 Ealdred's mother was Ecgfrida, daughter of Aldhun, bishop of Durham.Ealdred succeeded his uncle Eadwulf Cudel as Earl of Bernicia in 1020/25, and some time probably in the mid 1020s he killed Thurbrand in revenge for his father's death.In 1038 Ealdred was murdered by Thurbrand's son, Carl.