Eric was born in Thelwall in the Autumn of 919; his mother was Aelfwyn, daughter of Aethelred, Lord of the Mercians. He had an older half-brother who had the ear of his father and who was destined to inherit his father's titles and lands.

When his father lay dying, his mother, with whom he had a very close relationship, assisted him in escaping from the encampment. He took with him his daughter, Erica but his wife, Sigrid, who was tending his father at the time, had to remain. She had been aware of his plans and had agreed that he must escape, for his half-brother had made plain that upon his elevation to the position of commander, Eric was to be killed to prevent him challenging his inheritance.

One of his mothers most trusted servants assisted his escape by taking him away from the encampment in a boat. Silently drifting with the current, they avoided the watchful eyes of the guardsmen, and fled in the middle of the night. He landed Erica and Eric a few miles down river and returned.

They had walked along the bank of the river for some time trying to find some shelter, when they came upon another encampment. At first Eric was nervous of entering the encampment for fear that it may be led by someone friendly to his sibling. As he considered this fact, a tent opened, and a man who had recently visited his father's encampment selling fine leatherwork emerged. He spotted Eric hiding in the trees, and called out to him, alerting the rest of encampment. Soon the two fugitives were before the Jarl, Olaf Haroldson. The Jarl asked his reasons for fleeing his own settlement, and was sympathetic to his plight, perhaps seeing some future advantage in helping the refugees. Eric was offered a place with the community of Darhg de Belne, and father and daughter were made welcome in the camp.

Eric now earns his daily ale and bread by making the fine ornaments and jewelry that he was once accustomed to wearing himself. A doughty warrior and nimble fingered artist in metal, he talks little about his past to strangers, but longs for the day when he may return to rescue Sigrid, and regain the high-born status from which he is exiled.