Thanks for many exciting stories in the ALFRED series, etc., which have been a godsend to me for having to endure twelve hours a week dialysis..
They bring to mind that there have been many novels written about HEREWARD, incorrectly called THE WAKE, but I think you would have made a better fist of one.
Might be coincidence but his name was probably HEREWARD COBBA (meaning big leading man) and there is a charter in The National Archives (E 40/1907) naming him with HUCHTRED (THE BOLD?) and other notables.
LEOFRIC COBBA/COBBE. a lord of Darsham, (Little Domesday Book) was probably his son.
Alfred Cobb