Hereward the Wake was an outlaw, who, according to legend, roamed the Isle of
Ely leading popular opposition to
William the Conqueror. According to the
15th century chronicle, "Gesta Herewardi", by Ingulf of
Croyland, he was pardoned by William, but not until he had laid waste to the city of
Peterborough with
Viking assistance.
Charles Kingsley's
novel of
1865 is a highly-romanticised account of Hereward's exploits, and makes him the son of Earl
Leofric of Mercia. Some of the legends about Hereward were incorporated into the legends about
Robin Hood.