Hereward
the Wake ("watchful one") is believed to be the son of Leofric
of Bourn. As a young man Hereward was banished from Lincolnshire by
Edward the Confessor as a troublemaker.
After
William
the Conqueror gained
control of England Hereward's lands were given to Oger the Breton.
Hereward now took revenge by establishing a gang of rebels who attacked
Normans settlers in Lincolnshire.
In
1070 Hereward joined the invading Danes under King Sweyn
and helped plunder Peterborough. In June 1070 Hereward seized
the isle of Ely. He was later joined by Morcar,
the Earl of Northumbria.
In
1071 William led an expedition against the rebels on the the isle
of Ely. Morcar surrendered but Hereward and a few others escaped through
the marshes. It is not known what happened to Hereward the Wake after
this date.
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