heir_n of_o the_o say_v hugh_n unto_o 20._o richard_n de_fw-fr rulos_n chamberlain_n 10._o to_o king_n william_n the_o conqueror_n and_o by_o his_o daughter_n and_o heir_n to_o a._n baldwin_n fitz_fw-fr gilbert_n which_o baldwin_n leave_v also_o issue_v one_o only_a daughter_n and_o heir_n wâ—dded_v a._n to_o hugh_n wake_v the_o say_v hugh_n become_v in_o her_o right_n lord_n and_o owner_n of_o those_o place_n scil_n bourne_n and_o depe_v and_o be_v also_o principal_a forester_n to_o the_o king_n h._n 3._o for_o his_o whole_a forest_n of_o kesteven_n of_o what_o extent_n the_o forest_n whereof_o i_o have_v already_o make_v mention_n to_o have_v be_v in_o these_o part_n of_o this_o province_n and_o possess_v by_o leofrike_a earl_n of_o mercia_n be_v i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o say_v but_o it_o appear_v ibid._n that_o king_n henry_n the_o first_o for_o the_o pleasure_n of_o hunt_v do_v much_o hurt_n to_o the_o common_a wealth_n by_o enlarge_n of_o forest_n as_o his_o brother_n king_n william_n rufus_n have_v do_v do_v afforest_n 33._o thâ—se_a fen_n between_o keâ—teven_n and_o holland_n viz._n from_o the_o bridge_n of_o east_n depe_v now_o market_n depe_v to_o the_o church_n of_o swaiston_n on_o the_o one_o side_n &_o from_o the_o bridge_n of_o bicker_n and_o wragmere_n stake_n on_o the_o otherside_n which_o metâ—s_v divide_v the_o north_n pâ—rts_n and_o the_o river_n of_o weland_n the_o south_n except_v the_o fen_n of_o goggisland_n in_o regard_n it_o be_v a_o sanctuary_n of_o holy_a church_n as_o belong_v to_o the_o abbey_n of_o crouâ—and_n which_o fen_n the_o monkâ—_n of_o that_o house_n have_v licence_n ibid._n from_o the_o say_a king_n do_v close_v for_o their_o own_o use_n make_v the_o ditch_n about_o it_o big_a than_o ordinary_a for_o the_o avoid_n of_o discord_n and_o be_v thus_o make_v forest_n it_o continue_v so_o until_o king_n henry_n the_o three_o time_n who_o in_o the_o xiiiith_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n grant_v 1â—_n unto_o all_o the_o inhabitant_n within_o the_o same_o that_o it_o shall_v thenceforth_o be_v deaâ—forested_v by_o thâ—se_a subsequent_a bound_n viz._n in_o length_n on_o the_o one_o side_n from_o swaftone_n to_o east_n depe_v as_o kares_n â—ike_o extend_v itself_o betwixt_o swantone_n and_o east_n depe_v kesteven_n and_o in_o length_n on_o the_o other_o side_n towards_o holland_n from_o the_o bridge_n at_o bikere_o to_o the_o great_a bridge_n at_o spalding_n and_o in_o breadth_n on_o the_o one_o part_n from_o that_o great_a bridge_n at_o spalding_n to_o east_n depe_v as_o the_o river_n of_o weland_n go_v betwixt_o spalding_n and_o east_n depe_v and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n from_o the_o land_n of_o swaftune_n unto_o the_o bridge_n at_o bikere_o so_o that_o all_o the_o land_n marsh_n and_o turbary_n within_o those_o precinctsâ—_n be_v thenceforth_o to_o be_v quit_v of_o waste_n and_o regard_n in_o the_o 18_o of_o king_n edw._n the_o first_o be_v reign_v henry_n then_o abbot_n of_o croyland_n and_o his_o monk_n be_v implead_v â—_o by_o thomas_n wake_v of_o lidell_n than_o lord_n of_o depe_v by_o descent_n as_o aforesaid_a for_o fish_v at_o est_fw-la depe_v in_o the_o free_a fish_n of_o the_o say_v thomas_n and_o for_o throw_v down_o a_o certain_a bank_n in_o his_o fen_n there_o which_o the_o say_v thomas_n have_v make_v for_o the_o safeguard_n of_o the_o say_a fen_n from_o be_v overflowen_v by_o the_o fresh_a water_n but_o to_o this_o the_o say_a abbot_n and_o his_o monk_n make_v answer_v that_o be_v possess_v of_o the_o manor_n and_o town_n of_o crouland_n within_o which_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a river_n call_v weland_n run_v time_n out_o of_o mind_n from_o the_o boundary_a call_v kemisf_n stone_n in_o the_o west_n unto_o the_o site_n of_o the_o abbey_n within_o the_o say_a town_n and_o so_o from_o the_o say_a abbey_n to_o brother_n house_n towards_o the_o north_n he_o the_o say_a abbot_n and_o all_o his_o predecessor_n abbot_n of_o that_o place_n be_v always_o and_o till_o that_o time_n seize_v thereof_o and_o of_o the_o free_a fish_n therein_o as_o lord_n of_o that_o manor_n and_o town_n and_o far_o say_v that_o the_o place_n where_o this_o trespass_n be_v assign_v to_o be_v be_v within_o those_o limit_n and_o precinct_n of_o that_o their_o manor_n acknowledge_v that_o he_o diâ—_n fish_n there_o as_o the_o say_v thomas_n have_v allege_v and_o as_o to_o the_o say_a ditch_n he_o saidâ—_n that_o within_o the_o precinct_n also_o of_o the_o manor_n of_o crouland_n there_o be_v a_o certain_a fen_n callâ—d_v goukeslaund_v which_o then_o be_v his_o proper_a soil_n and_o so_o have_v be_v of_o his_o predecessor_n time_n beyond_o memory_n as_o parcel_n of_o the_o beforespecify_v manor_n and_o moreover_o that_o the_o course_n of_o the_o fresh_a water_n flow_v from_o the_o west_n in_o the_o say_v fenn_n do_v then_o run_v as_o always_o they_o have_v use_v to_o do_v from_o the_o same_o fen_n into_o the_o say_a river_n of_o weland_n and_o so_o to_o the_o sea_n and_o he_o likewise_o allege_v that_o because_o the_o say_v thomas_n have_v raise_v a_o bank_n upon_o the_o land_n of_o he_o the_o say_a abbot_n within_o his_o mannoâ—_n of_o croyland_n in_o a_o certain_a place_n where_o none_o have_v ever_o be_v before_o by_o which_o bank_n the_o course_n of_o those_o fresh_a water_n be_v stop_v the_o say_a fen_n call_v goukesland_n and_o other_o fen_n adjoin_v thereto_o be_v overflow_v and_o the_o abbey_n and_o town_n of_o crouland_n in_o danger_n to_o be_v thereby_o drown_v he_o the_o say_a abbot_n perceive_v that_o the_o abovespecify_v bank_n be_v so_o raise_v to_o the_o end_n that_o the_o say_v aâ—by_n and_o town_n may_v be_v drown_v do_v cause_n several_a part_n thereof_o to_o be_v throw_v down_o but_o notwithstanding_o this_o answer_n the_o abbot_n be_v by_o the_o juror_n find_v a._n guilty_a both_o of_o the_o trespass_n in_o fish_v as_o abovesaid_a and_o break_v that_o bank_n to_o the_o damage_n of_o the_o say_v thomas_n wake_v no_o less_o than_o cccc_o mark_n in_o 9_o e._n 2._o edmund_n deincourt_n lambert_n de_fw-fr trikyngham_n roger_n de_fw-fr cuppledyk_n and_o robert_n de_fw-fr malberthorp_n be_v constitute_v dorso_fw-la commissioner_n to_o view_v and_o repair_v the_o bank_n sewer_n and_o ditch_n within_o this_o province_n by_o which_o the_o fresh_a water_n in_o the_o marsh_n betwixt_o this_o part_n of_o the_o country_n and_o holland_n have_v use_v to_o pass_v unto_o the_o sea_n and_o in_o the_o same_o year_n the_o say_a edmund_n d'_fw-fr eyncourt_n nich._n de_fw-fr widmerpole_n and_o richard_n de_fw-fr whattone_n be_v appoint_v dorso_fw-la to_o inquire_v touch_v the_o river_n of_o smite_n divine_n wycheme_n middelwynene_n and_o fulbâ—k_n choke_v up_o for_o want_n of_o scour_v by_o reason_n whereof_o the_o inhabitant_n in_o those_o part_n do_v then_o suffer_v much_o damage_n in_o 16_o e._n 3._o gilbert_n de_fw-fr umframvill_n earl_n of_o anego_n exhibit_v a_o petition_n 70._o to_o the_o king_n whereby_o he_o represent_v that_o whereas_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a water_n call_v the_o i_fw-mi of_o kyme_n betwixt_o doc_n dyke_n on_o the_o east_n part_n and_o brentfen_n on_o the_o south_n within_o this_o province_n which_o do_v run_v through_o the_o land_n of_o the_o say_a earl_n for_o the_o space_n of_o six_o mile_n in_o length_n but_o be_v so_o obstruct_v and_o stop_v by_o reason_n of_o mud_n and_o other_o filth_n that_o ship_n lade_v with_o wine_n wool_n and_o other_o merchandise_n can_v neither_o pass_v through_o the_o same_o in_o summer_n nor_o winter_n as_o they_o have_v use_v to_o do_v except_o it_o be_v scour_v and_o cleanse_v and_o the_o bank_n so_o raise_v that_o the_o top_n of_o they_o may_v appear_v to_o mariner_n pass_v that_o way_n whensoever_o the_o marsh_n there_o shall_v be_v overflow_v and_o that_o as_o the_o say_a earl_n have_v for_o the_o common_a benefit_n of_o those_o part_n bestow_v no_o small_a cost_n towards_o the_o repair_n of_o the_o say_a place_n call_v the_o i_fw-mi and_o heighten_v of_o those_o bank_n so_o he_o intend_v to_o be_v at_o much_o more_o in_o case_n the_o say_a king_n will_v please_v to_o grant_v unto_o he_o and_o his_o heir_n for_o ever_o certain_a custom_n of_o the_o merchandise_n pass_v in_o ship_n through_o the_o same_o to_o have_v and_o receive_v in_o form_n abovesaid_a viz._n for_o every_o sack_n of_o wool_n carry_v through_o that_o channel_n four_o penny_n for_o every_o pocket_n of_o wool_n two_o penny_n for_o every_o tun_n of_o wine_n four_o penny_n for_o every_o pipe_n of_o wine_n two_o penny_n for_o every_o four_o quarter_n of_o corn_n a_o penny_n for_o every_o thousand_o of_o turf_n a_o penny_n for_o every_o ship_n lade_v with_o catel_n four_o penny_n and_o for_o every_o ship_n lade_v with_o other_o commodity_n than_o aforesaid_a two_o penny_n whereupon_o the_o say_a king_n direct_v his_o
aug._n in_o the_o say_v xlith_o year_n and_o he_o to_o be_v chardged_a with_o the_o bank_n compass_v the_o say_a fen_n with_o the_o dike_n scour_a and_o rode_a of_o both_o the_o say_a river_n etc._n etc._n with_o bridge_n staker_n drayn_n and_o other_o thing_n by_o the_o say_a law_n impose_v and_o that_o he_o the_o say_v thomas_n in_o consideration_n thereof_o shall_v have_v a_o full_a three_o part_n of_o all_o the_o say_a fen_n to_o be_v lay_v out_o by_o mete_n and_o bound_n by_o certain_a man_n thereunto_o appoint_v under_o such_o condition_n etc._n etc._n for_o the_o drayn_n of_o the_o other_o two_o part_n etc._n etc._n and_o whereas_o the_o say_v thomas_n by_o virtue_n etc._n etc._n of_o the_o say_a law_n have_v take_v upon_o he_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o say_v drayn_v etc._n etc._n and_o therein_o spend_v his_o whole_a estate_n to_o the_o value_n of_o twelve_o thousand_o pound_n and_o more_o and_o yet_o by_o reason_n of_o certain_a question_n wilful_o stir_v &c._n &c._n between_o the_o county_n of_o kesteven_n and_o holland_n about_o the_o mete_n and_o bound_n of_o the_o say_a country_n lie_v in_o the_o say_a fen_n whereby_o not_o only_o the_o say_v thomas_n can_v not_o have_v his_o say_v three_o part_v allot_v and_o set_v out_o unto_o he_o according_a to_o the_o time_n and_o manner_n set_v down_o in_o the_o say_a law_n etc._n etc._n and_o whereas_o for_o the_o decide_n those_o controversy_n there_o be_v the_o 8_o of_o april_n in_o xliiij_o eliz._n a_o solemn_a meeting_n of_o many_o knight_n and_o gentleman_n stranger_n to_o both_o the_o say_a country_n who_o do_v â—ot_n only_o set_v down_o and_o determine_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o say_a bound_n but_o do_v also_o set_v out_o and_o assign_v the_o say_v three_o part_n belong_v to_o the_o say_v thomas_n lovel_n as_o by_o the_o law_n etc._n etc._n make_v at_o spald_v aforesaid_a the_o day_n and_o year_n aforesaid_a by_o sir_n henry_n north_n knight_n sir_n john_n bolles_n knight_n valentine_n browne_n henry_n warner_n robert_n bevill_n robert_n wingfeld_n anthony_n ireby_n rob._n cotton_n richard_n cox_n robert_n jetherell_n and_o john_n s._n george_n appear_v according_a to_o which_o division_n the_o same_o be_v by_o man_n skilful_a in_o survey_v divide_a and_o set_v out_o since_o which_o there_o have_v be_v divers_a conference_n and_o agreement_n for_o two_o several_a drove-way_n through_o the_o say_v three_o part_n which_o be_v last_o set_v down_o by_o way_n of_o law_n of_o sewer_n 17_o of_o march_n 45_o eliz._n by_o tho._n lord_n burlegh_n edw._n heron_n etc._n etc._n commissioner_n of_o sewer_n with_o allowance_n to_o the_o say_v tho._n lovel_n of_o as_o much_o ground_n out_o of_o the_o say_a fen_n as_o the_o say_a drove-way_n contain_v which_o together_o with_o the_o rest_n make_v up_o a_o full_a three_o part_n be_v by_o mete_n and_o bound_n assign_v to_o the_o say_v tho._n lovel_n and_o which_o he_o begin_v to_o enclose_v but_o can_v not_o perfect_v the_o same_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o unseasonablenesse_n of_o the_o time_n and_o riotous_a let_n and_o disturbance_n of_o lewd_a people_n cast_v down_o his_o bank_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v therefore_o enact_v ibid._n that_o the_o say_v thomas_n his_o heir_n and_o assign_v shall_v for_o ever_o enjoy_v the_o same_o three_o part_n so_o set_v out_o etc._n etc._n upon_o condition_n that_o if_o he_o do_v not_o full_o perfect_v the_o say_v drayn_v within_o the_o space_n of_o three_o year_n from_o the_o 20_o of_o august_n than_o next_o ensue_v &c._n &c._n and_o after_o that_o maintain_v and_o keep_v they_o etc._n etc._n firm_a and_o depasturable_a in_o summer_n and_o winter_n except_o three_o hundred_o acre_n or_o thereabouts_o to_o be_v leave_v in_o the_o say_a fen_n call_v spald_v and_o depe_v fen_n and_o gogsland_n for_o lake_n and_o sikes_n and_o xl_o acre_n in_o borne_n and_o thurlby_n fen_n and_o except_v the_o drayn_n and_o sewer_n then_o in_o the_o say_a fen_n but_o shall_v suffer_v the_o say_v two_o part_n to_o be_v drown_v &c._n &c._n by_o the_o space_n of_o a_o year_n together_o after_o the_o expiration_n of_o the_o say_v three_o year_n and_o the_o same_o certify_v by_o twelve_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n whereof_o six_o of_o the_o part_n of_o holland_n and_o six_o of_o kesteven_n in_o the_o high_a court_n of_o chancery_n and_o there_o record_v that_o then_o in_o case_n the_o say_a ground_n within_o one_o year_n follow_v be_v not_o recover_v etc._n etc._n than_o the_o lord_n and_o proprietarìe_n of_o the_o say_a fen_n to_o re-enter_v and_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o holland_n and_o kesteven_n enter_v upon_o their_o common_a in_o the_o say_v three_o part_n according_a to_o their_o former_a right_n how_o far_o mr._n lovel_n proceed_v in_o this_o adventure_n i_o know_v not_o but_o his_o attempt_n not_o succeed_v as_o it_o seem_v i_o find_v that_o the_o commissioner_n for_o the_o general_a drayn_n of_o the_o great_a level_n whereof_o i_o shall_v speak_v at_o large_a by_o and_o by_o sit_v at_o wisebeche_n on_o the_o xxiijth_o of_o may_n 14_o caroli_n for_o the_o impose_v of_o several_a tax_n upon_o the_o particular_a fen_n and_o marsh_n throughout_o that_o vast_a tract_n in_o order_n to_o that_o work_n assess_v lindsey_n xxx_n a_o acre_n upon_o depe_a fen_n before-specified_n and_o afterward_o scil_n in_o july_n follow_v sit_v at_o huntendon_n by_o their_o letter_n date_v the_o xxiiijth_o of_o that_o month_n and_o direct_v to_o the_o lord_n of_o his_o majesty_n most_o honourable_a privy_a council_n certify_v that_o they_o have_v hear_v all_o that_o can_v be_v allege_v by_o the_o learned_a council_n of_o the_o earl_n of_o exeter_n and_o the_o adventurer_n touch_v that_o fen_n aswell_o for_o maâ—ter_n of_o law_n as_o fact_n and_o equity_n and_o upon_o full_a debate_n and_o advise_v consideration_n thereof_o be_v unanimous_o of_o opinion_n that_o the_o tax_v impose_v by_o the_o commissioner_n at_o wisebeche_n beforementioned_a be_v upon_o just_a ground_n and_o â—o_o resolve_v and_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o same_o be_v not_o pay_v they_o may_v therefore_o lawful_o proceed_v to_o make_v a_o decree_n for_o the_o further_o and_o perfect_a drayn_n thereof_o and_o thereby_o to_o adjudge_v and_o order_n aswell_o from_o his_o majesty_n be_v lord_n of_o the_o soil_n as_o from_o the_o adventurer_n and_o other_o interest_v therein_o such_o proportion_n of_o land_n as_o may_v sufficient_o bear_v the_o charge_n of_o the_o work_n which_o will_v be_v very_o great_a notwithstanding_o what_o have_v be_v before_o that_o time_n disburse_v by_o the_o say_a earl_n and_o adventurer_n and_o they_o far_o certify_v that_o before_o they_o will_v enter_v into_o the_o make_n of_o any_o such_o decree_n they_o humble_o desire_v that_o they_o may_v receive_v his_o majesty_n pleasure_n whether_o they_o shall_v proceed_v therein_o or_o not_o and_o in_o case_n they_o shall_v whether_o his_o majesty_n will_v become_v the_o undertaker_n of_o the_o work_n himself_o and_o so_o dispose_v of_o it_o to_o the_o say_a adventurer_n to_o do_v in_o respect_n of_o their_o great_a disbursment_n therein_o whereof_o they_o have_v or_o can_v receive_v little_a fruit_n as_o the_o state_n of_o the_o say_a fen_n then_o stand_v which_o they_o whole_o do_v submit_v to_o his_o majesty_n wisdom_n and_o pleasure_n desire_v that_o the_o same_o may_v be_v speedy_o signify_v unto_o they_o to_o the_o end_n they_o may_v proceed_v according_o and_o humble_o offer_v this_o advice_n to_o their_o lordship_n that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o adventurer_n or_o any_o other_o that_o shall_v undertake_v the_o say_a drayn_v under_o his_o majesty_n â—o_o perform_v it_o by_o any_o way_n or_o design_n other_o than_o such_o as_o his_o majesty_n or_o the_o commissioner_n shall_v approve_v and_o direct_v by_o new_a act_n of_o sewer_n in_o that_o behalf_n as_o the_o best_a and_o most_o convenient_a for_o the_o perfect_a drayn_n of_o their_o fen_n and_o the_o benefit_n of_o other_o the_o fen_n and_o part_n of_o the_o great_a level_n thereunto_o adjoin_v in_o regard_n otherwise_o the_o drayn_n of_o these_o may_v prove_v very_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o general_a work_n and_o they_o moreover_o desire_v that_o care_n may_v be_v take_v that_o no_o more_o time_n be_v lose_v in_o the_o prosecution_n thereof_o but_o that_o the_o same_o may_v proceed_v that_o instant_a summer_n in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o the_o king_n upon_o consideration_n thereof_o shall_v please_v to_o direct_v in_o answer_n to_o which_o proposal_n i_o find_v his_o majesty_n pleasure_n signify_v to_o the_o say_a commissioner_n by_o the_o lord_n bishop_n of_o london_n from_o theobalds_n in_o the_o same_o month_n of_o july_n which_o be_v to_o let_v they_o know_v that_o they_o may_v proceed_v to_o make_v a_o decree_n for_o the_o far_o and_o more_o perfect_a drayn_n of_o
from_o the_o place_n call_v west_n head_n unto_o welle_v town_n so_o far_o as_o it_o have_v be_v of_o late_a accustom_a viz_o in_o height_n six_o foot_n above_o bardolf_n fenne_n and_o in_o breadth_n at_o the_o foundation_n thirty_o foot_n and_o in_o breadth_n on_o the_o high_a part_n thereof_o xv_o foot_n 2._o that_o no_o man_n take_v or_o dyke_n any_o menure_n within_o viij_o foot_n of_o the_o south_n part_n of_o the_o same_o pow_o diche_a and_o on_o the_o north_n part_n of_o the_o same_o no_o menure_n to_o be_v take_v within_o c._n foot_n from_o the_o foot_n of_o the_o same_o pow_o diche_a 3._o that_o the_o same_o powdiche_n be_v make_v by_o every_o particular_a township_n whole_a and_o common_a by_o acre_n silver_n and_o not_o otherwise_o and_o the_o same_o to_o be_v do_v by_o every_o township_n by_o whitsunday_n then_o next_o come_n or_o midsummer_n at_o the_o far_a in_o pain_n of_o every_o township_n xll._o to_o be_v levy_v to_o the_o use_n of_o the_o say_a king_n and_o queen_n majesty_n and_o that_o every_o particular_a town_n do_v sufficient_o clay_n their_o particular_a charge_n on_o the_o forepart_n thereof_o in_o thickness_n with_o clay_n one_o foot_n and_o a_o half_a and_o on_o the_o top_n thereof_o one_o foot_n 4._o and_o for_o the_o better_a preservation_n of_o the_o same_o powdiche_n they_o do_v in_o like_a manner_n ordain_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v re-edify_v upon_o the_o say_v powdiche_n three_o house_n that_o be_v to_o say_v one_o at_o north_n hook_n gate_n another_o between_o walpole_n and_o tirington_n gate_n upon_o the_o bank_n and_o powdiche_n and_o the_o three_o at_o welle_v gate_n the_o charge_n to_o be_v levy_v upon_o the_o whole_a township_n of_o marshland_n and_o town_n of_o wigenhall_n by_o acre_n silver_n 5._o that_o if_o any_o man_n be_v then_o indict_v or_o thereafter_o shall_v be_v indict_v vex_v or_o molest_v for_o any_o cause_n touch_v the_o defence_n maintenance_n or_o preservation_n of_o the_o same_o country_n and_o town_n of_o uuigenhale_n then_o they_o and_o every_o of_o they_o to_o be_v defend_v and_o save_v harmless_a by_o the_o say_a country_n and_o town_n of_o uuigenhale_n all_o so_o far_o as_o the_o law_n will_v serve_v and_o permit_v 6._o that_o the_o break_a dyke_n be_v sufficient_o make_v maintain_v and_o repair_v from_o time_n to_o time_n as_o it_o have_v be_v in_o time_n past_a that_o year_n and_o other_o year_n thenceforth_o by_o the_o say_a country_n of_o marshland_n 7._o that_o a_o view_n be_v make_v at_o emneth_n by_o the_o chief_a inhabitant_n of_o the_o country_n where_o there_o may_v be_v new_o make_v and_o re-edify_v within_o the_o level_n and_o rind_n thereof_o a_o new_a dyke_n for_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o water_n if_o break_a dyke_n be_v break_v which_o view_n to_o be_v at_o sandy_a rood_n upon_o the_o friday_n follow_v by_o eight_o of_o the_o clock_n and_o on_o the_o ten_o day_n of_o the_o same_o month_n of_o april_n it_o be_v far_o conclude_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o say_v chief_a inhabitant_n and_o town_n of_o wigenhale_n that_o the_o say_v dyke_n call_v break_v dyke_n shall_v be_v make_v maintain_v and_o keep_v from_o time_n to_o time_n by_o and_o at_o the_o cost_n charge_n and_o expense_n of_o the_o whole_a country_n of_o marshland_n as_o afore-time_o have_v be_v accustom_v and_o that_o a_o new_a dyke_n be_v make_v from_o mill_n dam_n unto_o peter_n sanderson_n house_n and_o so_o by_o the_o high_a way_n direct_o about_o unto_o a_o certain_a place_n call_v suffield_n gate_n in_o such_o height_n thickness_n and_o breadth_n as_o thomas_n guybon_n john_n reppe_n william_n hunston_n and_o thomas_n karvill_n esquire_n richard_n baker_n alias_o lad_n richard_n nichols_n henry_n hunston_n and_o thomas_n hewar_n gentleman_n or_o the_o more_o part_n of_o they_o with_o the_o advice_n of_o the_o workman_n shall_v think_v meet_a and_o convenient_a after_o this_o eliz._n viz._n in_o 8_o eliz._n there_o be_v other_o ordinance_n b._n make_v touch_v the_o bank_n ditch_n and_o sewer_n in_o these_o part_n the_o substance_n whereof_o be_v as_o follow_v viz._n 1_o that_o rightforth_n load_n from_o westhead_n or_o north_n hook_n westward_o be_v but_o 8_o foot_n wide_a aught_o to_o make_v xij_o foot_n in_o breadth_n by_o edmund_n beaupre_n esquire_n and_o so_o every_o person_n &c._n &c._n to_o make_v his_o or_o their_o part_n of_o the_o same_o wideness_n from_o the_o say_v edm._n beaupre_n westward_n and_o so_o to_o stowbridge_n 2_o that_o the_o brink_n of_o the_o great_a river_n from_o stowbridge_n unto_o common_a load_n be_v make_v in_o the_o upper_a part_n 8_o foot_n in_o breadth_n between_o the_o house_n hedge_n and_o wall_n of_o the_o west_n part_n of_o ouse_n 3_o that_o common_a load_n lie_v on_o the_o south_n side_n of_o stowbridge_n house_n be_v make_v of_o the_o wideness_n of_o xij_o foot_n and_o 4_o foot_n deep_a with_o such_o a_o sluse_n as_o rightforth_n load_n have_v at_o sâ—owbridge_n to_o be_v do_v etc._n etc._n at_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o dounham_n wimbotesham_n and_o stow-bardolf_n for_o that_o it_o be_v their_o drayn_n etc._n etc._n 4_o that_o upon_o the_o stop_n of_o newlode_n lie_v between_o common_a load_n and_o downhambridg_v the_o say_a load_n call_v common_a load_n or_o downham_n load_n be_v make_v 5_o that_o the_o goal_n betwixt_o dounham_n bridge_n and_o salter_n load_n to_o be_v make_v xij_o foot_n wide_a and_o 4_o foot_n deep_a and_o to_o extend_v into_o the_o fen_n from_o the_o say_a sluice_n a_o mile_n and_o more_o and_o scour_v by_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o dounham_n 6_o that_o the_o brink_n on_o the_o west_n side_n of_o ouse_n from_o common_a load_n to_o dounham_n brigg_n be_v make_v xij_o foot_n broad_a in_o the_o bottom_n and_o 8_o foot_n on_o the_o top_n and_o one_o foot_n high_o than_o the_o high_a water_n mark_n to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o stow-bardolf_n uuymbotesham_n and_o downham_n 7_o that_o edm._n beaupre_n esquire_n and_o other_o the_o land-holders_n in_o great_a powdichfield_n and_o whart_z meadow_n have_v a_o sluse_n at_o uuelle_n clouse_n at_o the_o north_n head_n of_o whartmedow_n and_o so_o to_o drain_v through_o the_o midst_n of_o marshland_n fen_n 8_o that_o the_o brink_n of_o ouse_n from_o dounham_n bridge_n to_o salter_n load_n be_v make_v xij_o foot_n broad_a in_o the_o bottom_n and_o 8_o foot_n at_o the_o top_n as_o also_o one_o foot_n high_o than_o the_o high_a water_n mark_n 9_o that_o the_o new_a powdiche_n from_o salter_n load_n to_o north_n delft_n be_v make_v xviij_o foot_n broad_a in_o the_o bottom_n xij_o foot_n at_o the_o top_n and_o â—ive_a foot_n in_o height_n from_o the_o plain_a ground_n and_o from_o north_n delft_n to_o mullicourtâ—_n â—_z of_o the_o same_o breadth_n at_o the_o top_n and_o bottom_n and_o six_o foot_n in_o height_n from_o the_o plain_a ground_n all_o which_o to_o be_v do_v and_o keep_v by_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o marshland_n the_o town_n of_o wigenhall_n the_o land-holders_n of_o the_o hundred_o acre_n within_o stow_n bardolf_n call_v the_o lord_n h_v and_o the_o land-holders_n of_o the_o decay_a tenement_n sometime_o bexwell_n at_o north_n delft_n 10._o and_o that_o from_o the_o east_n corner_n of_o mullycourt_n unto_o mullycourt_n drive_v it_o be_v make_v of_o the_o like_a breadth_n at_o the_o bottom_n and_o top_n by_o the_o dean_n of_o ely_n and_o six_o foot_n in_o height_n as_o abovesaid_a which_o say_v powdiche_n from_o mullycourt_a drove_n end_n tend_v westward_n unto_o the_o bridge_n at_o the_o east_n end_n of_o outwell_n church_n and_o thence_o northwest_o unto_o boxstedstile_n which_o be_v the_o far_a bind_v of_o outwell_n towards_o emneth_n and_o be_v the_o division_n betwixt_o the_o half_a hundred_o of_o clakclose_v and_o the_o hundred_o of_o freebridge_n the_o which_o bank_n or_o causey_n ought_v to_o be_v make_v and_o keep_v by_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o town_n of_o outwell_n for_o their_o land_n lie_v in_o mullycourt_n field_n sondy_n field_n and_o powdich_n field_n 11._o that_o the_o river_n of_o welle_v call_v welle_v i_fw-mi come_v from_o the_o bridge_n at_o the_o east_n end_n of_o outwell_n church_n and_o run_v eastward_o till_o it_o come_v opposite_a to_o saltham_n lake_n thence_o south_n east_n unto_o north_n delf_n thence_o eastward_o to_o salter_n load_n to_o be_v make_v xxvij_o foot_n wide_a in_o the_o bottom_n and_o xl_o foot_n at_o the_o top_n from_o the_o say_a bridge_n at_o outwell_n church_n to_o mullycourt_n drove_n end_n by_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o outwell_n and_o from_o thence_o of_o the_o same_o wideness_n by_o the_o dean_n of_o ely_n to_o saltham_n lake_n and_o from_o thence_o to_o salter_n load_n of_o the_o like_a breadth_n by_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o marshland_n and_o town_n of_o uuigenhall_n 12_o that_o at_o the_o end_n of_o
the_o first_o presentment_n or_o judgement_n to_o charge_v every_o man_n in_o particular_a according_a to_o the_o quantity_n of_o his_o land_n 3._o that_o they_o have_v not_o power_n to_o commit_v to_o prison_n person_n refractory_a to_o their_o order_n and_o last_o that_o action_n of_o trespass_n false_a imprisonment_n and_o other_o process_n at_o the_o common_a law_n have_v bâ—en_o bring_v against_o some_o of_o their_o officer_n for_o execute_v their_o decree_n and_o warrant_n their_o lordship_n find_v in_o their_o wisdom_n that_o it_o can_v neither_o stand_v with_o law_n nor_o common_a reason_n that_o in_o case_n of_o such_o great_a consequence_n the_o law_n can_v be_v so_o void_a of_o providence_n as_o to_o restrain_v the_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n for_o make_v of_o new_a work_n to_o withstand_v the_o fury_n of_o the_o water_n aswell_o as_o to_o repair_v the_o old_a where_o necessity_n do_v require_v it_o for_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o country_n or_o to_o lay_v a_o charge_n upon_o the_o town_n or_o hundred_o in_o general_a that_o be_v interest_v in_o the_o benefit_n or_o loss_n without_o attend_v a_o particular_a survey_n and_o admeasurement_n of_o acre_n when_o the_o service_n be_v to_o have_v speedy_a and_o sudden_a execution_n or_o that_o a_o commission_n that_o be_v of_o so_o high_a a_o nature_n and_o of_o so_o great_a use_n to_o the_o common_a wealth_n and_o evident_a necessity_n and_o of_o so_o ancient_a jurisdiction_n both_o before_o the_o statute_n and_o since_o shall_v want_v mean_n of_o coercion_n for_o obedience_n to_o their_o order_n and_o decreesâ—_n whereas_o upon_o the_o performance_n of_o they_o the_o preservation_n of_o many_o thousand_o of_o his_o majesty_n subject_n life_n good_n and_o land_n do_v depend_v and_o it_o plain_o appear_v that_o there_o will_v be_v a_o direct_a frustrate_v and_o overthrow_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o say_a commission_n if_o the_o commissioner_n their_o officer_n and_o minister_n shall_v be_v subject_a to_o every_o suit_n at_o the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o delinquent_n in_o his_o majesty_n court_n of_o the_o common_a law_n and_o so_o to_o weary_a and_o discourage_v all_o man_n from_o do_v their_o duty_n in_o that_o behalf_n for_o the_o reason_n aforesaid_a and_o the_o supreme_a reason_n above_o all_o viz._n the_o salvation_n of_o the_o king_n and_o people_n do_v order_n that_o the_o person_n former_o commit_v by_o that_o board_n for_o theâ—r_a contempt_n concern_v that_o cause_n shall_v stand_v commit_v until_o they_o do_v release_v or_o sufficient_o discharge_v such_o action_n suit_n and_o demand_n as_o they_o do_v bring_v at_o the_o common_a law_n against_o the_o say_a commissioner_n of_o sewer_n or_o any_o their_o officer_n etc._n etc._n the_o opinion_n of_o sir_n henry_n hobart_n knight_n b._n attorney_n general_a to_o king_n james_n touch_v the_o make_n of_o new_a drayn_n the_o case_n of_o the_o new_a drayn_n make_v in_o the_o isle_n of_o ely_n and_o the_o taxation_n set_v for_o the_o same_o be_v thus_o 1_o that_o the_o ground_n now_o seek_v by_o these_o new_a sewer_n to_o be_v win_v and_o drain_v be_v such_o as_o natural_o and_o ancient_o be_v dry_a ground_n and_o not_o continual_o overflow_v so_o as_o they_o be_v true_o land_n and_o not_o water_n and_o be_v still_o to_o this_o day_n dry_a half_a the_o year_n and_o sometime_o in_o good_a year_n long_o 2._o next_o that_o there_o have_v be_v always_o notorious_a and_o common_a drayn_n maintain_v at_o public_a charge_n for_o the_o convey_n away_o of_o the_o water_n in_o time_n of_o downfall_n or_o other_o overflow_v 3._o three_o that_o the_o say_v ancient_a drayn_n can_v now_o possible_o be_v they_o never_o so_o well_o maintain_v drain_v the_o country_n because_o their_o conveyance_n whilst_o they_o be_v in_o use_n be_v into_o the_o sea_n run_v out_o at_o wisbeche_n from_o whence_o the_o sea_n be_v now_o depart_v so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n now_o to_o carry_v these_o water_n to_o the_o sea_n but_o by_o lynne_n haven_n to_o which_o therefore_o these_o work_n be_v make_v to_o carry_v they_o ¶_o the_o case_n i_o say_v stand_v thus_o in_o all_o these_o part_n i_o be_o of_o opinion_n that_o the_o law_n of_o sewer_n late_o make_v for_o these_o new_a work_n be_v warrant_v by_o the_o commission_n of_o sewer_n and_o that_o a_o tax_n may_v be_v set_v aswell_o for_o the_o make_n and_o maintain_v of_o it_o according_a to_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o statute_n and_o commission_n as_o it_o may_v have_v be_v for_o the_o old_a if_o they_o have_v remain_v still_o in_o use_n and_o therefore_o i_o be_o of_o mind_n plain_o that_o though_o it_o may_v seâ—m_v still_o within_o the_o power_n of_o the_o commission_n by_o the_o letter_n of_o it_o to_o maintain_v the_o old_a sewer_n yet_o the_o commissioner_n can_v now_o enforce_v the_o maintenance_n of_o they_o when_o they_o be_v no_o long_o indeed_o sewer_n nor_o benefit_n nor_o damage_n can_v arise_v by_o they_o for_o sewer_n be_v make_v and_o maintain_v for_o the_o land_n and_o not_o the_o land_n for_o the_o sewer_n on_o the_o contrary_a when_o they_o fail_v reason_n teach_v and_o necessity_n enforce_v some_o other_o remedy_n be_v find_v in_o supply_n of_o it_o and_o the_o word_n of_o the_o commission_n have_v it_o plain_o that_o give_v power_n in_o one_o clause_n to_o make_v necessary_a and_o behooveful_a law_n for_o the_o safeguard_n and_o preservation_n of_o the_o land_n lie_v to_o the_o premise_n which_o premise_n be_v restrain_v as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v to_o the_o sewer_n yet_o the_o land_n lie_v to_o they_o must_v be_v understand_v the_o landâ—_n about_o they_o or_o for_o which_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o serve_v so_o that_o the_o safeguard_n and_o preservation_n of_o the_o land_n be_v the_o principal_a end_n of_o the_o commission_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v preserve_v by_o the_o old_a sewer_n be_v by_o this_o clause_n to_o be_v preserve_v at_o largeâ—_n that_o be_v as_o best_a may_v be_v and_o by_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o commissioner_n shall_v be_v find_v necessary_a and_o behooveful_a which_o word_n and_o meaning_n be_v satisfy_v in_o this_o case_n henry_n hubbert_n nor_o do_v we_o want_v example_n of_o great_a antiquity_n for_o such_o new_a cut_n and_o drayn_n the_o name_n of_o divers_a which_o to_o this_o day_n continue_v manifest_v the_o same_o as_o 1._o new-ditch_n alias_o lent_n hirne_v in_o wisebeche_n 2._o newdike_n in_o burial_n field_n in_o welle_v 3._o newdike_n in_o witlesey_n a_o very_a fair_a sewer_n newdraine_n there_o also_o xx_o foot_n wide_o 4._o newdrayne_n from_o croyland_n to_o spalding_n 5._o newdike_n alias_o sandy_a dyke_n there_o also_o 6._o newdike_n in_o neatmore_n in_o upwell_n 7._o new-leame_a there_o fifty_o foot_n wide_o 8._o and_o new-leame_a in_o chateriz_n and_o march_n nay_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o even_o the_o great_a river_n themselves_o have_v for_o the_o like_a respect_n be_v divert_v from_o their_o ancient_a and_o natural_a channel_n for_o 1._o the_o river_n of_o ouse_n ouse_n its_o outfall_n by_o wisbeche_n decay_v be_v not_o only_o cut_v straight_o but_o by_o a_o new_a river_n make_v from_o littleport_n chair_n to_o rebbech_n be_v let_v fall_n into_o ouse_n parva_fw-la or_o brandon_n water_n and_o thence_o by_o salter_n load_n to_o lynne_n haven_n its_o former_a course_n from_o littleport_n be_v by_o wellenhee_o to_o welle_v and_o so_o to_o the_o north_n sea_n at_o wisbeche_n 2._o the_o west-water_n a_o part_n of_o ouse_n magna_fw-la have_v its_o course_n from_o erith_n bridge_n to_o chateriz_n ferry_n and_o thence_o to_o benwick_n and_o so_o to_o march_v be_v for_o the_o crookedness_n of_o the_o way_n convey_v by_o a_o new_a passage_n call_v the_o leame_z through_o chateriz_n dodington_n and_o march_v and_o thence_o by_o elm_n leame_z to_o wisbeche_v a_o course_n of_o xuj_o mile_n and_o so_o continue_v all_o this_o way_n 3._o moreton_n nene_n the_o worthy_a bishop_n of_o ely_n in_o the_o time_n of_o k._n h._n 7._o to_o avoid_v the_o many_o and_o crooked_a passage_n in_o the_o river_n of_o nene_n between_o peterburgh_n and_o the_o sea_n by_o the_o way_n drown_v many_o thousand_o of_o acre_n out_o of_o the_o whole_a ground_n make_v a_o new_a river_n now_o call_v morton_n leame_z or_o the_o new_a leame_z xl_o foot_n wide_o and_o 4_o foot_n or_o more_o deep_a viz._n from_o stanground_n steafe_n to_o guyhirne_n be_v a_o course_n of_o twelve_o mile_n long_o at_o the_o least_o and_o continue_v the_o same_o through_o wisbecheâ—_n â—_z for_o the_o more_o speedy_a delivery_n of_o the_o water_n attempt_v to_o cut_v through_o the_o sea-dike_a to_o wisbeche_v at_o bevys-crosse_n and_o again_o at_o eastfields_n end_n nigh_o the_o horse-shoe_n in_o leverington_n which_o bank_n be_v in_o less_o than_o thirty_o year_n before_o ordain_v by_o commission_n to_o be_v maintain_v id_fw-la