At this the Earl of Warenne burst out
In furious indignation,
‘You have been turned, there is no doubt,
By Hereward’s machinations.

Why else would you spout forth like this
About our enemy?
Why praise his name, extol his business,
And his victories?

Be silent man, pray shut your mouth,
Belatedly learn wisdom,
Or else I will, without a doubt,
Make punishment my mission.’

‘You’re wrong, good sir,’ Dada replied,
I speak only the truth,
Of what I saw with my own eyes,
Under the rebel’s roof.’

Exaggeration has no place
In this my clear report,
To offer it would bring disgrace,
A promise turned to naught!

I do not seek to offend, my King,
Or to deceive you with false words,
Honesty’s the only gift I bring
Anything else would be absurd!’

The Earl of Warenne rears his head again…
(24.10.26)

© Ben Quant 2026
Photo by Maxwell Andrews on Unsplash

‘Once there they asked me for my name
And the reason for my coming,
I told them for the chance of fame,
And treasure if not succumbing.

I told them of your promise King,
Reward for those who strive
How those who make the Isle would win
A gift from what they find.’

‘But tell me of their greatest men’,
The King at once replied,
‘Their names and strengths and number then
Their defensive works describe.’

‘Their cheifest men, three Earls I met,
Adwinus, Morkere and Tosti,
Two nobles, and many others, yet,
The greatest was my host.

Unrivalled amongst all men I know
In courage and conviction,
And I have travelled high and low
HIs valour is no fiction.’

Dada gives an account of those he found in Ely.
(23.10.26)

© Ben Quant 2026
Photo by Div on Unsplash

Arriving home the King rejoiced
To see Dada again.
It wasn’t his gift that made him glad,
His absence had made him sore and sad,
He was one of the finest he’d ever had,
A man of honour and fame.

‘Welcome home, the finest of knights,
Prepare to tell your tale,
Pray tell us of the varied sights
You’ve seen as you’ve travailed!’

‘My Lord, I’ll gladly tell the truth
Of all I’ve seen and heard,
To all sat here beneath your roof,
Come, listen to my words.

By luck I made it to the Isle
Across our wooden path,
So many others lost meanwhile,
This march their very last.

‘Twas I and I alone that made
It to the rebels’ court,
Through swamp and water forced to wade,
And soldiers brave I fought.’

Dada begins to tell of his experiences with Hereward and the rebels.
(19.10.16)

© Ben Quant 2026