# Ordwulf

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Not to be confused with [Ordulf, Duke of Saxony](/source/Ordulf,_Duke_of_Saxony).

**Ordwulf** or **Ordulf** (died after 1005) was the son of [Ordgar](/source/Ordgar), [Ealdorman of Devon](/source/Ealdorman_of_Devon) (died 971). His sister was Queen [Ælfthryth](/source/%C3%86lfthryth,_wife_of_Edgar), third wife of King [Edgar](/source/Edgar_the_Peaceful) (born 943, died 975; ruled 959-975)*The Peaceful* and mother of King [Æthelred II](/source/%C3%86thelred_the_Unready) (c. 968-1016) *The Unready*, during whose reign Ordwulf was a major figure.[1]

Ordwulf did not succeed his father as [ealdorman](/source/Ealdorman) but was however described by the chronicler [John of Worcester](/source/John_of_Worcester) as *[Dumnoniae](/source/Dumnonia) Primus*, that is "First in Devon". This suggests he may have held the office of "High Reeve of Devon", and was possibly [reeve](/source/Reeve_(England)) of the royal manor of [Lifton](/source/Lifton,_Devon) in Devon, which also included lands in East Cornwall.[2]

He attested diplomas from 980 and in 993 was referred to as one of the king's chief counsellors.[3] He frequently attested with *Brihtwold*, another royal kinsman.[4] Together with Æthelmar and Wulfgeat the king's *"beloved thane"* he encouraged the king to restore the lands and liberties of [Abingdon Abbey](/source/Abingdon_Abbey) in Oxfordshire.[5] According to [Goscelin](/source/Goscelin), together with his nephew King Æthelred he saw a vision of the king's recently deceased illegitimate half-sister [Edith of Wilton](/source/Edith_of_Wilton) (961-984)(Saint Edith) which led to the translation of her relics thirteen years after her death.[6] He received a bequest of two valuable books, *[Hrabanus](/source/Hrabanus)* and a [martyrology](/source/Martyrology), in the will of [Ælfwold III (Bishop of Crediton)](/source/%C3%86lfwold_III_(Bishop_of_Crediton)) (died 1011/1015).[7]

Ordwulf married Ælfwynn, who donated some of her Devonshire manors to her husband's foundation [Tavistock Abbey](/source/Tavistock_Abbey) including: *Hame* ([Abbotsham](/source/Abbotsham)), *Werdgete* (Worthygate, in [Parkham](/source/Parkham) parish), *Orlege* ([Orleigh](/source/Orleigh_Court)) and *Anri* ([Annery](/source/Annery,_Monkleigh)).[8]

Older historians thought that [Tavistock Abbey](/source/Tavistock_Abbey) was founded in 961 by [Ordgar](/source/Ordgar)[9] but the modern consensus is that it was wholly the foundation of Ordwulf in 974;[10][11] in 981 the charter of confirmation was granted by King [Æthelred the Unready](/source/%C3%86thelred_the_Unready), Ordwulf's nephew.

Ordwulf disappears as a witness in surviving charters after 1005, but is recorded as still living at that date.[12] He retired as a monk to his foundation of Tavistock Abbey.[13]

## References

1. Williams, Ann (2003). [*Athelred the Unready: The Ill-Counselled King*](https://books.google.com/books?id=3EMHHtK4V1EC&q=ordwulf&pg=PA29). A&C Black. p. 2. ISBN 9781852853822.

1. Williams, 2003, p. 29.

1. Williams, 2003, p. 29.

1. Williams, 2003, p. 32.

1. Williams, 2003, p. 37.

1. Williams, 2003, p. 15.

1. Williams, 2003, p. 39.

1. Thorn, Caroline & Frank, (eds.) *Domesday Book*, (Morris, John, gen. ed.) Vol. 9, *Devon*, Parts 1 & 2, Chichester: Phillimore Press, 1985, part 2 (notes), chap. 5

1. Vol. 26. pp. 457–458.

1. ["Tavistock Abbey"](https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1020401). [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). 2001-08-28. Retrieved 2020-09-23.

1. Freeman, Mary et al. (2012). "Ordulf's Shadow in Tavistock". *Aspects of Devon History*. Bliss, Jane et al. (ed.). Devon History Society. pp. 23–36. ISBN 978-0-903766-02-9.

1. Williams, 2003, p. 69.

1. Williams, 2003, p. 38; p. 177, note 136.

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