Alfred Pennyworth is the British butler and valet to the Wayne Family. He took up the role of legal guardian of Bruce Wayne, after the murders of Bruce's parents, Dr. Thomas Wayne and his wife Martha.
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A veteran of the British special forces agency, MI-5, being the butler of the Wayne family was anything but young Alfred's dream, despite the fact that his father, Jarvis Pennyworth, considered his position both an honor and a family duty. Alfred served as an intelligence agent and field medic in World War II before retiring and taking up classical Shakespearean acting with a traveling company.
However, after hearing that his father had taken ill, Alfred made the move from England to the states and, despite his belief that his calling had been elsewhere, took up his father's position to honor the dying man's wish. Alfred worked as the Wayne's butler, helping both Thomas and Martha with care of the manor as well as with raising their young son, Bruce. When tragedy struck and the elder Waynes were murdered in Crime Alley, Alfred became Bruce's legal guardian and full time caretaker.
Years passed and Alfred eventually learned of Bruce's secret, discovered the cave entrance behind the clock, and began taking part in the daily life of the Batman as well—despite his not-so-secret concern for Bruce's health and safety. With Alfred's help, Bruce learned to create disguises and fake identities for himself to better help gather information about his targets. Alfred's army training also came in handy whenever Bruce would return from a night of crime fighting injured and unable to go to the hospital at risk of exposing his identity.
However, Alfred Pennyworth is more than just Bruce Wayne’s butler, or Batman’s confidant: Alfred is a second father to Wayne, and serves as his conscience when the never-ending fight against evil wears on the Caped Crusader. Pennyworth keeps the Bat Family together through his compassion and leadership. He has not only raised Bruce Wayne, but also the four young men who have worn the mask of Robin, the Boy Wonder: Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, and now Damian Wayne.