Fellowship of the Grey Goosefeather

“ I am a fenlander, a true fenlander. All true folk of this area carry this token and if in need are sworn to help, unto even their own death, another who carries a grey goosefeather.”

Long ago in the fens there was a secret Fellowship of the Grey Goosefeather. True fenlanders would carry a feather from the Grey Goose that was split in two and when in need they would present the feather and any true fenlanders would help them.

This fellowship features in several fenland tales the most famous of which features none other than Oliver Cromwell who is well known to have lived in this area. The story goes that, during the English Civil war a publican, by the name of Mucky Porter, helped the King to cross the treacherous fenland to escape from Oliver Cromwell. When asked by the court to prove he could be trusted with this task Mucky produced a grey goosefeather and cut it in half, explaining that this was a sign of a true Fenlander and that all who produced this token could be guaranteed help in their hour of need. When the party arrived at Huntingdon they were met by Oliver Cromwell’s men but when they produced their goodfeathers they were let to pass. 

As you may well know King Charles was eventually captured by Oliver Cromwell and on the eve of his execution he is said to have presented Cromwell with a split grey goosefeather. This is said to have caused Cromwell much anguish but as history will tell us King Charles was executed the very next day. But when the fenlanders in Cromwell’s army got word of this they threw their feathers at Cromwell’s feet and refused to follow him any longer. 

To learn more about Mucky Porter’s story (spoiler alert:  it didn’t end there for him) visit The Enid Porter Project where you can read this tale and learn a lot more about Cambridgeshire history and folklore. 

There are other stories featuring this legend in “Tales from the Fens” and “More Tales from the Fens” by W H Barrett, both of which are available in Ely Library or to buy here.