Bartholomew (Pillars of the Earth)

Earl Bartholomew is a character featured in The Pillars of the Earth. He is the father of both Richard and Aliena, and is the Earl of Shiring at the beginning of the novel. It is his actions and his oath that causes Aliena to make many decisions in her life which are selfless, yet ultimately cause her to be unhappy. Even so, Aliena and Richard both respect her Father immensely.