Ealdred was probably born in the west…
1046 CE
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 is Wilstan or Wulfstan, who under Ealdred's influence will become Abbot of Gloucester.
Ealdred had been a monk in the cathedral chapter at Winchester Cathedral before becoming abbot of Tavistock Abbey about 1027, an office he had held until about 1043.
Even after leaving the abbacy of Tavistock, he continues to hold two properties from the abbey until his death.
During his tenure as abbot, he has supported the abbey with gifts; the medieval chronicler William of Malmesbury says that they were splendid and many.
No contemporary documents relating to Ealdred's time as abbot have been discovered.
Ealdred is made bishop of Worcester in 1046, a position he will hold until his resignation in 1062.
He may have acted as suffragan, or subordinate bishop, to his predecessor Lyfing before formally assuming the bishopric, as from about 1043 Ealdred had witnessed as an episcopus, or bishop, and a charter from 1045 or early 1046 names Sihtric as abbot of Tavistock.
Lyfing dies on March 26, 1046, and Ealdred becomes bishop of Worcester shortly after.
However, Ealdred does not receive the other two dioceses that Lyfing had held, Crediton and Cornwall; King Edward grants these to Leofric, who will combine the two sees at Creditonis an advisor to King Edward, and is often involved in the royal government.
He is also a military leader, and in 1046 he leads an unsuccessful expedition against the Welsh in retaliation for a raid led by the Welsh rulers Gruffydd ap Rhydderch, Rhys ap Rhydderch, and Gruffydd ap Llywelyn.
Ealdred's expedition is betrayed by some Welsh soldiers who are serving with the English, and Ealdred is defeated.
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