http://boar.org.uk/ariwxo3Marrat’sHereward.htm
Latest edit 18 Dec 2007.
Interactive
version ©2007 R.J.PENHEY
The Bourne Archive
An extract concerning Hereward,
from Marrat’s History of Lincolnshire.
Eleventh
Century
On pp.85 – 108 of
Vol. III. Marrat
includes the following story in his article on Bourne.
This document was transcribed from pages 85 to 108
of a copy lent by the Willoughby Memorial Library, to the trustees of which I offer my thanks.
It is
presented here as an historical document so the credibility of what it says
should be assessed. The reliability of old essays on history is usually best on
points to do with the writer’s own time. Marrat was assembling a much larger,
commercial work so it is likely that this material is based on someone else’s
research. Similarities between this and
Biography
Hereward was the younger
son of Leofric earl of
At length, unable 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 this 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
At this period
Anxious to redeem his character, and to
prove himself worthy of the stem from which he sprung, 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, it 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 prowes
and military atchievements soon spread to
In
Having returned to his own Country, he
signalized himself against Wm. the Conqueror, in the
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 of that Saint, and treasure
of his church; as also Edwine and Morkere, two great and potent Earls if this
nation, with Egelwine Bishop of Durham, besides many thousands of the clergy
and laity. And understanding that Hereward Lord of Bourn in Lincolnshire was
returned from beyond sea, they forthwith sent for him, desiring that he would
repair thither with all his power, and join with them in defence of their
native country, and redeeming their just liberties; and in particular the
importuned him, in 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 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 of 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 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 hem, discovering that the said Earl had set these ambushes for
him, and likewise that he was on the morrow to be at Poberhed, 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 and 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 mean while 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
inraged 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 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 better pass over them, they stript off
the skins of beasts, and filled them with wind like bladders; which being done,
they were so many that pressed on to get over, being greedy of the cold 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 mean time
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 by 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 knight’s which he
had seen through France, and the whole Roman Empire, of 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 farther 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 from France, to be chief in 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 occasion 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 beter 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 but newly
returned from thence, having heard this relation of the before-mentioned Beda,
said; “Do you think this is 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, and 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 their mariners with a dart; and
taking another prisoner, he told us who they 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; alledging 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 had 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 of skill vanquish his 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
guard, 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 of
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
cloaths 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 the lodged at the house of a widow, where that old witch was entertained,
who was to be brought privily, for the destruction of all those 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 the then discoursed. and, about the dead time of night, discerning the
woman of the house and that old sorceress to go out of doors, he secretly followed them, and saw,
that the 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 murther him; but, to prevent their purpose, he got away very early in the
morning with his pots: and wandering about the king’s court on every side, he
cried (as potters do) “pots, pots, good pots and pitchers; all good earthen
ware.” Whereupon, being called into the king’s kitchen, 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, that a 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 he were here 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 tow sons.”
About this time, the King’s dinner being
making ready, Hereward retired into 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 diversly, having a
purpose to shave his crown, and pull off the hair of his beard, and then to
hood wink 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 ward; and soon after, the King 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; 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 told him that he was one of the King’s servants
who had pursued a man who had killed on 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 thee 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 as a testimony, and leave thy lance with me.”
All 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 brought 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 al 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, commanded, 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 of 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 the better succeed
therein, set that old witch before-mentioned upon the highest place, in the
very midst of them; that, being so well guarded, she might txercise 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 ehier 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
horrible 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 smoak, getting out of the 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 hid 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 befal 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 the place.
Things standing therefore thus, the king
discerning that all his endeavours were fruitless, as to the conquering of the
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 seised on, and divided amongst
his soldiers, to the end that they might keep guard on the outsides thereof. Of
which the monks having knowledge, they forthwith consulted, their Abbot being
returned (who dissembled to go with those Earls, fled with the ornaments and
treasure of the church to Angerhale;) and resolved not only to yield peaceably
to the king, in case he would restore unto them peaceably and honourably all
the lands belonging to their church, but to give him a thousand marks; and
accordingly set cunningly, without the knowledge of the noble Hereward, to make
that tender to him, the king being at Warwick; who acceptably entertaining it,
they gave admission to him and his soldiers, to come privately into the isle
when Hereward was gone out with his men to forage; to the end that the business
might be done without resistance; which being discovered to Hereward by one of
the said Monks (whose 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
intreaty 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 his persuasions, because he had often accompanied in his military
adventures, and been faithful to him: and there upon presently he betook himself
to those his ships which he had to guard the isle, into a large and spacious
meer, 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
thereby to find more favour being taken: but at length discovering that they
were all of a side, they went away together, and soon got to their master: who
had not been long in the said meer, but that the country people and the king’s
soldiers so beset them, that, being forced to flee, he killed is own horse,
lest any mean fellow should boast that he had taken him: and so getting away
into Brunneswald, and the great woods of Northamptonshire, he very much wasted
the country thereabouts with fire and sword. And having thus left the 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 Crouland)
gives of him; “Therefore, when the before-mentioned Earls (Edwin and Morkere;
Roger Earl of Hereford, Ralphe 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 at 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
rendreed 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 Deping 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.”
Commentary.
It was tempting to
tidy the transcription up so as to avoid appearing illiterate myself or alternatively,
appearing smug about the faults in the text. However, this would have led to a
risk of removing spellings and punctuation which might give a further insight
into the significance of some part of Marrat’s narrative. Not knowing where to
strike a compromise, I have left not only the early nineteenth century
vocabulary but also, the more obvious errors of Marrat, the printer.
Marrat, the author
gives ‘Dugdale’s Embankment’ as the source of his information. Though I have
not yet managed to see a copy of this oft-quoted work, it could be useful if it
gives an authority for Marrat’s statement that Hereward withdrew to the Wide
Mere in the seventh year of the siege of Ely. This would
place the withdrawal in about 1077, much later than the time given by
conventional modern accounts but in keeping with the interpretation I gave in
the commentary on the
Fenland Notes and Queries transcription.