choakâ—_n up_o do_v endanger_v the_o drown_v the_o adjacent_a marsh_n and_o that_o the_o cleanse_v thereof_o pertain_v to_o the_o heir_n of_o the_o say_v richard_n and_o last_o that_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a sewer_n call_v ozflete_a pasâ—ing_v from_o the_o water_n of_o s._n thomas_n unto_o the_o thames_n stop_v up_o also_o for_o want_v of_o cleanse_v to_o the_o great_a annoyance_n of_o the_o land_n of_o john_n capsho_n and_o robert_n allard_n which_o sewer_n ought_v to_o have_v be_v scour_v by_o the_o say_v john_n and_o robert_n it_o be_v therefore_o ordain_v by_o the_o before-specified_n justice_n that_o the_o say_a sir_n john_n le_fw-fr latimer_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o person_n so_o present_v as_o aforesaid_a shall_v be_v distrain_v to_o make_v good_a the_o several_a repair_v abovementioned_a so_o belong_v unto_o they_o in_o 26_o e._n 3._o will._n thorpe_n james_n hâ—fee_n and_o will._n de_fw-fr fifhide_n be_v appoint_v dorso_fw-la 〈◊〉_d view_n and_o repair_v the_o bank_n aâ—â—he_v stew_n and_o in_o other_o place_n adjaâ—â—â—â—â—_n by_o the_o breach_n whereof_o divers_a groundâ—_n and_o meadow_n lay_v then_o total_o drown_v and_o in_o 37_o e._n 3._o edmund_z chelreye_v thomas_n morice_n and_o michael_n skill_v have_v dorso_fw-la the_o like_a appointment_n for_o those_o bank_n near_o the_o say_a stew_n which_o be_v opposite_a to_o the_o manor_n house_n of_o john_n de_fw-fr moâ—bray_n before_o which_o commissioner_n divers_a presentment_n be_v then_o make_v touch_v those_o bank_n and_o sewer_n near_o the_o same_o stew_n where_o divers_a person_n be_v find_v faulty_a pay_v fine_n to_o the_o king_n other_o acknowlege_v that_o they_o ought_v to_o repair_v they_o by_o the_o perch_n and_o other_o have_v make_v good_a what_o belong_v to_o they_o to_o do_v whereof_o the_o prior_n of_o s._n johns_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v one_o who_o have_v two_o mill_n there_o and_o other_o land_n to_o the_o value_n of_o xl_o surr._n per_fw-la annum_fw-la the_o like_a be_v certify_v 26._o of_o sir_n john_n de_fw-fr mowbray_n knight_n and_o elizabeth_z his_o wife_n daughter_n and_o heir_n of_o john_n de_fw-fr segrave_n in_o 42_o e._n 3._o john_n lovekin_n will._n taâ—ke_v will._n de_fw-fr neudigate_n anâ—_n othâ—rs_n have_v the_o like_a assignation_n doâ—sâ—_n for_o the_o bank_n etc._n etc._n extend_v from_o a_o place_n call_v dâ—nielissewalle_n in_o this_o county_n of_o surrey_n to_o roddisâ—orne_v in_o kent_n and_o in_o 48_o e._n 3._o robert_n bealknap_n will._n halden_n roger_n dig_v and_o other_o for_o dorso_fw-la the_o same_o bank_n betwixt_o danyeleswalle_n and_o the_o land_n of_o the_o prior_n of_o s._n marry_o de_fw-fr overe_fw-la and_o about_o a_o meadow_n call_v croâ—chemede_o by_o which_o commission_n â—hâ—y_v â—ere_z direct_v to_o proceed_v according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n of_o england_n in_o 4_o h._n 5._o john_n pâ—eston_n sir_n john_n dâ—ayton_n knight_n thomas_n rothewell_n junior_a thowe_v drewe_n richard_n wydeforde_n and_o thomas_n coventre_n be_v constitute_v doâ—sâ—_n commissioner_n for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o the_o bank_n ditch_n etc._n etc._n all_o along_o the_o verge_n of_o the_o thames_n on_o both_o side_n from_o read_v to_o oxford_n which_o be_v then_o break_v in_o many_o place_n with_o appointment_n to_o proceed_v therein_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o england_n the_o next_o year_n follow_v john_n preston_n john_n martin_n john_n corf_n john_n appulton_n robert_n skyrne_n and_o nicholas_n doâ—sâ—_n conyngston_n have_v the_o like_a commission_n for_o those_o bank_n etc._n etc._n betwixt_o depford_n strand_n and_o bermundsey_n wherein_o they_o be_v direct_v to_o act_v according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o â—he_n marsh_n and_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n in_o 22_o h._n 6._o sir_n john_n burcestre_n knight_n ricâ—ard_a bamme_n richard_n comâ—e_v will._n oâ—â—urne_n adam_n lynelord_n john_n martin_n john_n malton_n and_o will._n kyrton_n be_v assign_v dâ—â—so_o to_o view_v all_o those_o bank_n on_o the_o side_n of_o thames_n and_o marsh_n adjoin_v aswell_o within_o the_o lordship_n of_o south_n lambehithe_n north_n lambehithe_n lambehithe_n mershe_o and_o parysh-garden_n as_o in_o southwerk_n bermundsey_n retherhithe_n depford_n strand_n peckham_n hacham_n camerwell_n stokwell_n clopham_n and_o newyngton_n in_o the_o county_n of_o surrey_n and_o kent_n which_o be_v at_o that_o time_n break_v and_o in_o decay_n and_o to_o take_v order_n for_o the_o repair_n of_o they_o as_o also_o to_o make_v necessary_a law_n and_o ordinance_n for_o the_o safeguard_n and_o preservation_n of_o they_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o romeney_n marsh_n and_o moreover_o to_o impress_v so_o many_o digger_n and_o labourer_n to_o be_v employ_v therein_o upon_o compâ—â—ent_a salarye_n as_o shall_v be_v necessary_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o great_a necessity_n at_o that_o time_n for_o the_o speedy_a dispatch_n of_o that_o work_n the_o like_a commission_n dorso_o and_o direction_n have_v john_n bamburgh_n richard_n bamme_n richard_n drax_n and_o philip_n leweston_n in_o 25_o h._n 6._o for_o the_o bank_n in_o the_o same_o lordship_n and_o place_n and_o in_o 31_o h._n 6._o sir_n john_n burcestre_n knight_n richard_n waller_n esquire_n will._n laken_n philip_n leweston_n and_o other_o have_v dorso_fw-la the_o like_a for_o the_o view_n of_o all_o the_o bank_n from_o east-grenewiche_a in_o kent_n to_o wandesworth_n in_o surrey_n so_o also_o have_v ibid._n the_o say_a sir_n john_n burcestre_n sir_n john_n cheyne_n knight_n richard_n waller_n esquire_n will._n laken_n and_o other_o for_o those_o betwixt_o west-grenewiche_a and_o wandesworth_n aforesaid_a viz._n to_o the_o sluice_n callâ—d_v harescluse_a râ—therhithe_n suthwerke_n bermondsey_n parysgaâ—dyn_n lâ—mbehythe_n lambehythe_n mersh_fw-mi batersey_n wandesworth_n clopham_n pekham_n and_o camberwerwell_n the_o like_a commission_n dorso_o for_o the_o same_o place_n and_o to_o proceed_v according_o have_v sir_n john_n bourgchier_n of_o barner_n knight_n sir_n john_n burcestre_n sir_n john_n cheyne_n knight_n and_o other_o in_o 33_o h._n 6._o so_o also_o have_v dorso_fw-la sir_n ralph_n josselyn_n knight_n mayor_z of_o the_o city_n of_o london_n sir_n walter_n moil_n knight_n sir_n john_n burcestre_n knight_n nich._n gaynesford_n esquire_n john_n woo_v and_o other_o in_o 5_o e._n 4._o and_o likewise_o dorso_o sir_n richard_n fenys_n lord_n dacres_n john_n abbot_n of_o bermundsey_n henry_n prior_n of_o s._n marie_n overey_n in_o suthwerk_n will._n cross_n master_n of_o the_o hospital_n of_o s._n thomas_n the_o martyr_n in_o suthwerk_n and_o divers_a other_o in_o 14_o e._n 4._o cap._n xv._n have_v now_o do_v with_o the_o marsh_n on_o the_o south_n part_n of_o thames_n i_o come_v to_o those_o on_o the_o north_n side_n lie_v in_o the_o county_n of_o midlesex_n and_o essex_n beginning_n with_o middlesex_n where_o the_o first_o mention_n i_o find_v of_o any_o thing_n in_o this_o kind_n be_v that_o in_o 26_o e._n 1._o robert_n de_fw-fr retford_n and_o henry_n spigurnell_n be_v assign_v dorso_fw-la to_o view_v and_o repair_v the_o bank_n and_o ditch_n in_o stebbenhethe_n and_o the_o part_n adjacent_a after_o this_o viz._n on_o wednesâ—ay_n next_o after_o the_o feast_n of_o s._n martin_n midd._n the_o bishop_n in_o 18_o e._n 2._o there_o be_v a_o inquisition_n take_v at_o the_o hospital_n of_o s._n kathrines_n near_o the_o tower_n of_o london_n before_o will._n de_fw-fr broke_n and_o robert_n de_fw-fr kellesey_n than_o the_o king_n justice_n for_o view_n of_o the_o bank_n ditch_n etc._n etc._n lie_v betwixt_o the_o say_a hospital_n and_o the_o town_n of_o chadewelle_n and_o for_o repair_v of_o the_o same_o before_o who_o the_o juror_n do_v present_a upon_o their_o oath_n that_o a_o certain_a person_n of_o ancient_a time_n lord_n of_o the_o manor_n of_o stebenhethe_n beforementioned_a who_o name_n they_o know_v not_o do_v by_o his_o industry_n recover_v a_o certain_a marsh_n there_o contain_v about_o a_o hundred_o acre_n of_o land_n which_o marsh_n be_v then_o drown_v by_o the_o overflow_a of_o the_o thames_n and_o at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o say_a presentment_n so_o make_v have_v bank_n ditch_n etc._n etc._n and_o do_v so_o lie_v betwixt_o the_o say_a hospital_n and_o shadwelle_n but_o through_o the_o want_n of_o their_o repair_n be_v then_o frequent_o overflow_v and_o in_o divers_a place_n drown_v to_o the_o great_a damage_n of_o the_o people_n in_o those_o part_n which_o lord_n of_o the_o say_a manor_n of_o stebenhethe_n do_v afterward_o grant_v by_o charter_n to_o certain_a of_o his_o free_a man_n xlij_o acre_n and_o a_o half_a of_o land_n with_o the_o appurtenance_n severally_z by_o parcel_n to_o be_v hold_v by_o they_o and_o their_o heir_n by_o certain_a service_n for_o ever_o and_o to_o repair_v and_o maintain_v the_o say_a bank_n ditch_n sewer_n etc._n etc._n viz._n each_o man_n upon_o his_o own_o proper_a ground_n border_v on_o the_o say_a river_n of_o thames_n of_o which_o xlij_o
say_a bank_n to_o take_v care_n of_o its_o amendment_n in_o 34_o h._n 6._o sir_n john_n fortescu_n knight_n then_o chief_a justice_n of_o the_o king_n bench_n john_n fylolle_n thomas_n burgoyne_n walter_n grene_n john_n harpour_n robert_n tanfeld_n will._n chadworth_n thomas_n cornwalys_n and_o thomas_n croxton_n be_v appoint_v dorso_fw-la commissioner_n for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o the_o bank_n &c._n &c._n lie_v betwixt_o s._n katherine_n mill_n before_o mention_v unto_o the_o chapel_n call_v s._n marie_n matfelone_n thence_o to_o the_o church_n of_o s._n dunstan_n in_o stepenhithe_n thence_o to_o the_o church_n of_o s._n leonard_n in_o bremley_n thence_o to_o the_o river_n of_o leye_n thence_o to_o the_o thames_n and_o so_o to_o the_o say_a mill_n and_o to_o make_v law_n and_o ordinance_n according_a to_o those_o of_o romeney_n marsh_n the_o like_a dorso_fw-la commission_n in_o 7_o e._n 4._o have_v thomas_n abbot_n of_o grace_n near_o the_o tower_n of_o london_n thomas_n urswyk_n thomas_n frowyk_n esquire_n and_o other_o in_o 14_o e._n 4._o sir_n thomas_n urswyke_a knight_n john_n elryngtone_n thomas_n frowyk_n will._n essex_n and_o other_o be_v assign_v dorso_fw-la to_o view_v and_o take_v order_n for_o the_o repair_n of_o all_o those_o bank_n &c._n &c._n lie_v betwixt_o the_o tower_n of_o london_n and_o the_o town_n of_o stratford_n atte_n bow_n and_o to_o proceed_v therein_o by_o make_v law_n etc._n etc._n and_o otherwise_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o romeney_n marsh_n in_o 20_o e._n 4._o thomas_n bishop_n of_o london_n edmund_z abbot_z of_o grace_n will._n wirsley_n dean_n of_o paul_n sir_n john_n elryngton_n and_o sir_n thomas_n frowyk_n knight_n richard_n gardener_z and_o other_o have_v dorso_fw-la the_o like_a assignation_n for_o those_o betwixt_o the_o town_n of_o lymeostez_n and_o the_o wall_n call_v black_a wall_n so_o ibid._n also_o in_o the_o same_o year_n have_v the_o say_a thomas_n edmund_z and_o william_n together_z with_o henry_n sharp_a dean_n of_o the_o free_a chapel_n of_o s._n stephan_n within_o the_o king_n palace_n at_o westminster_n john_n harding_n master_n of_o the_o hospital_n of_o s._n thomas_n of_o acon_n in_o the_o city_n of_o london_n sir_n john_n elryngton_n knight_n sir_n thomas_z frowyk_fw-mi knight_n richard_n gardner_n and_o other_o for_o all_o the_o bank_n upon_o the_o river_n of_o thames_n and_o leye_a betwixt_o the_o mete_n and_o bound_n of_o the_o city_n of_o london_n and_o the_o bridge_n of_o stratford_n atte_n bow_n on_o the_o north_n and_o west_n side_n of_o those_o river_n and_o the_o roadway_n which_o lie_v betwixt_o white_a chapel_n parish_n and_o the_o town_n of_o stratford_n atte_n bow_n before-specified_n cap._n xvi_o marsh_n in_o the_o suburb_n of_o london_n and_o that_o some_o place_n in_o the_o very_a suburb_n of_o the_o city_n of_o london_n itself_o have_v original_o be_v fenny_a and_o moorish_a though_o now_o by_o no_o small_a industry_n and_o cost_n equal_v the_o chief_a which_o be_v natural_o otherwise_o be_v apparent_a from_o undoubted_a testimony_n fitz_n stephan_n who_o live_v above_o five_o hundred_o year_n since_o speak_v of_o that_o place_n now_o call_v b._n moor_n field_n say_v thus_o cum_fw-la est_fw-la congelata_fw-la palus_fw-la illa_fw-la magna_fw-la quae_fw-la moenia_fw-la vrbis_fw-la aquilonalis_fw-la alluit_fw-la exeunt_fw-la lusum_fw-la super_fw-la glaciem_fw-la densae_fw-la juvenum_fw-la turmae_fw-la etc._n etc._n when_o the_o great_a fen_n which_o water_v the_o wall_n on_o the_o north_n side_n of_o the_o city_n be_v freeze_v multitude_n of_o young_a people_n go_v to_o play_v upon_o the_o ice_n some_o take_v a_o little_a room_n to_o run_v do_v set_v their_o foot_n a_o good_a distance_n and_o glide_v a_o great_a way_n other_o sit_v upon_o thick_a piece_n of_o ice_n as_o big_a as_o millstone_n and_o be_v draw_v by_o many_o who_o hold_v hand_n in_o hand_n when_o the_o foot_n of_o one_o slip_v they_o all_o tumble_v down_o together_o but_o other_o more_o expert_a in_o sport_v thereon_o fix_v bone_n under_o their_o heel_n and_o take_v a_o pikestaff_n do_v shove_v themselves_o forward_o with_o so_o much_o force_n that_o they_o glide_v with_o no_o less_o swiftness_n than_o a_o bird_n fly_v or_o a_o arrow_n pass_v out_o of_o a_o bow_n this_o fen_n say_v a._n stow_n stretch_v from_o the_o wall_n of_o the_o city_n betwixt_o bishopsgate_n and_o the_o postern_n call_v cripplegate_n to_o finsbury_n and_o to_o holy-well_a continue_v a_o waste_n and_o a_o unprofitable_a ground_n a_o long_a time_n so_o that_o the_o same_o be_v all_o let_v for_o four_o mark_n the_o year_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o king_n edward_n the_o second_o but_o in_o the_o year_n mccccxv_n 3_o h._n 5._o thomas_n fawconer_n maior_n cause_v the_o wall_n to_o be_v break_v towards_o the_o moor_n and_o build_v the_o postern_n call_v moor_n gate_n for_o ease_v of_o the_o citizen_n to_o walk_v that_o way_n upon_o causey_n to_o iseldâ—n_n and_o hoxton_n moreover_o he_o cause_v the_o ditch_n of_o the_o city_n and_o other_o the_o ditch_n from_o shores-ditch_n to_o deep_a ditch_n by_o bethlem_n into_o the_o moor_n ditch_n to_o be_v new_o cast_v and_o cleanse_v by_o mean_n whereof_o the_o say_a fen_n or_o moor_n be_v great_o drain_v and_o dry_v and_o in_o the_o year_n mdxij_o roger_n atchley_n maior_n cause_v divers_a dikes_n to_o be_v cast_v and_o make_v to_o drain_v the_o water_n of_o the_o say_v moor_n field_n with_o bridge_n arch_v over_o they_o and_o the_o ground_n about_o to_o be_v level_v whereby_o the_o say_a field_n be_v make_v somewhat_o more_o commodious_a but_o yet_o it_o stand_v full_a of_o noisome_a water_n whereupon_o in_o the_o year_n mdxxvij_o sir_n thomas_n seymour_n maior_n cause_v divers_a sluice_n to_o be_v make_v to_o convey_v the_o say_v water_n over_o the_o town_n ditch_n into_o the_o course_n of_o walbrooke_n and_o so_o into_o the_o thames_n and_o by_o these_o degree_n be_v this_o fen_n or_o moor_n at_o length_n make_v main_a and_o hard_a ground_n which_o before_o be_v overgrow_v with_o flag_n sedge_n and_o rush_n serve_v to_o no_o use_n nor_o be_v the_o ground_n in_o fleetstreet_n and_o thereabouts_o long_o since_o much_o better_a than_o a_o marish_a for_o the_o same_o author_n a._n say_v that_o in_o the_o year_n mdxcv_o he_o observe_v that_o when_o the_o labourer_n have_v break_v up_o the_o pavement_n against_o chancery_n lane_n end_n up_z towards_z s._n dunstan_n church_n and_o have_v dig_v four_o foot_n deep_a they_o find_v another_o pavement_n of_o hard_a stone_n more_o sufficient_a than_o the_o first_o and_o therefore_o hard_o to_o be_v break_v under_o which_o be_v in_o the_o made-ground_n pile_n of_o timber_n drive_v very_o thick_a and_o almost_o close_o together_o the_o same_o be_v as_o black_a as_o coal_n and_o many_o of_o they_o rot_v and_o now_o to_o manifest_v that_o not_o only_o the_o law_n but_o the_o usual_a practice_n be_v where_o disobedience_n or_o neglect_n have_v be_v find_v in_o those_o as_o be_v chardgable_a with_o the_o maintenance_n of_o any_o bank_n or_o sewer_n make_v for_o the_o common_a defence_n of_o such_o marsh_n as_o be_v in_o danger_n of_o surround_v that_o coercion_n be_v to_o be_v exercise_v for_o the_o performance_n thereof_o i_o shall_v here_o exhibit_v the_o testimony_n of_o a_o decree_n pettiâ—ag_n make_v in_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o ilford_n in_o essex_n 19_o aprilis_n aº_n 1639._o which_o recite_v a_o ordinance_n make_v in_o the_o like_a session_n at_o ilford_n before-specified_n for_o raise_v the_o sum_n of_o seventeen_o hundred_o and_o six_o pound_n for_o repair_v a_o breach_n in_o the_o bank_n or_o marsh-wall_n of_o bromley_n marsh_n in_o this_o county_n whereby_o ninety_o four_o acre_n of_o land_n be_v surround_v and_o the_o neglect_n of_o certain_a person_n therein_o name_v to_o pay_v their_o proportion_n thereof_o which_o be_v assess_v upon_o they_o a_o lease_n for_o xli_o year_n be_v make_v of_o several_a parcel_n of_o ground_n belong_v to_o those_o so_o neglect_v unto_o other_o at_o the_o rent_n of_o one_o pepper_n corn_n yearly_o cap._n xvii_o have_v now_o do_v with_o the_o marsh_n in_o middlesex_n essex_n i_o come_v to_o those_o in_o essex_n which_o county_n be_v divide_v by_o the_o river_n of_o lie_n ancient_o call_v luye_o of_o this_o river_n it_o be_v memorable_a 10._o that_o the_o dane_n in_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 894._o and_o 23_o of_o king_n alfred_n reign_n sail_v up_o it_o with_o their_o ship_n and_o build_v a_o castle_n on_o the_o bank_n thereof_o about_o xx_o mile_n from_o london_n near_o which_o the_o londoner_n give_v they_o battle_n and_o have_v the_o better_a of_o the_o day_n put_v they_o to_o flight_n so_o that_o they_o be_v constrain_v to_o fly_v to_o that_o hold_v whereof_o the_o king_n have_v notice_n he_o cause_v this_o river_n to_o be_v cut_v into_o three_o branch_n to_o
county_n do_v exhibit_v a_o presentment_n 17._o in_o the_o court_n of_o king_n bench_n import_v that_o this_o channel_n call_v fossedike_n extend_v itself_o from_o the_o river_n of_o trent_n at_o torksey_n unto_o the_o city_n of_o lincoln_n have_v be_v ancient_o open_a and_o full_a of_o water_n so_o that_o ship_n and_o boat_n lade_v with_o victual_n and_o other_o vendible_a commodity_n do_v use_v to_o pass_v to_o and_o from_o nottingham_n york_n kingston_n upon_o hull_n and_o sundry_a other_o place_n and_o county_n by_o the_o say_a river_n of_o trent_n and_o so_o by_o this_o channel_n to_o lincoln_n and_o from_o lincoln_n to_o boston_n to_o the_o great_a benefit_n of_o the_o say_a city_n of_o lincoln_n and_o advantage_n of_o all_o tradesman_n pass_v that_o way_n as_o also_o of_o the_o whole_a country_n adjacent_a be_v then_o choke_v up_o for_o want_n of_o cleanse_v and_o repair_v and_o that_o the_o prior_n of_o torkesey_n and_o town_n of_o torksey_n with_o the_o member_n thereof_o the_o prioress_n of_o fosse_n john_n bishop_n of_o lincoln_n gilb._n earl_n of_o angos_n &_o his_o tenant_n sir_n ralph_n daubney_n knight_n and_o his_o tenant_n the_o abbot_n of_o newsum_n john_n frunellâ—_n â—_z the_o tenant_n of_o the_o land_n of_o gilbert_n de_fw-fr bridshull_n the_o tenant_n of_o the_o land_n of_o hugh_n de_fw-fr normanton_n of_o saxelbie_n the_o lady_n katherine_n swinford_n john_n brett_n of_o thornhagh_n in_o the_o county_n of_o nottingham_n sir_n ralph_n painell_n knight_n and_o all_o other_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o town_n lie_v on_o each_o side_n the_o say_a channel_n and_o their_o ancestor_n who_o lordship_n lay_v on_o either_o side_n and_o abut_a on_o the_o same_o every_o man_n according_a to_o the_o proportion_n lie_v against_o his_o own_o lordship_n do_v and_o ought_v to_o cleanse_v and_o repair_v the_o say_a channel_n and_o they_o say_v moreover_o that_o it_o have_v be_v so_o choke_v up_o and_o obstruct_v for_o above_o thirty_o year_n then_o last_v pass_v to_o the_o great_a damage_n of_o the_o king_n as_o also_o of_o the_o whole_a country_n and_o city_n aforesaid_a notwithstanding_o which_o presentment_n the_o king_n issue_v out_o a_o commission_n dorso_fw-la the_o very_a next_o ensue_v year_n unto_o sir_n michael_n de_fw-fr la_fw-fr pole_n knight_n mr_n geffrey_n le_fw-fr scrope_n and_o john_n de_fw-fr stafford_n clerk_n to_o inquire_v touch_v the_o obstruction_n thereof_o but_o i_o make_v a_o question_n whether_o it_o be_v thereupon_o cleanse_v for_o in_o 8_o r._n 2._o which_o be_v about_o nine_o year_n after_o i_o find_v that_o john_n duke_n of_o lancaster_n john_n bishop_n of_o lincoln_n henry_n percy_n earl_n of_o northumberland_n sir_n michael_n de_fw-fr la_fw-fr pole_n knight_n sir_n philip_n darcy_n knight_n and_o other_o be_v appoint_v dorso_fw-la by_o the_o say_a king_n to_o cause_v it_o to_o be_v repair_v and_o scour_v so_o that_o ship_n and_o boat_n may_v have_v a_o clear_a passage_n through_o it_o as_o ancient_o they_o have_v use_v cap._n xxxi_o the_o marsh_n on_o withom_n on_o the_o south_n side_n of_o this_o province_n lie_v the_o river_n of_o witham_n extend_v itself_o from_o the_o suburb_n of_o lincoln_n to_o boston_n by_o which_o stream_n great_a vessel_n have_v ancient_o come_v up_o from_o boston_n to_o that_o city_n as_o the_o inhabitant_n thereof_o do_v by_o tradition_n affirm_v and_o as_o may_v seem_v by_o large_a rib_n of_o they_o which_o within_o memory_n have_v be_v there_o dig_v up_o but_o the_o descent_n of_o this_o stream_n from_o the_o say_a city_n to_o the_o sea_n be_v so_o little_a that_o the_o water_n have_v a_o slow_a passage_n can_v keep_v it_o wide_a and_o deep_a enough_o either_o for_o navigation_n or_o drayn_v of_o the_o adjacent_a marsh_n without_o the_o frequent_a help_n of_o dig_v and_o clear_v the_o same_o the_o mud_n and_o weed_n increase_v so_o much_o therein_o i_o shall_v therefore_o in_o the_o next_o place_n take_v notice_n of_o what_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o tend_v to_o that_o purpose_n as_o also_o of_o its_o course_n above_o that_o city_n whereof_o the_o first_o mention_n that_o i_o find_v be_v in_o 6_o e._n 3._o henry_n de_fw-fr fienton_n will._n dysney_n and_o thomas_n de_fw-fr sibthorpe_n be_v then_o constitute_v dorso_fw-la the_o king_n commissioner_n for_o the_o view_v thereoâ—_n betwixt_o the_o town_n of_o bekingham_n and_o the_o city_n of_o lincoln_n it_o be_v turn_v out_o of_o its_o right_a channel_n in_o sundry_a place_n and_o so_o obstruct_v with_o sand_n mud_n and_o plantation_n of_o tree_n as_o also_o by_o floodgate_n sluice_n mill_n causeys_n and_o ditch_n that_o the_o course_n of_o the_o same_o be_v hinder_v cause_v frequent_a inundation_n to_o the_o land_n adjacent_a after_o this_o viz._n in_o 37_o e._n 3._o there_o be_v a_o presentment_n 7._o exhibit_v to_o john_n de_fw-fr repynghale_n and_o h._n asty_a than_o the_o say_v king_n commissioner_n of_o sewer_n sit_v at_o newerk_n upon_o monday_n next_o after_o the_o feast_n of_o s._n laurence_n for_o the_o view_n of_o the_o say_a river_n of_o withom_n and_o remove_v all_o obstruction_n and_o impediment_n whereby_o the_o free_a current_n thereof_o from_o the_o town_n of_o claypole_n unto_o the_o say_a city_n of_o lincoln_n be_v hinder_v which_o presentment_n be_v make_v by_o the_o juror_n for_o the_o wapentake_v of_o boby_n and_o graffow_n import_v that_o the_o east_n mill_n at_o bracebrigge_n belong_v to_o the_o knight_n hospitalar_n of_o s._n john_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o england_n stand_v in_o the_o right_a course_n of_o that_o river_n do_v obstruct_v the_o current_n thereof_o to_o the_o great_a damage_n of_o the_o say_a king_n and_o the_o country_n and_o that_o this_o be_v through_o the_o default_n of_o those_o knight_n hospitalar_n and_o they_o far_o say_v that_o the_o same_o river_n than_o have_v not_o sufficient_a depth_n nor_o breadth_n from_o the_o sheepcote_n belong_v to_o the_o prior_n of_o s._n katherine_n unto_o the_o bridge_n at_o bracebrigge_n and_o that_o the_o say_v knight_n hospitalar_n have_v certain_a floodgate_n therâ—_n which_o do_v turn_v the_o right_a course_n of_o that_o river_n out_o of_o its_o proper_a channel_n whereupon_o the_o shireeve_n of_o lincolnshire_n be_v command_v to_o summon_v the_o prior_n of_o the_o say_a hospital_n of_o s._n john_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o appear_v before_o those_o commissioner_n at_o newerk_n the_o wednesday_n next_o after_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o assumption_n of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n than_o next_o ensue_v to_o answer_v to_o these_o particular_n who_o appear_v according_o do_v allege_v that_o he_o and_o his_o predecessor_n have_v be_v seize_v of_o the_o say_a mill_n time_n out_o of_o mind_n as_o in_o the_o right_n of_o their_o house_n and_o that_o the_o say_a mill_n then_o stand_v as_o it_o have_v ancient_o use_v to_o do_v without_o that_o that_o either_o he_o or_o his_o predecessor_n have_v build_v any_o new_a mill_n there_o and_o that_o this_o he_o be_v ready_a to_o justify_v and_o as_o to_o the_o floodgate_n he_o say_v that_o it_o be_v erect_v there_o time_n out_o of_o mind_n with_o this_o order_n viz._n that_o the_o gate_n thereof_o shall_v be_v yearly_o remove_v from_o the_o feast_n day_n of_o s._n elene_n in_o the_o month_n of_o may_n unto_o the_o feast_n day_n of_o the_o exaltation_n of_o the_o holy_a cross_n but_o that_o after_o that_o day_n until_o the_o feast_n of_o s._n elene_n they_o shall_v stand_v in_o their_o place_n and_o if_o the_o say_a river_n of_o withom_n shall_v happen_v upon_o any_o occasion_n to_o be_v so_o much_o raise_v as_o to_o be_v above_o a_o certain_a stake_n stand_v on_o the_o south_n side_n of_o the_o say_a floodgate_n than_o the_o same_o gate_n to_o be_v remove_v until_o the_o water_n shall_v abate_v to_o the_o height_n of_o that_o stake_n which_o say_v stake_n have_v be_v there_o make_v and_o place_v for_o a_o gage_n time_n out_o of_o mind_n without_o that_o that_o any_o floodgate_n be_v raise_v high_a than_o that_o stake_n or_o that_o the_o same_o floodgate_n ought_v to_o be_v remove_v the_o business_n therefore_o be_v come_v to_o this_o issue_n the_o say_a commissioner_n sit_v at_o carleton_n in_o moreland_n on_o friday_n next_o after_o the_o feast_n of_o s._n john_n baptist_n in_o the_o year_n abovesaid_a it_o be_v find_v by_o a_o verdict_n of_o the_o juror_n that_o the_o say_a prior_n of_o s._n johns_n and_o his_o predecessor_n be_v not_o seize_v of_o the_o say_a mill_n and_o floodgate_n time_n out_o of_o mind_n as_o have_v be_v before_o allege_v but_o that_o they_o be_v erect_v there_o after_o that_o time_n though_o not_o by_o the_o say_a prior_n therefore_o it_o be_v decree_v that_o the_o say_a mill_n and_o floodgate_n shall_v be_v remove_v and_o the_o shireeve_n of_o lincolnshire_n have_v command_v to_o remove_v they_o according_o and_o to_o make_v certificate_n of_o his_o do_n
nor_o the_o persian_n make_v use_v but_o hold_v a_o guard_n there_o to_o keep_v off_o stranger_n howbeit_o alexander_n the_o great_a see_v the_o opportunity_n of_o place_n cause_v a_o city_n to_o be_v build_v there_o which_o bear_v his_o name_n the_o foundation_n whereof_o be_v lay_v with_o brann_n instead_o of_o chalk_n which_o be_v take_v for_o a_o good_a omen_n which_o city_n be_v seat_v as_o it_o be_v between_o two_o sea_n have_v on_o the_o south_n the_o lake_n mareia_n or_o mareotis_n but_o it_o have_v be_v a_o intolerable_a inconvenience_n to_o have_v dwell_v in_o a_o dry_a country_n so_o far_o from_o the_o river_n nilus_n have_v not_o that_o discommodity_n be_v avoid_v by_o mean_n of_o artificial_a river_n therefore_o that_o navigable_a channel_n be_v make_v from_o canopus_n which_o become_v 8â—0_n famous_a for_o the_o practice_n of_o luxury_n another_o navigable_a river_n be_v also_o a._n make_v from_o the_o haven_n on_o the_o midland_n sea_n to_o the_o say_a lake_n mareotis_n this_o a._n lake_n be_v fill_v from_o the_o river_n nile_n by_o many_o trench_n as_o well_o from_o above_o that_o be_v out_o of_o the_o lake_n meris_fw-la whereof_o i_o have_v speak_v as_o on_o the_o side_n of_o it_o by_o trench_n cut_v immediate_o from_o the_o nile_n and_o have_v eight_o island_n in_o it_o contain_v c._n above_o a_o 150_o furlong_n in_o breadth_n and_o near_o 300_o in_o length_n be_v well_o inhabit_v round_o about_o and_o afford_v good_a corn._n by_o which_o water-passage_n a._n much_o more_o commodity_n be_v bring_v to_o alexandria_n than_o by_o sea_n so_o as_o the_o haven_n on_o the_o lake_n side_n be_v rich_a than_o that_o on_o the_o sea_n and_o more_o good_n carry_v from_o alexandria_n to_o italy_n than_o from_o italy_n thither_o as_o plain_o appear_v by_o the_o vessel_n more_o or_o less_o fraught_v which_o pass_v to_o and_o again_o from_o thence_o and_o from_o puteoli_n beside_o the_o wealth_n that_o be_v bring_v in_o at_o both_o havens_n from_o the_o lake_n and_o sea_n the_o goodness_n of_o the_o air_n be_v not_o unworthy_a to_o be_v remember_v it_o be_v occasion_v by_o the_o water_n on_o both_o side_n of_o the_o city_n and_o the_o seasonable_a rise_n of_o the_o river_n nilus_n for_o whereas_o other_o town_n situate_v by_o lake_n have_v in_o the_o heat_n of_o summer_n a_o gross_a and_o stifle_a air_n forasmuch_o as_o their_o bank_n be_v leave_v muddy_a slimy_a exhalation_n be_v draw_v up_o by_o the_o sun_n which_o make_v the_o air_n unwholesome_a and_o occasion_n sickness_n here_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o summer_n the_o nile_n be_v full_a fill_v the_o lake_n leave_v no_o part_n muddy_a to_o exhale_v any_o malignant_a vapour_n at_o which_o time_n the_o etesian_a wind_n blow_v also_o from_o the_o north_n sea_n so_o as_o the_o alexandrian_n pass_v the_o summer_n pleasant_o and_o that_o the_o improvement_n make_v in_o egypt_n by_o the_o drain_v and_o new_a river_n after_o the_o build_n of_o alexandria_n be_v very_o large_a appear_v by_o these_o follow_a instance_n in_o several_a age_n in_o b._n the_o sacred_a commentary_n of_o the_o ancient_a priest_n there_o be_v number_v in_o egypt_n city_n and_o town_n of_o note_n eighteen_o thousand_o under_o amasis_n the_o last_o king_n before_o the_o persian_a conquest_n there_o be_v 177._o twenty_o thousand_o town_n in_o egypt_n inhabit_v and_o under_o ptolemy_n the_o first_o above_o thirty_o thousand_o the_o print_a copy_n of_o diodorus_n have_v only_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o that_o read_v be_v faulty_a as_o appear_v by_o the_o precede_a number_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o theocritus_n who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o seven_o pleyade_n in_o the_o court_n of_o philadelphus_n the_o second_o ptolemy_n in_o who_o territory_n there_o 82._o be_v thirty_o three_o thousand_o three_o hundred_o thirty_o nine_o the_o improvement_n seem_v then_o to_o be_v more_o complete_a howbeit_o in_o tract_n of_o time_n through_o great_a neglect_n these_o trench_n and_o drayn_n by_o which_o the_o overflow_a of_o the_o nile_n so_o much_o enrich_v this_o country_n be_v fill_v 18._o with_o mud_n but_o augustus_n caesar_n have_v reduce_v egypt_n into_o the_o condition_n of_o a_o province_n to_o the_o roman_a empire_n cause_v they_o to_o be_v scour_v 18._o by_o his_o soldier_n which_o noble_a work_n do_v so_o much_o restore_v it_o to_o the_o fertility_n it_o former_o have_v and_o consequent_o increase_v the_o populousnesse_n thereof_o that_o the_o number_n of_o person_n there_o inhabit_v over_o and_o beside_o the_o alexandrian_n be_v short_o after_o find_v to_o be_v no_o less_o than_o seven_o million_o and_o five_o hundred_o thousand_o as_o the_o tribute_n 16._o money_n pay_v by_o every_o head_n do_v manifest_a and_o thus_o much_o for_o egypt_n cap._n ii_o babylon_n i_o be_o now_o come_v to_o that_o sometime_o famous_a city_n of_o babylon_n situate_v in_o a_o low_a and_o flat_a country_n of_o which_o sir_n walter_n raleigh_n give_v a_o reason_n why_o there_o be_v so_o little_o write_v of_o belus_n who_o succeed_v nimrod_n the_o first_o assyrian_a monarch_n say_v 4._o that_o it_o be_v think_v he_o spend_v much_o of_o his_o time_n in_o disburthen_v the_o low_a land_n of_o babylon_n and_o dry_v and_o make_v firm_a ground_n of_o all_o those_o great_a fen_n and_o overflow_v marsh_n which_o adjoin_v to_o it_o how_o the_o part_n hereabout_o come_v thus_o to_o be_v surround_v let_v we_o hear_v what_o pliny_n say_v which_o be_v thus_o in_o effect_n the_o river_n 26._o euphrates_n be_v cut_v into_o two_o part_n stretch_v its_o left_a arm_n into_o mesopotamia_n by_o seleucia_n the_o principal_a city_n in_o syria_n and_o so_o into_o tigris_n and_o it_o be_v right_a arm_n to_o babylon_n the_o chief_a city_n of_o chaldea_n whence_o pass_v through_o the_o midst_n thereof_o it_o run_v into_o the_o fen_n it_o be_v report_v 26._o that_o this_o division_n of_o that_o river_n be_v make_v by_o gobaris_n the_o perfect_a lest_o otherwise_o by_o its_o violent_a course_n it_o may_v have_v infest_a the_o city_n of_o babylon_n but_o by_o the_o assyrian_n it_o be_v call_v ibid._n naarmalcha_n which_o signify_v the_o kingly_a river_n that_o the_o inundation_n from_o this_o river_n be_v occasion_v upon_o the_o same_o reason_n as_o those_o of_o nilus_n before_o speak_v of_o we_o have_v not_o only_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o before_o specify_v 26._o author_n but_o of_o strabo_n who_o word_n 740._o be_v these_o exundat_fw-la enim_fw-la euphrates_n aestate_fw-la sub_fw-la ver_fw-la incipiens_fw-la etc._n etc._n euphrates_n overflow_v in_o summer_n begin_v at_o the_o spring_n time_n when_o the_o snow_n in_o armenia_n melt_v so_o that_o the_o field_n must_v needs_o be_v overwhelm_v with_o waterâ—_n unless_o that_o the_o flood_n be_v divert_v by_o trench_n in_o such_o sort_n as_o they_o restrain_v the_o river_n nilus_n in_o egypt_n hereupon_o therefore_o be_v it_o that_o channel_n be_v dig_v etc._n etc._n that_o the_o bank_n and_o drain_v make_v by_o belus_n do_v not_o full_o accomplish_v that_o work_n of_o drayn_v above_o mention_v or_o in_o case_n it_o do_v that_o after-age_n through_o discontinuance_n of_o their_o repair_n be_v little_o the_o better_a for_o they_o appear_v by_o the_o relation_n of_o herodotus_n 76._o who_o speak_v of_o those_o two_o famous_a queen_n of_o babylon_n viz._n semiramis_n and_o nitocris_n say_v of_o semiramis_n who_o reign_v five_o age_n before_o the_o other_o haec_fw-la per_fw-la planitiem_fw-la aggeres_fw-la extruxit_fw-la spectando_fw-la dignos_fw-la quum_fw-la antehac_fw-la flumen_fw-la eam_fw-la restagnare_fw-la solitum_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la she_o raise_v bank_n throughout_o the_o whole_a level_n worthy_a of_o observation_n whereas_o before_o she_o do_v so_o it_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v drown_v by_o the_o river_n and_o of_o nitocris_n that_o iâ—id_n be_v more_o active_a &_o diligent_a than_o her_o predecessor_n ante_fw-la omne_fw-la fluvium_fw-la euphratim_fw-la &c_n &c_n in_o the_o first_o place_n she_o divert_v the_o stream_n of_o euphrates_n into_o crooked_a channel_n which_o before_o run_v in_o a_o straight_a course_n through_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o city_n level_v the_o ditch_n above_o so_o that_o it_o may_v thrice_o flow_v into_o arderica_fw-la a_o certain_a village_n of_o assyria_n and_o that_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v convey_v by_o the_o sea_n towards_o babylon_n through_o the_o river_n euphrates_n shall_v thrice_o land_v at_o this_o village_n for_o three_o day_n together_o this_o she_o thus_o accomplish_v and_o likewise_o upon_o the_o verge_n of_o the_o say_a river_n on_o each_o side_n she_o raise_v bank_n for_o bigness_n and_o height_n wonderful_a to_o behold_v moreover_o far_o above_o the_o city_n and_o at_o some_o distance_n from_o the_o river_n she_o dig_v a_o channel_n for_o the_o fen_n as_o deep_a as_o the_o water_n which_o be_v in_o breadth_n every_o way_n near_o three_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o furlong_n and_o the_o
the_o haver_a knight_n john_n de_fw-fr cavendishe_v john_n de_fw-fr gildesburgh_n and_o other_o be_v make_v dorso_fw-la commissioner_n for_o the_o repair_n of_o the_o bâ—nks_n etc._n etc._n betwixt_o berk_v and_o eâ—t-tilbury_n with_o direction_n to_o proceed_v therein_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n the_o next_o year_n follow_v ☜_o sir_n will._n de_fw-fr waâ—ton_n knight_n thomas_n torell_n and_o thomas_n belhouse_n have_v dorso_fw-la the_o like_a commission_n for_o the_o bank_n at_o west-thurrok_a so_o also_o in_o 43_o e._n 3._o have_v dorso_fw-la thomas_n the_o lodelowe_n hugh_n de_fw-fr badewe_v thomas_n yonge_n john_n aâ—brey_n and_o will._n naffeâ—ton_n for_o those_o at_o est-hamme_a west_n hamme_n &_o berk_n the_o like_a dorso_o in_o 44_o e._n 3._o have_v sr_n hen._n the_o grey_a of_o codnore_n knight_n sir_n rob._n de_fw-fr marny_n knight_n john_n de_fw-fr goldesburgh_n and_o other_o for_o those_o upon_o the_o water_n of_o markediche_n and_o other_o upon_o the_o coast_n of_o thames_n betwixt_o berk_n and_o est-tyllebury_a aforesaid_a other_o commission_n in_o the_o same_o king_n time_n be_v these_o viz._n dorso_fw-la in_o 48_o e._n 3._o to_o robert_n bealknap_n john_n de_fw-fr bampton_n and_o other_o for_o the_o bank_n between_o stratford_n atte_a bow_n and_o est-tilbury_n in_o 49_o e._n 3._o to_o dorso_fw-la sir_n hugh_n de_fw-fr badewe_v knight_n sir_n john_n de_fw-fr sutton_n knight_n sir_n ralph_n de_fw-fr poley_n knight_n and_o other_o for_o those_o in_o bradwell_n as_o also_o to_o dorso_fw-la the_o abbot_n of_o stratford_n nich_n carreu_n john_n aubrey_n and_o roger_n germeyn_n for_o those_o at_o est-hamme_a and_o west-hamme_a with_o appointment_n to_o act_v therein_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n and_o likewise_o to_o doâ—sâ—_n nich_n carreu_n robert_n bealknap_n will._n tank_n and_o other_o for_o those_o in_o the_o marsh_n of_o the_o abbess_n of_o berk_n and_o moreover_o to_o dorso_o the_o say_v nicholas_n robert_n bealknap_n and_o robert_n de_fw-fr teye_n for_o several_a other_o bank_n in_o divers_a marsh_n within_o this_o county_n in_o 50_o e._n 3._o to_o dorso_o the_o abbot_n of_o stratford_n nich._n carreu_n and_o will._n halden_n for_o those_o from_o the_o town_n of_o stratford_n atte_n bow_n to_o berk_n so_o also_o to_o sir_n will._n de_fw-fr wanton_n knight_n roger_n mareschall_n thomas_n de_fw-fr belhous_n and_o roger_n germayn_n for_o those_o at_o west_n thurrok_n in_o 51_o e._n 3._o to_o dorso_o robert_n bealknap_n thomas_n maundevill_n rob._n de_fw-fr teyesâ—_n â—_z and_o other_o for_o the_o bank_n in_o several_a marsh_n and_o place_n of_o this_o county_n and_o in_o 1_o r._n 2._o to_o dorso_fw-la the_o abbot_n of_o stratford_n nich._n carreu_n will._n de_fw-fr halden_n john_n auberey_n john_n bampton_n william_n rykhill_n and_o roger_n gremyn_n for_o those_o from_o stratford_n aâ—te_v bow_n to_o berk_n in_o 2_o r._n 2._o sir_n henry_n de_fw-fr grey_n of_o wilton_n sir_n albred_n de_fw-fr vere_n sir_n will._n berland_n sir_n will._n wauton_n sir_n john_n symond_n sir_n john_n chaneeux_n knight_n geffrey_n darsham_n rob._n rigdon_n and_o other_o have_v the_o like_a dorso_fw-la commission_n for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o the_o bank_n in_o sundry_a marsh_n through_o this_o county_n which_o be_v then_o in_o decay_n and_o power_n to_o choose_v and_o take_v so_o many_o carpenter_n with_o other_o artificer_n and_o labourer_n as_o shall_v be_v needful_a for_o that_o work_n wheresoever_o they_o may_v be_v find_v in_o this_o county_n aswell_o within_o liberty_n as_o without_o except_v the_o fee_n of_o the_o church_n and_o except_v such_o as_o be_v assign_v for_o the_o say_v king_n special_a service_n and_o to_o employ_v they_o therein_o imprison_v such_o as_o they_o shall_v find_v refractory_a the_o next_o year_n follow_v sir_n will._n de_fw-fr wauton_n knight_n john_n de_fw-fr middleton_n roger_n marescall_n roger_n germayn_n and_o john_n stody_n be_v dorso_fw-la in_o like_a sort_n assign_v for_o those_o upon_o the_o coast_n of_o thames_n and_o the_o garden_n of_o farndon_n unto_o the_o church_n of_o west_n thurrok_n so_o also_o in_o dorso_fw-la 4_o r._n 2._o be_v the_o abbot_n of_o stratford_n henry_n asty_a and_o laurence_n allerthorpe_n for_o those_o at_o esthamme_n and_o west-hamme_a in_o 8_o r._n 2._o the_o abbot_n of_o stratford_n nich._n brembre_n maior_n of_o the_o city_n of_o london_n robert_n bealknap_n nich._n carreu_n will._n rykehill_n richard_n ryall_n and_o roger_n germyn_n be_v dorso_fw-la appoint_v as_o aforesaid_a for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o the_o bank_n from_o stratford_n atte_a bow_n to_o berk_n so_o also_o be_v dorso_fw-la rob._n bealknap_n will._n wauton_n john_n guldesburgh_n and_o other_o for_o those_o in_o the_o marsh_n of_o bark_v and_o dakenham_n and_o to_o act_v therein_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o marsh_n before_o that_o time_n exercise_v in_o those_o part_n and_o in_o 15_o r._n 2._o john_n radyngton_n prior_n of_o the_o hospital_n of_o s._n johns_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o england_n sir_n john_n deyncourt_n knight_n will._n de_fw-fr horbury_n clerk_n thomas_n newenton_n and_o other_o have_v dorso_fw-la the_o like_a appointment_n for_o those_o betwixt_o reynham_n and_o alvytheley_n and_o to_o act_v as_o aforesaid_a but_o though_o by_o the_o great_a care_n which_o the_o king_n of_o this_o realm_n have_v for_o the_o preserve_n of_o divers_a coast_n from_o inundation_n that_o lie_v thus_o in_o danger_n of_o the_o tide_n and_o the_o safeguard_n of_o those_o as_o have_v by_o great_a iudustry_n be_v win_v from_o the_o overflow_n of_o the_o sea_n much_o advantage_n do_v accrue_v to_o the_o common_a wealth_n yet_o such_o have_v be_v the_o violence_n and_o irresistible_a force_n of_o that_o element_n be_v agitate_a by_o high_a and_o boisterous_a wind_n that_o notwithstanding_o the_o utmost_a endeavour_n that_o can_v be_v use_v for_o prevention_n thereof_o it_o sometime_o waste_v and_o consume_v much_o in_o other_o place_n of_o which_o sundry_a example_n may_v be_v give_v be_v it_o requisite_a but_o i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o one_o viz._n of_o the_o land_n and_o marsh_n belong_v to_o the_o abbey_n of_o s._n osithes_n in_o this_o county_n whereof_o i_o find_v cottâ—nianâ—_n mention_n in_o a_o petition_n exhibit_v unto_o robert_n de_fw-fr braybroke_n bishop_n of_o london_n in_o the_o time_n of_o king_n richard_n 2d._o and_o to_o the_o dean_n and_o chapter_n of_o that_o church_n by_o sir_n albred_n de_fw-fr vere_n knight_n who_o thereby_o show_v that_o whereas_o that_o monastery_n be_v situate_a near_o the_o sea_n coast_n and_o have_v in_o it_o a_o abbot_n and_o twenty_o canon_n of_o the_o order_n of_o s._n augustine_n serve_v god_n there_o devout_o every_o day_n and_o that_o the_o revenue_n thereof_o be_v through_o various_a mishap_n without_o their_o default_n so_o diminish_v that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o their_o sustenance_n be_v abate_v viz._n in_o southflete_a c_o acres_n of_o their_o arable_a land_n by_o the_o overflow_a of_o the_o sea_n total_o drown_v as_o also_o there_o and_o at_o their_o beckarie_n of_o coketwyk_n in_o one_o pasture_n wherein_o at_o sometime_o a_o c_o cow_n and_o a_o thousand_o ew-sheep_n may_v be_v keep_v through_o the_o breach_n of_o the_o bank_n '_o and_o inundation_n thereof_o then_o scarce_o lxx_o cow_n and_o eight_o hundred_o ewe_n can_v be_v maintain_v and_o moreover_o that_o two_o marsh_n call_v wyggebergh_n mer_n and_o holewyke_v mersh_fw-mi in_o which_o six_o hundred_o mutton_n may_v be_v yearly_o keep_v be_v then_o through_o the_o continual_a tide_n daily_o overflow_v that_o scarce_o four_o hundred_o can_v be_v maintain_v and_o that_o the_o water-mill_n situate_v in_o the_o town_n of_o s._n osiths_n and_o belong_v to_o that_o abbey_n which_o have_v be_v worth_a xxl._n be_v by_o the_o sea-tide_n so_o spoil_v that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v repair_v under_o a_o hundred_o pound_n charge_n and_o last_o that_o the_o marsh_n wall_n in_o that_o town_n in_o length_n three_o mile_n which_o include_v a_o pasture_n for_o lxx_o cow_n and_o a_o thousand_o mutton_n and_o ewe_n be_v so_o tear_v and_o break_v at_o that_o time_n that_o for_o the_o preserve_n of_o the_o same_o there_o must_v be_v other_o bank_n make_v anew_o and_o those_o old_a one_o quit_v so_o that_o a_o great_a proportion_n of_o the_o say_a pasturage_n be_v for_o that_o respect_n to_o be_v leave_v out_o scarce_o fifty_o cow_n and_o six_o hundred_o sheep_n can_v be_v there_o maintain_v in_o consideration_n therefore_o of_o these_o loss_n he_o petition_v that_o the_o church_n of_o elmestede_n may_v be_v appropriate_v to_o that_o religious_a house_n very_o many_o commission_n have_v i_o afterward_o also_o see_v for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o the_o bank_n etc._n etc._n in_o this_o county_n which_o i_o shall_v here_o only_o in_o a_o brief_a manner_n point_n at_o viz._n in_o 9_o h._n 4._o to_o
be_v amend_v at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o presentment_n make_v and_o long_o before_o as_o the_o say_a abbot_n and_o his_o tenant_n of_o uuythies_n have_v also_o plead_v and_o as_o to_o the_o tree_n grow_v athwart_o the_o river_n at_o monketon_n they_o say_v that_o they_o do_v grow_v above_o those_o mill_n â—here_o boat_n never_o come_v nor_o aught_o of_o right_a to_o come_v as_o the_o say_a abbot_n have_v also_o plead_v and_o touch_v the_o pleck_n of_o osier_n they_o say_v that_o the_o same_o nuisance_n be_v amend_v and_o total_o remove_v as_o the_o tenant_n of_o the_o say_a abbot_n have_v also_o plead_v and_o as_o to_o the_o ground_n in_o monketon_n appropriate_v by_o the_o say_a abbot_n his_o servants_z and_o tenant_n by_o plant_v of_o willow_n and_o other_o tree_n thereon_o they_o likewise_o say_v that_o the_o say_a nuisance_n be_v also_o amend_v and_o total_o take_v away_o as_o the_o say_a abbot_n have_v allege_v upon_o all_o which_o consideration_n it_o be_v determine_v that_o the_o say_a abbot_n and_o his_o tenant_n and_o servant_n except_v the_o before-specified_n amerciament_n shall_v be_v dischardged_a in_o 11_o r._n 2._o there_o be_v another_o general_a commission_n dorso_fw-la direct_v to_o the_o abbot_n of_o glastonbury_n nicholas_n de_fw-fr audley_n guy_n de_fw-fr brienne_n and_o other_o for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o all_o the_o bank_n ditch_n etc._n etc._n in_o this_o county_n in_o 2_o h._n 4._o sir_n peter_n courtney_n sir_n humphrey_n stafford_n sir_n william_n bonville_n sir_n thomas_n brooke_n knight_n john_n stretch_v and_o john_n manyngford_n be_v appoint_v dorso_fw-la to_o view_v and_o repair_v the_o bank_n etc._n etc._n at_o bristol_n mertok_v taunton_n yevelchestre_n welyngton_n dunsterre_n bruton_n and_o severne_n and_o in_o all_o place_n betwixt_o bristol_n and_o dunsterre_n and_o betwixt_o bruton_n and_o severne_n &_o to_o do_v all_o thing_n therein_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n in_o 6_o h._n 4._o the_o master_n of_o s._n mark_v house_n in_o bristol_n be_v dischardged_a somerset_n from_o the_o repair_n of_o the_o bridge_n scour_v of_o the_o ditch_n and_o make_v of_o sluice_n in_o the_o town_n and_o place_n of_o powlet_n combwich_n pyriton_n huntspill_n and_o betwixt_o blakbrig_n and_o purytonbrugg_n as_o also_o from_o the_o cleanse_v the_o channel_n call_v hyburne_n and_o likewise_o that_o which_o go_v from_o the_o town_n of_o cork_n run_v to_o hyburne_n betwixt_o the_o manor_n of_o stokeland_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o say_a master_n and_o the_o manor_n of_o wyke_n which_o be_v the_o lord_n poynings_n and_o likewise_o for_o the_o sluice_n of_o thele_n for_o shut_v out_o the_o sea-water_n and_o moreover_o for_o the_o stone_n bridge_n in_o the_o warth_n of_o wyke_n in_o 5_o h._n 5._o sir_n will._n botreaux_n knight_n thomas_n chaucer_n and_o richard_n chedder_n esquire_n john_n stourton_n william_n sparrow_n and_o john_n gregori_n of_o bruton_n be_v assign_v dorso_fw-la to_o view_v and_o repair_v the_o bank_n betwixt_o the_o city_n of_o bath_n and_o bristol_n and_o from_o yilcestre_n lamport_n briggewater_n and_o taunton_n and_o to_o proceed_v therein_o according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o marsh_n and_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n the_o like_a assignation_n dorso_fw-la in_o 2_o h._n 6._o have_v n._n bishop_n of_o bath_n and_o welles_n sir_n will._n botreaux_n sir_n thomas_n stowell_n knight_n william_n westbury_n john_n war_n john_n stourton_n and_o john_n beaf_a for_o the_o bank_n in_o brentmershe_n wryngemershe_n and_o pouldon_n and_o to_o do_v all_o thing_n therein_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n as_o also_o to_o take_v so_o many_o labourer_n upon_o competent_a wage_n to_o be_v employ_v therein_o as_o shall_v be_v requisite_a in_o regard_n of_o the_o great_a necessity_n of_o expedit_v the_o work_n so_o also_o the_o next_o year_n follow_v be_v dorso_o sir_n thomas_n break_v knight_n richard_n cheddre_fw-fr esquire_n john_n merchant_n and_o william_n newetone_n for_o those_o betwixt_o yevelchestre_n burneham_n and_o welles_n and_o to_o act_v therein_o and_o impress_v labourer_n as_o aforesaid_a and_o in_o 33_o h._n 6._o sir_n thomas_n seymour_n knight_n robert_n war_n esquire_n alexander_n hody_n roger_n fitz_n james_n john_n sidenham_n junior_a john_n porter_n and_o william_n bodesham_n have_v dorso_fw-la the_o like_a appointment_n for_o the_o bank_n etc._n etc._n betwixt_o the_o town_n of_o langeport-estone_a on_o the_o east_n side_n and_o the_o town_n of_o thurlokeston_n on_o the_o west_n as_o also_o betwixt_o the_o town_n of_o cory-malet_n on_o the_o south_n part_n and_o the_o town_n of_o briggewater_n on_o the_o north_n and_o to_o make_v law_n and_o ordinance_n therein_o and_o to_o proceed_v in_o all_o thing_n touch_v the_o same_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o romeney_n marsh._n and_o in_o 3_o e._n 4._o richard_n chokke_n sir_n theobald_n gorges_n and_o sir_n walter_n rodeney_n knight_n john_n fitz_n james_n senior_a and_o robert_n stowell_n esquire_n have_v the_o like_a for_o the_o bank_n etc._n etc._n from_o ryngwelle_n to_o haylake_n yoo_z thence_o to_o shestrygge_v yoo_z thence_o to_o colestoke_n and_o thence_o to_o blakstake_v in_o the_o see_v and_o to_o proceed_v therein_o as_o abovesaid_a thus_o much_o for_o the_o commission_n i_o next_o come_v to_o the_o watercourse_n 1659._o of_o brent_n marsh_n and_o who_o do_v ancient_o repair_v they_o the_o lord_n of_o bageworthe_n ought_v to_o repair_v the_o channel_n from_o blakelake_n unto_o the_o sea_n and_o the_o lord_n of_o bitesham_n that_o from_o winesbrugge_n to_o the_o sea_n philip_n the_o son_n of_o corbin_n that_o from_o winesbrugge_n to_o blakelake_n hugh_z the_o son_n of_o auger_n and_o the_o same_o philip_n from_o hengestes_n mere_a to_o the_o sea_n the_o second_o course_n from_o hengestesmere_n to_o the_o sea_n the_o same_o hugh_n the_o son_n of_o auger_n and_o the_o three_o course_n from_o hengestesmere_n to_o the_o sea_n ralph_n de_fw-fr seinbarbe_n from_o the_o mouth_n of_o mere_a to_o the_o sea_n the_o church_n of_o glastonbury_n and_o from_o another_o part_n from_o blakeswelleshevede_n to_o the_o sea_n the_o church_n of_o glastonbury_n from_o schipperide_v to_o wakefen_v the_o dean_n of_o welles_n and_o so_o from_o wakefen_n to_o the_o land_n of_o robert_n de_fw-fr ewyas_n lord_n of_o hewisch_n and_o from_o brodecrofte_a to_o the_o mill_n of_o geffrey_n lord_n of_o burham_n from_o thipride_n to_o baggepole_n the_o dean_n of_o welles_n and_o lord_n of_o blakeforde_n also_o from_o baggepole_n to_o watebrok_n the_o say_a lord_n of_o blakeforde_n from_o wathebrok_n the_o dean_n of_o welles_n upon_o his_o own_o land_n and_o robert_n de_fw-fr countvile_n also_o for_o as_o far_o as_o his_o land_n extend_v after_o he_o the_o lord_n of_o alnodestone_n beyond_o aldodestone_n be_v beyond_o wereham_n bagerde_o superior_a and_o inferior_a to_o the_o sea_n so_o also_o from_o bethepulle_n unto_o the_o land_n of_o chalftone_n and_o from_o ewendone_v and_o chalftone_n unto_o cosingtone_n and_o from_o cosingtone_n to_o honispel_v and_o thence_o to_o the_o sea_n sedgmore_n there_o be_v also_o in_o this_o county_n a_o large_a fenny_a plain_n which_o be_v cover_v with_o water_n for_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o winter_n and_o in_o summer_n afford_v nothing_o but_o rush_n reed_n and_o sedge_n have_v thence_o the_o name_n of_o sedgmoore_n over_o this_o level_n there_o be_v a_o fair_a causey_n of_o stone_n and_o gravel_n from_o somerton_n to_o bridgwater_n about_o eight_o mile_n in_o length_n ancient_o make_v by_o one_o of_o the_o abbot_n of_o glastonbury_n as_o tradition_n say_v which_o still_o bear_v his_o name_n be_v call_v graylock_n fossae_n i_o do_v not_o find_v from_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o record_n or_o other_o credible_a testimony_n that_o there_o be_v ever_o any_o endeavour_n use_v for_o the_o improvement_n of_o this_o moor_n by_o drayn_v till_o of_o late_a day_n that_o king_n james_n of_o bless_a memory_n make_v title_n to_o the_o soil_n resolve_v to_o do_v it_o but_o as_o in_o most_o other_o place_n there_o be_v a_o perverse_a generation_n of_o people_n who_o of_o themselves_o be_v not_o content_a to_o sit_v still_o but_o will_v hinder_v other_o that_o will_v promote_v such_o laudable_a work_n for_o the_o public_a good_a so_o be_v it_o here_o for_o divers_a there_o be_v that_o make_v opposition_n thereto_o but_o after_o a_o bill_n exhibit_v in_o the_o exchequer_n those_o opponent_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o owner_n of_o the_o adjacent_a lordship_n common_v with_o their_o cattle_n upon_o this_o moor_n discern_v that_o they_o can_v make_v no_o justifiable_a claim_n to_o the_o soil_n offer_v to_o assign_v unto_o the_o king_n four_o thousand_o acre_n in_o lieu_n of_o his_o right_n thereto_o and_o to_o lay_v out_o the_o residue_n be_v nine_o thousand_o five_o hundred_o twenty_o and_o two_o acre_n unto_o those_o their_o
spout_v be_v lay_v at_o the_o high_a end_n of_o collyson_n gate_n at_o the_o charge_n of_o land_n that_o shall_v drain_v by_o it_o as_o also_o another_o between_o hall_n toft_a and_o richard_n lowy_n his_o land_n by_o the_o land_n that_o be_v to_o drain_v by_o it_o and_o another_o against_o one_o dyke_n end_n of_o john_n holiday_n by_o all_o the_o land_n which_o shall_v drain_v by_o it_o all_o which_o thing_n be_v then_o decree_v by_o the_o before-specified_n commissioner_n and_o several_a other_o order_n by_o they_o make_v for_o the_o cleanse_n and_o repair_v of_o sundry_a drayn_n sewer_n and_o goat_n which_o be_v then_o defective_a there_o be_v also_o in_o the_o same_o second_o year_n of_o queen_n eliza._n reign_n a_o decree_n lindsey_n make_v in_o the_o duchy_n court_n that_o the_o port_n and_o haven_n of_o waynflete_a from_o the_o west_n end_n of_o the_o eye_n unto_o the_o sea_n or_o the_o place_n call_v norman_a diepe_a shall_v be_v repair_v dike_v and_o scour_v of_o sufficient_a depth_n and_o breadth_n as_o before_o that_o time_n have_v be_v accustom_v and_o this_o to_o be_v perform_v by_o the_o say_a queen_n or_o her_o fermour_n of_o her_o fish_n at_o wainflete_a the_o heir_n of_o sir_n william_n brereton_n kt._n or_o his_o tenant_n and_o by_o the_o soak_v of_o bullingbroke_n viz._n two_o part_n of_o the_o say_a port_n â—â—om_o the_o say_a place_n call_v the_o west_n end_n of_o the_o eye_n unto_o the_o sea_n or_o plaâ—e_v call_v norman_a diepe_a at_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o say_a queen_n or_o her_o fermour_n the_o heir_n of_o the_o say_a sir_n william_n brereton_n knight_n a_o four_o part_n and_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o soak_v of_o bullingbroke_n the_o other_o four_o part_n after_o this_o viz._n 4_o aprilis_fw-la anno_fw-la 1571._o 13_o eliz._n there_o be_v a_o view_n ibid._n take_v of_o the_o fresh_a and_o salt_a water_n bank_n in_o waynflete_a s._n marry_o by_o tho._n quadring_n esq_n the_o high_a shireeve_n of_o lincoâ—nshire_n hamond_n upton_n esquire_n william_n derby_n and_o anthony_n kyme_n and_o other_o justice_n of_o sewer_n at_o which_o time_n it_o be_v present_v ibid._n that_o the_o north_n end_n of_o a_o bank_n call_v the_o fen_n dyke_n in_o waynflete_a s._n mary_n extend_v to_o deacon_n gap_n against_o the_o south_n in_o friskeney_n be_v in_o length_n three_o hundred_o road_n aught_o to_o be_v repair_v by_o the_o commoner_n of_o waynflete_a s._n mary_n for_o that_o the_o say_v commoner_n get_v reed_n and_o do_v fish_n in_o two_o fen_n adjoin_v to_o both_o side_n of_o the_o bank_n and_o because_o the_o say_a commoner_n have_v bite_v for_o their_o cattle_n in_o the_o say_v two_o fen_n and_o that_o from_o the_o say_a deacon_n gap_n unto_o the_o clow_n call_v the_o fen_n clow_n and_o thence_o unto_o strange_a place_n the_o say_a bank_n be_v in_o length_n about_o three_o mile_n and_o in_o decay_n so_o that_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o friskeney_n be_v thereby_o surround_v aught_o to_o be_v repair_v by_o the_o owner_n and_o commoner_n as_o be_v before_o that_o time_n accustom_v to_o do_v it_o likewise_o that_o simon_n goat_n be_v use_v as_o before_o have_v be_v accustom_v may_v serve_v for_o a_o whole_a drayn_n aswell_o for_o the_o take_v away_o of_o the_o head_n of_o the_o water_n out_o of_o the_o east_n fen_n as_o for_o the_o low_a ground_n adjoin_v to_o the_o same_o in_o friskeney_n and_o wrangle_n and_o the_o say_v low_a ground_n in_o friskeney_n and_o wrangle_n to_o bear_v such_o reasonable_a charge_n in_o the_o same_o drayn_n as_o by_o the_o bench_n shall_v be_v think_v meet_v also_o that_o new_a goat_n in_o friskenay_n be_v a_o sufficient_a drayn_n for_o the_o say_a town_n so_o that_o it_o be_v scour_v and_o cleanse_v with_o the_o petty_a drayn_n belong_v thereto_o and_o last_o that_o waynflet_n s._n mary_n be_v then_o destitute_a of_o any_o drayn_n whereupon_o they_o desire_v that_o it_o may_v have_v a_o drayn_n into_o waynflet_n haven_n all_o which_o be_v then_o decree_v ibid._n accord_o and_o in_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o alford_n 4_o junii_fw-la 23_o caroli_n there_o be_v a_o decree_n pettibag_n make_v that_o the_o new_a sea_n bank_n of_o ingoldmel_n shall_v be_v raise_v and_o skirt_a to_o the_o height_n of_o hogstrop_n new_a sea-bank_n viz._n nine_o foot_n and_o a_o half_a twelve_o foot_n square_a and_o sixty_o foot_n in_o the_o skirt_n from_o the_o say_v hogstrop_n sea-bank_n to_o watson_n house_n in_o ingoldmel_n at_o the_o charge_n of_o croft_n burgh_n bratoft_n irby_n frisby_n great_a steep_v and_o gunby_n the_o landlord_n bear_v three_o part_n thereof_o and_o the_o tenant_n the_o four_o cap._n xxx_o dyke_n on_o the_o south_n west_n side_n of_o this_o province_n be_v fosse_n dike_a a_o artificial_a trâ—nch_n extend_v from_o that_o great_a marish_a below_o the_o city_n of_o lincoln_n unto_o the_o river_n of_o trent_n at_o torkley_n which_o be_v about_o seven_o mile_n this_o be_v make_v 20._o by_o king_n henry_n the_o first_o in_o the_o year_n 1121._o 21_o h._n 1._o for_o the_o bring_n up_o of_o navigable_a vessel_n from_o the_o say_a river_n unto_o that_o city_n for_o the_o commodity_n thereof_o which_o trench_n as_o it_o be_v of_o special_a consequence_n for_o that_o purpose_n so_o do_v it_o no_o less_o benefit_n to_o the_o part_n adjacent_a by_o drayn_v that_o fenny_a level_n from_o the_o stand_a water_n then_o much_o annoy_v it_o but_o this_o ditch_n stand_v in_o such_o a_o flat_a that_o it_o have_v no_o quick_a current_n of_o water_n through_o it_o to_o scour_v out_o the_o mud_n and_o filth_n which_o by_o little_a and_o little_o increase_v therein_o it_o come_v in_o time_n to_o be_v so_o choke_v up_o that_o it_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o cleanse_v for_o support_v therefore_o of_o that_o charge_n certain_a sum_n of_o money_n be_v assess_v upon_o those_o land-holders_n which_o have_v benefit_n thereby_o and_o collector_n appoint_v for_o the_o same_o which_o collector_n convert_v a_o great_a part_n thereof_o to_o their_o own_o use_n king_n edward_n 3._o in_o the_o 9_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n assign_v dorso_fw-la adam_n de_fw-fr lymberg_n geffrey_n de_fw-fr edenham_n thomas_n de_fw-fr sibethorpe_n and_o nicholas_n below_o to_o inquire_v thereof_o what_o be_v then_o do_v therein_o i_o find_v not_o but_o certain_a 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v that_o within_o thirty_o year_n after_o it_o be_v grow_v so_o full_a of_o weed_n and_o grass_n and_o the_o earth_n so_o tread_v into_o the_o same_o by_o drive_v of_o cattle_n over_o it_o in_o seâ—â—â—â—_n place_n and_o the_o mud_n increase_v to_o such_o a_o thickness_n that_o the_o citizen_n of_o lincoln_n aswell_o in_o behalf_n of_o themselves_o and_o other_o tradesman_n of_o the_o city_n of_o york_n town_n of_o nottingham_n and_o kingston_n upon_o hull_n as_o several_a other_o place_n do_v in_o 39_o e._n 3._o make_v a_o great_a complaint_n thereof_o to_o the_o king_n in_o parliament_n represent_v the_o damage_n which_o accrue_v to_o they_o thereby_o in_o regard_n that_o ship_n and_o boat_n can_v not_o pass_v too_o and_o fro_o therein_o with_o merchandize_n and_o victual_n as_o they_o have_v wont_a to_o do_v the_o say_a king_n therefore_o much_o tender_v the_o good_a of_o that_o city_n and_o the_o benefit_n of_o all_o other_o person_n who_o have_v occasion_n to_o pass_v through_o the_o same_o with_o boat_n and_o other_o vessel_n for_o their_o better_a advantage_n in_o the_o way_n of_o commerce_n and_o trade_n and_o to_o that_o â—nd_n be_v willing_a to_o apply_v a_o speedy_a remedy_n thereto_o constitute_v philip_n de_fw-fr lymbury_n will._n de_fw-fr skipwith_n adam_n de_fw-fr lymbergh_n illard_n de_fw-fr usflet_n robert_n de_fw-fr morton_n and_o walter_n de_fw-fr poynton_n or_o any_o four_o three_o or_o two_o of_o they_o to_o view_v the_o say_a channel_n and_o the_o defect_n thereof_o and_o to_o inquire_v by_o the_o oath_n of_o honest_a and_o lawful_a man_n of_o this_o county_n aswell_o within_o liberty_n as_o without_o who_o they_o be_v that_o aught_o and_o have_v use_v to_o cleanse_v the_o same_o and_o for_o how_o long_a time_n and_o in_o what_o manner_n they_o have_v so_o do_v and_o to_o distrain_v they_o and_o every_o of_o they_o who_o they_o shall_v find_v liable_a thereto_o to_o repair_v and_o make_v good_a those_o defect_n as_o often_o as_o need_n shall_v require_v and_o to_o compel_v they_o thereto_o by_o amerciament_n and_o such_o other_o way_n and_o mean_n as_o they_o shall_v think_v most_o fit_a and_o to_o hear_v and_o determine_v of_o all_o and_o singular_a the_o premise_n according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n but_o if_o these_o commissioner_n do_v any_o thing_n therein_o it_o amount_v to_o little_a for_o about_o ten_o year_n after_o the_o term_n be_v then_o keep_v at_o lincoln_n the_o juror_n of_o divers_a wapentake_n in_o this_o
at_o least_o which_o be_v a_o very_a great_a work_n 2._o the_o middle_a level_n also_o they_o defend_v from_o peterborough_n water_n by_o a_o large_a bank_n make_v from_o peterborough_n to_o wisebeche_v this_o be_v raise_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o that_o which_o the_o king_n begin_v except_v a_o little_a turn_n in_o waldersey_n bank_n from_o the_o river_n ouse_n they_o likewise_o defend_v it_o by_o a_o great_a bank_n extend_v from_o erith_n to_o salter_n load_n on_o the_o north_n west_n side_n of_o bedford_n river_n and_o make_v another_o new_a river_n parallel_n to_o the_o say_v bedford_n river_n from_o erith_n to_o salter_n load_n aforesaid_a contain_v a_o hundred_o foot_n in_o breadth_n and_o imbank_v it_o with_o bank_n on_o borh_fw-mi side_n of_o threescore_o foot_n wide_a at_o the_o bottom_n ten_o at_o the_o top_n and_o eight_o foot_n in_o height_n the_o other_o new_a drayn_n which_o he_o and_o his_o participant_n make_v or_o repair_v within_o this_o level_n be_v these_o viz._n uermudens_n ea_fw-la hamond_n ea_fw-la stony_a draine_n nene_n old_a channel_n pophams_n ea_fw-la marshland_n cut_v moor_n drayne_n witlesey_n dikes_n and_o some_o other_o small_a one_o and_o the_o sluice_n those_o at_o salter_n load_n pophams_n ea_fw-la and_o marshland_n cutts_n 3._o for_o scouâ—ing_v the_o south_n level_v from_o the_o overflowing_n of_o ouse_n they_o raise_v also_o a_o great_a bank_n from_o over_n to_o salter_n load_n the_o lesser_a river_n viz._n of_o grant_v mildenhall_n brandon_n and_o stoke_n be_v defend_v by_o small_a bank_n from_o salter_n load_n to_o stow_n bridge_n they_o likewise_o cause_v a_o large_a river_n of_o one_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o foot_n wide_a and_o ten_o foot_n deep_a to_o be_v cut_v for_o the_o more_o speedy_a convey_n away_o of_o the_o water_n which_o river_n be_v now_o call_v downham_n ea_fw-la as_o also_o two_o great_a sass_n at_o salter_n load_n for_o the_o passage_n of_o boat_n and_o other_o great_a vessel_n with_o three_o sluice_n at_o the_o end_n of_o downham_n ea_fw-la and_o divers_a small_a drayn_n viz._n grunty_n fen_n drayn_n the_o in-drayn_a to_o the_o bank_n of_o the_o hundred_o foot_n river_n reach_v load_n and_o many_o other_o so_o that_o have_v accomplish_v the_o whole_a work_n within_o the_o compass_n of_o five_o year_n the_o say_a level_n be_v by_o a_o decree_n of_o sewer_n make_v at_o ely_n on_o the_o 25_o 1653._o of_o march_n anno_fw-la 1653._o adjudge_v to_o be_v full_o drayn_v whereupon_o the_o say_a earl_n and_o his_o participant_n have_v possession_n of_o those_o ninety_o five_o thousand_o acre_n award_v to_o they_o chap._n lv._o lindsey_n thereof_o level_v extend_v from_o bourne_n to_o lincoln_n of_o this_o though_o i_o may_v have_v not_o incongruous_o discourse_v under_o my_o title_n of_o kesteven_n and_o holland_n yet_o forasmuch_o as_o it_o be_v in_o truth_n a_o part_n of_o the_o great_a level_n beforementioned_a however_o not_o so_o now_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o common_a reputation_n i_o have_v think_v it_o more_o proper_a to_o speak_v of_o it_o here_o the_o first_o etc._n general_a attempt_n towards_o the_o drayn_n of_o this_o part_n of_o the_o country_n whereof_o i_o have_v take_v notice_n be_v upon_o a_o complaint_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n at_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o sempringham_n in_o the_o 8_o year_n of_o the_o late_a queen_n elizabeth_n reign_n the_o earl_n of_o lincoln_n high_a admiral_n of_o england_n with_o several_a other_o person_n of_o quality_n be_v then_o commissioner_n whereupon_o a_o general_a tax_n be_v lay_v for_o repair_v and_o enlarge_n the_o drayn_n and_o sewer_n to_o carry_v off_o the_o water_n which_o then_o annoy_v these_o part_n but_o little_o be_v do_v to_o any_o purpose_n herein_o as_o it_o seem_v for_o it_o appear_v that_o at_o another_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o swinstede_n in_o the_o 17_o year_n of_o that_o queen_n reign_n the_o country_n complain_v that_o they_o be_v drown_v more_o than_o former_o so_o that_o the_o commissioner_n than_o decreee_v that_o those_o drayn_n which_o the_o duke_n of_o suffolk_n and_o other_o have_v ordain_v to_o be_v begin_v about_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o king_n henry_n the_o 8_o time_n as_o also_o some_o other_o shall_v forthwith_o be_v set_v upon_o and_o lay_v a_o tax_n according_o but_o no_o payment_n of_o that_o tax_n be_v make_v the_o work_n proceed_v not_o nor_o be_v there_o any_o far_a considerable_a attempt_n therein_o whereof_o i_o have_v hear_v till_o caroli_n the_o 5_o year_n of_o the_o late_a king_n charles_n of_o bless_a memory_n that_o sir_n anthony_n ireby_n knight_n sergeant_n calais_n and_o other_o commissioner_n find_v all_o former_a essay_n fruitless_a by_o reason_n that_o the_o inhabitant_n will_v never_o pay_v the_o tax_n and_o that_o the_o land_n be_v surround_v have_v no_o cattle_n upon_o they_o for_o distress_n and_o consider_v that_o the_o king_n as_o it_o be_v observable_a in_o all_o the_o statute_n of_o sewer_n be_v to_o give_v direction_n in_o work_n of_o this_o nature_n they_o do_v by_o their_o letter_n represent_v to_o his_o majesty_n the_o necessity_n of_o drayn_v these_o land_n and_o the_o commodity_n which_o may_v accrue_v thereby_o humble_o beseech_v he_o to_o recommend_v some_o person_n of_o honour_n to_o contract_v with_o they_o as_o undertaker_n for_o performance_n of_o that_o work_n the_o king_n therefore_o understand_v pettâ—-bag_n their_o design_n to_o be_v for_o the_o drayn_n of_o all_o the_o surround_v fen_n on_o the_o north_n side_n of_o the_o river_n of_o glen_n in_o this_o county_n of_o lincoln_n refer_v the_o view_n of_o those_o lie_v on_o both_o side_n the_o river_n of_o fosse_n and_o wythom_n from_o beyond_o the_o city_n of_o lincoln_n to_o kyme_v ea_z unto_o sir_n henry_n vane_n knight_n sir_n robert_n carr_n baronet_n and_o other_o who_o in_o order_n to_o that_o good_a work_n do_v in_o a_o session_n car._n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o sleford_n 26_o febr._n 8_o car._n where_o be_v also_o present_a and_o commissioner_n robert_n earl_n of_o lindsey_n theophilus_n earl_n of_o lincoln_n the_o lord_n willoughby_n sir_n henry_n fines_n and_o other_o lay_v a_o tax_n of_o xiij_o s._n iiij_o d._n the_o acre_n for_o the_o scour_n and_o cleanse_v of_o the_o say_a river_n and_o all_o goat_n and_o drayn_n etc._n etc._n within_o those_o precinct_n to_o be_v impose_v upon_o all_o the_o landholders_n in_o the_o say_v low_a ground_n and_o to_o be_v pay_v before_o the_o ix_o of_o april_n than_o next_o follow_v and_o for_o the_o better_a further_a and_o complete_n thereof_o the_o say_a commissioner_n praedicto_fw-la meet_v again_o at_o boston_n upon_o the_o second_o of_o march_n than_o next_o ensue_v recite_v their_o decree_n so_o make_v at_o sleford_n do_v extend_v their_o say_a tax_n of_o xiijs_fw-la iiijd_n the_o acre_n to_o the_o other_o part_n of_o that_o level_n nevertheless_o little_o be_v do_v therein_o as_o it_o seem_v till_o about_o three_o year_n afterward_o but_o then_o the_o say_a king_n by_o his_o letter_n ibid._n patent_n bear_v date_n at_o westminster_n 2_o aprilis_n in_o the_o xi_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n direct_v unto_o george_n earl_n of_o rutland_n and_o other_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n for_o the_o say_a level_n recommend_v unto_o they_o robert_n earl_n of_o lindsey_n lord_n high_a chamberlain_n of_o england_n a_o person_n of_o very_a great_a honour_n to_o be_v the_o sole_a undertaker_n for_o the_o drayn_n of_o the_o whole_a whereupon_o the_o say_v commissioner_n at_o another_o session_n ibid._n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o sleford_n upon_o the_o second_o of_o june_n than_o next_o follow_v car._n proceed_v to_o a_o treaty_n with_o his_o lordship_n for_o that_o purpose_n and_o agree_v with_o he_o to_o accept_v of_o twenty_o four_o thousand_o acre_n in_o recompense_n of_o his_o charge_n therein_o which_o be_v then_o according_o decree_v ibid._n the_o work_n be_v to_o be_v perfect_v within_o the_o space_n of_o six_o year_n next_o ensue_v the_o feast_n of_o st._n michael_n th'archangel_n then_o follow_v and_o after_o this_o viz._n in_o a_o session_n ibid._n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o boston_n the_o 29._o of_o march_n the_o next_o year_n ensue_v câ—r_n recital_n be_v make_v of_o that_o decree_n make_v at_o sleford_n whereby_o the_o say_a earl_n of_o lindsey_n for_o the_o consideration_n therein_o express_v be_v to_o have_v those_o twenty_o four_o thousand_o acre_n of_o land_n to_o be_v indifferent_o allot_v out_o of_o the_o several_a fen_n etc._n etc._n to_o enjoy_v to_o himself_o and_o his_o heir_n for_o ever_o viz._n as_o soon_o as_o ten_o thousand_o acre_n or_o more_o shall_v be_v drayn_v to_o have_v his_o portion_n thereof_o forthwith_o assign_v as_o also_o the_o like_a recital_n that_o upon_o consideration_n of_o the_o same_o decree_n and_o other_o former_a precede_a decree_n and_o ordinance_n make_v at_o a_o â—ession_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o