A charity challenge reviving the actions of Hereward the Wake was “a success beyond our dreams,” said one of the organisers.
Hereward, played by Lewis Kirkbride, and his Band of Men set foot for Ely on June 2, exactly 951 years ago after he launched an attack at Peterborough Cathedral.
The group, led by Hereward, marched over 40 miles along the Hereward Way to raise funds for men’s mental health charity ManHealth.
Historian David Maile, of the WakeHereward Project, said: “It was a success beyond our dreams.
“The response we got from the Deans of both cities, Chris Dalliston and Mark Bonney, they were good sports helping us in the name of the history of Hereward.”
Despite being reduced to four members on the second day of the trek, Mr Maile and the group reached Ely Cathedral just shy of 6pm, where they were greeted by regional media and spectators.
The challenge has raised nearly £2,500 for ManHealth, and with most group members suffering injuries, David believes it was all worth it in the name of Hereward.
He said: “We had to jump over ditches along parts of the Hereward Way which were blocked, so it was difficult finding a path at times.
“We were getting a lot of people waving at us and almost a standing ovation in Christchurch.”
Steven Payne, who stepped in for Lewis at the start of the trek, left with the Hereward Charity Challenge Trophy from Peterborough, which represents the gold and silver Hereward stole from the city’s monastery.
Hereward then walked through the likes of March, Welney and Little Downham led by James Bowman with his Fenland Flag, before arriving at Ely Cathedral on June 3.
Mr Maile is looking to hold a similar event next year during Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and hopes more people can learn about one of Fenland’s historical figures.
He added: “It was a great success highlighting Hereward as we got media attention and had his name at the forefront of people’s minds.”
Commemorations continued on Saturday when the Hereward Charity Challenge trophy was pushed in a medieval cart.
There will also be a chance to learn more about this period in history on June 19, which has been coined Celebrate the Fens Day.
Nigel Amos will perform the role of Abbot Turold, the Norman Abbot of Peterborough, who will pick up the trophy at Ramsey Abbey and transport it on horseback to Peterborough Cathedral.
Leaving at 10am from the gatehouse, he will stop at Pondersbridge for an hour at 12noon before arriving at Peterborough Cathedral at 4pm.
To donate, visit: https://bit.ly/3fYXoRl.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here