Ealstan was a young Forthwegian from Gromheort. During the Derlavaian War he fell in love with Vanai, a Kaunian from Ongestun. They later ran away together to the capital Eoforwic. There Ealstan spent most of the Derlavaian War as a bookkeeper. He had a daughter, Saxburh, and another child on the way when the war ended.