Page "Ealdred (bishop)" Paragraph 4

Ealdred was probably born in the west of England, and could be related to Lyfing, his predecessor as bishop of Worcester.

His family, from Devonshire, may have been well-to-do.

Another relative was Wilstan or Wulfstan, who under Ealdred's influence became Abbot of Gloucester.

Ealdred was a monk in the cathedral chapter at Winchester Cathedral before becoming abbot of Tavistock Abbey about 1027, an office he held until about 1043.

Even after leaving the abbacy of Tavistock, he continued to hold two properties from the abbey until his death.

During his tenure as abbot, he supported the abbey with gifts ; the medieval chronicler William of Malmesbury said that they were splendid and many.

No contemporary documents relating to Ealdred's time as abbot have been discovered.