🎵 The Last Rebel of the Fens - Hereward the Wake, England, 1035 to 1071 (History Song)

Hereward the Wake led one of the last Anglo-Saxon uprisings against Norman rule after 1066. Following William the Conqueror’s victory at Hastings, much of England fell under Norman control. Resistance continued in the east, especially in the marshlands around Ely.

Hereward was a minor noble from Lincolnshire who returned from exile to find his lands seized. Between 1069 and 1071 he led raids and ambushes against Norman forces, using the fens as natural defenses. His followers included local rebels, dispossessed nobles, and some Danish allies.

The rebellion centered on Ely, where Hereward’s group fortified the island. William’s troops eventually built causeways through the marshes with the help of local monks, who betrayed the defenders’ positions. The stronghold fell, marking the end of major Saxon resistance.

Hereward’s later fate is uncertain. Some sources claim he died in combat; others say he escaped into exile. Over time his story blended history and legend, turning him into a symbol of English defiance against conquest.

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📘 Glossary

Hereward the Wake: Anglo-Saxon rebel leader active around 1069–1071.

Ely: Island stronghold in the Cambridgeshire fens, key center of resistance.

Norman Conquest: The 1066 invasion and occupation of England by Duke William of Normandy.

William the Conqueror: Norman duke who became King of England after the Battle of Hastings.

Fens: Marshlands in eastern England, difficult terrain used for defense.

Lincolnshire: Region in eastern England, Hereward’s homeland.

Causeway: Raised road built through marshland for military access.

Monks of Ely: Religious community accused in sources of betraying the rebels.

Guerrilla Raids: Small-scale attacks using mobility and surprise against larger armies.

Legend: Story passed through generations, mixing historical fact and folklore.

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