Conquest

The entire burgh of Ely looked on as the Brotherhood filed into the chapel to take their Oath. Hereward stood at the head of the sepulchre as each man placed his weapons on Etheldreda’s image and rested his left hand on her rosary. He then placed the Talisman of Truth over their head as they pressed the clenched fist of their right hand to their chest and recited the Oath.

On the holy remains of the martyr, St Etheldreda, and in the sight of God, I swear to assert the rights of all Englishmen to live in peace and justice.

By wearing this amulet of the ancients, I attest to my belief in truth and wisdom.

By this salute, I enter the Brotherhood of St Etheldreda and do solemnly commit my life to it and its noble cause.

So help me God.

Hereward’s family were the last to take the Oath. As they finished, Thurstan appeared with the entire community of Ely Abbey, all of whom asked to take the Oath.

When it came to Thurstan’s turn, he was helped to the tomb. ‘Hereward of Bourne, I humbly offer myself to your cause. I am one of the many who has submitted to the King, but there is no contradiction in submitting to a rightful king and seeking to be governed with fairness and equanimity. Thus, I will happily take the Oath of the Brotherhood.’ He turned to Hereward and addressed him in a voice loud enough to be heard way beyond the confines of the chapel. ‘Your fellowship needs a chaplain. I offer myself to you as its priest and confessor.’

Hereward suspected evil intent in Thurstan’s conversion, but knew that he could hardly refuse his gesture. ‘Your offer is accepted, Abbot Thurstan.’

Hereward placed the Talisman over Thurstan’s head. For reasons only the Abbot knew, the Talisman did not sit well with him. As he took the Oath, he seemed very agitated by it, his eyes darting around in their sockets and his face twitching even more than usual.

Finally, Hereward took the Oath himself. As he did so, the monks formed into a choir around the cloisters and raised their voices in a majestic canticle of celebration. Every Christian soul present hoped and prayed that the Brotherhood would find favour with God and the King.

Thus the Brotherhood of St Etheldreda was sworn; its deeds would soon become legend.

Hereward immediately set about reinforcing the fortifications of the burgh. Paying well for them, he commandeered all the boats in the area, built watchtowers around Ely’s walls and posted sentries around the perimeter of the island.

Within a couple of days, the Danes arrived. Their entire fleet had made its way from the Humber to Wisbech, where it anchored. King Svein Estrithson, his brother Prince Osbjorn, his three sons and Christian, Bishop of Aarhus, travelled to Ely in ceremonial style. The King was accompanied by his hearthtroop and was heralded by the Danes’ distinctive hunting horns and the measured beat of their war drums. Flying his royal standard, the Eagle of the Skagerrak, and wearing his heavy bearskin cloak, he was the epitome of his renowned Viking ancestors.

As he had no Great Hall to accommodate the royal delegation, Hereward had benches brought from St Etheldreda’s chapel and met the King in the open.

After the usual formalities, Svein Estrithson began. ‘I hear you have become like the slave Spartacus — a man who fights against the tyranny of his rulers?’

‘Yes, my Lord King, I fight for the freedom to live in peace and with justice.’

‘So you reject the rule of kings?’

‘I do not, sire. I simply ask that they rule with wisdom and fairness.’

‘And who decides that?’

Beginning to resent the tone of Svein’s questions, Hereward bristled. ‘The people do.’

Estrithson continued to goad. ‘I’m sure King William will think that he should decide what is wise and fair.’

‘Sire, that is his prerogative; it is ours to disagree with him.’

‘An interesting philosophy.’

Estrithson looked around at his companions, the elite of the Danish aristocracy. ‘But I’m not sure it’s an idea we would embrace in Denmark.’

The King’s companions began to snigger, except for Osbjorn, who was watching the exchange intently.

Hereward had had enough of the teasing, even from a king. ‘You are not in Denmark; you are in England, in the presence of the Brotherhood of St Etheldreda. You have come here for a purpose, King Svein of Denmark.’

The King stiffened in anger.

Prince Osbjorn quickly intervened. ‘My brother, Hereward is a man I respect. He responds tersely because he is a man of principle. Besides, I suspect he no longer needs our support; what he fights for now needs faith, not an army.’

‘That doesn’t excuse an insult to me!’

Hereward stepped forward. ‘Svein, King of the Danes, you are welcome in Ely. The Brotherhood and I are honoured by the presence of a great warrior and a noble king.’

Hereward’s conciliatory tone defused the King’s anger.