St Aldhelm’s Abbey.
Brother Ælfwig
Lector of St Aldhelm’s Abbey.
Abbot Æthelmar
Saxon abbot of St Aldhelm’s Abbey, originally from Scirburne.
Arianwyn (‘Wyn’) ferch Conothec
Daughter of the duke of Kemper, Cornugallia (Brittany). Currently under the supervision of St Columba’s Abbey as she awaits her betrothal ceremony in Caer Uisc.
Arwel
Novice of St Aldhelm’s Abbey with severe obsessive-compulsive behaviours.
Brother Austinas
Almoner of St Aldhelm’s Abbey.
Brother Blasius
Cantor of St Aldhelm’s Abbey.
Brother Caedmon
Novice Master of St Aldhelm’s Abbey. Has been sent there by Dumnonia's Regent, Talec, to oversee Talec's foster-son's education. Originally taken in as a novice by the monastery of Iona, but much-travelled since then.
Delwen ferch Hernam
Abbess of St Columba’s Abbey (a nunnery), Hlidaford. A widowed princess of Kernow.
Derfel
Lame-legged novice of St Aldhelm’s Abbey.
Brother Godwin
Elder monk of St Aldhelm’s Abbey.
Ealdorman Guthbryht
Saxon earl and fyrdsman in the service of King Ecgberht, husband of Arianwyn. Killed in battle in service to the Wessex fyrds.
Ieuan ap Talec
Oblate of St Aldhelm’s Abbey. Foster-son of Earl Talec. A much-hated bully and abuser of the other novices and oblates.
Brother Joseph
Infirmarer and Prior of St Aldhelm’s Abbey. Formerly Lord Hywel of the Kernowyon court.
Sister Lamona
​Arianwyn’s elderly chaperone, St Columba’s Abbey.
Brother Petrus
Novice Master of St Aldhelm’s Abbey before Caedmon.
Brother Uriel
Precentor of St Aldhelm’s Abbey. Principal manuscript illustrator. Almost blind.
Brother Wigmund
Cellarer of St Aldhelm’s Abbey. Suffers from severe Kyphosis ('hunchback').
Wella
Stableboy of St Aldhelm’s Abbey.
KERNOW / CORNUBIA
Hopkin
ap Hernam
Abbess Delwen's nephew and King of Kernow in this saga. Real historical figure, who may have been a king or at the very least chieftain of some or all of Kernow in the mid 9th century.
​NORVEGR (NORWAY)
AURLANDSFJORDEN (THORVALDSBY)
Rathulf
‘Wolf-born’ Thorvaldarsson
Thorvald’s adopted son, taken in their raid on St Germanus abbey in 808 AD. Shepherd and apprentice carpenter. His petname is ‘Ra’. Is in fact one of the lost princes of Dumnonia, aka Caelin ap Cadwyr.
Thorvald ‘Wayfarer’
Rathulf’s adoptive father, Sigvald’s best friend, former Viking, master of the Sea Swift longship. Gave up raiding after his ill-fated raid on St Germanus in 808 AD.
LÆRDALSFJORDEN (SIGVALDSBY)
Astrid Ottarsdóttir
Ottar’s eldest daughter and Alrik’s girlfriend.
Freda Sigvaldsdóttir
​Sigvald’s third of four daughters.
Gormond
Slave, chief huskarl to Sigvald’s household. Originally from Northumbria.
Grinir Hrafnsson
Ottar’s brother. Viking raider. Leatherworker.
Gudrod
Viking, crewmember of the Vixen longship on the original raid of 808 AD.
Hakon
Viking, crewmember of the Storm Beater knarr (trader).
Hallkel
Viking, crewmember of the Vixen longship on the original raid of 808 AD.
Helga ‘Troll-tamer’ Thorleifsdóttir
Sigvald’s wife. Bardi’s sister. Rathulf’s foster-mother. Wealthy in her own right and owner of the Vixen longship. Also an occasional Völur (sorceress).
Hjalmar
Viking, crewmember of the Storm Beater knarr (trader).
Ingrith Sigvaldsdóttir
Sigvald’s oldest daughter and Rathulf’s first girlfriend. Alrik’s cousin. Is betrothed to Gunnar Eiriksson (much to her distaste).
Kettil
Viking, crewmember of the Vixen longship on the original raid of 808 AD.
Myran
Slave from Byzantium. Sigvald’s horse-master, originally hailing from Baghdad in the Abbasid Caliphate. Was a nobleman and cavalry general in the Abbasid armies.
Ottar ‘the Doughty’ Hrafnsson
Sigvald’s master shipwright, trader, and master of the Storm Beater knarr (trader).
Ragnar
Viking, crewmember of the Vixen longship on the original raid of 808 AD.
Sigrid Sigvaldsdóttir
Sigvald’s second of four daughters.
Sigvald ‘Jötunn-slayer’ Sigurdsson
Jarl of Lærdalsfjorden. Helga’s husband. Thorvald’s best friend. Rathulf’s foster-father. Trader, ship-builder and former Viking raider.
Tariq
Nisean (Persian) warhorse, from Byzantium. Rathulf’s extravagant coming of age gift from Sigvald.
Thora Sigvaldsdóttir
Sigvald’s fourth (youngest) of four daughters.
Torsten
Viking, crewmember of the Storm Beater knarr (trader).
The Lady Valgerd
Völur (sorceress) and Mistress of Freya. Oracle of upper Sognefjorden.
Vidar
Viking, crewmember of the Storm Beater knarr (trader).
SOGNEFJORDEN (BARDISBY)
Alrik Bardisson
Rathulf’s best friend and companion. Ingrith’s cousin. Owner of the Wave Skimmer longship. Dies after a failed attempt at Odin's Leap. He lets go of Rathulf because he believes that his friend does not wish to be his companion in love, and cannot bear the humiliation of Rathulf's rejection.
Arni Bardisson
Alrik’s younger brother.
Bardi ‘Longshanks’ Thorleifsson
Alrik’s father. Helga’s brother. Wealthy and successful Viking raider and trader. The principal shipbuilder of upper Sognefjorden, in partnership with Sigvald. Master of the Osprey longship. A Jarl of upper Sognefjorden.
Thorkel
Viking, crewmember of the Osprey longship.
Thorleif the Fair
Bardi and Helga’s father. Lawspeaker and master of the upper Sognefjorden Althing (assembly of freemen).
LUSTRAFJORDEN (EIRIKSBY & HORIKSBY)
Cnut of Årdalsfjorden
Warrior in service to Horik. Trader and Viking raider. Becomes a sworn enemy of Rathulf after Horik is murdered. Cnut cannot believe that pathetic Leif was responsible for Horik's killing, instead contending, as many do, that Rathulf killed Leif's abusive father.
Eirik ‘Ravenhair’ / ‘The Black’ Haraldsson
Jarl of Lustrafjorden. Gunnar’s father. Ruthless Viking raider and trader. Owner and master of the Sea Dragon longship. Wielder of the Neckbiter sword. Swore a blood-oath with Thorvald, Sigvald and Bardi to protect and defend Rathulf, and support the Briton if he should decide to reclaim his birthright. A Machiavellian character who is motivated first and foremost by the advancement of his own power and wealth. He sees in Rathulf a route to greater wealth and prosperity.
Gunnar Eiriksson
Eirik’s only son, and Rathulf’s rival. Is jealous of Rathulf for the Briton's good looks, popularity and the fact that he is a prince. Yet Gunnar is more capable that Rathulf in most physical pursuits, including swordsmanship, sailing, wrestling and archery. Deep down, what he wants most is his father's approval, and to win Rathulf's friendship.
Gunnhild
Eirik’s wife. Gunnar’s mother. Known to be uncompromising in negotiations.
Horik Haraldsson
Eirik’s brother. Leif's father. Viking raider. Rathulf’s sworn enemy. Rathulf hates Horik for the man's brutal treatment of his son, Leif. Horik blames Leif for his wife's death (she dies in childbirth).
Leif Horiksson
Horik’s only son and Rathulf’s second best friend. Abused by his father for years, Leif finally cracks and murders Horik by bludgeoning him to death. Then Leif betrays Rathulf by stealing Cadwyr's regalia, intending to sail to Dumnonia and impersonate the heir. He is ultimately outlawed to the northern wastelands for his crimes.
Marta
Horik’s second wife and Leif’s step-mother. She is cruel to Leif and suffers a similar fate to Horik when Leif kills his parents after suffering years of abuse.
Snorri Egilsson
Viking warrior. Eirik’s blood-brother, shield-bearer and bodyguard. Brother-in-law to Ivar Bloodtrader. Was crewmember on the original Viking raid in 808 AD, and as such, is bound by the blood-oath made by his jarl, Eirik. This causes him conflict when Rathulf kills Ivar at the Althing, and Snorri must choose between kin ties and honour ties.
GAUPNEFJORDEN (IVARSBY)
Ivar ‘Blood-trader’
Slave-trader. Jarl of Gaupnefjorden. One of Eirik’s men. Alrik’s nemesis. The most sucessful of the slavers of upper Sogneforden. Ruthless and uncompromising, and especially cruel to those of his slaves he keeps for himself. Has a particular and unwholesome interest in Rathulf and Alrik, having recognised that their relationship extends beyond mere friendship.
THE NORTHERN WASTELANDS (EGILSVIK)
Alma
Bo’s wife. Takes in Leif.
Bo
Exiled Viking. Now a fisherman. Takes in Leif.
Bodil
Bo’s and Alma's daughter. Takes a shine to Leif.
​WESTSEAXNA RĪCE (KINGDOM OF WESSEX)
WILCOTE (Thegn Baldwyn's burh)
Aelfwig
Thegn Baldwyn’s middle son.
Asaf
Teenage slave originally from Asturia (northern Spain). Bought by Edward for his sister after Sugu’s escape. Rescued by Saeric and is now Saeric’s manservant.
Thegn Baldwyn
Saxon thegn of Wilcote Burh, Wessex. Sugu’s ultimate master.
Eanswith ('Eanie')
Thegn Baldwyn’s daughter. Sugu’s abuser and nemesis.
Edward
Thegn Baldwyn’s eldest son, and another of Sugu’s abusers.
Hunlaf
Yeoman of Thegn Baldwyn. One of Eanswith’s servants. Killed by Sugu.
Osgar
Thegn Baldwyn’s youngest son.
Sugu
The name, meaning 'sow' in Saxon, given to crown prince Aneurin ap Cadwyr by his slave masters at Wilcote Burh, Wessex. Following his escape, he goes by the Saxon name of Saeric instead.
SCIRBURNE
Beornoth
Twin son of Heremund and Carwyn. His name means 'brave warrior.'
Beornwald
Twin son of Heremund and Carwyn. His name means 'powerful warrior.'
Burghild
Dunstan’s wife and lady of the manor.
Carwyn (Cara)
Heremund’s wife. Dumnonian-born noblewoman. Known for crafting fine jewellery and other fine metalwork.
Father Donagh
Librarian of Scirburne Mynster. Expert in Dumnonian history.
Thegn Dunstan
Heremund’s younger brother. Thegn of Scirburne. Resides in the family's fortified hall.
Bishop Ealhstan
Newly-appointed Bishop of Scirburne Mynster. A real historical figure, who held enormous political power, being archbishop of the whole of the Southwest, including much of Dumnonia and Cornubia (Kernow) and much of Wessex.
Hercules
Saeric’s heavy Frankish warhorse, on loan from Heremund.
Heremund ‘Iron-fist’ of Scirburne
Earl of Scirburne, Wessex, and Overlord of Dumnonia. Dunstan's older brother. Saeric’s new master. Retired general and former master-at-arms to King Ecgberht. Led the rout of Kernow in 815. Blacksmithing is his chosen retirement hobby. Despite his rank, chooses to live outside the town's defensive palisade in a modest house; having given the hall (and responsibility for the defense and wellbeing of the town) to his younger brother.
Leofwynn (Leo)
Daughter of Dunstan, niece of Heremund. Killed by brigands during an attempt to kidnap Sugu (Saeric) by Edward and Eanswith.
​Saeric 'Iron-cleaver'
Aneurin ap Cadwyr's chosen Saxon name. Apprentice to Heremund the blackmith. Earns the nickname 'iron-cleaver' after splitting an iron ring apart during his rescue of Asaf from the burning byre in Wilcote. The same Saeric means 'sea-ruler', which Aneurin chose because he beat the sea and did not drown after his skiff was wrecked in the collision with Thorvald's Viking longship.
SCEAPTESBURH
Drefan
Member of the Sceaptesburh fyrd.
Eadwald of Sceaptesburh
Ealdorman, Lord of the Dumnonian Marches. Master-at-arms to King Ecgberht. Commander of Wessex’s borderlands army. Heremund’s former second-in-command. Saeric’s mentor in military strategy and nobility. Hildelith’s Godfather. Led the Wessex fyrds under Heremund in the rout of Kernow in 815. Is conspiring with Gerard's (Ethelheard's) mother to depose Ecgberht and install Ethelheard on the Wessex throne. Also claims that Saeric is his illegitimate son and heir.
Ethelheard
Prince Ethelheard of Wessex. Allegedly plotted to kill King Beorhtric of Wessex in 803 AD in an attempt to claim the throne. Former Bishop of Wintanceaster. Now goes by the name of Gerard of Sceaptesburh, who is a semi-retired soldier of the Sceaptesburh fyrd. Friend of Heremund and Eadwald. Cousin of Eadwald. He is Saeric’s mentor in both martial skills and the ways of a prince. He is not keen on his mother's plot, but has little say in the matter.
Gerard
See Ethelheard above.
Hildelith of Sceaptesburh
Gerard’s daughter. Sword-woman. Falls for Saeric. Was a Princess of Wessex before the titles were stripped from her family after King Beorhtric's murder.
Manni
Villein’s son who Saeric takes into service in his household.
Osric
Member of the Sceaptesburh fyrd.
Rodor
Senior member of Sceaptesburh fyrd. Manservant to Ealdorman Eadwald. Saeric’s ‘drill sergeant’ and sparring partner in the garrison.
Selwin
Young (and naive) recruit of the Sceaptesburh garrison whom Saeric befriends. Is in fact a spy from Wilcote in the employ of Eanswith.
Brother Sigebert
Monk of Sceaptesburh Mynster. Saeric’s tutor in reading, writing and history. Saeric beats Sigebert badly after the monk insults him one too many times.