And with that Warenne was scuttled away
Within his soldiers arms,
Leaving Hereward clear to ride,
To Ely, with his men at his side,
Finding there others who had tried,
To resist the Conquerer’s ‘charms’.

The Abbott and his monks opened
Their doors with great respect,
Along with other honoured men,
Who seeking refuge there had fled,
To raise a rebellion their intent,
Fuelled by their discontent.

Amongst those hiding in the Isle
Were three bold Earls all told:
Firstly Adwin Earl of Leicester,
Then his brother, Warwick, no lesser,
Lastly Tosti who under pressure
Who’d fled there from the cold.

At last the fabled Wake’s arrived
Upon the Isle of Ely,
And welcomed there by monks and men,
By nobles, abbott and Mother Fen,
By vole and eel and grey heron,
As hero of the free.

The resistance starts to amass in Ely.
(17.09.26)

© Ben Quant 2026
Photo by David Clode on Unsplash