Aelfric of Eynsham
Little is known about Ælfric’s early life. He was born around the year 955, most likely in the region of Wessex. He was educated from a young age in the monastery of Winchester by Æthelwold, who at the time was Bishop of Winchester. Æthelwold was also one of the leading figures of the English Benedictine Reform, which aimed to replace secular priests in England with monks. This was at the time of the unified Kingdom of England, before it became a part of the North Sea Empire.