The biography of Hereward

REPRODUCED FROM A HISTORY OF LINCOLNSHIRE
WRITTEN BY WILLIAM MARRAT 1814-17

HEREWARD WAS the younger son of Leofric, Earl of Mercia, tall of stature and of a graceful carriage, fierce and warlike in his manner, and of a warm, impetuous temper. Daring and ambitious in his youthful days, his hand was raised against every one, and everyone’s hand against him; for when the youths of his age went to wrestlings and such like Herculean sports, unless he triumphed over all, and his playfellows conceded to him the laurel of victory, he very frequently endeavoured to extort by his sword what he could not gain by his muscular strength. Nor does he appear to have swayed his tyrannic rod solely over his equals, his parents were oft the objects of his immoderate fierceness.

At length, unable longer to brook his tyranny, the neighbouring youths complain; his father’s anger is excited against him; he states to Edward the numerous tricks that had been practised, even upon himself as well as others, by his unruly son; and our hero is banished from his home and country by the king’s express command, in order to expiate his errors in a foreign land.

Notwithstanding his extreme youth, being not more than eighteen, without friends, and an exile, Hereward proceeds fearlessly to Northumbria, thence to Cornwall, Ireland and afterwards to Flanders.

At this period, Flanders was in a state of continuous warfare with the adjoining states; it was therefore deemed by Hereward a fair field wherein he might prove his prowess and gather the laurel of victory. Accordingly, he proceeds to court, tenders his services, and is appointed to a post in the army.

Anxious to redeem his character, and to prove himself worthy of the stem from which he sprang, he hastens to the hostile field, and among the opposing ranks of numerous foes, he fought for and gained a glorious reputation in arms. Ever foremost in danger, and in battle always opposing the bravest, boldly leading on to victory and conquest, is was doubtful whether he was more fortunate or more brave. His victories were always complete, and he escaped without harm from the most sanguinary conflicts. The fame of his prowess and military achievements soon spread to England, and the bards sang the heroic deeds of their gallant countryman throughout the land. His cruelty towards his parents was now forgot; their dislike was changed into the most ardent affection; and even his enemies could not withhold their admiration and esteem.

In Flanders, his fame obtained for him the head of Turfrida, the daughter of a noble chieftain of that realm, and by her he had a daughter. Having returned to his own country, he signalised himself against William the Conqueror in the Isle of Ely.

Stigand, Archbishop of Canterbury, whom the Conqueror affected not, fled into this isle for safety; so likewise did Egfrid then Abbot of St. Albans, with the reliques [relics] of that Saint, and treasure of his church; as also Edwine and Morkere, two great and potent Earls of this nation, with Egelwine, Bishop of Durham, besides many thousands of the clergy and laity. And understanding that Hereward, Lord of Brunne, of Lincolnshire, was returned from beyond [the] sea, they forthwith sent for him, desiring that he would repair thither with all his power, and join with them in the defence of their native country, and redeeming their just liberties; and in particular they importuned him, on behalf of Thurstane, then Abbot of that place, and his Monks, the said island wholly was, and on whose behalf the same was then fortified against the king, that he would make no delay, because the said king brought in a foreign Monk out of France, to obtrude upon them as Abbot there; and that he purposed to do the like in all other churches throughout England.

To which request of theirs Hereward, willingly condescended, and forthwith began his journey toward them accordingly; whereof the Earl Warren having notice, whose brother, long before the said Hereward had killed, he laid ambushes for him on the outside of the fens belonging to this isle, and kept guards about the waters near to the land, hoping to take him cunningly without any slaughter of his own men; but Hereward being aware thereof, as also that some of those guards had encountered with part of his soldiers and pursued them, he came in to their aid; and by taking some of them, discovering that the said Earl had set these ambushes for him, and likewise that he was on the morrow to be at Poherhed, he hastened thither with his ships, and placing some armed soldiers near the bank of the river, went himself with three horsemen and four archers, well armed, unto the mouth thereof; where the Earl himself with his men was then also come on the other side; and seeing them, sent some of his party nearer; who enquiring whether they belonged to Hereward, and finding that they did, endeavoured to persuade them to forsake him; but prevailing not, they returned to the Earl, and told him, that Hereward himself was on the other side of the water. Whereupon the said Earl animated his soldiers to swim over with him presently, and revenge his brother’s death: but they told him, that it was not possible so to do, saying, that his coming thither was purposely thus to delude them; whereupon the Earl sighing, said to them on the other side of the water, “Oh that I had that devilish fellow (your master) here! I would certainly torment him to death.” To which words of his Hereward replied, “If we should happen to be so fortunate as to meet alone in any fit place, you would not wish me in your feeble hands, nor like well of my company,” and having so said, stooping a little, he bent his bow, and letting fly an arrow, hit the Earl on the breast, but his coat of mail would not suffer it to enter; nevertheless, it came with such a force, that it struck him off his horse, so that his servants took him up for dead in their arms. In the meanwhile, Hereward went away, and came with his company into the isle the same day, where he was received with great honour by the Abbot and his monks; as also by those noble persons, that were there viz. Edwine, Earl of Leicester, and Morkere his brother, the Earl of Warwick, and other eminent men of the country, who having been much oppressed by the Conqueror, fled thither.

Whereof the king hearing, and being much enraged thereat, he resolved to get the isle by assault; and to that end caused a rendezvous of his whole army at Alrehed (near which place there is a military rampire [rampart] yet to be seen) where the fen was four furlongs in breadth; and having brought store of wood, stone, and faggots of all kinds, with a multitude of trees and great pieces of timber, fastened them together underneath with cow hides; and to the end that they might the better pass over them, they stript off the skins of beasts, and filled them with wind like bladders; which being done, there were so many that pressed on to get over, being greedy of the gold and silver, whereof they supposed store to be in the isle, that they that went foremost were drowned, with their bridge, and those in the midst became swallowed up in the depth of the fen: but of those that were hindmost, a few, throwing away their weapons, made a shift by the mud to escape; nevertheless, multitudes perished in this adventure, whose bodies were long after found, putrified in their harness, and dragged out from the bottom of the water; but one only man (whose name was Beda) getting into the isle.

The king therefore, beholding this lamentable disaster, and much grieving thereat, departed thence with those few which he had left, without any hope to conquer it, placing guards of soldiers about it, to prevent those within from wasting the country. In the meantime the said Beda, being taken, and brought before the chief persons that were in the isle, and asked why he so boldly adventured himself, told them that the king did promise that whosoever should first enter, and do some notable exploit there, to the danger of those that defended it, let him ask what he would of any man’s therein, and he should obtain it; which when they heard, they commended his valour, and kept him there with them for certain days, using him with great respect. Having therefore had this experience of their civilities, and observed how secure the place was, by reason of the fortifications there made, as also the number and valour of the soldiers therein; he professed, that as he had often heard them reputed to be persons more expert in war than others, he now found it to be true, and faithfully promised them, upon liberty to go back to the king’s camp, that he would there relate as much; which he accordingly did, all being joyful to see him safe returned, even the king himself, for he was one of his most eminent soldiers; unto whom he related the strength of the isle, and his own adventure; and that those Earls before mentioned were there, with two noblemen viz; Ogar and Thirchitell, surnamed Childe; but extolled Hereward not only beyond them all, comparing him with the most famous knights which he had seen through France, the whole Roman Empire, or Constantinople.

At which story the Earl Warren took so much offence, not enduring to hear such a commendation of him that had slain his brother, and suggested to the king, that the relator was bribed to make so partial a report. But the king, going on in making more enquiry of his particular observations there, had this further account from him; that the Monks of this place, fearing to be subject to a foreigner, in regard the king had designed to bring over such out of France, to be chief of all monasteries, and churches of England; did entertain those there for their defence, and thereupon fortified the said isle; affirming that they were much more willing to live by the labour of their hands, than to be reduced to such a servitude. And that the same isle was not then at all burthened by those forces.

Adding, that every day whilst he stayed with them, the fashion of their sitting at dinner and supper, in the common hall, was a Knight and a Monk; and at the upper table the Abbot himself, with the said Earl; as also Hereward and Turkill before specified. Likewise, that above the head of each Knight and Monk, hung a target and lance upon the wall; and in the midst of the room, upon forms, lay coats of mail and helmets, with other arms; that, when any occasions should be, the Monks always, as well as the soldiers, might be ready to go to fight, whom he found to be most expert men at their weapons. And moreover, magnified their plenty of all things there, that he said he thought it much better and more safe for the king to come to peaceable terms with them, than to adventure to assail them by force, and miscarry in the attempt.

Which speech of his being thus ended, there stept out one of those soldiers that the king had employed to keep the fort made at Reche, in order to the siege of this isle; who being newly returned from thence, having heard this relation of the before mentioned Beda, said: “Do you think this to be a vain report, and not to be believed? I assure you that yesterday I myself saw a party of the enemy make a sally out of the isle, whereof but seven of them were armed; and all Monks except two, who behaved themselves in every point like soldiers, fired the town of Burwell, doing much mischief otherwise; which when our men saw, ten of them issued out of the fort, with a purpose to take them in their return, because they were fewer in number; but in the skirmish they slew all our men, except one, a stout soldier, whose name was Richard, and nephew to Osbert the shireeve, with whom one Wenothus had a single encounter; wherein neither prevailing, though they fought a good while, some of our men went to part them whereof the famous Hereward taking notice (for he was within view) he would not suffer any one to meddle; saying that it was not just that two or three should set upon one man, and that he would not suffer any of his to do so base a thing but our men followed them to their ships, and killed one of the mariners with a dart; and taking another prisoner, he told us who they all were, and their names; viz. Hereward the General, Wenothus, Thurstane (a young man, afterwards surnamed Provost,) Boter of St. Edmonds Bury, Siward, Leuric; and Acer, for his stoutness surnamed Hardy. These notwithstanding they were Monks, being skilful men in arms, often gave testimony of their valour in presence of the said Hereward.”

All which the king hearing; as he would not speak an evil word of them, deeming it a most unworthy thing to give bad language of such valiant men, so did he forbear to commend their courage above his own soldiers; but considered to make peace with them, in regard the isle was so strongly fortified, and that he knew not how to prevent their coming out thereof, or return. Whereupon, calling together his Nobles and Counsellors, he told them his thought; alleging, that now he was to march against the army of the Danes, and soon after of necessity to go into Normandy, it would not be safe to leave such and enemy behind him in the midst of the land, at his back. But some of his Nobles, then present, and which were most of his Privy Council, dissuaded him from so doing; urging, that if he dealt thus favourably with those that he embroiled his kingdom for so long a time, others would not be afraid to do the like.

To whom the king in anger replied, that he was not able to conquer them, considering the place naturally so defensible. Whereupon, one Ivotael le Bois, moved with some indignation told him, that he had long known a certain old witch, who, if she were there, would by her art soon destroy their whole strength, and places of defence; and drive them out as cowards from the island: which was no sooner said, but that all who stood by became earnest suitors to the king, that he would make no delay to encourage and well reward whomsoever that could by any art or skill vanquish the enemies. The king therefore yielding to these their persuasions, caused this old woman to be privately sent for, that it might not be talked of; and brought his army together again, placing it on all parts of the isle, making fortifications on every side thereof and appointing strict guards, to prevent the issuing forth of any that were within, lest they should know what was in hand, and any means to hinder the same.

All which being done, and understood by those that were within, it put them to no little disturbance of mind, and likewise fear; they not knowing what to do, because the king had learned some new way of warring against them: they therefore consulting what was best to be done, concluded to send out some fit person to make a discovery what it was that their enemies were in hand with: but finding no man fit for such a task, the valiant Hereward resolved to undergo it himself, either as a scout or traveller; or to alter his habit, though all were against it; and at length did set forwards, taking with him only his mare called Swallow, which was always very lean, and ill shapen, but of pace exceeding swift, and nimble for action.

And when he went out, he changed his cloths, cut his hair and beard; and being so clad, met with a potter, whose pots he took from him; and feigning himself a potter, took his way to the king’s court, then at Brandon in Suffolk. And being got thither, it happened that he ledged at the house of a widow, where that old witch was entertained, who was to be brought privily, for the destruction of all these in the isle; where he heard them discourse in Latin what art was to be used for the subduing thereof, they deeming him to be a plain country fellow, and ignorant of what they then discussed. And, about the dead time of the night, discerning the woman of the house and that old sorceress to go out of doors, he secretly followed them and saw, that they went to a certain spring, which was by the side of a garden, and ran towards the east; and hearing them discourse, he understood that they designed to murder them; but, to present their purpose, he go away very early in the morning with his pots; and wandering about the king’s court on every side, he cried (as potters used to do) “Pots, pots, good pots and pitchers; all good earthen ware”. Whereupon, being called into the king’s kitchens, that they might buy some of his pots, there came in one of the constables of the town, and looking upon him said, that he never saw any man in favour of face and stature so like Hereward, as a poor man might be like to a rich, and a country man to a soldier; insomuch as divers came about him, desiring to see a man like so much famed a person; and thereupon brought him into the king’s hall, amongst the knights and soldiers, that they might behold him: but some, when they saw him, said a man of no greater limbs could not be of that valour and courage as Hereward was said to be. Others asked him, if he knew, or had ever seen, that wicked fellow, meaning, “Hereward”. To whom he answered: “I wish that he were now here amongst us, he being the greatest enemy that I have; for he took a cow and four sheep from me, which were all the goods in the world that I had, except my pots and this mare; and the only livelihood for my self and my two sons.”

About this time, the King’s dinner being making ready, Hereward retired in the kitchen and, after dinner, the servants, cooks and grooms of the Kitchen gave him wine and beer, that they might make him drunk, and laugh at him, scoffing at him diversely, having a purpose to shave his crown, and pull off the hair of his beard, and then to hoodwink him, to the intent that he might break his own pots, which they had set about him. But refusing to be thus abused one of them struck him, whom he requited presently with a blow that knocked him down, in so much as the rest took up tongs and other things to beat him; which he discerning, forthwith snatched up a fire shovel; and laying about him stoutly, killed one and wounded divers of them. Whereupon it being made known in the house they apprehended him, and put him in a ward; and soon after, the King being gone out to hunt, one of the Keepers came, and brought a naked sword in one hand, and a pair of fetters in the other, which he threatened to put upon him – but Hereward being too nimble for him, wrested the sword out of his hand and slew him; and so over hedges and ditches hastened to the king’s outer court, where he found his mare; and though some pursued him, he got safe to Somersham wood, where he hid himself till the moon shone after midnight, and then came into the isle.

But while he was thus in the wood, he chanced to meet with a person whose horse was tired, and himself too, and demanding of him who he was, he hold him that he was one of the King’s servants who pursued a man who had killed one of the kitchen boys, and another who had the custody of him after he was apprehended for that fact; and desired him that for the love of God, and generosity sake, he should discover to him wither he saw such a fellow or not, whom he then described. To whom he replied: “Because thou desirest me to tell the for the love of God, and of generosity, I will. Know therefore that I am the man - and now that thou mayest be infallibly assured that I am so, and that thou hast spoken with me, take this thy sword with thee for a testimony, and leave thy lance with me.”

All of which he reported to the King, who, with those that were then present, admired Hereward for an excellent soldier.

The King, therefore, according to his former purpose, having prepared divers warlike instruments, brought his whole army to Aelreheth (now Audrey) causing great store of wood and stone, with divers sorts of faggots, and such like materials, to be carried thither; and summoned all the fishermen in those parts, with their boats, to meet at Cotingelade, that they might transport thither whatsoever was brought, and raise large hills and heaps on this side Alreheth, whereupon to fight. Amongst which fishermen came Hereward himself also with a boat, using all show of diligence; and the same day, before sun setting, having set fire on what was so brought, and killed and drowned divers, he made his escape away and to the end he might not be known, he coloured his head and beard red, neglecting no way to disguise himself, which might further the doing of mischief to his adversaries: whereof the king hearing, commended, that if ever he could be taken, he should be brought alive to him without any hurt.

But having warning by these losses, the king caused more strict guards and watches day and night in every place; and within seven days raised four or five mounds of earth and other materials, in which they placed certain warlike engines, intending on the morrow, with all their force, to assault the isle; and that they might be better succeed therein, set that old with before mentioned upon the highest place, in the very midst of them; that, being so well guarded, she might exercise her wicked art; who being so well got up, made long speeches against the isle, and all those that were in it, making signs and shews of their being vanquished; and always, at the end of each spell, she turned up her bare buttocks towards the isle. Howbeit, as she was beginning with her third spell, there were those in the isle that set fire on the reeds growing in the fen all thereabouts; which, by the help of the wind, spread itself no less than two furlongs; and making a terrible noise of crackling amongst the willows, and such like vegetables, did so affright the assailants, that they hastened away as fast as they could; but, being troubled with the smoke could not tell which way to betake themselves, insomuch as many were drowned, the defendants having the advantage of the wind and smoke, getting out of isle, and showering multitudes of arrows upon them.

And in this prodigious rout and confusion of the assailants, down tumbled the old witch from the place where she was set, and broke her neck, nay the king himself hardly escaped death, there being an arrow shot into his target, which he carried away with him to his tent; which so soon as his soldiers saw, they feared he had been wounded; but he told them, he was not at all hurt, otherwise than by evil counsel, in being deceived and abused through the cunning of that wicked sorceress; expressing, that all the mischief which had happened, did befall him deservedly, in putting any trust in her devilish art.

At that time it was that Ralph surnamed Waer (Earl of the east angles) having privily got together a great strength, inviting divers of the English to his wedding, obliged them to his party deceitfully, by an oath; and wasted the whole country, from Norwich to Thetford; whereof the two Earls, and all the rest of the chief persons who then were in the isle, having notice repaired to them, leaving only Hereward with the monks and his own soldiers to defend this place.

Things standing therefore thus, the king discerning that all his endeavours were fruitless, as to the conquering this isle by war or power, having lost so many men in his attempt to that purpose; he, at length by council of William then Bishop of Hereford, and others, determined, that all the goods and possessions belonging to that abbey, which lay without the compass of the isle, should be seized on, and divided amongst his soldiers, to the end that hey might keep guard on the outsides thereof. Of which the monks having knowledge, they forewith consulted, their Abbot being returned (who dissembled to go with those Earls, fled with the ornaments and treasure of the church to Angerbale) and resolved not only to yield peaceably to the king, in case he would restore unto them peaceably and honourable all the lands belonging to their church, but to give him a thousand marks; and accordingly and cunningly, without the knowledge of the noble Hereward, to make that tender to him the King being then at Warwick; who acceptingly entertaining it, they gave admission to him and his soldiers, to come privately into the isle where Hereward was gone and with his men to forage; in the end that the business might be done without resistance; which being discovered to Hereward by one of the said Monks (which name was Alwyne, the son of Orgar), he grew so enraged, that he resolved to set fire to the church and the town; but at the earnest entreaty and prayer of that Monk; wishing him rather to have regard to his own safety; as also telling him that the king, with all his army, was then at Wycheford (within the distance of one furlong) and desiring him, that he would secure himself by flight, in case he had no mind to make his peace; he yielded to those his persuasions because he had often accompanied in his military adventures, and before being faithful to him; and these upon presently betook himself to these his ships, which he had to guard the isle, into a large and spacious mere, called Wide, not far from Welle (this being the seventh year of their so holding of the same isle against the king); and sailed thither, in regard there were free passages out of it: And there resolving to stay a while, employed some of his soldiers towards Soham, to plunder and pillage the country; to whom he sent out scouts, to bring them back to him, lest they should be taken.

Which scouts, finding them in a little island, called Stuntney, thought them to be their enemies; and therefore two of them (viz Searfulte and Brother) got amongst the reeds; and with their swords each shaved the other’s crown, expecting hereby to find the more favour being taken; but at length discovering that they were all of a side, they went away together, and son got to their master; who had not been long in the said mere, but that the country people and the king’s soldiers so beset them, that being forced to flee, he killed his own horse lest any mean fellow should boast that he taken him; and so getting away into Bruneswald, and the great wood of Northamptonshire, he very much wasted the country thereabouts with fire and sword. And having thus left his isle, where the vastness and depth of the waters had yielded him such great and so long security (for which respect I have made this digression); I shall conclude with this character, which Ingulphus (the then venerable Abbot of Crowland) gives of him:

“Therefore, when the before mentioned Earls (Edwin and Morkere; Roger, Earl of Hereford, Raphe Earl of Suffolk, and Waltheof, Earl of Northumberland) not submitting to the King, had, together with divers other great men, in like sort disinherited, possessed themselves of the fens of Ely. They forthwith sent for Hereward, and made him General of all their forces; where he did so many warlike exploits, so often beat his adversaries, and so many times deluded them; that he obtained lasting renown for the same; forasmuch as he did (so long as he could) sustain the tottering ruins of his country, and was not cruel to his enemies. And when the rest of the Nobles rendered themselves, in hope of the King’s favour, he only refusing, would not submit, but got away. Yet afterwards he made his peace: And having issue one only daughter, called Turfrida, married to Hugh de Evermue, Lord of Deeping, in Lincolnshire, with the forest adjoining entertaining the said Hugh upon a time, at his house in Huntingdon; it happened, that through a quarrel which arose then betwixt them, he was there wretchedly slain by his said son in law.”

NOTE: Minor amendments to spelling and punctuation have been made to the original
and an occasional explanation (in square brackets) to make this narrative
more accessible to the modern reader.

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