The history of imbanking and drayning of divers fenns and marshes, both in forein parts and in this kingdom, and of the improvements thereby extracted from records, manuscripts, and other authentick testimonies / by William Dugdale.

CAP. XL.

HAving now done with this second foundation of the said Monastery, so made by that devout Bishop (as hath been observed) I must not forget the gift of Staney thereunto.

This was bestowed y 1.1 on it by the be∣fore mentioned Wulstan de Delham, who had it, with the Fen belonging thereto, of the grant of one AEscuen a VVidow: which Fen the Monks afterwards dimi∣sed for the Rent of two thousand Eeles, unto a certain Kinsman of the said AEs∣cuen: who, having been tenants to it formerly, and continuing so likewise du∣ring the life of the said King Edgar, did at length hold it as their own, without any sentence or law of the Citizens and Hundreders. Upon complaint made therefore of this injury to AEgelwine the Alderman (who was then chief Justice to the King over all England) the said AEgelwine came to Ely, and summoned Reigmund de Holand and the rest, that so held it, to come before him to answer the same•• but they, though often warn∣ed, refused to appear; nevertheless the said Abbot continued his sute, and re∣newed his complaint to the people, for that wrong, upon all occasions. At length the said Alderman sitting at Cambridge, there was a great Court of those Citizens and Hundreders, before xxiii. Judges, held under a c••rtain place called•• Thirningfeld, neer Maidene∣berge; where the Abbot declared o∣penly to them all, how unjustly the said Reimund, and the rest, had dealt with him, in dispossessing S. Audrey of this Staneye; and how that they would never appear, though frequently sum∣moned. VVhereupon the Judges de∣creed, that the before specified Abbot ought to have the same again; as also the whole fen and fishing: and moreover, that he the said Reigmund, and the other defendants, should pay to the same Ab∣bot the arrear of fish, due for six years, and likewise give a forfaiture to the King: and that if they did not freely do so, they should be distrained by their Cattel. And thereupon also did the said Alderman command, that Oskytel, and Osmund Bece, with a Godere de Ely should perambulate that land, and put the Abbot in possession thereof; who did accordingly.

Of the before specified Abbot Brith∣nod I also find; z 1.2 that by his care and industry the limits of this Isle were first set forth; viz. a 1.3 from Cotingelade to Litleport, or Abbotes delfe (since cal∣led Bishops delfe) being in length sea∣ven miles: And from Cherche were to Straham mere, in breadth four: with∣in which compass divers petty Isles are included. Moreover, as a member thereof, (though lying without this cir∣cumference) is Dudintone; as also Chateriz, where was a House of Nunns; with the town of Wittlesey, and Abby of Thorney, which Abbot calling to∣gether the Inhabitants on every part thereof, assigned b 1.4 them their several portions of land: and for a perpetual evidence of the possessions belonging to his Church, he caused that large and deep ditch to be cut through the main body of the Fenn, which was then cal∣led by the name of Abbot's delfe (as I have observed) to the end it might re∣main as a boundary in that deep mud and water.

This Monastery being therefore so amply endowed with lands, and other∣wise richly beautifyed through the bounty of many zealous people, who then thought nothing too much for the glory of God and his service: and grow∣ing more famons every day than other, by reason of the miracles which were done at the tombe of that renowned Virgin S. Audrey; multitudes of people, for devotions sake flocking thither; it hapned that (about fifty years after) King Canutus, a Prince of great wis∣dome, valour, and p••ety; being desi∣rous, together with Queen Emma his wife, and the Nobles of this Realm, to keep the feast of the Purification of our Lady, here at Ely, with high solemnity, as the custome then was; the Abbots of Ely in their turn, performing the service in the King's Court, as they had used to do; there being no other access to it (considering the bredth and depth of the Fenn) but by shipping; he set sayl thitherward: and when he came neer to the land, raising up himself,

commanded the Mariners to make what hast they could to a little Port, but to go stedily: and fixing his eyes to∣wards the Church, which stood on high, on the top of the Rock, he heard a pleasant voice on every side: where listning farther, the nearer he approach∣ed to land•• the more sensible he was of the melody: and at length perceiving that it was the Monks then singing in the Qui••e, and with shrill voices perfor∣ming their divine Offices; he comman∣ded all the rest that were in the next ships to come nearer to him; and ex∣horting them to sing with him, became so transported, that, expressing the joy of his heart, he presently composed and sung this Hymn.

Merie singende Monekes ben in Ely tha chut singende therby Royal chites noer the land And here yve thes Moneks sang.

Which in Latine is thus,

Dulcè c••ntaverunt Monachi in Ely, Dumi Canutus Rex navigat propè ibi••

And now my Knights (quoth he) sayl ye nearer, and let us jointly hear the harmo∣ny of these Monks. All which were long afterwards publickly sung in the Quire, in memory of that devout King, and kept in mind as Proverbs; the King thereupon ceasing not thus to sing, with his venerable College, till he came to land: where being received with solemn Procession (as the Custome had been to the Prìnce or any eminent person) and brought into the Church, he ratified all the donations conferred thereto by his Royal Predecessors Kings of England, and established them with their immu∣nities and privileges in the face of the Church (where the body of the holy Vir∣gin S. Audrey lay entombed) upon the high Altar, before all the persons there present.

Not long afterwards it so hapned * 1.5, that at the solempnity of this Feast the Fen was so much frozen, that the said King could not repair thither, as he de∣sired; neverthelesse it did not alter his purpose, though he was sorrowful and much troubled: Howbeit, putting his trust in God, being then upon Soham mere, he contrived to be drawn upon a slead over the Ice; and for his better se∣curity (considering the danger of the pas∣sage) that one should go before him, to try the way. But it so fell out, that as he stood thus consulting, a lusty and big man, and an inhabitant of the Isle, who for his corpulency was called Brithmer Budde, came before him, and offred to lead the way; whereupon the King fol∣lowed on the Slead, all that beheld him admiring his boldnesse; and coming safe thither, celebrated that solempnity, ac∣cording as he had wont, with great joy: and in gratitude to the said Brithmer, made him, with all his posterity, ••ree m••n for ever.

In further testimony likewise of the security of this place, by reason of the vast and deep waters wherein it was si∣tuate; I find d 1.6, that in the time of King Edward the Confessor, the English, ha∣ving advertisement of great preparations then making by the Da••es, for another invasion of this Realm, bestirred them∣selves in fortifying their Cities and Ca∣stles, hiding their treasure, and muste∣ring of souldiers for their defence: And that Alfric, the Abbot of S. Albans, much fearing the danger, did not only take care to convey the Shrine of that glorious prothomartyr (S. Alban) into a secret corner, where he immured it; but the better to disguise the businesse, wrote Letters to the Abbot of this place, humbly requesting him, that he would take chardge thereof, till all things should be in a quiet condition again: ••or (saith my Author) erat eorum Insula in∣transmeabilibus circundata paludibus, & a∣rundinetis, unde hostium incursus nequaquam timuerunt. id est. This Isle of Ely is envi∣roned with Fenns and Reed-plecks unpassible; so that they feared not the invasion of the Enemy. Whereunto the said Abbot as∣senting, Alfric, like a politick and wary man, fearing that these of Ely, having gotten such a treasure into their hands, might deny to restore it when it should be again required, sent, instead of S. Al∣bans Shrine, the reliques of an old Monk, put up in a rich Chest, as if they had been S. Albans bones; and kept the be∣fore-specified Shrine walled up in their own Abby, as hath been said.

But the most signal testimony of the strength of this place, by reason of the

said waters encompassing it, is that re∣course, which divers of the principal no∣bility of the English Nation had unto it, as their greatest refuge against the strength and power of the Norman Con∣queror: as also the defence that they then and there made against a powerful Army, brought by that King for the sub∣duing of it; the substance of which story, because it is but briefly pointed at by our publick Writers, I suppose it will not seem tedious if I here succinctly deli∣ver.

After that William Duke of Norman∣dy, invading this Realm with a puissant Army (in the year MLxvi.) had subdu∣ed the forces of K. Harold in open batail, wherein that King lost his life; Stigand Archbishop of Canterbury, whom the Conqueror affected not, fled e 1.7 into this Isle for safety: So likewise did f 1.8 Egfrid then Abbot of S. Albans, with the Re∣liques of that Saint, and treasure of his Church; As also g 1.9 Edwine and Morkere, two great and potent Earls of this Na∣tion, with h 1.10 Egelwine Bishop of Dur∣ham, besides many thousands i 1.11 of the Clergy and Laity. And understanding, that Hereward Lord k 1.12 of Brunne, in Lin∣colnshire, a younger son to the famous Leofrike Earl of Mercia, being a person much renowned l 1.13 for his valour and military skill [for m 1.14 at the age of xviij years, being banished the land by King Edw. the Confessor for his extraordinary dissolutenesse towards his parents and others, he went into Flanders and other forein parts, where he gained most high repute of his prowesse and noble exploits] was returned from beyond Sea, they forthwith sent n 1.15 for him; desi∣ring that he would repair thither with all his power, and joyn with them in the defence of their native Country, and re∣deeming their just liberties: And in par∣ticular they importuned him, in behalf of Thurstane then Abbot of that place and his Monks, whose the said Island wholly was, and on whose behalf the same was then fortified against the King, that he would make no delay, because the said King brought in a forein 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 he willing∣ly condescended, and forthwith began his journey towards them accordingly: whereof the Earl Warren having notice, whose brother, long before, the said Hereward had killed, he laid ambushes for him on the out-side of the Fens be∣longing to this Isle, and kept guards a∣bout the waters near to 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 encountred with part of his souldiers, and pursued them, he came in to their aid, and by taking some of them, discovering that the said Earl had set these ambushes for him; and likewise that he was on the morrow to be at Hoherhed, he hastned thither with his ships; and placing some armed souldiers near the bank of the River, went himself with three Horsmen and fou•• 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 whe∣ther they belong'd to Hereward, and finding that they did•• endeavoured to perswade them to forsake him•• but pre∣vailing not, they returned to the Earl, and told him, that Hereward himself was on the other side of the water. Where∣upon the said Earl animated his souldi∣ers to swim over with him presently, and revenge his brothers death: But they told him, that it was not possible so to do; saying, that his coming thither was purposely thus to delude them: where∣upon 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 replyed, 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 f••ye an Arrow, hit the Earl on the breast; but his Coat of mail would not suffer it to enter; neverthelesse 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 Here∣ward went away, and came with his company into the Isle the same day, where he was received with great ho∣nour

by the Abbot and his Monks, as also by those noble persons that were there; viz. Edwine Earl of Leicester, and Morkere his brother Earl of War∣wick, and other eminent men of the Country, who having been much oppres∣sed by the said Conquerour, fled thi∣ther.

Whereof the King hearing, and be∣ing much inraged thereat, he resolved to get the Isle by assault; and to that end caused a rendezvous of his whole Ar∣my at Alrehede (neer which place there is a military rampire yet to be seen) where the Fen was four furlongs in bredth: and having brought store of wood, stone, and fagots of all kinds, with a multitude of Trees and great pieces of timber, fastned them together under∣neath with Cow-hides; and to the end that they might the better passe over them, they stript off the skins of beasts, and filled them with wind like bladders: which being done, there were so many that pressed on to get over, being greedy of the gold & silver whereof they suppo∣sed store to be in the Isle, that they that went formost were drowned, with their Bridge; and those in the midst became swallowed up in the depth of the Fenn: 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, pu∣trified in their Harnesse, and dragg'd out from the bottome of the water; but one onely man (whose name was Beda) get∣ting into the Isle.

The King therefore beholding this la∣mentable disaster, and much grieving thereat, departed thence with those few which he had left, without any hope to conquer it; placing guards of soldiers a∣bout it, to prevent those within from wa∣sting 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 pro∣mise, 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 mans 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 expe∣rience of their civilities, and observed how secure the place was, by reason of the fortifications there made; as also the number and valour of the souldiers therein; he professed, that as he had of∣ten heard them reputed to be persons more expert in warr than others, he now found it to be true; and faithfully pro∣mised them, upon liberty to go back to the King's camp, that he would there re∣late 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 souldiers: unto whom he related the strength of the Isle, and his own adventure; and that those Earls before-mentioned, were there, with two noble men; viz. Orgar, and Thirchitell, surnamed Childe; but extolled Hereward not only beyond them all, comparing him with the most famous Knights, which he had seen through France, the whole Roman Empire, or Constantino∣ple.

At which story the Earl Warren took no small offence, not enduring to hear such a commendation of him, that had slain his brother (as hath been observed) and suggested 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, ••earing to be subject to a soreiner, in regard the King had designed to bring over such out of France, to be chief in all Monasteries and Churches of England; did en∣tertain those persons 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 ser∣vitude. And that the same Isle was not then at all burthened by those forces•• For (quoth o 1.16 he) they matter not the siege, the Husbandman not neglecting his Plow, nor the Hunter his sports; neither doth the Fow∣ler cease from his imployment: concluding, that they were securely d••fended by their own Souldiery. Nay, I shall tell you more (saith he) both what I know and saw. This Isle it extraordinary fruitfull in all sorts of grasse, there being no place in Eng∣land that hath a more fertile turf. More∣over,

it is compassed about with huge waters and Fenns, as it were with a strong wall; and aboundeth not only with domestique Cat∣tell, but with a multitude of wild beasts; viz. Harts, Does, Goats and Hares, both in the woods and neer the Fens: as also Ermines, Pole-Cats, Weesels, and the like Vermine, which are taken with traps and other Engins in the winter time. And of Fish and foul, which there breed, what shall I say? At the Floud-gates upon the skirts of those waters, what a vast company of Eels do they take in Nets? as also mighty Pikes and Pickerells, Perch, Roche, and sometimes greater and Royal Fishes. Of Birds likewise there be in∣numerable: So also of Geese, Bitterns, Sea-fowl. Water-crows, Herons and Ducks abun∣dance; especially in the winter season, or when they moult their feathers, whereof I have seen three hundred taken at one time.

Adding p 1.17, that every day whilst he stayed with them, the fashion of their sitting at dinner and supper, in the com∣mon Hall, was a Knight and a Monk; and at the upper Table the Abbot him∣self, with the said Earls; as also Here∣ward and Turkill before-specified. Like∣wise, 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 aswell as the souldiers might be ready to go to fight; whom he fo••nd to be most expert men at their weapons. And moreover, magnified their plenty of all things there, that he said he thought it much better and more safe for the King to come to peaceable terms with them, than to adventure to assail them by ••orce, & miscarry in the attempt.

Which speech of his being thus en∣ded, there stept out one of those Soul∣diers that the King had imployed 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-mentio∣ned Beda, said; Do you think this to be a vain report, and not to be believed? I as∣sure you, that yesterday I my self 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 them∣selves in every point like Souldiers, and fi∣red the Town of Burwell, doing much mis∣chief otherwise: which when our men saw, ten of them issued out of the Fort, with a pur∣pose to take them in their return, because they were fewer in number; but in the skir∣mish they slew all our men, except one, a stout Souldier, whose name was Richard, and ne∣phew 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 suf∣fer 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 ser 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 ta∣king another prisoner, he told us who they all were, and their names; viz. Hereward the General, Wenothus, Thurstane (a young∣man, afterwards sirnamed Provost) Boter of S. Edmunds Bury, Siward, Leuric; and Ac••r for his stoutness sirnamed Hardy. These notwithstanding they were Monks, being skil∣full 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 cou∣rage above his own souldiers; but con∣sidered to make peace with them, in re∣gard the Isle was so strongly fortified, and that he knew not how to prevent their coming out thereof, or return. VVhereupon, calling together his No∣bles and Counsellors, he told them his thoughts; alleging, 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 an 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, diswa∣ded him from so doing; urging, that if he dealt thus favourably with those that had imbroiled his Kingdome for so long a time, others would not be afraid to do the like.

To whom the King, in anger, replyed, that he was not able to conquer them, considering the place naturally so defen∣sible. VVhereupon 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 out of the Island: which was no sooner said, but that all who stood by, became earnest suters to the King, that he would make no delay to encourage, and well reward whomsoever, that could by any Art or skill vanquish his Enemies. The King therefore yielding to these their per∣swasions, caused this old woman to be privately sent for, that it might not be talkt of; and brought his Army toge∣ther again, placing it on all parts of the Isle, making Fortifications on every side thereof, and appointing strict guards to prevent the issuing forth of any that were within, lest they should know what was in hand, and use 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 learnt 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 under∣go it himself; either as a Scout, or Travailer; 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 ex∣ceeding swift, and nimble for action.

And when he went out, he changed his clothes, cut his hair and beard; and being so clad, m••t 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 hapned that he lodged at the House of a Widow, where that old Witch was entertained, who was to be brought pri∣vily, for the destruction of all those in the Isle; where he heard them discourse in Latine, what Art was to be used for the subduing thereof, they deeming him to be a plain Countrey fellow, and ig∣norant of what they then discoursed. And about the dead time of the night, discerning the Woman of the House, and that old Sorceress to go out of doores, he secretly followed them, and saw, that they 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 de∣signed to murther him: but to prevent their purpose, he got away very early in the morning, with his Pots; and wan∣dring about the King's Court on every side, he cryed (as Potters use to do) Pots, Pots, good Pots and Pitchers; all good earthen ware. Whereupon, being cal∣led 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 ne∣ver 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 Souldier: insomuch as divers came about him, desiring to see a man like so much famed a person; and there∣upon brought him into the King's Hall, amongst the Knights and Souldi••rs, that they might behold him: But some when they saw him, said that a man of 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, scil. Hereward. To whom he answered; I wish that he were 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 livelyhood for my self and my two Sonns.

About this time the King's Dinner being making ready, Hereward retired into the Kitchin; and after Dinner the Servants, Cooks, and Grooms of the Kitchin 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 hoodwink 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 knockt him down; insomuch as the rest took up Tongs, and other things to beat him; which he discerning,

forthwith snatcht up a fire shovel, and laying about him stoutly, kill'd 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 being gone out to hunt, one of his Keepers came and brought a naked Sword in one hand, and a pair of Fetters in the other, which he threatned to put upon him: but He∣reward, being too nimble for him, wre∣sted the Sword out of his hold, and slew him; and so, over hedges and ditches hasted to the King's outer Court, where he found his Mare; and though some pursued him, got safe away to Somer∣sham wood; where he hid himself till the Moon shone after midnight, and then came into the Isle.

But whilst 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, that had pursued a man, who had killed one of the Kitchin Boys, and another that had the custody of him, after he was apprehended for that fact: and desired him, that for the love of God, and generosities sake, he would discover to him, whether he saw such a fellow or not, whom he then de∣scribed. To whom he replyed; Because thou requirest me to tell thee, for the love of God, and of generosity, I will. Know there∣fore, that I am the man: And now, that thou maist be infallibly assured, that I am so, and that thou hast spoken with me; take this thy Sword with thee for a testimony, and leave thy lance with me. All which he re∣ported to the King; who with those that were the present, admired Hereward for an excellent Souldier.

The King therefore according to his former purpose, having prepared di∣vers warlike Instruments, brought his whole Army to AElreheth (now Au∣drey) causing great store of wood and stone, with divers sorts of fagots, and such like materials, to be carryed thi∣ther: And summoned all the Fisher∣men 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 all shew 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 him∣self, 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 seaven days raised four or five mounts of earth and other materi∣alls, in which they placed certain war∣like Engines; intending, on the mor∣row, 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 exer∣cise her wicked Art. Who being so got up, made long speeches against the Isle, and all those that were in it, ma∣king signes and shews of their being van∣quisht; and allways at the end of each spell, she turned up her bare buttocks to∣wards the Isle. Howbeit, as she was be∣ginning with her third spell, there were those of the Isle that set fire on the Reedes growing in the Fen all there∣abouts; which, by the help of the wind, spread it self no less than two furlongs; and making a horrible noise of crackling amongst the willows, and such like Ve∣getables, did so affright the assaylants, that they hasted away as fast as they could; but being troubled with the smoak, could not tell which way to be∣take themselves, insomuch as many were drowned, the defendants having the ad∣vantage of the wind and smoak, getting out of the Isle, and shouring multitudes of arrows upon them.

And in this prodigious rout and con∣fusion of the assaylants, 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 his Target, which he carried away with him to his Tent: which so soon as his Souldiers

saw, they feared he had been wounded; but he told them, he was not at all hurt, otherwise than by evill Counsel, in be∣ing deceived and abused through the cunning of that wicked Sorceress; ex∣pressing, that all the mischief which had hapned, did befall him deservedly, in putting any trust in her devillish Art.

At that time it was, that Raphe, sirna∣med 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 par∣ty deceitfully, by an Oath; and wasted the whole Country, from Norwich to Thetford: whereof the two Earles, and all the rest of the chief persons, who then were in this Isle, having notice, re∣paired to them; leaving only Hereward, with the Monks and his own Souldiers, to defend this place.

Things standing therefore thus; the King discerning that all his endeavours were fruitless, as to the conquering this Isle by war or power, having lost so ma∣ny men in his attempt to that purpose; he at length; by the Councel q 1.18 of William, then Bishop of Hereford, and others, determined, that all the goods and pos∣sessions belonging to that Abby, which lay without the compass of the Isle, should be seised on, and divided amongst his Souldiers; to the end that they might keep guards on the outsides there∣of. Of which the Monks having know∣ledge, they forthwith consulted toge∣ther, their Abbot being returned (who dissembling to go with those Earles, fled with the ornaments and treasure of the Church, to Angerhale;) and resol∣ved, r 1.19 not only to yield peaceably to the King, in case he would restore unto them freely and honourably all the lands be∣longing to their Church, but to give him a thousand marks; and accordingly sent cunningly, without the knowledge of the noble Hereward, to make that tender to him, the King being s 1.20 then at War∣wick; who acceptably entertaining it, they gave admission * 1.21 to him and his Souldiers, to come privately into the Isle, when Hereward was gone out with his men to forage; to the end that the busine••s might be done without resi∣stance: which being discovered to He∣reward, by one of the said Monks, (whose name was Alwyne the Son of Orgar) he grew so enraged, that he resolved to set fire on the Church and the Town: but at the earnest intreaty and prayer of that Monk; wishing him rather to have re∣gard to his own safety; as also telling him that the King, with all his Army, was then at Wyccheford (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 those his per∣swasions, because he had often accom∣panied him in his military adventures, and been faithfull to him: and there∣upon, presently, betook himself to those his Ships, which he had to guard the Isle, into a certain 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, employ∣ed some of his Souldiers towards Sa∣ham, to plunder and pillage the Coun∣try; 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. Scarfulte and Broher) got amongst the Reedes; and with their Swords each shaved the others Crown, expecting thereby to find the 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 Souldi∣ers so beset him, that being forced to flee, he kill'd his own Horse, lest any mean fellow should boast, that he had taken him: and so getting away into Bruneswald, and the great woods of Northamptonshire, he very much wa∣sted the Countrey thereabouts with sire and Sword.

And having thus left this Isle, where the vastness and depth of the waters had yielded him such great, and so long se∣curity (for which respect I have made this digression) I shall conclude with this Character•• which Ingulphus (the then Venerable Abbot of Crouland) gives u 1.22 of him; Porro cum supramemorati Comites (Edwinus & Morkerus, Rogerus

Comes Herefordensis, Radulfus Comes Southfolciae, & Waldevus Comes Nor∣thumbriae) inclyt•• Regi Willielmo re∣pugnarent, Helienses paludes, cum aliis multis magnatibus, similiter exhaeredatis, occupantes; celiri nuncio Herwardus ad eos accersitus, Dux belli & Magister mili∣tum efficitur; ubi tot bellica facinora fecit, toties adversarios vicit, tot vicibus illusit, quod perpetuam laudem meruit: quippe qui ruinas suae patriae pereuntis, quamdiu potuit sustentavit, & inultos abire ad inferos non permisit. Caeteri optimates se, Regi deden∣tes, ejus gratiam tentaverunt; solus hic omnibus hoc recusans, se, subdere distulit, ac aliâs divertit•• id est. Therefore when the before mentioned Earls (Edwine and Morkere; Roger Earl of Hereford, Raphe Earl of Suffolk, and Waltheof Earl of Northumberland) not submitting to the King, had, together with divers other great men, in like sort disherited, possessed themselves of the Fenns at Ely; they forth∣with sent for Hereward, and made him Ge∣neral of all their forces: where he did so many warlike exploits, so often beat his ad∣versaries, 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 ruines of his Country, and was not cruel to his Enemies. And when the rest of the Nobles, rendred 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 Turfride, married w 1.23 to Hugh de Evermuè Lord of Deping (in Lincoln∣shire) with the Forest adjoyning; en∣tertaining the said Hugh upon a time, at his House in Huntendon; it hapned, x 1.24 that through a quarrel which arose then betwixt them, he was there wretch∣edly slain by his said Son in law: And buried at Crouland.

Notes

• y 1.1

  Ex hist. MS. Elien. Eccl. in bibl. Cotton. sub effigie Tui A. 1. f. 8. b.
• z 1.2

  Ex hist. Eli. Eccl. in bib••. Bodl. [L. 69.] lib. 2. f. 14. b.
• a 1.3

  Ex hist. Eli. Eccl. in bibl. Cotton. sub ef∣figie Domi••iani A. 15. f. 7. b.
• b 1.4

  Ex hist. E••••. Eccl. in bi••••. B••d. ut sup••••.
• * 1.5

  Ibid.
• d 1.6

  M••tthe•• P••∣ris. in v••t. A••∣batum S. A••i∣••i p. 43. ••. 40.
• e 1.7

  Ex hist. Elie. Eccl. in bibl. Cotton. sub ef∣fige Titi A. 1. f. 87. a.
• f 1.8

  Ibid.
• g 1.9

  Math. Pa∣ris. p. 7. n. 20.
• h 1.10

  Math. Pa∣ris. p. 7. n. 20.
• i 1.11

  Math. Pa∣ris. p. 7. n. 20.
• k 1.12

  Ingulphi hist. p. 511. n. 20.
• l 1.13

  Ibid: n. 50••
• m 1.14

  Ex ver. membr. penès Georgium Puref••y de Wadley in com Berks. arm. an. 1653.
• n 1.15

  Ex Regist de Peterbo∣rough penès Will. Pierpont arm. f. 234.••.
• o 1.16

  Ex ••is••. E cl. Elie••. in bible Bodl. ••. 30••••.
• p 1.17

  Ex R••gist de Peterbo∣rough ut su∣pra.
• q 1.18

  Ex hist. E∣••un. Eccl. in bibl. Cotton. sub effigie Titi A. 1. f. 87. a.
• r 1.19

  Ibid.
• s 1.20

  Ibid.
• * 1.21

  Ex Regist. de Peterb. u•• supra.
• u 1.22

  p. 512. b••••
• w 1.23

  Ex vet. Rot. MS. penès Ge∣orgium Purefey de Wadley, in com. Berks. a. ••. 1653.
• x 1.24

  Ex vet Rot. MS. penès Ge∣orgium Purefey de Wadley, in com. Berks. a. ••. 1653.