Herevard Leader of the popular Anglo-Saxon resistance during the Norman Conquest of England. Country: Great Britain

Content:

1. Hereward the Wake: A Legendary Anglo-Saxon Resister
2. Resistance to the Normans
3. The Fall of Ely
4. Forest Outlaw
5. Folklore and Pardon
6. Cultural Impact
7. The 16-episode television series "Hereward the Wake" (1965)
8. The Pink Floyd song "Let There Be More Light"

Hereward the Wake: A Legendary Anglo-Saxon Resister

Early Life

Hereward was a key figure in the Anglo-Saxon resistance against the Norman Conquest of England. His exact origins remain uncertain, but he is believed to have been a member of a minor Anglo-Danish thegn family in Lincolnshire, where he likely inherited land from either his father, possibly the Danish thegn Asketyl, or his uncle, Leofric, Earl of Mercia.

Resistance to the Normans

As the Norman invasion intensified in 1066, Hereward emerged as a leader of the Anglo-Saxon resistance. He allied with the Danish fleet of King Sweyn Estridsen, which established a base on the Isle of Ely in 1070. From there, Hereward and his followers carried out raids against the Normans, including a famous attack on Peterborough Abbey to retrieve monastic treasures.

The Fall of Ely

In 1070, a truce between Sweyn and William the Conqueror forced the Danish fleet to withdraw. However, Hereward continued to resist, joined by other Anglo-Saxon fighters. In 1071, King William's forces besieged the Isle of Ely, eventually capturing it and killing or capturing many defenders. Hereward, however, managed to escape.

Forest Outlaw

Hereward the Outlaw

Refusing to surrender, Hereward and his remaining followers retreated to the vast Bruneswald Forest, where they lived as outlaws. Hereward gained a reputation as a protector of the poor and oppressed, launching attacks on Norman outposts and embodying the spirit of resistance.

Folklore and Pardon

The Wake Legacy

Legends about Hereward's exploits entered English folklore, where he became a prototype for later heroes like Robin Hood. According to the 15th-century chronicle Gesta Herewardi, King William eventually pardoned Hereward. His descendants, the Wake family, owned lands in southern Lincolnshire and claimed him as an ancestor.

Cultural Impact

Hereward in the Arts

Hereward's story has inspired numerous literary and artistic works, including:

The 16-episode television series "Hereward the Wake" (1965)

The novels "Cold Heart, Fierce Hand" (2000) by Laurence Browne and "The Infinite Exile" (2004) by Mary Lancaster

The Pink Floyd song "Let There Be More Light"

Peterborough's FM radio station "Hereward FM"

Commander

Safar Abiyev	Sidor White	Peter Haydebrek
Vasiliy Gladkov	Philipp Albiniak	Philipp Ornano