The Norman Conquest of England started in 1066. William, Duke of Normandy, defeated King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings. But, William’s victory did not bring the whole country under Norman control. Rebellions continued for several years, and one of the most famous resistance leaders was the Anglo-Saxon known as Hereward the Wake.
He was probably born in Lincolnshire sometime during the first half of the 11th century. His parents are unclear. Later stories claimed that he was connected to powerful Anglo-Saxon families, with some even naming Earl Leofric and Lady Godiva as his parents. But, there is no reliable evidence to support this.
He may instead have been part of the landowning Anglo-Danish family in southern Lincolnshire. Records suggest that a man named Hereward held land connected to Peterborough and Crowland abbeys before the Norman Conquest.
According to the later Gesta Herewardi, Hereward was exiled when he was about eighteen because of his violent and disruptive behaviour. The story describes adventures in Cornwall, Ireland and Flanders, including battles, tournaments and even a fight with a bear. Many of these episodes were probably added to make his life appear more heroic.
Hereward may have served as a mercenary in Flanders before returning to England shortly after the Norman Conquest.
The Gesta claims that when Hereward returned, he discovered that Normans had seized his family’s property and killed his brother. He supposedly took revenge before gathering supporters and becoming an outlaw. Although the details are uncertain, Hereward’s later involvement in the resistance is supported by much earlier historical sources.
By 1070, Hereward had joined a rebellion centred on the Isle of Ely. At that time, Ely was surrounded by marshland and could only be reached safely along a small number of causeways. Its isolated position made it an ideal refuge for those resisting Norman rule.
Hereward also joined Danish forces sent to England by King Sweyn II of Denmark. Together with local rebels, they attacked Peterborough Abbey and carried away many of its treasures. Later stories claimed that Hereward wanted to protect the valuables from the Normans, but the Peterborough Chronicle records that much of the treasure was taken to Denmark.
Hereward was eventually joined by Morcar, the former Earl of Northumbria, and other English rebels. In 1071, William the Conqueror launched a determined campaign against their stronghold.
Medieval accounts describe the Normans attempting to build an enormous wooden causeway across the marshes. One version says that it collapsed beneath the weight of soldiers, horses and armour. Another story claims that William employed a witch to curse the defenders from a wooden tower, which Hereward then destroyed by setting fire to the surrounding reeds.
These colourful details are probably legendary. However, William’s forces eventually discovered or were shown a safe route across the marshland. Ely fell, and Morcar was captured and imprisoned.
Hereward escaped into the Fens with a small group of followers. What happened to him afterwards is uncertain.
One account says that he eventually made peace with William, received a pardon and lived quietly for the rest of his life. Another claims that he was surrounded and killed by Norman knights. It is also possible that he left England and disappeared from the historical record.
Even the name “the Wake” was probably added centuries later. It may mean “the watchful”, although it could also have been connected to the Wake family, who later owned land associated with Hereward.
Hereward’s existence is generally accepted, but many of the stories surrounding him cannot be proven. The historical man was a local resistance leader at Ely, while the legendary Hereward became a fearless outlaw who repeatedly outwitted the Normans.
During the Victorian period, novels and popular histories transformed him into a national hero and a symbol of Anglo-Saxon resistance.
How much of Hereward’s story do you think was based on real events, and how much was created by later storytellers?
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