Career
In surviving charters, between at least 736 and 757, Heardberht features as a witness to at least seven, and he is described as the king"s brother in two. Attesting as dux, praefectus and perhaps auxiliator, he was one of the leading ealdormen of Æthelbald"s reign, and part of a regular king"s council or witan. He often features alongside Bercol, perhaps the most senior ealdorman or patricius, ealdorman Offa (14 charter appearances), Wilfrid (6 appearances), Eadberht (6 appearances), Sigebed (6 appearances), Cyneberht (4 appearances), Ealdwulf (3 appearances) and Eadbald (3 appearances).