http://boar.org.uk/arpwxo3FNQsupEn.htm Latest edit
4 May 2008
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©R.J.PENHEY 2007 With
thanks to the trustees of the Willoughby Library and to Lincolnshire Library
Service.
De Gestis
Herwardi Incliti Militis
The Deeds of Hereward, the Renowned Soldier
Based on an original English text by Leofric the Deacon,
a colleague of Hereward and rewritten by
Hugh Candidus
with the inclusion of reports by Hugh’s
contemporaries.
Transcribed by
S. H. Miller, Esq.
from the text in Robert of Swaffham’s Book, then in
the library of Peterborough Cathedral and now in the Seeley Historical Library,
University of Cambridge.
This translation by W.D. Sweeting was originally
published serially from 1895, in the periodical, Fenland Notes and Queries:
Editor Rev. W.D. Sweeting.
Web page transcribed from FNQ by R.J. Penhey.
The Exploits of Hereward the Saxon.
I.
Here
begins the preface of a certain work concerning the exploits of Hereward the
renowned knight.
Some of us desiring to know of the deeds of the noble Hereward, of the race of the English, and his renowned men, and to hear with our ears his generous actions and doings, the brethren of your house have assisted our ignorance by enquiring if any man had left anything in writing about so great a man in the place where he used to dwell. For when we declared that we had heard in a certain place that a short account had been written about him in English, forthwith your kind attention had that writing immediately sought for, and before long translated into Latin, adding also those things which we had happened to hear from our own people, with whom he was intimate, living nobly as a famous soldier. Desiring therefore to satisfy these desires of yours, we applied ourselves to enquiring in many places, and yet in truth found nothing, except a few scattered leaves, partly rotten by damp, and decayed, and partly damaged by tearing. And when the pen had been taken in hand we have with difficulty extracted from it his descent from his parents and a few things and his character ; that is to say the early achievements of the very famous outlaw Hereward edited in English by Leofric the Deacon, his priest at Bourne. For the intention of this well known priest was to collect all the acts of giants and ancient warriors from stories, or from trustworthy narration, for the edification of his hearers, and for their remembrance to commit them to the English language. And although not sufficiently skilled in this, or rather incompetent to decipher what is obliterated of the unfamiliar language, yet we have gathered concerning him that on his return to that place and to his own ancestral home he found his brother slain. And we leave this raw material, written in rude style, to your care, and to the zeal of some man’s trained ability, to be composed and explained in simpler and plainer language. For we have been able decipher nothing further of this, ever hoping for greater results but as yet finding nothing thoroughly. For they, whom for a long time a vain hope deluded, derived from some who said that in such and such a place there is a great book of his exploits from the beginning, found nothing of what they had been led to expect, although they sent to the place.* Wherefore abandoning altogether the search, we have put away the work which had been begun. But from some of our men it would not long be hidden from you ; and unexpectedly you have kindly directed that that commencement at least should not be denied to you. It was then an object of care to us, though not relying on the help of great ability, that your eyes might see our incomplete work, to take up the pen once more, and again to unfold to you a little book after the manner of a history, concerning these things which we have heard from our own men, and from some of his, with whom they associated from the beginning of his career, and were in many things his comrades. Of whom we have often seen some, men (that is to say) tall in stature and huge, and of exceeding courage ; and you yourselves have seen also two men of them conspicuous for their form, as we have heard from you, namely, Siwate, Broter [sic] of S. Edmund, and Leofric Niger, his knights, although they lost the beauty of their limbs by enemies, being bereft of some members by trickery, through envy. And indeed of these and others, whom we in many things have proved and seen, if no otherwise, it were sufficiently given you to understand of what valour their lord was, and how much greater were the things that he did than what they reported of him. For besides, as we think, it will conduce to the example of noble deeds, and to the practice of liberality, to know Hereward, who he was, and to hear of his achievements and deeds, and especially to those who wish to undertake a soldier’s life. Wherefore we advise you, give attention, and ye who the more diligently strive to hear the deeds of brave men, apply your minds to hear diligently the account of so great a man : for he, trusting neither in fortification, nor in garrison, but in himself, alone with his men waged war against kingdoms and kings, and fought against princes and tyrants, some of whom he conquered. Concerning which things, beginning with his parents, everything has been inserted by chapters, that what is here distinctly set down may be easily remembered.
* The Latin here seems quite corrupt. In many places, as will be observed, the grammar is inaccurate: this is probably the fault of the scribe.
II.
Of what
parents Hereward was born, and how from his boyhood he increased in the
splendour of his deeds, and why he was driven forth by his father and country ;
whence he was surnamed “The Outlaw.”
Of the nations of the English many very mighty men are recorded, and Hereward the Outlaw is esteemed most distinguished amongst the distinguished, and a famous knight with the more famous. His father was Leofric, of Bourne, grandson of Earl Radulf, surnamed Scabre ; and his mother was Aediva great-great-granddaughter of Duke Oslac ; most nobly descended by both parents. For he was a boy remarkable for his figure, and comely in aspect, very beautiful from his yellow hair, and with large grey eyes, the right eye slightly different in colour to the left ; but he was stern of feature, and somewhat stout, from the great sturdiness of his limbs, but very active for his moderate stature, and in all his limbs was found a complete vigour. There was in him also from his youth much grace and strength of body ; and from practice of this when a young man the character of his valour showed him a perfect man, and he was excellently endowed in all things with the grace of courage and valour of mind. For as regards liberality, he was, from his father’s possessions and his own, bountiful and most liberal, giving relief to all in need ; although cruel in act, and severe in play, readily stirring up quarrels among those of his own age, and often exciting contests among his elders in cities and villages ; leaving none equal to himself in deeds of daring and pursuit of brave actions, not even among his elders. While therefore he in such youthful and more mature progress in courage advanced from day to day, and as a youth greatly excelled in manly deeds ; at times he spared no one whom he knew to be at all a rival in courage or in fighting. For which reasons also he very often stirred up sedition among the populace and tumult among the common people. Whereby he made his father opposed to him and his parents very ungracious ; for because of his deeds of courage and boldness they were daily contending with their friends and neighbours and amongst the country folk who behaved like enemies and tyrants because of him, almost always protecting their son when returning from sport or fighting with drawn swords and arms. At lengths his father, not able to endure this, drove him from his presence. Nor then indeed did he keep quiet, but taking with him those of his own age, when his father was going to his estates, he sometimes went before him, and distributed his goods among his own friends and supporters, even appointing in some of his father’s possessions stewards and servants of his own, to supply corn to his men. Wherefore his father begged King Edward that he might be banished, making known everything he had done against his father and parents, and against the country people. And this was done. Whence forthwith he acquired the surname of the Outlaw, being driven from his father and country in the 18th year of his age.
III.
How
Hereward slew a great bear, from which he earned a position amongst the Knights
where he was staying.
When Gisebritus of Gant heard of this, namely his banishment, he sent for him, for Hereward was the godson of that rich man, and he set out beyond Northumberland and came to him, abandoning his own province and paternal inheritance, with a single servant, Martin, whose surname was Lightfoot ; and after he had been there not many days an occurrence worthy of praise took place. For that rich man had a custom for Easter, Pentecost, and Christmas, to test the strength and courage of the young men who were waiting for the belt and arms of knighthood, by leading savage beasts from cages. And Hereward, having associated with these young men, at the commencement of his visit, namely at Christmas, asked that he might be allowed to attack one of the wild beasts, or at least that very large bear which was there, which men said was the offspring of a famous Norwegian bear, and fashioned, as to his feet and head, in shapes of perfect monstrosity, having the sense of a man, and understanding the speech of man, and skilled in war : whose sire is reported to have ravished a girl in the woods and to have become by her father of Biernus, King of Norway ; but Hereward could not get permission, the lord perceiving the bravery of the young man, but fearing for his youthfulness. But on he next day the beast burst asunder its chains and rushed forth form the bars of its cage, rending and slaying every living thing it could reach. But soon, when the lord heard of the circumstance, he ordered the soldiers to get ready and attack it with lances, adding that it could not possibly be taken alive. Meanwhile, Hereward came across the blood-stained beast as he was returning to the lord’s chamber, because of the shouts of the alarmed people, whither his wife and daughters and the women had in fright fled, and the beast immediately wanted to rush upon him. But Hereward anticipated it, driving his sword through its head down to the shoulder-blades, and leaving the blade there he took up the beast in his arms and held it out to those that followed. At which sight they were much amazed. And truly he earned no little favour with his lord and lady, as well as grievous hate and envy with the knights and boys of the house. Therefore by reason of this deed he obtained position and honour with the knights, although at the time he delayed being made a knight, saying that he ought to make better trial of his valour and courage. And so the country-folk extolled him, and the women and girls used to sing of him in their dances, which was a greater grievance to his enemies ; and because he daily increased, as in grace of body and age, so also in the virtues of courage and hardihood, leaving none to equal him in the chase and hunting, nor in games either of the common people or gentlefolks. And so they sought for a fitting time and place of killing him ; and when on a certain day their lord was by chance absent hunting in the woods, the knights of the aforesaid household attempted to slay him with a javelin hurled by one who was very intimate with him, and whom, three days before, he had delivered from death when he was caught by some enemies. Having learnt this plot only just in time through his servant, Hereward pierced with his lance the man who attacked him in the very act of throwing the javelin. Having disclosed this to his lady, and desiring to avoid such snares, he went away. But she in tears, and with many entreaties that he would at least wait for the lord, or for the death of their sick son, declared that if he would not go away he should become their adopted heir: but he would not grant her request.
IV.
How he
overcame a certain tyrant, and took his famous sword.
From this place Hereward went to a certain Prince of Cornwall, called Alef, where he found a most wicked and very haughty man, Ulcus Ferreus (Iron Sore) by name, who had now for a long time been expecting, because of his wonderful courage, to win the very fair daughter of the Prince. This man in the two nations of the Scots and Picts, from his relationship to them, was esteemed a very brave warrior, as though there could be none to compare with him in any nation. For wherever he was staying, many used to flock to him, as to some great sight, for the sake of hearing of his achievements ; and he used readily, though untruly, to din these into the ears of his hearers, boasting that no one man, nor any two or three, could be a match for him. But as he often did this before the members of the royal family and before the Prince himself, he was one day grossly abusing the nation of the English as being without the virtue of strength, and worth nothing in war, declaring that he had with one blow killed three men out of a number, on a certain occasion. Indignant at this, Hereward in derision before them all answered him : “Since you have imagined in your mind those three men who you declare were slain by you, and have begotten those sons not of a mother but of your own heart, it is quite right they should be slain by one blow of your mouth.” At this his future wife, the daughter of the aforesaid King, was dissolved in laughter. This gave great offence to the tyrant, so that he forthwith threatened Hereward, “In truth you should soon lie slain by my own hands, save only for the presence of the lord.” To whom Hereward replied “See that so sturdy a knight as you boast yourself to be does not use craft against a young man. Otherwise if you shall without craft pursue him of whom you speak, you will always find me ready, so that your triumph, if it comes, may be the more glorious.” He then, mindful of his words, by chance met with Hereward, when he was unarmed in a neighbouring grove of the lord’s aforesaid. “Lo,” said the tyrant at once, “now is the wished for time for avenging myself on my enemy. To-day from a gift of your hair, she shall be dissolved in laughter or in sorrow, who once was pleased at the insolence of your words, and praised your head of hair, and face, and the arrogance of your reply.” To which Hereward answered, “For one well provided with arms and strength to crush the helpless, is no glory to a man of renown ; but yet if I fall, let your generosity, if you have any, grant me the space of one hour, that I may give my property to the priest to bestow upon the poor, and then I will come back.” And he assented with an oath, and took his promise to reveal the affair to nobody. So he departed and armed himself ; for it was on that account that he began to speak to him. Hereward then having soon returned, at the first signal of onset pierced his javelin into the tyrant’s thighs, and struggling together for a time they smote one another. Then the young man ever by advance and attack avoided the blows, and kept falling back and retreating often inflicting blows not expected or open. But when the execrable man saw the spirit of the youth, he strove to grasp him with his hands for he was stronger and much taller. But ever Hereward avoided him, until, as he was bending down and rather incautious Hereward thrust his sword into his groin just beneath his breast-plate. Whereupon he, drenched in blood, feeling that death was at hand, said “Alas! alas! see how I, so very strong, trusting in my strength, from lack of caution lie overthrown by a crafty boy! Oh if that blade were now at hand, which I lately handed to my future spouse, with which I overcame such mighty men, if fortune befriended me, with one blow half-dead as I am I would at least avenge myself, - that blade which I received from fighting with a certain tyrant.” Thereupon the boys of the house, hearing the noise of arms ran to the spot and meanwhile told the affair to their lord, who sent armed men thither to separate them, fearing the young man’s death ; and when they came they found, to their surprise the tyrant dead. Upon this Hereward was apprehended, because that execrable man was already spoken of as the prince’s son-in-law, and they took him to the prince. Then immediately the whole of that hostile nation wished to rise against him, declaring that their mightiest man had been slain by trickery. But the prince himself, that the young man might be saved, restrained their wrath, and kept him in custody, as though intending to decide what should be done with him. But his daughter, greatly delighted at what had happened, as she excessively dreaded that terrible and misshapen man, with great care ministered to Hereward in custody, and in the end, having presented him with gifts and the aforesaid sword which had been delivered to her, caused him to depart in secret desiring him to remember her, and sent him not without marks and tokens to the son of the king of Ireland, informing him by a letter how her enemy had been slain by him.
V.
Of the war
which took place in
Therefore Hereward, when these things were known, was honourably
received by the son of the king of Ireland ; and they made him remain with them
for several days ; although he was unwilling, because he wished, after
delivering his message to return to his father’s house and to his widowed
mother ; for he had found two very distinguished men, Siward the White and
Siward the Red, sons of his own uncle, who told him
that his father was dead and that his mother was by herself in the inheritance
consigned to him. When he had been there no long time
it was announced to the king that a war against the Duke
of
VI.
How
Hereward in a disguise was sent by his lord to a wedding, where he achieved a
praiseworthy action, in killing the bridegroom and carrying off the bride and
conveying her to his lord.
While then in a remote part of the land they were leading their band
against
VII.
How he
endured shipwreck on his return from
And how Hereward much inflamed with a desire of visiting his dependants
and his father* and mother, at last obtained from the king two ships fitted out
with arms and all naval equipment, although the aged
king himself long objected, so that he might remain in that country and take
one of his grand-daughters in marriage, or the daughter of any rich man that he
liked of that land, and receive a grant of land. But Hereward would not accept
these offers before he returned from his own country. Having embarked he was
driven by a storm to the Orkneys. And being driven
hence by a hurricane to
* Qy. patriam. His father was dead : see § 5.
VIII.
Of his
first fighting in Flanders, from which, and from his daily deeds of valour, he
was at length discovered, when much enquiry was made as to who such a man could
be, or whence he could come.
Then because the Count of Flanders was at war with a certain
neighbouring Count of Ginnes, when his men daily proceeded to single combats in
front of the castles and farms in the campaign, Hereward anxiously implored him that he might at least be allowed to go out with them
for one day. And this permission he at length obtained. And as he was well
trained in arms and management of war, so he acted with prudence on that same
day, for there was a soldier lying overthrown by another far from the company,
whom he by himself defended, liberated, and brought back, killing four men who
attacked him ; to the admiration of all, for they
supposed both had been taken prisoners. From this he was immediately made of
very great account in the palace of the prince, and reckoned one of their
strongest men, from that time going in and out with them, daily accomplishing
fresh deeds of valour in fight. But the prince of the land being ever much in
doubt as to who or what or of what country such a man could be, enquired of
foreigners and merchants any news of him, if by chance
his name or fame were known in any distant land ; so
that it was not long before the much desired information was given to his
enquiry. For someone said that three years before he had seen such a man in
Ireland, and like him in valour and appearance
; and that he had heard many things told about him, and that he was
called by his name ; on which discovery, Hereward being summoned, the aforesaid
count with his only son questioned him as to object in this deceit, and asked
his name and country and dignity and family, assuring him with an oath that he
would regard him as a very dear son. At length he admitted that what he had
heard of him was true, and he told his name and country, and how being driven forth
by his father he had come first of
IX.
How
Hereward overcame a famous soldier, and led him safe and sound to his
companions.
There was occasionally present in the party of the enemy a grandson of
the Count of Ginnes, by name Hoibrictus, a knight
glorious for courage and knowledge of warfare, who was accounted in the army
like a lion among a flock for bravery. Hereward by himself one day came upon
him beyond the company, and without recognising one another, out of excessive
valour, they mightily clashed together, and at the first onset their lances
were broken. Then they attacked one another with swords,
and Hereward dealt him an astounding blow under the ear. And while many rushed
to his assistance, Hereward, evading them all, took him to his companions,
although meantime he recovered his senses and strove to escape. The Count of
Ginnes wondered at this, and was alarmed and grieved because of the downfall of
his grandson, a renowned soldier ; and on the
following day sent to offer due honour and service to his prince, and also sent
presents and hostages. For he had heard of he fame of Hereward, so worthy of
his praise, and what he had done in
X.
How
Hereward is beloved by a certain girl, for whose sake he went forth to combat,
and there with his men proved victorious.
At that time there lived in Saint Admarus a young lady noble and beautiful, much devoted to liberal knowledge, and skilled in mechanical arts, whose name was Turfrida. She fell in love with Hereward, having heard of his achievements ; and so she displayed many of her accomplishments, as they say, for love of him ; and thereby secured his affection for herself. But another man of the neighbourhood was in love with her, a famous soldier, and grandson of a very powerful man of Saint Walericus ; and he was so desperately in love that he threatened some mischief, or even death, to Hereward. And when Hereward was going to the contests which were held at the Bridges and Pictavia, together with the recruits of his lord, and was taking them to make their first attempt at such competitions, he unawares came upon his adversary in a company with his men, and advancing in the middle of the troops, carrying a token from a girl’s chaplet, for his sweetheart’s sake, as though he had accomplished his warfare. On seeing him Hereward immediately advanced upon him, and at the first onset overthrew him, and took away his token and his horse.
And this he sent to the young lady aforesaid, and other tokens on his own part, there being still three not overcome by him, and several by his fellow soldiers, while he was always accompanying and protecting each one.* And so being especially honoured with his men by reason of his victory, above all, he confesses to his comrades that he is greatly in love with the aforesaid young lady, but ignorant of how he could approach her, dreading the snares of his many foes. Then he made his way to her with very few of his companions, directing that his absence should be made known to none.
But neither was his departure to this meeting nor the cause of his coming concealed from his rival*; and so he arranged ambushes in many places, with robbers and malefactors, to meet him : and of these one day 17 out of 40 robbers were withdrawn, and he killed 25 of those who attacked him, and continued his journey that had been interrupted. At last, though pressed by very many rascals on the road, he arrived there, and said that he was a messenger of Hereward’s, and indeed his nephew, namely Siward the White, bringing a message and presents from his master to her, who in great delight immediately kissed him. But looking earnestly at the expression of his eyes, and from his comely face, and golden hair, and the vigour of his body, she at last recognised him. And immediately she burst forth in these words : "Lo ! I embrace in my arms the most excellent of all men, and see with my eyes the most renowned soldier, and now, though late, I am in the presence of the man most desired.” But he repudiated the suggestion, and said that she was mistaken. But she, after strictly enquiring from him as to some personal tokens, scars that betoken some slight wounds, maintained on the contrary that he was her most beloved Hereward ; whereby he was overcome, and admitted the truth. But while this was discussed in private, she leads him away to the inside of the house, shewing him all her father’s riches in gold and silver, or of other material, and many things of her mother’s, and besides a corslet of excessive lightness and very fine work, and much brighter and purer than any steel or iron, and a helmet of like beauty and strength ; adding, about them, “There have been many rich and powerful men that have made much enquiry about these, where they are, and offering gifts for their production, desiring to get them for themselves or by trickery, or threats, or force, or money, or by any artifice they could : but I have kept them hitherto of my forefather’s possession, ever the dearest possessions of my forefather, and grandfather, and father, that I might present them to my betrothed. And now of all men I favour you for the suitable valour of your courage and for your bravery, and it is very agreeable and right for me that you should tell a suitable lover if you are glad of the gift. For I am willing in my own person to undergo anything, should anything surpass them in steel or metal.” Hereward thanked her for them, greatly delighted. And so they gave each other pledges of fidelity ; and afterwards at last he returns to his fellow-soldiers who are waiting for him. But the same night in the guest house he unawares encountered a foe in one of the attendants of the aforesaid soldier, who in the silence of night went to attack Hereward with an axe, while he was sleeping ; but as it happened he turned round from his bed wide awake, and struck him valiantly on the bed-clothes, and all his companions, being aroused, seized him and cut off his right hand, when they found out whence and from whom he had come. And from that time it was taken for a custom, for Hereward to rest near his own bed, or else to lie in the bed of one of his men in a different place, fearing the snares of his enemies. But on that night he arrived at his lord’s, with his companions; and he greatly congratulated them, for he had heard from them of his achievements, and what he had done at the fights, for which he forthwith enriched them with rewards and honours. But yet Hereward would accept nothing, till he should demand and receive the aforesaid young lady with her lands.
* Some error in original scribe or in transcript.
XI.
Wherefore
Hereward with a certain leader was sent into Scaldemariland with an army, and
how he overcame the army in front.
Moreover the Count of
† Participle seems omitted in the Latin.
XII.
Of the
second war at Scaldemariland, and how that nation advanced to the fight, and
with what arms : and how Hereward arranged his army
against them.
Immediately then all that dangerous nation and outrageous people, ordered the whole population of the country from all sides from the island and the sea to come together, and to ravage and lay waste their borders, and they command them to do so very thoroughly within 14 [sic] days, lest being so little secure they should be wholly driven out, or rather become subject within that time to the foreigners, like the English people to the French ; nor had they heard a false report. And having gathered all together into one place by the army of the men of Flanders, they gave orders that they should be cut off ; all the men who had come thither might have their lives spared, but to lose everything else except a few ships and their tackling and were to deliver up besides, Robert, the leader of the army, and Hereward, the master of the soldiers, and the tribunes of the companies, to them, to be put to death in the place of all the others. For they had brought to the same place waggons and chariots, so as to convey away their possessions and arms. Perceiving this, and at Hereward’s suggestion, they set all their chariots and cars on fire before the ambassadors ; and would have ordered them to be cast into the flames themselves, had it not been that the rights of intermediaries would seem to be broken, and the privilege of an embassy to be violated. And therefore Hereward persuaded the army and the chief men that these ambassadors should be detained for a little time, either by force or by cajolery, and the rest meantime to get ready for fighting, and arrange to take their lines, appointing likewise to each line a leader, an appointed work, and a superintendent. All this in the event proved successful. Because that people, imprudent and inexperienced, seeing some messengers heavily laden with presents, and eagerly coveting such things, in great numbers made their way to them, each wishing to secure the best things before the others. But three hundred picked soldiers under the leadership of Hereward encountered these as they were running in front of the army to reconnoitre, and made no small slaughter of them, and pursued some right up to the tents of their comrades : whereupon all were completely astounded, realising now that they had been taken unawares. And accordingly with great anger and supreme indignation, they were advancing ready for battle, vowing that they would not leave a single man alive. And they were girt and protected with these arms : with coats of felt dipped in pitch and resin and incense, or tunics strongly made of leather, and in their hands spears studded with nails and twisted for thrusting and pulling away, or for striking, and with three or four squared javelins for throwing. And Between each couple so armed, one was always set with a sword or an axe, bearing also a shield before the couple. For they had an exceedingly large multitude, but badly arranged. Now the leader of the Flemish army, and Hereward the master of the soldiers, seeing them go down into the valley, drew up their army against them on the heights. And when they came together, as little by little others came against them, they altogether retreated, since they wished to draw them all away from their tents. For when they had advanced some distance from their quarters, the men of Flanders ceased flying, and turned and stood to battle, and Hereward with 1000 horse soldiers and 600 armed men killed those who were guarding their camp, and so led his force to the rear of the men of Scaldemariland, where he came upon them all almost unarmed, and being wholly unable to resist they were routed. But those who were in the front lines, realising this unexpected occurrence, and seeing their men flying in all directions, being inexperienced and untrained in war, at length found a place of safety from their flight in a certain secluded spot. But in that place the men of Scaldemariland kept being slain with javelins and missiles up till nightfall. And the night, covering everything with darkness, at last separated the armies, before the rising of the morning star, the moon the same night shining very slightly. Hereward with 600 men, whom he had left the day before to guard the ships, in the dead of night, returned to the camp of the men of Scaldemariland, without anyone perceiving it, and there killed many by hurling javelins, and wounded a great number, including some of the officers. And this was to them quite unexpected, and beyond all their experience in warfare. And when in full daylight the armies on both sides had been drawn up in line for the engagement, the men of Scaldemariland hastily sent ambassadors, praying and entreating them to have mercy. And a bargain having been made, they promised that they would do every justice for their wrong-doing then, and would like slaves serve their lords, and if they should find favour with them, that they would deliver over to their sway all the men who had laid hands on their ambassadors, or who had consented to it, or who had offended in word or deed, from the least to the greatest. And having received hostages, they gladly accepted them arranging that they would send them an answer on the seventh day.
XIII.
Where
Hereward got a mare of very great speed, and a colt of conspicuous beauty, and
what he underwent on the road.
Meanwhile as it was reported to Hereward that there was a remarkable breed of very swift horses in an island of he country, he proceeded thither with a few fellow-soldiers, and with some who were well acquainted with the difficulties of the route, and he got from the place a mare of very great speed, and a colt of conspicuous beauty, which he named Lightfoot, and the dam in English he called Swallow. But as he was returning from that place, he fell among a band of robbers, in a certain secluded spot among the valleys, and hills, and woods, where for two days he vigorously withstood their ambushes, and being on the third day much weakened by hunger, and confused by the violence of the robbers, on the sixth day, by making great speed, they arrive at their company, who had to make answer the next day to the chiefs of that land concerning the peace aforesaid for which they had prayed. For on Hereward more than on all the rest depended the favourable nature of the reply and all the result of the arrangement.
And so on the appointed day, the men of Scaldemariland came with all the most important men, and with noble gifts, offering their service ; earnestly begging and entreating for a renewal of the ancient treaties and services, more than a confirmation of them as before in their father’s time, protesting that they would do service under a most secure covenant from this time for ever. And they accepted them ; and greatly enriched by presents from the most important men of the country, and with the rating of the land and the tribute doubled, they departed and returned to their own land, in great delight at the reward of their valour and victory. But neither their lord, who had sent them there nor his son, was found (on their return), but a successor in the kingdom, and they bewailed the death of their most beloved lord, affected with the deepest grief and sadness. But at length, being consoled after their grief, they asked the chiefs of the country, and the tribunes, if for their great trouble they would bestow upon them any benefit on behalf of their lord, since they had brought back the subjection of the land to which they had been sent, and then could shew them hostages and gifts, and they were paying a double tribute from the land as the price of their labour. And besides they said they ought to be remunerated by them for the labour they had had. And when they at last perceived that they were presented with no recompensation then, at Hereward’s suggestion, the soldiers shared among themselves everything they had brought from Scaldemariland. Which act afterwards caused ill feeling between Hereward and the son of his lord
XIV.
How he
returned to his country and to his father’s house, where he found that his
brother had been slain the day before, and of the grand vengeance he took the same
night.
When therefore Hereward spent a few days of idleness in those places thinking this disgraceful, he went away, and forthwith set out for England, desiring to visit his father’s house and his country, now subject to the rule of foreigners, and almost ruined by the exactions of many men, if perchance in any place any of his friends or neighbours might be still alive, desiring to help them. And he took with him as his only companion his own servant Martin surnamed Lightfoot, and left his two nephews aforesaid Siward the White and Siward the Red, with the wife above named whom he had lately taken. And then one evening he arrived at his father’s mansion, called Bourne, and was hospitably entertained by a certain Pirus, a soldier of his father’s, Asered by name, in the suburbs of the same town, where he found him, the father of a family, and the neighbours very sorrowful, and full of all grief, greatly fearing that they were delivered over to the dominion of foreigners. And what was more grievous to them than all else, they were bewailing that they would be in subjection to the men who had the day before slain the innocent young son of their lord, and who were the authors of the death of their lord’s son, and the reason for it ; and they answered him : “It is to a certain extent a help and a comfort in sadness to disclose our grief ; but not to involve you, a noble man, as we see, in our misfortunes ; with whom rather we ought to make merry for hospitality’s sake. But yet since you seem in everything a famous and noble man, we regard you as some remedy to our sorrow, and therefore we gladly explain the whole matter to you. There was with us a certain youthful son of our lord’s whom his father at his death had commended to his people, with his widowed mother ; and he would be his heir, if his brother named Hereward, a man most vigorous and conspicuous in every kind of valour, should not return, whom, while still a lad, his father had driven from his face for his misdoings. And now, three days ago, some men with the consent of the king attacked his inheritance, and took it for themselves, killing our very light, the son and heir of our lord, while he was protecting his widowed mother against them, as they demanded from her his father’s riches and treasures, as well as because he slew those two who had handled her discourteously. And they cut off his head, and set it up over the gate of the house, by way of revenge, because he had killed two Frenchmen ; and there it still remains. Alas ! wretched men that we are, in that we have no means of vengeance ! Would that his brother aforesaid, now, as we have often heard, a very great man were here : for then, of a truth, every one of those men, before the moon set and the sun brought forth the rays of its light, would be lying dead like that son of our lord’s !” But Hereward hearing these words, and sighing to himself, groaned deeply. At length after their conversation, all being sleepy went to bed ; and Hereward, after lying a little while on his bed, heard at a distance the voices of persons singing, and the sound of the harp and viol, and the merriment of those applauding. Summoning a boy, Hereward asked him what the sound was that beat against their ears. And he immediately pronounced that it was the merriment of persons applauding at the banquet, on the occasion of the entering into the inheritance of their lord’s son, who was yesterday killed by them.
And after a little while Hereward calls for his servant and puts on his tunic, and took a breastplate and helmet from beneath the black cloth under the cloak of a maid-servant, together with a sword ; and so, with his servant in light armour, he proceeded to the guests now overcome with drunkenness, designing to pledge them, for his brother’s death, in a draught of a spear-shaft, and in wine of sorrow. As he approached he found his brother’s head over the gate. Taking it down, he kissed it, and wrapped it up in a cloth. After doing this, he advanced behind the door of the building to search for the guests, and there by the fireside he beheld them all overcome with intoxication, and the soldiers reclining on the women’s laps. And there was amongst them a jester, singing to a lute, abusing the nation of the English, and in the middle of the room performing ungainly antics, meant in imitation of English dancing. And at last he demanded for pay from their lord, something belonging to the parents of the famous youth yesterday slain. But one of the girls at the banquet, not enduring these words, made answer, “There is still surviving a famous soldier, brother of the youth yesterday slain, by name of Hereward, and well known in our country, that is in Flanders ; and if he were here, not one of these things would be left here by day break.” Indignant at these words the lord of the house thus replied, “I know the man, ad a thorough scoundrel he is, for he stole the gifts which were sent to the prince of our country from Scandemariland [sic], and distributed them unfairly, when he had been by him appointed master of the soldiers. For he would have suffered death upon a gibbet, if he had not provided for his safety by flight, not venturing to dwell in any land this side of the Alps.” On hearing this the jester repeatedly abused him as he sang. But at last Hereward could endure this no longer, and leapt upon him and slew him with a single stroke of his sword, and then attacked the guests. He laid low fourteen of them, and their lord ; some being unable to rise from being intoxicated, and others being unable to go to their help from being taken unarmed : and this with the assistance of a single servant, whom he had set at the door of the hall, so that whoever escaped the hand of Hereward, might fall into the hands of the servant. And their heads the same night he set up over the gate where his brother’s head had been placed, giving thanks to the Giver of all grace that his brother’s blood was now avenged.
XV.
For what
reason some fled from him in alarm ; and whence he
chose for himself men of war.
But in the morning the men of the district and the neighbours were filled with astonishment at what was done; and almost all the French of that district, in alarm abandoned the lands that had been assigned to them and fled, lest something similar should happen to them at the hands of such a man, if he should become their neighbour. But the inhabitants of the country, and his own kinsfolk having heard about him, flocked to him, congratulating him upon his return to his country and to his paternal inheritance, and advising him to guard it with caution, dreading the anger of the king when he should become acquainted with his doings. And Hereward, not unmindful of these things, established in the place 49 of the bravest men from his paternal inheritance, and from his kinsfolk, equipped with all the requirements of military armour, while he himself for a few days would proceed to take vengeance upon some of his enemies in the neighbourhood, who still remained at their own abodes.
XVI.
For what
reason he wished to be made a knight in the English manner,
and where he was made a knight.
Therefore Hereward, when he perceived himself to be the leader and lord
of such men, and how he saw his band largely increasing every day by fugitives,
and men condemned and disinherited, called to mind
that he had never been according to the custom of his nation, girt with a sword
and belt of a knight : and so, with two of the most eminent of his men, one
named Wynter and the other Gaenoch, he went to the Abbot of Burgh, whose name
was Brant, a man of very noble birth, that he might gird him with the sword and
belt of a knight, after the English practice, lest, after becoming the chief
and leader of many men, the inhabitants of the country should find fault with
him for being no knight. And on the Feast of the Nativity of the Apostles Peter
and Paul he obtained the honour of knighthood at the
hands of the Abbot : and for his honour a monk of Ely, Wilton by name, who was
also warden (?) and a friend of Hereward’s
father, and faithful as a brother, made his comrades knights. For so he wanted
himself and his men to be made knights ; as he had
heard it had been ruled by the Frenchmen that if any one were made a knight by
a monk or a clerk or by any ordained minister,* he ought not to be reckoned
among true knights, but as a false knight and born out of due time. Hereward,
out of opposition to this rule, desired nearly all the men that served him and
were under his rule to be made knights by the monks, so that if any one would
serve him he should receive the sword as knightly custom demands at least from
a monk, if from no other. And he often said, “If any man received the knightly
sword from a servant of God and a knight of the kingdom of heaven, I know that
such a servant displays his valour in every sort of military service, as I have
often found by experience.” And hence arose the custom among the monks of Ely,
that if any man there would be made a knight, he ought always on the same day
to offer his naked sword upon the altar at high mass, and receive it again from
the monk that was singing the mass, after the gospel, the sword being put on
his bare neck with benediction, and in that way, by delivering the sword to the
recruit, he was made full knight. And this was the practice of Abbots in those
times. Afterwards he entered the
* Latin manifestly corrupt.
XVII.
How he
was sought out by a certain man who desired to kill him, and how Hereward slew
him.
Returning to his own people he heard that a certain Frederic had been
extensively enquiring for him in many places, (he was the brother of the old
Earl William de Warrenne,) that he might take him in
person into the king’s presence, as we have mentioned above, to hand him over
to punishment ; or else that he might cut of his head, and set it up in he most
public thoroughfare for a sign, as Hereward had exhibited over the gate of his
house the heads of those men who had taken his inheritance and slain his brother
; and further that he might drive into exile or maim all who still were on
Hereward’s side, or brought him any assistance. But Hereward with his men at
once set about anticipating him, designing to treat him in the same way, if by
chance they could meet with him. For Hereward had heard that he was in
* Translation very free. Meaning uncertain.
XVIII.
Why
Hereward departed again into
After which he went into Flanders to his wife whom he had lately taken,
promising those whom he had left in
* Meaning seems clear, but Latin, if correctly transcribed, very difficult.
XIX.
How on his
return to
But Hereward, as he had promised to his people, returned to
But when they were all assembled, all were most eminent men, and not one of them to be esteemed worthy of knightly dignity unless he had first achieved some memorable deeds. And these are their names, making (with those we have named above) the whole number. Wluncus, The Black, so called because he had once stained his face with charcoal and gone unrecognised among some enemies who were in security, and had overthrown ten of them with his single spear. And his mate was one Wluricus Rahere, or the Heron, so called because he was once by some chance at Wrokesham Bridge, where four brothers who had done no wrong were condemned to be executed, and terrifying the executioners, who called him a Heron in mockery, he manfully caused the innocent men to be liberated, and some of their enemies killed. Others too were associated with the more famous of Hereward’s knights, Godricus of Corby, nephew of the Earl of Warwick, and Tosti of Davenesse, kinsman of the same Earl, whose name he took in baptism, and Ancere Vasus, son of a gentleman near Lincoln, who owned the tower of the city (?), and Lewinus Mone, that is The Sickle ; so called because being by chance in a meadow, when he was cutting the grass by himself, he was set upon by a score of labourers of the place with pitchforks and spears in heir hands, and alone among them all, with nothing but his sickle, he wounded many and killed some, dashing among them like a reaper, and so put them all to flight.
In company with those was also one Turbentinus [sic], great-grandson of Earl Edwin, and Lefwinus Prat, that is, The Crafty, because though often captured by his enemies he had cunningly escaped, many times killing his very guards, whence his surname. And with them moreover others most experienced in warfare must be reckoned, Leofric the Deacon, and Villicus* of Drayton, and Turkillys, and Utlamhe, that is The Outlaw, Hereward’s cook, Hogor, his kinsman Winter and Liveret, two men of mark, and Rapenaldus, steward of Ramsey ; these were standard bearers. So too were Wluricus, The Black, and Wluricus, The White, Wluricus Grugam, Ylardus, Godwinus Gille, Outi, and another also named Outi, with those named before, and those two splendid men, Siward and Siward, the Red, who were Hereward’s nephews. With these then there were other very famous knights, Godricus of Corby, Hugo the Norman, a priest, and Ylardus his brother, Leofric the Deacon, Tosti of Rothwell, and Godwinus of Rothwell, Osbernus, Alsinus, Lefwinus Prat, Hurchillus, and Villicus** of Drayton. All of these were the most renowned and splendid knights in the whole kingdom ; and there were several others, whom it would be tedious to enumerate individually.
* Perhaps an officer, bailiff, not a name.
XX.
How the
men in the
But the men in the Isle of Ely, who had begun to hold it against King William, who had won England in war, hearing of the return of such a man as Hereward, sent for him, and by their messengers desire him to come to them with all his men, and take part with them in defence of their country and the liberty of their fathers, assuring him that he would in every way be most highly esteemed among them. And these messages they deliver more especially in the name and on behalf of Thurstan, Abbot of the Church of Ely, and his monks, whose dominion was the Isle, and by whom it was put in defence against the King, more particularly because he had designed to set a certain foreign monk over them ; one of those monks for whom he had already sent from the French nation, to set as deans and heads in all the churches of the English.
But a famous soldier, Brumannus by name, well acquainted with the coast, having knowledge of this, met them by sea, dipped them all in the sea in a large sack that he had attached to the prow of his vessel, and sent them back ; thus, for the time, delivering the monasteries of the English and their friends from foreign rule. On receiving the message Hereward was delighted, and at once set out on the journey, embarking at Bardney. Hearing this, the Earl of Warenne, whose brother Hereward had lately slain, prepared several ambushes by his road in secret places near the marsh, and with caution put a guard round the waters by the side of the land, hoping to take Hereward without serious loss of his own men. But these designs were not hid from Hereward, some of the guards having fallen in with some stragglers of Hereward’s force, and attacked them. Sending to their assistance and capturing the attacking party, Hereward ascertained from them that the ambush was formed by the Earl of Warenne, and that he himself was coming to Herbeche the next day. Whereupon Hereward made haste, and stationed his ships and men at the spot, and hid some armed men near the river bank ; and he himself with three knights and four archers all well armed went close to the bank of the river, where the Earl with his men had just arrived on the other side. On seeing them one of the Earl’s men drew near and spoke thus : “Are you of the company of that scoundrel Hereward, who by his cunning ruined such numbers, and has drawn so many to himself to help his nefarious deeds? I wish the rascal could be betrayed to our lord the Earl : if you will connive at this he will deem you worthy of reward and honour. For this force of the enemy, though not dangerous, may drive us to this, to dwell in a dismal swamp, and to pursue one without arms through a muddy marsh, and among the eddies of the waters and the sharp reeds, every one of them destined to death together with the leader at an early date. For now the King has entirely surrounded the whole Isle with his army, and has closed in the whole land, that he may destroy all its inhabitants.” At these words one of Hereward’s men replied : “How much longer, you wretch, will you try to persuade us to betray and desert our master? Make haste and withdraw, lest you fall beneath our fierce javelins ; and tell your lord that the man for whom he is asking is on this side of the water.” At this intelligence the Earl immediately presented himself, and at sight of Hereward urged all his men to swim across the water with him, to avenge the death of his brother. But they declared that this could not possibly be done, declaring that he had come there for the very purpose of beguiling them in that manner ; whereupon with a groan he addressed the men across the water : “Oh! that that man of Belial, your master, were here now in my hands ; he should of a truth taste his due punishment, death.” Hearing these words Hereward replied : “Yes ; and if by good fortune we two were by ourselves in any place, you would not obtain your wish that I should be in your weak hands, nor would you have reason to be glad of our meeting.” And Hereward, leaning a little forward, stretched his bow and discharged an arrow with great strength upon the breast of the Earl. And though it glided off the corslet that protected him, yet he was almost killed by the blow.
Upon this his men, very anxious for their lord because he had fallen from his horse at the blow, quickly carried him away in their arms. And Hereward went away, and the same day arrived with his men in the Isle of Ely, where he was received with the greatest respect by the Abbot of the place and the monks ; and much honoured by the principal men of the Isle, namely, by Adwin Earl of Leicester, and his brother Morkere, Earl of Warwick, and another Earl, Tosti by name, who had all fled to the men in the Isle, having suffered many wrongs at the hands of the aforesaid King, being worried with many grievous exactions, with some eminent men of the country, whom the like reason had drawn to the place.
XXI.
How the
King attempted to take the Isle, where he nearly lost his entire army; while no
man, except one brave knight, entered it.
And so after the King heard of these things, he was excessively angry, and impelled by great indignation, urgently attempted to take the Isle ; but he moved all his army to Alrehede, where it was not so wholly surrounded by waters and swamp : the breadth of the position extended only four furlongs. After bringing instruments and engines of logs and stones, and piles of all sorts, they constructed a causeway in the swamp, though it was comparatively useless and narrow, near to a great river by the aforesaid place, namely Alrehede : they also put into the water very large trees and beams bound together, and beneath them sheep-skins tied together, turned after flaying and inflated with air, so that the weight of men going over it might be better borne. When this was done, so great a multitude rushed and came together on it, eager, among other things, for the gold and silver which was thought to be hidden in plenty in the Isle, with the result that those men who in their hurry had taken the lead were drowned together with the road itself that they had made ; and those who were in the middle of the company also were swallowed up in the watery and deep swamp. A few indeed of those who followed last with the loss of their arms, escaped with difficulty, tumbling out of the water through the sand. And so, though hardly a man pursued them, they perished in great numbers in the waters and in the swamp ; and of them many, up to this very day, are drawn out from the depths of those waters, in rotten armour. And this we have sometimes ourselves seen. And of all those of whom we have above made mention, not one got into the Isle, except by chance a single eminent knight, Dada by name, who went in the very front ; but no man of the Isle was caught in the snare, for some men had made a heap of sods on the bank of the river in front of the bulwarks and ramparts, laying ambushes on the right and on the left. And the King observing all these things from a distance, saw how his men in front were swallowed up in the swamp and in the water ; and groaning from deep heartfelt sorrow with those of his men who still survived, very few compared with the number of those that were drowned, departed, laying aside all hope of making any further attack on the Isle. But still he put a guard on there, and soldiers round about, lest they should have free access to lay waste the district.
XXII.
Of a soldier who went into the Isle, and resolved to
be the first to give information to the King about the Isle and its
inhabitants.
That soldier whom we have named a little while ago as having gone into the Isle, was taken and led
before the chief men and dignitaries of the Isle in Ely. And when he was asked
for the reason of his coming and for his name, they found out that he was
called Dada, and the reason of his coming was as follows. The King, in the presence of his followers, had made a bargain,
that whoever should first make his way into the Isle and inflict some damage,
might ask of him any of the possessions in the Isle, and he promised he should
have it. Hearing this they praised his audacity and valour ; and they caused
him to stay with them for a few days, that he might become acquainted with
their valour, and see how secure a position they held,
being provided with the defence of a thoroughly fortified place, and in no small
degree strengthened by the companies of distinguished soldiers. For, as he
often declared in their presence, he had many times heard that they were less
proficient in war and less skilled in military tactics than other nations ; but before he departed he perceived that they were
most excellent in all things, and efficient in practice of warfare. So
permission to go away was given him on these terms, that he should report about
them nothing else than what he had heard and see, and this he had to confirm with
an oath ; and so at length, complimented with a
present, he arrived at the King’s court ; and everybody greatly congratulated
him on his arrival, and the King himself was glad. For he was a man of very
great repute among the more distinguished of the King’s knights : and when he
was asked before the whole court, he declared how he entered the Isle by some
favour of fortune safe and sound. And while on the road on which they had
marched and which they had made, great numbers, as we have narrated above, perished, he said that he alone of them all had been
conducted alive by Hereward the master of the soldiers
of the Isle into the Isle ; and by him he asserted
that he had been honoured among he most distinguished of the bands of soldiers.
Afterwards, on enquiry, he learnt the reason of his going there, Dada
explaining to him the King’s promise that any man who should first go into the
Isle and inflict some damage should be rewarded with very great honour. Upon
being further strictly questioned, he went through all the dignities of he
chief men of the Isle and their names ; and recounted the grandeur of their
works of defence, and how well strengthened they were by troops of
distinguished soldiers, and in no small degree protected by companies of mighty
men. And in the first place of dignity he put those three Earls whom we have
named above, that is to say, Adwinus, Morkere, and Tosti, and the two nobles,
Orgar and Thrachitell,
surnamed The Boy. And in giving his description of them he extolled Hereward
the Outlaw with his men above themselves and above all knights whom he had ever
seen in the nation of
* Latin very difficult. It seems to imply that the natural security of the position was sufficient without artificial defences.
XXIII.
What they
did when they were disheartened about the Isle, and how the King was disposed
to make peace with them, unless some of his own men had dissuaded him.
As he was relating this, one of those soldiers whom the King had appointed to make the blockade at the dyke at Reach, coming in a little before, as soon as the man had finished his story, said : “Are these things incredible to you ? and do they seem false ? Only yesterday I saw some men coming from the Isle, not a great number, no more than seven, in the dress of soldiers, and armed with proper equipments for war, all of whom except two were manifestly monks, and they were well acquainted with warfare like the rest of the soldiers, and claimed to exercise the rights of a soldier, set fire to the town of Burwell, and inflicted mischief in all directions, and not only they, but others also, running about. And some of our men, ten in number, before all of us who were engaged in the blockade, hurrying without consideration to them, thought to capture them, because they were fewer in number than ourselves. At length they came up with them by the dyke aforesaid within distance of throwing lances. after long fighting our men at last succumbed, except one fine soldier, Richard by name, and by surname grandson of the Viscount Osbertus, to whom by himself, apart from the main body, a man named Wenochus had stuck closely, endeavouring to take him. While these were long fighting, and they who had come out of the Isle waited and could see neither prevailing, and observed us with a band of soldiers drawing near, Hereward, the leader of the soldiers, caused them to be separated, and suffered no one to offer violence to Richard, saying that it was a unworthy thing for two men or three to be fighting against one, and that he would on no account allow such a thing to be done by his men ; and this we learn from the mouth of the man himself. Finally we pursued them to their ships, and we killed on of their sailors with a javelin, and caught another ; and he recounted to us their dignities and who they were, adding their names, Hereward the leader of the soldiers, Wenochus, Turstanus, a young man, who was afterwards surnamed Warden, Boter of Saint Edmunds, Siwardus, Levricus, and Acer the Hard, so called because he was hardy in enduring labour.” These truly, although monks were most distinguished in all military knowledge, and often with Hereward made trial of valorous deeds and were thoroughly approved in their training. But the King spake nothing, no word either good or bad, thinking to himself that it was an unworthy thing to abuse men who acted valiantly, and yet unwilling to extol his enemies before his own men. But he contemplated making peace with them, knowing the Isle to be protected both by nature and by very brave men, and perceiving that he could in no way prevent their going in and out. And so, summoning the nobles and counsellors, he explains to them what was in his mind, to make peace with those in the Isle, declaring that it was too serious a thing to leave such men in the middle of the land in his rear, when they ought to be marching against the army of the Danes, and after that to go directly to Normandy. Whereupon some of the elders who were present, and most intimate with him, hearing this, straightway began to dissuade the King from his purpose, because those in the Isle had invaded many of their estates, and had taken to themselves shares of their possessions, saying, “If you dismiss without punishment those who have long and vigorously been raging against your rule, and agree to make peace with them without their begging for it humbly and with prayers, and when rights are granted to them ; how will all men mock at your superiority, and none will be afraid to act likewise in your dominion.” To whom the King with anger replied, that he could not take the Isle, nor any place so naturally by the power of God. To this one who was present, Ivo Taillebois by name, indignantly answered, “I have known for a long time an old woman who could, if she were here, by her single skill crush all their valour and all their defences, and drive them all in alarm out of he Isle.” And he declared that he was willing to send for her, if the King consented. On hearing this at once all who were present began to persuade the King to give consent, saying that they ought not to oppose, but rather assist, and enrich with very great presents, any one who could by skill, or ability, or in any way whatever, crush the enemies of the King’s Majesty. And the King, yielding to their persuasions, immediately ordered the old woman to be brought to him, but in secret, and that it was not to be done openly. He himself, afterwards, again made his army to enclose the Isle ; and to guard it from without everywhere, himself appointing sentinels here and there, and ordering a blockade, lest any one should come out from the Isle and discover what they were themselves doing towards taking it, whereby they might contrive some art or invention against them.
XXIV.
How
Hereward dressed up as a potter and went to the King’s court to spy out what
they meant to do ; and how he cheated them, and slew
some in the King’s court, and returned unharmed.
These things being arranged by the King, the Isle was so guarded from
the outside that almost all power of going in or coming out was stopped ; and this was an unlooked for source of grief and
alarm, since they did not know what the King’s men were going to do against
them, nor what plan of attack was being formed, since they heard that the King
had learnt some new fashion of making war. And so they
decided that they ought somehow or other to send a man outside the Isle to
explore. But finding no one quite fit for the purpose, at last it seemed
good to Hereward to go himself in disguise, although all objected strongly and
opposed his decision. And at last he set out, taking with him his mare called
in English Swallow, a creature always lean and ugly in appearance, whose speed
we have described before, and how ready she was to undergo fatigue. As he went
out he changed his dress, cut his hair and beard, and put on a dirty coat : and, meeting a potter, he took
his pots, and assuming the character of a potter made his way to the King’s
court at
XXV.
How
Hereward disguised himself as a fisherman, and cheated the King a second time : and how the King attacked the Isle and about their
means of defence.
The King, as he had arranged, and in pursuit of the object for which he had directed his march to the spot, when the engines of war were got ready, attempted to carry out his plans, leading his whole army to Alreheche ; he caused also to be brought thither a large pile of wood and stones, and a heap of all kinds of timber ; and he commanded all the fishermen of the province to come with their boats to Cotingelade, so that they might transport what they had brought to the place, and with the materials construct mounds and hillocks on the top of which they might fight. Among these Hereward came with the rest like a fisherman with a boat, and they carefully transported everything that they had brought there. At last on the same day, the sun not setting without some damage done before he departed, he finished his work, and then set it on fire, whereby the whole was burnt up, and some men were also killed by it, and some drowned. For he had gone with head and beard shaven so as not to be recognised : employing different disguises for the death of his enemies and destruction of his foes, more willing to appear for a time in ungainly fashion, and to lose his comely hair, than to spare his adversaries. And when this was reported, that he had with impunity again got away, the King said it was a shameful thing that he had been now more than once mocked by Hereward ; but yet the worthy King among other things and above all gave orders to his men and charged them Hereward should be brought to him alive, and that they should keep him unharmed. And being much impressed with the damage done on this occasion, the King’s men set guards over all their property and over the works, night and day. So for seven days they struggled, and with difficulty completed one work ; and they set up four circular erections of wood on which to put the engines. But the men of the Isle, erecting outworks and bulwarks to oppose them, made a vigorous resistance. And so on the eighth day, all advanced to attack the Isle with their whole strength ; and they put that witch before mentioned on an elevated spot in their midst, so that she, being sufficiently protected on all sides, might have free room for the exercise of her skill.
When she had got up she spoke out for a long time against the Isle and its inhabitants, denouncing destruction and uttering charms for their overthrow, and at the end of her talking and incantations turned her back on them in derision. And when she had gone through this disgusting ceremony three times, as she had proposed, behold, the men who were hidden all around in the swamp, on the right and left, among the reeds and rough briars of the swamp, set the reeds on fire, and by the help of the wind the smoke and flame spread up against their camp. Extending some two furlongs the fire rushing hither and thither among them formed a horrible spectacle in the marsh, and the roar of the flames, with the crackling twigs of the brushwood and willows, made a terrible noise. Stupefied and excessively alarmed, they took to flight, each man for himself ; but they could not go far through the desert parts of the swamp in that watery road, nor could they keep to the path with ease. Wherefore very many were suddenly swallowed up, and others