Who was uncle george in Catherine Called Birdy?

In "Catherine, Called Birdy" by Karen Cushman, Uncle George is Catherine's kind and somewhat unconventional uncle. He is a traveling merchant who brings excitement and stories from afar, contrasting with the rigid expectations of Catherine's life. His visits provide her with a sense of hope and a glimpse of a different life beyond her medieval constraints. Uncle George's character represents the possibility of adventure and the importance of familial support in Catherine's journey for independence.