Ghosts and Legends of Cambridgeshire

With its rich history, it comes as no surprise that a number of legends are associated with the county of Cambridgeshire. Witchcraft, ghosts and heroes all feature in this county's turbulent past.

Cambridge University's Mathematical Bridge

There are many legends associated with Cambridge university, with its long history and famous river. One of these relates to the famous mathematical bridge, located at Queens' College. The story tells that the bridge was made by Sir Isaac Newton, and was held together without the need for screws or bolts. Years afterwards, students took apart the bridge to try to learn how it worked, though when it came time to reassemble it was impossible to do without bolts. Unfortunately, the facts are that the bridge has always used pins and screws, and was erected 22 years after Newton's death.

The Witches of Warboys

The tale of the Witches of Warboys is a fascinating one, highlighting the devastating effects that an accusation of witchcraft could have on any individual. This story is based in the Cambridgeshire village of Warboys (then named Huntingdonshire) where in 1589 Jane, a daughter of a wealthy squire, began to suffer fits. When the girl was visited at the house by an old woman, the young girl accused her of causing her fits through witchcraft.

Jane's sisters, and female servants, also began to suffer from the same illness, and the family forced the old woman, Alice, to stay. A year later the house was visited by Lady Cromwell, who burned a lock of Alice's hair to show she considered her to be a witch. Lady Cromwell died two years later – thought to be Alice's doing. As a result, Alice was forced to confess to witchcraft, and she, her husband and her daughter were found guilty and hanged in 1593.

Though there were many cases of witchcraft, this one was particularly important due to the link to Sir Henry Cromwell and Lady Cromwell. It is said that this event is what led to the passing of the 1604 law on witchcraft, after James I came to the throne. This law was to be responsible for many more executions to come.

Hereward the Wake

The story of Hereward is thought to be part myth, part legend. There was a man named Hereward who resisted the Normans, gaining the name 'the wake' due to the fact that he was always on alert against his enemies. However, it's thought that this figure was built up into a hero through a number of imagined tales.

Hereward is known as a resistance fighter, hiding in the marshes and wooded areas, and eventually taking refuge on the Isle of Ely. William the Conqueror had led a campaign against Hereward, though they chose Ely to hide as it was easily defended. The Norman army tried to take Ely, but they couldn't match Hereward's efforts. In the end, the Normans bribed local months who knew a secret bath, though Hereward and the fighters managed to get away.

It's not known exactly how the story ends, though he may have left for a new life in France, or could have been given away to the Normans by a priest who was supposedly watching over the group. The story blends with that of Robin Hood, becoming a symbol of resistance, giving hope to the people during the Norman regime.