heraldryofyorkmi01custuoft

THE WAKES. 297
iron yoke many who found a speedy result to their independence in the
;
headsman's axe or the gallows-tree; but the name of one and probably
the most conspicuous of them, one who made a gallant though futile
effort to help his countrymen has come down, Hereward the Saxon, or as
he was generally called by the Normans, Hereward " "
the Outlaw ; by
the Saxons, Hereward "the Wake," i.e. the watchman, Lord of Bourne.
He was born about 1047. His father was Leofric, Lord of Bourn, who
was distinguished through his services in the field, and his munificence
towards Croyland Abbey. His mother was Ediva, a descendant of Oslac
"the Pincerna," or cup-bearer to King Ethelwolf, and his uncles, Brand
and Godric, were successively abbots of Peterborough. Hereward's vigorous
and independent character shewed itself by various precocious acts in his
early youth, which made his residence at home unwelcome, and sent him
a wanderer amongst friends and relations in different parts of the country.
With each he distinguished himself by some act of giant strength and
indomitable courage one time : killing a bear which had broken its chain,
to the terror of the household ;
at another, chastising in single combat a
boasting Irish prince who had impugned the courage and skill of the
English ; at another time rescuing unhappy prisoners who were already
bound to have their eyes put out ; then carrying off a captive bride
and restoring her to her lover; then rescuing a fallen fellow-soldier from
the enemy in an expedition to Flanders ;
and vanquishing a noted knight
who was esteemed a very lion in valour.
On his return to Bourn (1068), he found that the people were
groaning under their Norman masters, his father's house in the hands of
the invaders, and his brother's head nailed above the door. In a moment,
he was in the midst of these unwelcome intruders, the head of the minstrel
who was regaling them with insulting songs about Hereward's family
was rolling on the floor ;
and after a fierce struggle the heads of sixteen
were exposed in their turn, as their young victim's head had previously
been, to public gaze. The Isle of Ely had for some time afforded a
retreat for all Saxons as were impatient of Norman rule. Thither Edwin
and Morcar, native princes; thither Stigand, the primate, and several Saxon
bishops had come; and thither Hereward went at their call to take the
supreme command of their little scanty forces, and to help them amidst
the swampy pools and marshes to resist, with sturdy heart and firm
reliance upon God, any force which might be sent against
them. For a
long time Hereward kept the enemy at bay, in spite of the floating
causeway which they made to reach them, and which sank under the
weight of their arms ;
in spite, also, of the witch whom they sent to curse
him, and who was destroyed by the blazing sedge and rushes. Disguised
as a potter Hereward visited the Norman camp, and having slain one of