WakeHereward Project
Forgotten hero..
Freedom fighter..
Legend..
Commemorating Hereward
Commemoration of Hereward the Wake:
A Call for Posthumous Absolution
Date & Time: Sunday 29th June 2025 at 1:00 pm
Location: Peterborough Cathedral (outside)
Occasion: 957th anniversary of Hereward the Wake’s knighting, at Peterborough Abbey by Abbot Brand
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On 29th June 2025 the WakeHereward Project will
gather at Peterborough Cathedral to commemorate
the knighting of Hereward the Wake, which
occurred 957 years ago on 29th June 1068, as documented in the early 12th-century Latin text
'De Gestis Herwardi Saxonis'
(The Exploits of Hereward the Saxon).
This event, described as following 'the English practice' underscores Hereward’s deep connection to Peterborough Abbey, further evidenced by his land holdings at Witham on the Hill recorded in Domesday Book, 1086, and claims of familial ties to Abbot Brand as recorded in the 14th century manuscript, the 'Petroburgenese' (aka The Chronicle of Abbot John).
Despite his eventual reconciliation with King William I, as recorded by Geoffrey Gaimar, in his 'Estoire des Engleis' (History of the English) dated ca: 1140, who notes Hereward came to terms with the king and joined William's army in Northern France - his legacy remains complicated by his excommunication in 1070 by Bishop Aethelric for raiding Peterborough Abbey as recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, E Version & the Peterborough Chronicle of Hugh Candidus.
Today on the 29th June 2025 the WakeHereward Project announces its intention to petition
the Dean of Peterborough for his posthumous absolution, recognising Hereward’s role as a defender of the local folk, their land and their institutions, against Norman oppression.
At 1pm outside Peterborough Cathedral, actor and medieval re-enactor Rory Gibson will perform a 20 minute act 'The Legend of Hereward the Wake', regaling tales of Hereward's exploits including his knighting at Peterborough, his sacking of the abbey and his famous stand at Ely against the might of William the Conqueror.
Rory will be joined by David Maile of the WakeHereward Project who will talk about Hereward's impact on English culture and the plans the project has in petitioning the Church at Peterborough to seek a posthumous absolution for Hereward.
The session will last approximately 35 to 45 minutes after which the pair will enter the cathedral to view the small statuette housed in a place of honour and present a letter to begin a process which will take at least one year to fulfil. Details of which will become apparent and published herein once the Dean has received the letter.
All are welcome.
There is no charge for the event, however Peterborough Cathedral is under financial stress and any contribution that can be made towards the cathedral in the appropriate Offertory Box will be greatly appreciated as the WakeHereward Project sees this as a way to help the cathedral while paying a service to Hereward.
