# Earl Wolf — Styrbiorn the Strong character guide

> Earl Wolf in Styrbiorn the Strong by E. R. Eddison.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Earl, The Earl, the Earl, the Wolf

**First appearance:** 0009-vii-eric-and-styrbiorn

## Snapshot

A powerful Swedish earl and Styrbiorn's foster-father, who rides into camp on the eve of war bearing tidings he would rather not deliver.

## Who they are

Earl Wolf comes to Styrbiorn's camp by night and finds his foster-son sleeping beside the fire like a man on his bridal night, and the sight gives him pause. He is caught between the old bonds of fosterage and the hard political realities that have made him an ally of King Eric, and his silence before the sleeping Styrbiorn is the silence of a man who knows what morning will bring. When he finally speaks, his question—whether Styrbiorn will turn back even now—carries the weight of a foster-father's love and a seasoned warrior's clear-eyed dread.

## Relationships

### [King Eric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/king_eric)

_professional_

Earl Wolf is a loyal jarl and military commander serving under King Eric.

### [Styrbiorn the Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/styrbiorn_the_strong)

_rivalry_

Earl Wolf is an enemy of Styrbiorn, fighting against him in battle.

### [An](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/an)

_rivalry_

An and Earl Wolf are enemies, meeting on opposite sides of the conflict.

### [King Eric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/king_eric)

_professional_

Earl Wolf is a loyal jarl and military commander serving under King Eric.

### [An](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/an)

_rivalry_

An and Earl Wolf are enemies, meeting on opposite sides of the conflict.

### [King Eric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/king_eric)

_professional_

Earl Wolf is a loyal jarl and military commander serving under King Eric.

### [Styrbiorn the Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/styrbiorn_the_strong)

_rivalry_

Earl Wolf is an enemy of Styrbiorn, fighting against him in battle.

### [Styrbiorn the Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/styrbiorn_the_strong)

_rivalry_

Earl Wolf is an enemy of Styrbiorn, fighting against him in battle.

## In the story

### [I: On King Olaf's Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/i-on-king-olaf-s-howe)

Styrbiorn's foster-father, sent by King Eric to fetch Styrbiorn from the howe.

### [II: Thorgnyr the Lawman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/ii-thorgnyr-the-lawman)

Brings the King news of the illegal Thing and the stoning; describes Thorgnyr's inaction during the tumult.

### [IV: Jomsburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/iv-jomsburg)

Stands by Styrbiorn on the poop and warns him of the danger of the Jomsburgers' deliberation.

### [VII: Eric and Styrbiorn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/vii-eric-and-styrbiorn)

Observes the ball game and discusses the situation with Thorgnyr.

### [King Eric's Hosting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/xiv-king-eric-s-hosting)

Rides to King Eric seeking peace and warning of Styrbiorn's landing. He is rebuffed by the King, who refuses to bend.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/earl_wolf
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters