Nottingham's past is shrouded in mystery; all that is known about this enigmatic assassin is that he used to live in Britain working as a freelance assassin, has since proved useful to the Japanese Yakuza, and finally fell into the service of Kenneth Irons.

Ian is a man who knows how to hide his feelings. He keeps hidden all signs of emotion while committing his cruel and flamboyant killings. When Nottingham betrayed Irons at Cauty Tower his mentor didn't see the attack coming... though still managed to better the young assassin. Nottingham appears to have since been forgiven for this betrayal.

He is also unique in being the only man ever known to wielding the Witchblade for a prolonged period of time. Utilising a carefully crafted rune on his right back-hand, Nottingham has some control over the Witchblade's deadly powers.