Settling in England Gwen's grandparents, were of Norse noble heritage. Gwen has been brought up in the ways of a shield maiden and can hold her own against any man in battle. She has been held in the court of Prince John to insure her family's compliance with John's policies and is Queen Isabella's bodyguard. Gwen is an honorable warrior and is somewhat mystified by the intense hatred between Norman and Saxon and the dislikes heaped upon her because of her heritage. She believes that ones deeds should prove ones worth and dislikes the methods used by the members of John's court, she does not voice her opinion to loudly for fear of the repercussions it will have on her family. Lady Gwen is honest, to the point, noble, courageous, and she has a warrior heart. While she is honor bound to protect the Queen she is starting to believe that she is on the wrong side of this conflict.