all the way over Sutton fen By Ee fen Many fen and Westmore to Wellney turf ground all red Moor. And likewise to Cotehirne nigh Franks dike end So till within Lx Rods where at â—ive foot it is mixt silt and at the water side Clay The like for 60 to 80 Rods over Welln Ee green and after right over to Mayd lode at the head of Mr. Skipwiths ground all vile Moor by the whole Tract After this viz. upon the 22 of April next following the Lords of the Kings Majesties most honourable Privy Council by their Letters to the before-specified Commissioners desired them to endeavour to satisfie all such persons as having no respect to the general good which was like to come to this Drayning should oppose it or use means to others so to do or otherwise to enjoyn them to attend the said Council And whereas some of the Commissioners intending the advantage to some particular parts of the Country doubting the success of the general work had made an Order touching that of Clows Crosse only the said Lords by this Letter did command them not to proceed therein till it should be discerned what success the general undertaking would have Upon receipt of which Letters the said Commissioners meeting at Huntendon the xixth of May ensuing made this return to that honourable Board viz. that after long debate and all objections heard they concluded with one consent that this work of Drayning was fesible and without any perill to any Haven or County and not only so but that they did reckon it the most noble work for the said Lords to further and most beneficial to the Countries interessed to have good by that ever was taken in hand of that kind in those dayes referring more particular relations concerning it to the before-mentioned Mr. Hunt and Mr. Totnall â— the Bearers of those Letters The Commissioners names subscribed thereto being there viz. Oliver Cromwell Robert Bevyll Iohn Cutts Iohn Cotton Robert Wingfield Robert Cotton Simeon Steward Richard Coxe Henry Spelman Anthony Forest. Thomas Lambert Robert Cromwell Anthony Ireby Thomas Ogle Christopher Hudson William Styrmyn Iohn Fyncham William Marshall Whereupon there was a particular view of the whole Level begun on the xxith of Iune next following by Sir Robert Bevill Sir Robert Wingfield Sir Iohn Gamlyn Sir Richard Coxe and Sir Anthony Forest Knights Christopher Hodson and Matthew Robinson Esquires and thus certified as followeth First we repaired to the out-fall to the Sea at the meeting of the two Rivers of Weland and Glen where we found the said out-fall reasonable good Thence to Cowhyrne and Pikebridg and so to Spalding bridg in all which passage we found the River very defective in bredth and depth and from Cowhyrn to Spalding bridge a great Bank lying on either side the River From Spalding bridg to Willow row end by Cubbet and Peakell to White house the River all along being defective as abovesaid having a great elbow by Cubbet and Peakell which much hindreth its course to the out-fall From White house to Crowland and by the Cross in the Ea to Waldram Hall the like defects of bredth and depth appearing as afore-said From Peterborough bridg to the Old Ea and Catts-water which antient Sewer is so grown up with earth and weeds as that it serveth neither for passage with Boats nor Drayning and so hath been of long time which ought and had wont to be for the ordinary passage to and from Spalding and other places in Holland to Peterburrow Thence to Stanground steafe where we found the River sufficient for bredth and depth Thence to Guy hirne in all which passage we found wonderfull defects in bredth and depth From thence to Wisbeche and so to the Sea in all which passage we found the like defects From thence by Elme River to Frydaybridge and so by Bishops dike to Lakebridge thence to Shrewes-nest by Welle River where we took Boat perceiving at Shrewes-nest that the Rivâ—r of Nene which cometh from the Mares hath but six miles to Salters lode to pass by Welle but by reason of the quarring of the said Chanel a great part thereof runneth from Shrewes-nest to Salters lode by Welleney Litleport Chair and Sotherey ferrey c. which is 28 miles and that the River through Welle cannot be conveniently amended To remedy which Mr. Hunt desired that a new River of 80 foot wide and 8 foot deep be made from Marche River at the Ham cross Marmound c. through Netemore to fall into Welle River neer London lode Between Shrewesnest and Forweare we found a place called the Ham not above two foot deep About 4 miles from Shrewes nest is Elme leame which is a Sewer going from Marche River to Fryday bridge through Elme River to Wisbeche which Sewer is landed up Thence we came to March leame about a mile and half short of March bridge which is much decayed to the great hindrance of navigation from St. Ives to Wisbeche and for the Drayning of all the grounds betwixt Chateriz ferrey and March River And at March bridge on either side we found divers Gravels which do stop the course of the River Thence to Great-Crosse 3 miles above March bridg and so through Ramsey Ugge and Witlesey meres Thence to Farset bridg about xvij foot broad Thence c. to Peterborow From Peterborow to Yaxley lode Thence to Ramsey lode along the skirt of the Upland Thence to Erith brigg where Mr. Hunt disireth a new River from the first corner of the West water beneath the said Bridg to begin in Midlemore Fen neer to the Severals and so to go line right unto Wellenhey-River nigh Sprall were and thence line right to the fall into Ouse at the end of Mayde lode or at some apt place between that and Salters lode which River or Rivers to contain in bredth 120 foot and in depth 8 foot And for preservation of the Navigation to and from St. Ives to Cambridge and Linne as also to Wisbeche he thinks it necessary that divers other Sluses be made viz. one in the Ouse neer the Hermitage one in the West water neer to the new River to stop the water from running to Benwick and for Navigation drayning of Huntingdon fen grounds between it and the Upland grounds and other necessary uses and so many Sluses at the ends as the said River shall be divided into parts which he thinketh to make into 3 Rivers of xl foot a piece Thence we came to Over Aldrich-Causey Haddenham Grunty fen and so to Ely In Ely town we observed that the water was but 14 Inches deep and upon the Hards 18 Inches and in some places 2 foot Thence we passed by water to Sotherey and Prick-willow where Mildenhall River falleth into Ouse And between Ely and Littleport Chair we observed that the said River of Ouse was so crooked that the making a new River from Erith bridg through Sutton
by the space of one Rode of land in the same Town and thence to a Close called Thom Parrok in the same Town of Est Cottyngwithe which Watercourse was so obstructed that the adjacent lands for default of clensing thereof were dâ—owned And that Robert Abbot of Fountaines ought and had used to repair the said VVatercourse from that place called Bothe hill to the Halle banke And that Thomas Abbot of S. Maries in Yorke ought and did use to repair the same from thence unto Middilhylbrigge And that Will. Woderowe of Queldryk ought to repair the same from thence for the space of one Rode And that the Prioresse of Thikhed ought to repair it from that Rode unto the Close called Thom Parrok And that the Chanel of the said watercourse being clensed ought to be xiiij foot in bredth and six foot in depth The Shireeve therefore had command to summon the parties abovesaid to answer c. who appearing accordingly could not gainsay but that they ought to repair the same VVherefore they were amerc'd and the Shireeve required to distrain them And they also presented that there was a certain watercourse called Newlandyke in Telburne descending from Landryk mose on the East part unto the Chanels called Dubbeldykes in Melburne which said Chanels do run to a place called Skategraves in Seton and thence by the current of two Sewers called the Fossedykes running betwixt Seton on the East part and Lathum and Folkerthorpe on the VVest unto the River of Foulnay and that the said Chanels were obstructed for want of scouring as also that the lands there sowed with corn together with the Meadows and Pastures adjacent were overflowed for want of repairing the same And that the Town of Melburne ought to scour and clense the same from Landrykmose to Skategreves and from thence the great Ditch unto a place called Doderesse on the North side And the Town of Seton Alice Hay Lady of Lathum the Prior of Ellerton the Town of Lathum Iohn de Pothowe and the Town of Folkerthorpe to repair all those other Chanels before-mentioned that is to say each of them for their lands and against their lands unto the said water of Foulnay And that the said Sewers ought to be xij foot in bredth and six foot in depth from Folkethorpe bridge unto the said water of Foâ—lnaye VVhereupon the Shireeve had command to summon them to answer c. who appeared c. and were amerc'd c. as abovesaid And they likewise presented that the VVatercourse called Blaktoft damme otherwise Haunsardamme which reacheth from Foulnay to the River of Ouse was then also obstructed and ought to be repaired by Richard Haunsard and the Town of Blaktoft for their Lands in Blaktoft and that the same ought to be xvi foot in bredth and viij foot in depth VVhereupon the Shireeve had command c. as abovesaid And they farther presented that the said Richard Haunsard ought to repair the same Chanel from Hunsardamme to Foulnay unto the South end of Gylâ—erdyke and therefore that he was amerc'd And that the Village of Blaktoft ought to repair the same from Haunsardamme as abovesaid therefore the Shireeve had command to distrain c. And the said Jurors also presented that the water-course of Langedyke from Whalsey to Skelflete ought to be xij foot in bredth and six foot in depth and that the same as also the watercourse of Ragolfdyke ought to be repaired by the towns of Spaldyngton Gripthorpe Wylughtoft Fowerthorpe Heâ—lâ—thorpe Melburne Bubwithe Lathum Seton Everyngham Herswell Holme Birsay Beleby Estryngton Portyngton Kaynyll Birland Ousâ—thorpe Hythe Sandholme Blaktoft Yneflete Cotnesse Saltmersk Skelton Sandhall Hothom Southclyff Northclyff and Scalby and that the said watercourses were obstructed wherefore the Shireeve was commanded to summon the Inhabitants of the said Towns who appearing could not gainsay the chardge therefore they were amerc'd and the Shireeve commanded to distrain them for the compleat performance of all those repairs And they likewise presented that the watercourse called Thornton damme which extended it self from Langdyke to the River of Ouse was obstructed so that the adjacent grounds were thereby drowned and that the same ought to be repaired by the Abbot of Thorntone for Thorntone house and also that Thorntone damme and ...... damme ought to be xvi foot in bredth and viij foot in depth The Shireeve therefore had command to summon the said Abbot c. And they also presented that the said Abbot was obliged to repair clense and maintain the watercourse from Langedyke unto the Town of Skalby and thence to the River of Ouse as it was before alleged wherefore he was amerc'd and command given to the Shireeve to distrain him by all his Lands And they moreover presented that the water-course called Temple damme which lately belonged to the Master of the Temple in England was obstructed so that the lands adjacent were thereby drowned which water-course ought to be repaired by Sir Stephan le Scrope of Masham Knight Lord of the Mannour of Faxflete from Mikilsyke with the Ditches in Helwysgote and Crakeputte to the water of Humbre wherefore the Shireeve had command to summon the said sir Stephan who appearing by Thomas de Waldeby his Attorney said that he could not deny but that he ought to repair the said watercourse called Temple damme from Carbrygge unto thâ— River of Humbre but said that he ought not to repair the same from Mikilsyke with it's Ditches in Hewysgote and Crakepitte to the said bridge called the Carbrygge any otherwise than a Commoner in Wallyng fen and desired that it might be enquired of by the Country c. VVhereunto the Jurors said that the said Stephan was not bound to repair the same watercourse from Mikilsyke with the Ditches in Helwysgote and Crakepiâ—te unto Carbrigge otherwise than a Commoner in the Marsh of Wallyngfen in such sort as he the said Stephan had in his pleading alleged and therefore he was dischardged thereof but because the said watercourse from Carbrygge unto the Rivâ—r of Humbre was not repaired at the time when the before-specified presentment was taken he was amerc'd and the Shireeve had command to distrain him And the said Jurors presented that a certain watercourse called Parkdyke descending from Haunsardamme Eastwards to Thornton damme and thence betwixt Scalby and Scalby grene unto Temple damme ought to be repaired by the Town of Blaktoft from Haunsardamme to Thornton damme and thence to the Temple damme by the Abbot of Thorntone and the Town of Scalby And that the said watercourse was obstructed towards Skalby by Henry de Kelme and others who threw earth into it by the command of Sir Stephan le Scrope of Masham Knight VVherefore the Shireeve was required to summon the said Sir Stephan and Henry to answer c. VVho accordingly appeared and said that there then was and had been time out of mind a certain Road-way from the Town and Mannour of Faxflete unto the same place where by
of the Fishing had set up And that Henry Earl of Northumberland of right ought to repair the same Sewer from the Clowes to the Southdykehyrne by reason that he held the Fishing there in severalty as belonging to his Mannour of Thorpe And that the Lords of Bullingbroke and Dalby or their Fermours ought to clense the said Sewer from Southdike hirne unto the Eas ende because they had the fishing there in severalty And they likewise presented that there was a fourth Sewer called Theviscrik beginning in the Mosses of Friskenay at VVilliam Barnagates and extending it self to the Eas end where the four streams do meet and that it ought to be in bredth ten foot and dept five but was then also obstructed by a certain Were which the Fermours of the fishing had made and ought to be repaired by the said Town of Friskenay And that the Sewer called Eas end where the four streams meet ought to be in bredth fourty foot and in depth fourteen to the Sea and repaired by the Soke of Bullingbroke as often as need should require And they farther presented that it would be requisite that a new pair of Floud-gates should be made at the Damme in bredth xij foot and depth according to the discretion of skilful persons And that all the Towns within the Soke of VVapentake of Bolingbroke as also the towns of Wrangle Leake Leverton Benington Butterwick Freston and Tofte ought of right to repair maintain open and shut those Floud-gates at proper times on their own costs and chardges for ever excepting in Timber Iron VVork and also VVages of Carpenters And to the end that all discord betwixt those Towns touching the repair of the said Floud-gates might for the time to come be prevented it was then accorded by and between them with the common assent aswell of the said Duke of Lancaster's Counsel the Lord of Willughby and Abbot of Revesby as of all other Lords and Inhabitants or their Free-holders dwelling in those Towns in form following viz. that every of the said Townsmen should then at the first levy and collect for the said repair the fourth part of such a summ as the same Town had antiently been assessed at to a Fifteen granted and payable to the King by the Commons of England VVhich said summ so levyed to be delivered unto two discreet men to be chosen by four throughout all those Towns who should be obliged from year to year as followeth First two of the Soke of Bullingbroke at the next Court of the Duke of Lancasteâ— at Bullingbroke before Michaelmasse yearly to be held before the Steward or his Deputy there And two other of the Towns within the Wapentake of Skirbeck above named to be chosen from year to year at the said Duke's Court next before Michaelmasse at Wrangle before the Steward thereof or his Deputy which four so to be elected to be aswell of the Tenants of the said Lord as of the Tenants of any other Lords according to discretion And they to meet at Waynflete twice every year viz. once within a month after Easter and Michaelmasse and then to oversee those floud-gates and all the Sewers aforesaid and if any defect should be found in them then to cause them to be repaired and amended with all speed according as in their discretions they should think most meet And that at such their meeting after Easter the said two so elected for those disbursements as aforesaid to render their Account before the said four touching those common repairs and expences And in 17 R. 2. to Sir Philip Tilney Knight Iohn de Crosby Iohn de Rocheford of Boston Iohn Laund of Pynchebek Thomas de Tofte and Iohn Waleys for those betwixt Hildyke and Bolyngbroke and to hear and determine all things therein according to the Law and Custome of this Realm and the Custome of Romeney marsh as also to take up so many Labourers upon competent wages as they should think needfull for that work considering the necessity of expedition therein In 19 R. 2. there was a Presentment made in the Kings Bench in Easter term which was then held at Lincolne by the Jurors of divers VVapeâ—takes in this County that the Marshes of Est Fenne and Westfenne as also divers Lands Meadows and Pastures lying in the towns of Leek Wrangel Frâ—fkeneye and Waynflete betwixt the waters of Wythom and Waynflete were drowned by a great â—undation of water so that all the Inhabitants of those towns and of the Soke and VVapentake of Bolingbroke did wholly lose the benefit of their lands and Marshes there through the defect of a certain floud-gate at Waynflete which was so narrow that the course of the waters passing that way could not go to the Sea and that the town of Waynflete ought to repair that floud-gate as antiently they had wont to do And the said Jurors farther alleged that the same floud-gate was not of bredth and depth sufficient to convey the said water to the Sea and that it would be necessary to have another floud-gate new erected near unto the same of xviij foot in bredth and that the towns of Leek Wranghill Friskeney and Waynflete together with the Soke and VVapentake of Bolingbroke as also all thâ—se which had Common of Pasture in the said Marshes ought to contribute to the making thereof And that when is should be made then the said town of Waynflete to repair and maintain it at their own proper costs untill it should be necessary to make it anew excepting timber and Iron And they said moreover that except this were done both the Marshes lands meadows and Pastures aforesaid and Commons in those towns Soke and wapentake before-specified would wholly be lost And they also said that there was a certain Sewer from Hasend at UUaynflete unto the said Floud-gates wherein the Duke of Lancaster and the Lord of Dalby had fishing who in respect thereof ought to repair and clense the same The Shireeve thereof had command to summon all those Towns to answer this their neglect The next year following the Towns of Dunham Scothorne Reresâ—y and Staynton being presented for neglecting to repair the Sewer called Fen dyke which extends it self from the town of UUelton to Langwath and not denying but that they ought to maintain the same were each of them amerc'd at xld. In the same year the Inhabitants of Wytherin Scrubby UUodethorpe Malteby Besby Hamby Markeby Billesby Alford UUelle Salby Thoresthorpe Riggesby and Aby being presented for not repairing the Sewer called the South gâ—ist lying betwixt Malberthorpe and Trusthorpe which extends it self from a place called Axiltrehirne to the Sea and by which all the course of the water of those towns had used of right to run to the Sea for the safeguard of the said Towns which said Sewers together with the Gote called UUall-gote was then stopt up did put themselves upon the Country the Shireeve therefore had command to summon a Jury
Thornburgh and others for those Banks and Sewers from Skegnes and Dodyngton-Pygot to Tyddegote In 7 E. 4. Thomas Kyme of Friskeney and others had the Port of Waynflâ—te to ferm with Market and Wind-mill as also the Court of the said Market and Haven and fishing within the same paying xxl. yearly and supporting all chardges belonging to the said Haven Mill and fishing In 49 H. 6. Iohn Bishop of Lincolne George Duke of Clarence Richard Earl of Warwick and Salisbury Sir Humfrey Bourchier Lord Cromwell Sir Gervase Clyfton and Sir Will. Skipwith Knights Robert Taylboys Esquire and others had Commission for the view and repair of all the Banks and Sewers throughout this whole Province The like Commission in 12 E. 4. had Sir Richard Hastyngs Sir Thomas Burgh and Sir Will. Skipwith Knights Robert Taylboys Robert Ratclyf and others So also the same year had Thomas Prior of Spaldyng Richard Welby Leonard Thornburgh Richard Pynchebeck Iohn Bolles Robert Dokkyng and others for those from Dodyngtone-Pygot to Tyd-gote and thence to Skegnesse By all which Commissions since 6 H. 6. power was given to the persons before-mentioned and their associates to act therein according to the Custome of Romeney Marsh as abovesaid In 4 E. 6. VVilliam Lord VVilloughby of Parham Sâ—r Edward Dymok and Sir Iohn Copeldyk Knights George S. Poll and others Commissioners of Sewers by a Decree made at Wrangle on the first day of September ordained that the Inhabitants of the Soke of Bullingbroke together with Sir VVilliam Brereton Knight the Lord of Dalby and the Kings Fermour of his fishing at Waynflete and all others drayning thereby should clense scour and dyke the Haven of Waynfleâ—e from the AE end unto the Sea in bredth xxij foot at the top and in the bottome xiij And in depth from the Chanel downwards three foot to be done before the Feast of S. Peter ad Vincula then next following And that a sufficient Gote or Clow set up at the outer end of the same Haven for stopping of the salt water out of the North part thereof should be made there at the costs of the Inhabitants of the said Soke the Lord of Dalby and the Kings Fermours of his fishing there And moreover that an old Gote anâ— Dreyner called Symond's gote extending in length from the deep of the East Fen unto the Fen bank and from that Fen bank to the Sea which was then decayed for lack of scouriug should be sufficiently clensed So likewise the Dyke and Sewer extending from the Deep of the Fen unto the Fen bank Also that there should be two Gotes made of the said Drayner and Sewer the one at the Fen bank and the other at the out end of the Sea at the costs of the Inhabitants of the said Soke and the Inhabitants of such towns and the Landlords therein who had before that time been chardged betwixt the Fen bank and the deep of the said Fen and all to be done before Martinmasse then next ensuing And farther than this wherein I have given instance I shall not descend to any more particulars till the time of Queen Elizabeth that Thomas Quadring Hamond Upton Thomas Marsyngberd and others then Commissioners of Sewers sate at Partenay on the 22th day of Iuly in 2 of her reign for the setling of all things touching the repair of the Banks and Ditches in this Provicne before whom the Jurors then presented that there was one Sea-bank new made in Skegnes to begin at a place called Ranson hyrne and to be xl falls in length from the North end of the said Ranson hyrne towards the South and so to be joyned and closed unto the old bank which said Sea-bank to be fifty foot in the skirt fourteen foot broad on the top and xij foot in height and to be made by the Land-holders in Skegnes aforesaid And they likewise at that time presented that the old Sea-bank ought then to be repaired for it's better withstanding the rage of the Sea Also that another new Sea-bank should be new made within the limits of Skegnes aforesaid from one slaver there wâ—ich goeth up the lands late belonging to Charls Duke of Suffolke unto the South end of the Gild Hall which new bank to be xx falls in length and to stretch from the said Gild-Hall to the old Bank and be made by the said Land-holders Likewise that the old Sea bank in Skegnes called the Haven bank should be repaired where defect was Also that Wainflet haven being defective for want of scouring from the Crosse at the Eyes end into the Sea that being a necessary drayn for the Soke of Bullingbroke and heretofore diked and scoured by the Inhabitants thereof and to be done before the Feast of S. Iohn Baptist next following Moreover that a place there called Guddyke which leadeth from the Eyes end to the Fen be also scoured viz. two parts thereof by the said Queen or her Fermour for the fishing there and the third by the Lord of Dalby as had been accustomed And that a new Gote or Clow be set in Waynflet haven within ten falls of Thorpe and Waynflet Sea-gote and a Bank on the South side of the said Haven from the said new Gote unto the .......... and that the Inhabitants of the seven towns in Holland should be at the chardge of setting up the said new Gote in respect of their benefit of common in the East and VVest fenns Also that the Bank to be then made between the new Gote and Thorpe be done viz. three parts thereof at the chardges of Hamond Upton Esquire one of the Commissioners above-mentioned and the fourth at the chardges of Iohn Whiting Rob. Whiting and the bank on the South side of the Haven to be don by the Soke of Bullingbroke Likewise that a new Gote be set at the Fen Dyke bank to take in fresh water by it to be done by the Inhabitants of Waynflete S. Mary And another Gote called Dayles gote and another to be set fourscore falls beneath the old Sea Gote both to be done by the Land-holders in Waynflet S. Mary aforesaid And that a new Cryke of xxx foot wide and six foot deep be made from the said new Gote unto the old Gote and beneath the said new Gote another new Cryke made from the said new Gote unto the old Cryke to be done by the Lords and Land-holders in Waynflet S. Mary and on either side the said Cryke a sufficient Sea-Bank to keep out the flouds of water And they also presented that one petty Gote should be made in Crosse gate against nine Acres of Mr Dyghtons and another in Westgate against Thomas Harrysons Acre as also a spout in Hall gate another in Somergate and another in Acregate Likewise that a spout be made in Waynflete All Saints over the gate on the North side of Burflet at the chardge of the holders of the Lands which did drayn it And that another
in those Bridges and Ditches And they also said that the Town of Donyngton ought and had used to repair the Sewer of Scathegrafte Swyneman dam and Swane lade in bredth xvi foot and of such depth as that the water running to the river of Byker and so to the Sea were not hindred Which Sewer ought to be open from the first day of March until the feast of S. Martin in Winter and so likewise from the said feast of S. Martin until the first day of March except so great an inundation from the Sea should then happen as that the said Sewer would not be sufficient but that the Province of Holand would be drowned In case of which inundation that then it might be lawful for the said Town of Donyngton to stop those Sewers and presently upon the fall of the water to open them again Which said Sewers were then obstructed through the default of the said Town of Donyngton that ought to have scoured the same And the said Juros farther said that the Town of Byker ought to repair and clense the said Chanel from Bondstake to Quadring to the bredth of xxiiii foot and that the Town of Quadring with the Commoners belonging thereto ought to scoure and repair the said Chanel unto Gosbirkirk of the same bredth And that the Town of Gosberkirk ought to do the like from thence to the Sea to the intent that the fresh waters might not be hindered by the said Chanels and Sewers And they said that the stream of Byker was then obstructed from Bondstake to the Sea through the default of the towns of Donyngton and Quadring and the Commoners of Gosberkyrk who ought to have clensed the same And they said moreover that the Chanel of Byker where the Dam was ought to be open throughout the whole year but that it would be more expedient that the town of Byker for the particular commodity thereof and for the benefit of the whole Countrey should make a certain Clow with two Dores each of four foot in bredth which Clow to be always open excepting in the time of mighty floods from the Sea And they also said that the Gutters and Sewers in Quadryng were then obstructed by the town of Quadring and the Commoners thereof and that it ought to be in bredth xvi foot and of such depth that the current of the water might not be hindred as also that it ought to be clensed and repaired by the said town and the Commoners And that the Sewer of Gosberkyrk called Risgate Ees and the Sluse betwixt the Fen and the Sewer which ought to lye open all the year as Scathegrafte and Swanelade used to do were then stopped by the Abbot of Peterborough and town of Gosberkyrk and that the town of Gosberkyrk with the Commoners ought to clense repair and amend the said Sewer Gutters and Sluse in such places where it had antiently wont to be viz. through the midst of the Fen belonging to that Abby And they said likewise that the Sewer of the Beche which ought to be repaired and clensed by the towns of Gosberkyrk Hynsebek and Surflâ—te from the Fen unto Surflete and thence to the Sea was obstructed through the default of those Towns and that one Richard de Hodell had raised a Bank in the course of the said Sewer by which the passage of the water was hindred And they farther said that the Sewer of Brigefleet was obstructed by the Town of Hekyngton and that it ought to be clensed and repaired by that Town unto the river at Swynesheved the Chanel there being sufficient to carry the water down to Kyme mouth Ee where it was then stopt by Philip de Kyme to the great damage of the Country And that the Sewer called the Encluse neer Boston ought to run at all times of the year and that it was stopped every Winter by the men of Boston at the West end of the Bridge as also that it ought to be three foot in bredth And that it ought to be repaired and maintained at the VVest end of the said Bridge by the Inhabitants of Boston And they likewise presented that the Sewer called Hamondebek on the South side of Boston was also obstructed by the Inhabitants of that Town on the West part of the said Bridge and by the Inhabitants of Skyrbek And that it ought to be repaired clensed and maintained by the said Inhabitants of Boston and Skyrbek in consideration whereof the said men of Boston living at the West end of the said Bridge ought to common in the Marsh of the eight Hundreds and that the said Sewer ought to run at all times in the year And they said moreover that the men of the eight Hundreds ought to clense the Chanel of Swynesheved from Blalberdeboche unto the North part of Swinesheved Town and that the said Town of Swynesheved ought to scour the same Chanel from thence unto the stream of Byker And that the Towns of Iwardeby and Onsthorpe ought to repair and maintain the South side of the water which runneth from Happeltrenesse to Kyme and that it was then in decay through the neglect of the Prior of Haverholme who ought to repair a great part thereof and refused so to do And they farther said that Philip de Kyme who ought upon his own ground to repair a certain part of that side at the Wathe mouthe did fail in doing thereof and so through the default of the said Prior and Philip the whole Marsh of Kesteven and Holand was overflowen and drowned to the destruction of all those Countries And that the said Philip did divert the course of that water to the great prejudice of the Country and especially of the Prior of Kyme And they likewise said that the Prior of Haverholme ought to find a certain boat at the Bothe neer to the Wathe mouthe for to carry over foot-folk aswell by night as day whensoever any one should pass that way and that he did neglect so to do to the great damage of such people that had occasion to pass that way And they said that the said water was the publick passage for all the Kings liege people from Kesteven to the river of Wythum And they said moreover that the Chanel called the Old hee between the Marsh of Holand and the Marshes of Hekyngton and Kyme ought to be repaired and clensed by the men of the eight Hundreds of Holand on the East part and by Henry de Beaumont or the Lord of Hekyngton and Commoners of that Town And on the West part by Philip de Kyme from Blalberdebothe to the water of Kyme and that it was there obstructed by Philip de Kyme And they also said that the Town of great Hale with the Commoners there ought to repair and maintain a certain Causey from Gerwyk to Pyngelhyrne both for Foot and Horse-men And that the beforespecified Town of Hekyngton with Gerwyk ought to clense and repair the Chanel of Gerwyk unto the water of
that the same water hath no issue towards the Sea except by a certain Gutter in bredth three foot and an half therefore it was considered that the said Towns according to the number of their Acres belonging to every Inhabitant should restrain the same in manner aforesaid and defend the ends of those Towns abutting on the Fen And there was a day assigned for making such a restriction or Dam upon the borders of both Counties within the Quinzime of the Epiphany then next ensuing upon the penalty of CCl. And at the same time the Jurors for the County of Lincolne did present that there was a certain Gutter made in the Town of Multone called Bollesgote and that it ought to be repaired by the men of that Town according to the number of their Acres for the quantity of what they held it was therefore commanded that the said Townsmen should repair that Gutter in form aforesaid before Whitsontide following upon pain of an Cl. And on the Thursday being the Eve of S. Barnabas the Apostle at the suggestion of some of the Country came the said Simon and his fellow Justices to view that restriction and to enquire by those Jurors what had been done upon the Ordinance aforesaid Whereupon it was then presented that the Sewer which led from thence unto the Sea betwixt the Counties of Cambridge and Lincolne ought to be enlarged to the bredth of twenty foot scil ten foot on the Lincolnshire side and ten on the Cambridgshire side And because it was found by the Jurors that the said Ordinance for that restriction before-mentioned could not be observed as it ought to be by reason of the excessive flouds of water it was decreed that aswell the Dam as the Sewer should be repaired by the view of those Jurors as it had been ordained before the Feast of S. Peter ad vincula then next following upon penalâ—y of Cl. every Town adjoyning upon the same Sewer making good their particular proportions abutting towards them And Adam de Tid with other the Inhabitants of Tyd came and condescended that they would for what they held according to the number of Acres repair and make good the Banks of Sutton Marsh betwixt Scoft and Gedeney provided that they were not chardged with their Acres lying in Tid Marsh before the said Marsh was defended by the Sewer and Dam before-mentioned In 21 E. 1. the Abbot of Pâ—terborough brought an Assise of Novell disseisin against Ranulph de Rye Philip Phiket and others for putting him out of possession of his freehold in Gosberkirk viz. of xl acres of Marsh with the appurtenances whereunto the said Ranulph and the rest of those defendants pleaded that the said Abbot had brought his action against them unjustly because he was not seised at all of the premisses And they farther said that the Custome of that Country was such that whensoever the Sea did by its raging overflow any mans lands and meeting with any resistance or upon its going back waste away any of the said Land and make a hollow place no man ought to fill up that place but to clense and drain it for the common benefit of the Country and so to let it remain iâ— the same condition that the Sea first left it And they moreover said that about xviii years then past the Sea did make such an hollow in the Land of the said Abbot which so continuing for a long time they did afterwards drain it according to that Custome without doing any injury at all Whereunto the Abbot replyed that the said Ranulph could not under colour of any Custome excuse himself for he said that the place before-mentioned was his own several ground and that it was not lawfull for any man to dig in another mans land nor drayn the same without the leave of the owner excepting only one Ditch which lay in the confines of the two Hundreds of that Country called Gotecrike which Ditch whosoever had a mind to do it might drayn it and scour it at their pleasure And he also said that the above-mentioned Ranulph had in his own particular land made a certain Ditch whereby the said Abbot was hindred from coming to his Marsh and this he desired might be enquired of c. VVhereupon the Jurors delivered in this verdict viz. that the place before-mentioned was the several ground of the said Abbot in which no person without his leave had any thing to do And that there had been a kind of Ditch there which was xl years before filled up and then reduced to firm ground And they said that there did happen in that very year such a floud in those parts aswell of the fresh water as from the Sea that it broke the Abbots bank at each end thereof which breach he the said Abbot did make up as it was well lawfull for him to do And they said that the before-specified Ranulph and the other defendants afterwards made a Ditch of ten perches in length upon the soyl of the said Abbot against his leave and did exclude him from coming to that Marsh. Wherefore the said Abbot had judgement to recover his seisin and xxs. damage The next year following the King being advertised that by reason of the more than ordinary bredth of the River of Shoft neer Trokenhout which is in the confines of this County and Cambridgshire and likewise through want of repair of the Banks Ditches Gutters and Sewers in those parts great losse had hapned to the Inhabitants thereabouts the King therefore to contract the said Chanel for the more security of the Country and for repairing those Banks and Ditches did assign S. de Ellesworth R. de Chadeworth and R. de Coupledik to enquire aswel by the Oaths of Knights and others of the said Counties of the course of that stream as of those Banks Ditches Gutters and Sewers before-mentioned who they were that possessed Lands and Tenements thereabouts and had or might have benefit by the contracting of the said Chanel and repair of the Banks and Sewers aâ—oresaid and to distrain them thereto for the proportion of their said Lands and Tenements according to the number of Acres so that no favour should be used therein either to rich or poor Upon which Enquiry the Jurors delivered this following Verdict viz. that the Towns of Tydd and Sutton lying in Holand in this County and Tidd Neuton and Leverington in Cambridgshire could not be preserved from damage except the said stream of Shoft neer Trokenhout were restrained to the bredth of four foot so that it might not run towards the Sea but by a Gutter in widenesse three foot and an half therefore it was concluded that the Towns before-mentioned should streighten the said Chanel according to the proportion of their lands in those Towns and likewise defend the hades of those Towns abutting upon the fen And a day was thereupon given them to make the same Chanel of that narrownesse viz. within the xv of
Stikeneie and A. de Cubledyk for those in the Wapentakes of Kirketone and Skirbeche and the parts adjacent In 7 E. 2. to Roger de Cubeldyk Laurence de Holebeche and Walter de Freskeneye for those only upon the Sea coast in this Province The like in 8 E. 2. to the said Roger Laurence and William de Farforde In 9 E. 2. upon an Inquisition taken at Boston before Edmund Deincourt Lambert de Trikingham Roger de Copildik and Robert de Malbirthorp then Justices of Sewers upon Tuesday next after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross it was found that the Town of Donington ought to repair and maintain the Causey of Holand with Bridges and Ditches on each side thereof viz. from the said Town of Donington unto the new Ditch and from the said Ditch unto the Chapel of S. Saviours the Prior of S. Saviours ought to do the like And it was likewise found that the said Town of Donington ought to repair the Sewers of Scoftgraft Swinemandam and Swanislad to the bredth of xvi foot and of such depth that the current of the water should not be hindred unto the River of Biker which leadeth to the Sea and that they ought to be open from the first day of March untill the Feast of S. Martin in Winter and likewisâ— from the Feast of S. Martin untill the first day of March unlesse so great an inundation of the Sea-water should happen at that time that the Sewers would not suffice to carry it away but that the Country of Holand would be ovâ—rflowed and in case of such flouds that tâ—e town of Donington might stop tâ—ose Sewers and upon the fall of the waterâ— opâ—n them again And it was found that the said Sewers were then stopt for waâ—t of clensing by the said Town of Donington And it was â—urâ—â—er found that the said town of Biker ougâ—t to repair and clense the said River of Biker unto Bondistac and from Bandistac to Quadring the said town of Donington to do the like to the bredth of xxiiij foot And that the town of Quadring with the Commoners thereof ought to scour and repair the same River unto Gosberchirch to the same bredth and the town of Gosberchirch to do the like according to the same bredth unto the Sea so that the fresh waters might not be hindred by the said Rivers and Sewers And it was also found that the River of Biker was then obstructed from Bondistake unto the Sea through the default of clensing it by the town of Donington and Quadring and the Commoners of Gosberchirch And that the said River of Biker where the Dam was ought to have been open all times of the year but that it would be more proper that the said town of Biker for their own benefit and commodity of the whole Country should make a certain Clow with two dores each of them four foot in bredth which Clow to be always open unlesse a great inundation of the Sâ—a should happen And it was moreover found that the Sewers and Gutters of Quadring being then obstructed by the town of Quadring and the Commoners thereof ought to be xvi foot in bredth and of such depth that the course of the water might not be hindred and repaired and clensed by the said town and Commoners And that the Sewer of Gosverchirche called Risgate and the Sluce betwixt the Fen and it which ought to be open throughout the whole year as Scatisgraft and Swannislade used to be were obstructed by the Abbot of Peterborough and the town of Gosberchirche and that the town of Gosberchirche with the Commoners thereof ought to clense repair and new make the said Sewer and Gutter called New gote and the Sluse whereby the water did antiently passe directly through the midst of the said Abbots marsh And it was likewise found that the Sewer of the Beche which ought to be scoured and clensed by the towns of Gosberchirch Surflet and Pinchebec from the Fen to Surflet and from Surflet to the Sea was then obstructed tthrough the default of those towns and that one Richard de Heddil had raised a Dam in the said Sewer whereby the course of the water was hindred And it was also found that the Sewer of Briggeflet was then obstructed by the town of Hekyngham and that it ought to be amended by the said town unto the River of Swinesheved and that there the River was sufficient to carry away the water unto Kyme mouth which was at that time stopped by Philip de Kime to the great damage of the whole Country And that the Sewer called the Encluse neer Boston ought to run for the space of the whole year but was then obstructed in the Winter season by the Inhabitants of Boston on the West part of the Bridge and that it ought to be three foot in bredth and repaired by the town of Boston on the West part of the Bridge Likewise tâ—at the Sewer called Hamundbek on the South end of Boston was then also obstructed by the Inhabitants of that town on the West part of the Bridge and the Inhabitants of Skirbâ—k and that it ought to be repaired by the said men of Boston to inhabiting on the West of the Bridge and the mâ—n of Skirbek and for that reason all the said Inhabâ—tants residing on that West side of the Bridge ought to Common in the Eight hundred fâ—n and that this Sewer ought to run by the space of the whole year And that the Inhaâ—itants of the Eight Hundreds ought to clense the River of Swynesheved from Balberdesbothe unto the North end of Swynesheved town and the town of Swynesheved to do the like from the said place unto the River of Biker And moreover that the towns of Iwardebi and Ousthorp ought to repair and maintain the South side of the wâ—ter called Apiltrenesse unto Kime and that it was then in decay through the default of the Prior of Haverholme who ought to repair a great part thereof and did refuse so to do And that Philip de Kime who ought of right to repair a certain portion of the side at Watemouthe did not do it insomuch as through the default of the same Prior and of the said Philip de Kime the whole Fen of Kâ—steven in Hoiland was overflowed and drowned to the damage of all those Countries And it was likewise found that the said Philip ought to repair that current of the before-specified water and did neglect so to do to the great damage of the Country and especially of the Priory of Kime And also that the Prior of Haverholme ought to provide a certain Boat at the Bothe neer Watemouth to transport foot-folks over that water aswell by night as day so often as any man should have occasion to passe that way and that he did not do it to the great damage of passengers travailing there And that the said water was the common passage from Kesteven unto the River of
from the place called West head unto Welle Town so far as it hath been of late accustomed viz in height six foot above Bardolf Fenne and in bredth at the foundation xxx foot and in bredth on the highest part thereof xv foot 2. That no man take or dyke any menure within viij foot of the South part of the same Pow diche And on the North part of the same no menure to be taken within C. foot from the foot of the same Pow diche 3. That the same Powdiche be made by every particular Township whole and Common by Acre silver and not otherwise and the same to be done by every Township by Whitsunday then next coming or Midsomer at the farthest in pain of every Township xll. to be levyed to the use of the said King and Queens Majesty And that every particular Town do sufficiently Clay their particular charge on the fore-part thereof in thicknesse with Clay one foot and an half and on the top thereof one foot 4. And for the better preservation of the same Powdiche they did in like manner ordain that there should be re-edified upon the said Powdiche three Houses that is to say one at North hooke gate another between Walpole and Tirington gate upon the Bank and Powdiche and the third at Welle gate the charges to be levyed upon the whole Townships of Marshland and Town of Wigenhall by Acre silver 5. That if any man were then indited or thereafter should be indited vexed or molested for any cause touching the defence maintenance or preservation of the same Country and Town of UUigenhale then they and every of them to be defended and saved harmlesse by the said Country and Town of UUigenhale all so far as the Law will serve and permit 6. That the Broken dyke be sufficiently made maintained and repaired from time to time as it hath been in times past that year and other years thenceforth by the said Country of Marshland 7. That a view be made at Emneth by the chief Inhabitants of the Country where there might be newly made and re-edified within the Levell and Rinde thereof a new Dyke for the defence of the water if Broken dyke be broke which view to be at Sandy rood upon the Friday following by eight of the Clock And on the tenth day of the same month of April it was farther concluded by the consent of the said chief Inhabitants and Town of Wigenhale that the said Dyke called Broken dyke should be made maintained and kept from time to time by and at the costs charges and expences of the whole Country of Marshland as afore-time had been accustomed And that a new Dyke be made from Myll dam unto Peter Sanderson's house and so by the high way directly about unto a certain place called Suffield gate in such height thicknesse and bredth as Thomas Guybon Iohn Reppes William Hunston and Thomas Karvill Esquire Richard Baker alias Ladde Richard Nichols Henry Hunston and Thomas Hewar Gentleman or the more part of them with the advice of the workmen should think meet and convenient After this viz. in 8 Eliz. there were other Ordinances made touching the Banks Ditches and Sewers in these parts the substance whereof are as followeth viz. 1 That Rightforth lode from West-head or North hooke Westward being but 8 foot wide ought to made xij foot in bredth by Edmund Beaupre Esquire And so every person c. to make his or their part of the same widenesse from the said Edm. Beaupre VVestwards and so to Stowbridge 2 That the brinks of the great River from Stowbridge unto Common load be made in the upper part 8 foot in bredth between the Houses Hedges and VValls of the VVest part of Ouse 3 That Common lode lying on the South side of Stowbridge houses be made of the widenesse of xij foot and 4 foot deep with such a Sluse as Rightforth lode hath at Sâ—owbridge to be done c. at the charge of the Inhabitants of Dounham Wimbotesham and Stow-Bardolf for that it is their Drayn c. 4 That upon the stopping of Newlode lying between Common lode and Downhambridg the said lode called Common lode or Downham lode was made 5 That the gole betwixt Dounham bridg and Salters lode to be made xij foot wide and 4 foot deep and to extend into the Fen from the said Sluce a mile and more and scoured by the Inhabitants of Dounham 6 That the brinks on the VVest side of Ouse from Common lode to Dounham brigg be made xij foot broad in the bottom and 8 foot on the top and one foot higher than the highest water mark to be done by the Inhabitants of Stow-Bardolf UUymbotesham and Downham 7 That Edm. Beaupre Esquire and other the Land-holders in great Powdichfield and Whart medows have a Sluse at UUelle Clouses at the North head of Whartmedow and so to drayn through the midst of Marshland fenne 8 That the brinks of Ouse from Dounham bridge to Salters lode be made xij foot broad in the bottom and 8 foot at the top as also one foot higher than the highest water mark 9 That the new Powdiche from Salters lode to North delph be made xviij foot broad in the bottom xij foot at the top and â—ive foot in height from the plain ground And from North delph to Mullicourt â— of the same bredth at the top and bottom and six foot in height from the plain ground All which to be done and kept by the Inhabitants of Marshland the Town of Wigenhall the Land-holders of the hundred Acres within Stow Bardolf called the Lords hedding and the Land-holders of the decayed Tenement sometimes Bexwell's at North delph 10. And that from the East corner of Mullycourt unto Mullycourt drove it be made of the like bredth at the bottom and top by the Dean of Ely and six foot in height as abovesaid VVhich said Powdiche from Mullycourt droves end tendeth VVestwards unto the Bridge at the East end of Outwell Church and thence Northwest unto Boxstedstile which is the farthest bound of Outwell towards Emneth and is the division betwixt the half Hundred of Clakclose and the Hundred of Freebridge The which Bank or Causey ought to be made and kept by the Inhabitants of the Town of Outwell for their lands lying in Mullycourt field Sondy field and Powdich field 11. That the River of Welle called Welle Ee coming from the Bridge at the East end of Outwell Church and running Eastward till it come opposite to Saltham lake thence South East unto North delf thence Eastward to Salters lode to be made xxvij foot wide in the bottom and xl foot at the top from the said Bridge at Outwell Church to Mullycourt droves end by the Inhabitants of Outwell and from thence of the same widenesse by the Dean of Ely to Saltham lake and from thence to Salters lode of the like bredth by the Inhabitants of Marshland and Town of UUigenhall 12 That at the end of
to be the charge of certain other lands of a C. Acres in Stowe on the North side of the Old Pow diche which is wholly in defect 16 All which Bank from Salters lode to the decayed messuage of North delf ought to be five foot above the Fen and in bredth in the bottom xviij foot and in bredth in the top xij foot And from the said Northdelf house to Mully court the said Bank ought to be in height vi foot and in bredth in the bottom xviij foot and in the top xij foot 17 And that the menure for the repair making of the same Bank ought to be taken on the South side xij foot from the foot of the same Bank saving in the time of great need and not on the North side of the same Bank but in the winter time and when for the inundation of the water it cannot be taken on the South side and then C. foot from the foot of the same Bank But because there is no punishment contained in the said Decrees for such offenders as take their menure within xij foot of the said Bank on the South side thereof whereby the foot of the said Bank in divers places is very sore diminished and the Lands and Tenements within the Salvation aforesaid much the more in peril wherefore we find it reasonable that it be now decreed that every person that shall take any menure on the South side of the said Bank within twelve foot of the said Bank except in time of great necessity shall lose and forfeit for every Rod so taken and decayed as aforesaid xs. the moytie to the finder of the same the other moytie to the Queens Majesty But notwithstanding all this care and cost so outragious were the storms and tempests which did beat upon these Sea-banks that on Monday and Tuesday the second and third of October in the year 1570. 12 Eliz. they made several breaches in them whereby all Marshland together with the Town of Wigenhale was overflowed with Salt water so that from old Lynne unto Magdalen bridge there were not left ten Rods of the â—aid Bank firm and whole to the extraordinary damage of all the Country How these breaches were made up I have not seen nor any thing else considerable touching these parts untill 39 Eliz. that there was complaint made at a Seâ—sion of Sewers then held at Beaupre Hall that in regard of the neglect of keeping the water in Rightforth lode within the Crests of the same the grounds on the North part of the said lode were in time of great inundations overflown which occasioned the Tenants thereof for avoiding of the water to cut the old Pow dike and to issue the said water into Marshland Fen to the great surrounding of the same and extraordinary losse to the Inhabitants and Commoners there It was therefore ordained and decreed by the said Commissioners that if any person or persons whatsoever should thenceforth attempt to cut the said Bank in any part thereof to the intent aforesaid or should lay any Pipe or Sluse for the waters to fall through the same other than such as were already laid should lose and forfeit to the said Queen her heirs and successors xxl. to be levyed of the Goods and Chatels of every such person upon every such default After this divers years there hapued a mighty tide upon the first day of April 1607. 5 Iac. which broke Catts banke and drowned Clenchwarton On the xvth of which month there was another Survey made of the before-specified New Pow dike together with an Agistment thereof by one Mr. Richard Atkins of Outwell which was performed very exactly by the Rod of xvi foot and an half of strict measure according to the number of perches charged upon every Town and began at the stone erected upon the said Bank neer Mullicourt corner by Saltham lake the number of perches from Mullicourt to Northdelf Close being there found to be CCCCxlix according to the large Hundred which perfectly agreed with the Books and Rolls of the Country From whence the repair of the said Bank on the South part and opposite to the said Northdelfe Close was assigned to the heirs of Sir Francis Gawdey Knight for the whole length thereof as antiently it had been And from that place it went on more towards the East from the East corner of the before-specified Close neer the Ditch unto a stone fixed nigh Salters lode which is the chardge belonging to Stow-Bardolf for those Lands called the Hundred Acres but this part was measured by the Rod of xvij foot and so accorded perfectly with the just number of perches antiently assigned to each Town of Marshland All which being done there were special Merestones set up by the said Richard Atkins which had peculiar names graved upon them by the consent of the Inhabitants and did distinguish the several proportions of the said Bank charged upon each Town And thence for the Hundred acres of Stow aforesaid unto the Ditch which compasseth the Tenement at Salters lode were xxiij perches and ten foot according to the said Rod. At which time it was agreed betwixt the Dyke-Reeves who were then in office that the proportion of the said Bank charged upon UUest Lynne should be transposed and agisted aswell above as below with Tilney and UUigenhale where the said Bank was more secure in regard that the Inhabitants of the said Town of Lynne had been found so negligent in repairing and maintaining their parts thereof And it was then also finally concluded betwixt the principal Guardians of the said Bank that this new survey assignation of parts should continue in force for ever and all formerly made in regard they were so confused to be utterly void The next year following on the xvith of August viz. 6 Iac. An. 1608 it was by a Law of Sewers decreed that a new Drayn or Lode should be made and maintained from the end of Chancelours lode unto Tylney Smethe on the South side of the Bank to the Fen-ward of the aforesaid antient Sewer which Drayn to be xij foot in bredth and four or five foot in depth Likewise that a Sluse or Gole should be made at the North end of Chancelour's lode to convey the waters of the Fen into the common Sewer And it was then also decreed that the Land-holders on the South side of Wisebeche should from that time forward â—ew and passe the water out of those their Lands lying on the said South side of Wisebeche between the River of Wisebeche on the North and Ingham field Halfpeny field and Spittâ—e field on the South and Gold banke on the West containing by estimation eleven hundred Acres of ground every year from the xxv of March untill the first of November by a Pipe of xviij inches square under the little River of Wisâ—beche at a place called New common into Enemeth field and so into Walsoken drayn and so to the Smethe
down to Pentney Mill. That Pentney Mills be pulled down whereby the drowning of the common ground of Marham and Shouldham may be prevented which by reason of the keeping up the water for those Mills are overflown That the back Dike from Narborough barrs to Cardike be kept in bredth 8 foot and in depth 5. That all the Banks of the River from Blackborough bridge to Prioursturne be made in height and bredth as aforesaid So likewise then to Cotehill and thence to Sechee bridge That the Drayn called Wronglode extending from Wode dyke to Tile kill be in bredth 8 foot and in depth 4. So also the Sewer called Wode dike lying in Marham and likewise Carre dike That the common Sewer called Bush fen extending from the said Car dike to the great River be made xx foot in bredth and five foot in depth That a Dam be made on the West side of Bush fen Ea in Dunstall dike so that the waters coming from Car dike may run into Bush fen Ea. That a Drain in Marham extending from Crosse yard to Padocks hill be made in bredth five foot and depth three That the old River in Marham be made 12 foot broad and four foot deep from the place where Marham Mill stood to Beares head Thence to Marplot dike of the same bredth and depth Thence to Dunstall dike and thence to String dike in like sort That Dunstall dike shall Drayn through the Mill Causey by a sluce there to be made of two foot square into a Dike lying on the North side of a Hop-yard called Hopyard dike Which Dike extending from the said Causey to Stringdike to be 8 foot wide also and 5 foot deep That the Drayn in Marham extending from Swans nest to Bradwell lode be made eight foot wide and four foot deep That Bradwell lode extending from the Abby yards end unto the old Ea and so to the Crosse willow be made of the like bredth and depth That the Drayn from Dowhouse-Close to Crowdwâ—ll gappe be kept in bredth x foot and in depth 4. So likewise Fryday lode extending into the said Old Ea. That the Common Drayn called the Old Ea extending from Haddon Mill to Black dyke be made and kept 8 foot in bredth and 4 in depth So likewise from Haleroft barrs to Wirmgey bridge That the said Common Drayn or Old Ea from Wirmgay bridg to the Abby stile to be kept in bredth xii foot and depth 5. And from the said Abby stile to Cotehill and so to the great River xvi foot in bredth and in depth as aforesaid That the River of Wisse extending from Whittington to Stokebridge be clensed and made in bredth xl foot That Stokebridge containing three Arches of the widenesse of 40 foot be repaired by the Countrey neer adjoyning That the said River of Wisse from Stokebridge to Sandell were thence to Haveringay were Bishops were Izelham were Cote were New were Forwere Helgay bridge Hide were Shellewere and West lode be clensed and made in bredth xl foot as aforesaid and thence to the great Ouse in bredth 30 foot And that two Jetties or Peers of stone xviii foot distant each from other be set upon the said River within 200 foot of the said River of Ouse That the Landlake which taketh its beginning out of the River of Wisse at Weere dike a mile distant from Stoke bridge whose natural fall to the Sea is through Snore fen through Helgay Causey in a Pipe of Timber or Stone and thence c. to Gunnels lode be there divided into two branches the one directly Westward to the River of Ouse â— and the other Northwards through Denver South fenn in each whereof neer the said River Ouse to be placed a substantial Gole That the Banks on the South side of Wisse from common Fengate in Helgay be made 8 foot in bredth and 4 foot in height That the Banks on the East side of Ouse from West lodes end to South lode be made and kept 8 foot broad and 4 foot high and from thence to Modney cote ten foot broad in the bottom 5 at the top and 5 foot in height That the Drayn in Helgay fenn called the Wisse be kept in bredth 12 foot and depth 4. unto Miles end corner and from thence to the River of Ouse 10 foot broad and 5 foot deep And at the end thereof a Gole 2 foot square and 16 foot long That a sufficient Drayn be made at the Causey between Helgay and Modney That the Drayn between Fordhammore and Portmore in Helgay be made in bredth 12 foot and depth 5. And a Gool at the end thereof of the like dimension as aforesaid That the Drayn betwixt Thack fen and Helgay-more be 10 foot in bredth and 4 in depth with the like Gole as aforesaid That Turff fen lake in Helgay be kept 12 foot broad and 6 foot deep with a Gole where it enters into Ouse That the Common Dayn called Creekâ— lode extending from Creek mere in Little port to the 4 Lodes and thence to Pulwear lake be kept in bredth 20 foot and depth 6 foot and so likewise to a place called the Willow and thâ—nce to the River of Ouse 16 foot in bredth and 6 â—oot deep with a Gool at the end thereof of 4 foot in bredth and 5 in depth That Rebech River in Helgay extending from Redmercote unto the great River of Ouse in Sotherey be made in bredth 40 foot untill it come within three furlongs of Ouse and then 30 to be done by the Townships of Feltwell Hockold Wilton Brandon-ferry Santon and Dounham and all others having any grounds drayning through and by the said River That the Common Drayn in Sotherey called Stake lode be in bredth 12 foot and depth 4. till it come to Crosse water and thence to the River of Ouse 14 foot in bredth That Sotherey Causey be made 18 foot wide at the bottom 14 foot at the top and 3 foot in height That the Banks of Ouse North of Sotherey Ferry to Modney dike be 8 foot in bredth at the bottom 5 foot at the top and 3 foot in height That the Land drain in Sotherey extending from Sotherey barr to the Hall yard be kept in bredth 8 foot and in depth 3. and so till it come to Stake lode That Pollver drain in Wirmgay beginning at Campions hills extending to Sechey Causey and thence to Kings bridge be 10 foot in bredth and 4 in depth That the Drayn in Watlington and Totnell extending from Theâ—fes bridg unto Hobs dike be kept in brâ—dth 6 foot and depth 3. And Hobs dike 9 foot wide and 4 foot deep That East wroe dich Bank in Watlington otherwise called Savers banke which defendeth the fresh waters of Polver drain and Seche River from overflowing c. to be heightned in every low place That Polver drain from Kings bridg to the Gole head be made in bredth 16 foot and in depth 8. That Geris dam â— in
at Bullok's lane end and leading to Bridg drove through the midst of the lands of Geffrey Sutton as also one Crest from the Stow of Geffrey Sutton unto the Pipe in Meesdrove in height two foot and in bredth ten and one Clow at the Pipe of Meesdrove on the South side of the River with two doors thereupon each of three foot in bredth with two Keys whereof one to be kept by the Bayliff of Waltersey and the other by the Guardian of the Marsh on the South side of the said River And that the Town of Leverington ought and had used to make and repair one Crest in Leverington aforesaid beginning at Neuton Gore dyke and leading to Bondysgate in Leveryngton and thence to Rechmond in the said Town four foot high and eight foot broad And that the Tenants of the lands in Harpsfield in Leverington ought and had used to raise a Crest in a certain place called Two lanes beginning at Shoffendike in Leverington and leading to Blak lane in the same Town in height four foot and bredth eight And that the landholders in Southingham in Leverington ought and had used to raise one Bank called Overdiche in Leverington aforesaid beginning at Bellymil brigg and leading to Parsons drove end in the same Town And thence to Meysbrigge to be repaired by the landholders of Northinham thence to Blakenfield by the landholders of Fenhalfiâ—ld thence to Bondysgate by the landholders of Blakelanefield and that it ought to be two foot higher than it was at that time in the highest place and in bredth xii foot Also that the Landholders of Fenhalfeild in Leverington ought and had used to make one High-way called Polly lane beginning at Shoâ—endike in Leverington and leading to Marslane brigge in the said Town four foot in height and eight foot in bredth And that the said Town of Leverington ought to maintain one Sewer beginning at the Corner of the antient Sewer in Leverington neer to Reginald Corners house thwarting the Drove called Fytton drove unto the House of Iohn Stokyll and so to the Sea and the said Sewer ought to be xij foot in bredth only and that it was then more than xx foot in bredth Likewise that the Bishop of Ely and Will. Vennour for his Mannour of Coldham and his Participants for his Tenements in Elme ought and had used to repair one Bridge at Falgote in Leverington which was then in decay And that the Town of Tyd S. Giles ought and had used to clense all the Sewers within the said Town beginning at the Sea-bank and extending to the Fen-bank where need should require As also that the said Town of Tyd ought and had used to maintain two Ward Diches in the same Town called the Threding and Sea dike beginning at Averys trees in Tyd aforesaid and leading to Newfen Dike in the same Town in height six foot and bredth xij And likewise that the said Town ought and had used to repair and maintain one Bank called Martin's fen dike in Tyd aforesaid beginning at Averyes trees and leading to Wesingham brigge in height six foot and in bredth xij And that the Town of Neuton ought to clense all the Sewers within the same beginning at the Sea-bank of Neuton aforesaid and extending to the Marsh Bank where need should require And that the Landholders of the thousand Acres in Wisebeche on the South side of the River and of the three hundred Acres in Elme ought and had used to repair one Pipe at Kikking drove lane in the same Town in height three foot and in bredth eight At the same Session the said Jurors likewise presented that the Sea-bank beginning at Tydde gote in Tydde S. Giles neer the County of Lincolne and extending it self unto Bevys Crosse in Wisebeche aforesaid ought to be fifty foot in height viz. from the first sloping thereof unto the Crest and in bredth at the top six foot and that all the Landholders in the said Town of Wisebeche as also in Leverington Tydde S. Giles and Neutone every one according to his proportion did use time out of mind to repair maintain and make the said Bank and so aswell by the said Custome as by the judgment and assignation of certain Justices of Sewers in the time of the King's Progenitors were obliged to do according to the quantity of their Land Whereupon forasmuch as it seeming meet to the said Commissioners both by the Verdict of the Jurors aforesaid and by their own view thereof all parties concerned therein then appearing and the Statutes of Romeney marsh in the like cases published being seen and understood they decreed and ordained for the safeguard of all those Towns that every Landholder in them should according to the proportion of his tenure repair maintain and new make the same as often as any defect might happen to be therein according to the proportion of his tenure And they presented that the Landholders in the old Market of Wisebeche aforesaid did use time out of mind to repair maintain and new make a certain Sea-bank from Beuvise Crosse unto the great Bridg of Wysebeche on the West part of the River of Wyse aforesaidâ— viz. every man against his own Land and that the same Bank ought to be in height ten foot and in bredth at the top xij Whereupon the said Justices for the considerations aforesaid did decree the same accordingly and that no one should cast dung or any thing else into the said River nor make stamps nor lay Sege-rekes nor Dunghills from Geyhirne to the Sea upon the brink thereof whereby the current of the water might be straightned or stopt upon penalty of xxs. to be paid to the Bishop by him or them in whom the defect in repairing maintaining or new-making of the said Ditch or any other the Ordinances or Statutes aforesaid should for the future be found as often as the same should be And they also said that the Landholders of the Town hende of Wisebeche on the North side of the River Use had used and ought time out of mind to repair maintain and new make a certain Bank called the Gebrynck from the great Bridge in Wisebeche unto Sozâ—l dyke And that the Landholders in the Fen hende of Wisebeche did use for all the time aforesaid to repair maintain and new-make a certain Bank called the New dyke from Sozel dyke to Gye hirne and another Bank called the Fen dyke reaching from Gey hirne aforesaid unto Piggesdrove Crosse and that the Landholders in the Fen hende of Wisebeche were not able to repair the said Banks of New dyke viz. from Sozeldike to Gey hirne and the Fen dyke from Gey hyrne to Piggesdrove Crosse. Whereupon the said Commissioners decreed that aswell the Landholders from the Townhende on the North part the River of Weyse as the Landholders of the Fenhende of Wisebeche should thenceforth repair maintain and new make the said Bank viz. the Sea-bank called the Ebrynke on the North side of the
bredth six foot and in depth three betwixt the land of Martin Thompson and the land of Iohn Mendham at the charges of the landholders who had benefit thereby And that another Sewer should be made in the same field in bredth six foot and in depth three betwixt the land of Iohn Rogerson and the land of Alice Pope at the charges of all those persons who had also benefit thereby And that there should be another Sewer made in Longefelde in Neutone of the like bredth and depth neer to the lands of Iohn Derby called Barowsdyke and betwixt the land of Simon Thomsone from Mil-lane to Medow-lane at the charges of all those who had Commodity thereby And that another Sewer ought to be made in the middle of the said field called Longfield from the land of Sir Iohn Colvyle Knight neer to the land of Iohn Godeknape unto the said next Sewer in bredth six foot and depth three at the charges of all persons having profit thereby And that all the hades of the lands of Fytton croftâ—s should be digged from Doddyke to Medow-lane in bredth eight foot and depth four at the costs likewise of those who had benefit thereby And that all the hades likewise of the lands of Fytton croftes should be digg'd in bredth eight foot and depth four from Lowynsfendike unto Doddys at the charges of those persons who should have benefit thereby And they presented moreover that there should be another Sewer made by the hades of the lands in the middle of Oldfield from Fdtton croftâ—s to the land of Sir Iohn Colevile Knight called Wortheynyscroft in bredth six foot and depth three at the costs of all such persons who should have Commodity thereby As also another Sewer at Wortheynyscroft on the South side unto Dod dyke six foot in bredth and four in depth at the costs likewise of such as should have profit thereby And they also presented that the Town of Neutone time out of mind ought and had wont to repair and make a certain Bank called Lowynsfendike beginning at Fytton and leading to Tyd Siddyke two foot higher than it was at that time in the best place and xij foot in bredth And that Iohn Symondeson of Neutone for the whole time aforesaid ought and had wont to make and maintain a certain Dam at the East end of the land in Newfield to restrain the water of the said Newfield from descending into the next field called Rolsefield And that the said Town of Neutone ought and had wont to make and repair a certain Bank in Neutone called the Gordyke beginning at Blokkyslane and leading to Shoffendyche in height six foot and in bredth twelve Whereupon the said Commissioners did decree accordingly And the said Jurors likewise presented that all the Landholders in Newfield in Tyd S. Giles ought and had used to make and repair one Crest in a certain field called Beeslane field in the same Town beginning at Tyd Syddike and extending to Brounesbrigge in height four foot and in bredth eight And that the Landholders in Southfelde in the same Town ought and had used to make and repair another Crest from Tyd Syd dyke to Brounesbrigge in height four fooâ— and bredth eight And that all the Landholders in Southfelde in the same Town beginning at the land of Iohn Houshold abutting upon a certain mansion called Beesplace unto Tyd Syd dyke ought and time out of mind had used to make one Crest upon Syd dyke beginning at Beeslane end and leading to Averey's crose in the same Town four foot in height and eight foot in bredth And that the Landholders in Southfelde aforesaid of the lands abutting upon Brod gate ought and did use to repair and make one Crest neer to the common Sewer on the South side in height four foot and in bredth eight And that all the Landholders in Bradeste of the lands abutting upon Hascroft lane towards the West ought and had used for the whole time aforesaid to make and repair a certain Sewer beginning at the Sewer next unto the land called Stokwellesland unto Brossebrygge in bredth eight foot and depth four And they likewise presented that all the Landholders of the lands in Halcrofte for the whole time aforesaid ought and had wont to make and repair sufficiently the common Sewers in Halcrofte unto Welmany flete thwarting the High way called Crosse-gate and so by the land lately belonging to Thomas Retherwyk and Iohn Mayner unto the land lately belonging to Iohn Bee but then to Iohn Hunstone and so betwixt the land of the said Iohn Hunstone and Isabell Retherwyk unto Sondy lane and there to make one Bridge of one foot in bredth and asmuch in depth and so betwixt the land of Iohn Lambard and the land late of Geffrey Cosyn unto Sedyk lane and the land of a certain field called Blohevede unto the Floudgates And that all the Landholders in Edykfelde from Blakeslane to Mosselane abutting upon Edyke ought and did use to make and repair a certain Sewer at the North point of the lands of Edykfelde aforesaid in bredth eight foot and depth four And they also presented that all the Landholders in Edykfelde ought and had used to make one Sewer at the North end of the lands of Edykfelde aforesaid abutting upon Edyke from Blakkeslane to Barrowsgrene in bredth eight foot and depth four so that the fresh water might have its course to Blakkeslane unto the great Sewer and so the Sea And that all the Landholders in Hornefeld ought and had used to make and repair one Crest in Brodgate in Tyd S. Giles on the South part of the Sewer called Marteynesfendyk unto the Corner where Will. Hubert then dwelt in height four â—oot and bredth ten And that all the Landholders in Cokley field ought and had used to make and repair one Crest in Botteleslane from Bottelesbrigge to the Ee dyke in height four foot and bredth twelve And that all the Landholders in Fendykfelde and North lane feld ought and did use to make and repair one Crest in Blake lane in Tyd aforesaid from Bottelesbrigge unto Tubbesbrigge and from the land of Iohn Ingleche unto Ee dyke in height four foot and bredth eight And that all the Landholders of the lands in Carrowfelde abutting upon Ee gatâ— from Gotebrigge to Northlane ought and had wont to make and raise one Crest in Eegate in Tyd aforesaid where need should be in height four foot and in bredth twelve And that all the Landholders in Tyd aforesaid did use and ought to raise and make one Bank called Byshopesdyke from Tubbesbrigge unto the Ee dyke in height four foot and in bredth twelve And they moreover presented that the Town of Tyd S. Giles ought and had used time out of mind to make and repair sufficiently one Clow or one Dam in the Common Sewer of Tyd next to the Land of Simon Canchâ—ne and Hascroft lane on the West-part and another Clow or one Dam in the
Outwell Shâ—ll unto North Delph And in like manner under the said Bank called the New Pow diche and from thence in a Sewer for the waters of both the said Fields called Plawfield and Kirkfield by and through the Common of Outwell aforesaid called Mullycourt Drove and so forth in the same Sewer or Drayn unto a certain place called the Sumptes against the Meadow of the said Edmond Beaupre called Galcroft and from thence unto a certain Bridge called Angle brigge in the Common of Outwell aforesaid And from thence unto a certain Sallow ground of the said Edm. Beaupre called Hodg hirne and there to enter into Rightforth lode which Lode beginneth at the South Corner of Hodges hirne aforesaid and extendeth from thence between the Common Drove of Outwell on the one part and the Marish and Fenn of the Earl of Arundell called Bardolf fenn on the other unto the North Corner of Hodges hirne And thence right forth between the Marishes and Fenns of the said Earl on both sides unto a certain place in Stow Bardolf aforesaid called North hooke and thence directly in a Drayn to Stow bridge in Stow Bardolph aforesaid and there through a Sluce of Stone and Timber into the great River of Ouse Also they said that for the safety of the field called Budbech field in Upwell and Outwell there ought to be made a Drayn by the Landholders of the same Field from a certain place in Upwell called Dod's style by divers heddings unto Pyes drove in Upwell aforesaid and there to enter into a Pipe or Gote of stone under the same Drove and from thence directly in a Dike between the Drove called Mayers drove of th' one part and the Lands of the said Rob. Dannet the Lands of the King as in the right of the said Monastery of West Dereham the Lands of the Dean of Ely and the Lands of Iohn Fyncham Gent. the Lands of the Heirs of Anth. Croftes the Lands of the Heirs of Edm. Chatterys the Lands of Iohn Coney the Lands of Reynold Hilbrond the Lands belonging to the Parsonage of Outwell and the Lands of the Heirs of Croftes and the Lands of the said Ric. Fyncham on th' other part and so in a Dike unto the Lands of the said Iohn Fyncham and then in a Dike between the Lands of the said Iohn on th' one part and divers men on th' other part unto the Yard stead of the said Iohn somtime Thomas Hollows of Outwell aforesaid and there to be made a Dam between the said Lands and the Lands of Iohn Coney And from thence in a Dike between the Lands of the said Iohn Fyncham unto the front of the said Iohn in Owtwell aforesaid and there to enter into a Pipe or Sluce of stone and Timber under the same front and also in the same Sluce under a certain River in Outwell aforesaid called the Little lode the which River divideth the said Counties of Norff. and Cambridgshire and so forth in the same Pipe into the said Field called Sandyfield and thence in a Drayn between the Lands of the said Edm. Beaupre called Reynolds of the one part and the Lands of the said Iohn Fincham on the other unto a certain pasture ground of the said Edm. Beaupre called the Upward and so in a Dike between the Lands of the said Edmund on both sides unto a certain pasture of the said Edm. called the xx Acres and there to enter into a Pipe or gote of Stone laid between the Lands of the said Edm. on both parts and from thence into a Drayn or Sewer by or through the grounds of the said Edmund unto a certain gysted Dike of the said Edmund called Blewick dike and there to enter into a Pipe or Sluce of Stone under the same Dike and then into a Drayn or Sewer aswell for the waters of the said Sondyfield as for the waters of the said Field called Budbech field and from thence in the same Sewer for both the said Fields called Budbeche and Sondy field by and through the Common of Outwell called Blewick fen unto the said place called Hodges Hirne and there meeting with the said Drayn for the said Fields called Plawfield and Kirk field to pass forth with the same by and through the said Sewer called Rightforth lode by and through Bardolf fen unto North hooke aforesaid and from thence unto the Pipe or Sluce at Stow bridge aforesaid and by and through the same into the great River of Ouse And they said that the said Drayn for Plawfield aforesaid ought to be in bredth from the said place where it beginneth unto the said Sluce lying under Small lode 8. foot and from the said Sluce by all the said Drayn unto Hodges hirne 8. foot and from thence unto Rightforth lode at a place called Hodges hirne 8. foot wide And the said Sewer for Budbech field to be in bredth from the said place where it beginneth unto the Pipe under the little lode in Outwell aforesaid 7 foot And from thence unto the said Sluce lying under the said Blewick dyke 7 foot And from thence unto Rightforth lode to be in bredth in the narrowest place of the same xij foot and so to Stow bridge and that they be made of depth according to the wideness All which Sewers and Drayns to be kept and maintained at the charges of all and every person chargable to the making of them After this viz. in 13 Eliz. at another Session of Sewers it was presented by the Jurors scil 1. That the Sea-bank beginning at Tyd gote in Tyd S. Giles adjoyning upon the County of Linc. and so leading to a place called the Horshooe being in great decay be made in height xx foot above the Saltmarsh and in bredth six foot by the Inhabitants of Tyd Newton and Leverington And from the Horshoâ—e unto Crabmarsh gate of the same bredth and height by all the Lands in Estfield And thence to the Sluce of Wisbeche Which Bank from Crabmersh gate was decayed in Bishop Goodrick's time and part thereof carried by the â—onsent of the said Bishop for the pavement of the Market place in Wisbeche and part by Mr. William Blomfield for making of a Windmill there 2 That the Bank called Whymeydike beginning at the Sea bank end at the Horshooe in Leverington ought to be made unto Coxe corner in Wisbeche above the brink of the water xx foot and in bredth 8 foot And from Coxe Corner the old Market of Wisbeche the Ee banke to Newdike end alias Lentshurne beyond Bevys Hall on the North side and West side of the said Rivâ—r to be made in height xii foot and bredth xvi foot by all the Landholders on the North of Wysbeche And that Newdike from Lyntyshirne unto the farther Crosse at Guyhirne be made in height xvi foot and in bredth xii foot by the said Landholders on the North of Wysbeche 3 That the High Fendike beginning at Guyhirne crosse and so leading to
Pigs drove and Clows crosse to be made xi foot in height and xii in bredth by all the Landholders of the North side of Wysbeche and Leverington taking menure for the same at liberty and paying for every Rode of menure in length and bredth xvi foot and in depth 8 foot xvid. to the owner of the land 4. That Shofendyke otherwise called Harhold beginning at Clows crosse and extending to Goredyke in Newton be made in height 8 foot by all the Landholders in Leverington And from Gore dike to Tyd thredding in height and bredth as aforesaid by all the Landholders in Newton And from thence to Eegraynes in Tyd S. Giles in like sort by the Landholders in Tyd S. Giles 5. That the Conies be destroyed which do hurt to the Sea-bank beginning at Tyd gote and extending to Wysbeche Sluce 6 That a Crest be made from Fytton bridg against the gole in Leverington by the Landholders on the North of Wisbeche to keep the water within the Bay 6 That the Landholders in Iuly field make a Crest in Orech alias Mouth drove from the great River unto Black dyke in height six foot and bredth 8. 7. And that the Dean of Ely and Lord Berkley make a Crest in Tholomer's drove beginning at the Fendyke and reaching to Tholomers in height and bredth aforesaid 8. That the Landholders in Guyhirnfield do make a Crest from Blak-dike to Marytts brigge of the like bredth and height And from Maryts brigge to George Ramsey's house Corner on the East part of the Sewer to be made by the Landholders of Guyhirne field From Marytts bridg to Tholomers of the West side by William Butcher for his lands in Calves field so far as his lands do extend and the residue by the Inhabitants of Tholomer's drove From Guyhirn Crosse to Blakdyke end by the Landholders in Guyhirn field From Blakdike end to Mouth drove by the Landholders of Iuley field And from Mouth drove to Sondy dike alias Sorrâ—ll dike by the Landholders in Rummers field all of the like bredth and height 9 That the Landholders of Munthforth field make a Crest from George Ramsey's corner to Dods brigge Thence to Riche's stow to be made by the Landholders of Guyhirnfield William Butcher for Calves field and Munforth field From Riches stow to Belymyll brigg on the West side of the Sewer the Landholders of Richey field in height 4 foot and bredth 8. 10 That Tho. Gardner the heirs of Henry Repps Esquire the heirs of Laurence Cade and Agnes Talbot with their Coparceners do make a Crest in Ratrow from Tholomers drove unto Ratrow brigg in height 4 foot and bredth 8. 11 That the Lodebrinke in Murrow from Priors brigg to Mill lane end be made by the Tenants of the Dean of Ely Thence to Houshold brigg by the said Mr. Repps and Tho. Gardner and their Coparceners Thence to Belly myll brigg by the Landholders in Richey field in height six foot and in bredth 8. 12 That the Landholders in Willake and Munforth field make a Crest in Galles drove from Dods brigg unto Black dyke in height 4. foot and in bredth eight 13. That the Heirs of Talbot do make a Crest in Mampasse from Dodsbrigg on the South side the Common Sewer unto the East end of his Pasture of the like height and bredth 14 That Mil lane from Tholomers drove and reaching to Mill lane end to the Pipe in the Drove be made in height four foot and in bredth eight foot by the Dean of Ely and Lord Berkley 15 That the lands between Sorrel dyke and Bellymill dike from Belly mill unto Newdike otherwise called Sandy dike do make Sorrell dyke and Bely mill dike in height 6 foot and bredth 8 foot 16 That the Landholders in Sayrfield make a Crest in Wallys gate from Bellymill brigg unto Cheyneybrigg otherwise called Robbins brigg in height six foot and in bredth 8 foot 17. That the Crest beginning at Sorrel dyke and extending to the Church stile at S. Maryes ought to be made by the Lands lying between Newdrove and the said Crest in height 6. foot and bredth 8. 18. That the Landholders in Nymans dole make a Crest in a drove called Kilne house dike from Pigs drove to Cheyney brigg in height 6. foot and bredth 8. 19. The Bevys dike from Pig 's drove to Bevys crosse be made by the Landholders of Inhamfield and Newfield in height and bredth as aforesaid 20. That Newdrove be made by the Landholders of Newfield from Sorrels dike unto Bevys dike 4. foot high and 8. foot broad 21. That the Landholders in Hirnfield make a Crest in Fleming's drove from Bevys drove to Bowman's drove in like sort 22. That the Landholders in Longland make a Crest in Bowman's drove from Bowman's Crosse to Fleming's droves end in height 6. foot and in bredth 8. 23. That the Landholders in Briggefield on the North of the River make a Crest in Newfield drove unto Long drove end in like sort 24. That the Landholders of Fen-land make a Crest in Mill lane from the great River unto Barton lane in like height 25. That the Landholders in Harvey field make a Crest in Faulle lane from the great River unto Mill lane in like height and bredth 26. That the Landholders in Whitemathes from Barton cros alias Barton lane unto Wisbeche lode running to Callows bridg ought to make a Drove called Giggs drove in height 4. foot and bredth 8. 27. That the Landholders of Nyman's dole make a Crest from Barton Crosse unto Barret's Brigge in height and bredth as aforesaid 28. That the Landholders in Flatmore make a Crest in Netledyke lake from Leonards pipe unto Barton lane of the like height and bredth 21. That the Landholders of Gybesholme and all the Lands between Barton lane and Pycks make a Crest in Barton lane from the great River unto Gydges dike in height 4 foot and bredth xij 22 That the Landholders in Sondylond make a Crest in Pickards lane and Mill lane from Mill lane end unto the Dike between Leverington and Wisbeche in height six foot and bredth xvij 23. That vii acres called Gallow land make a Crest from Spittle Crosse uuto Whynney dike in height 6 foot and in bredth xii 24. That the Lowfieâ—ds on the North side of the River of Wisbeche from the Fendike to Bellymil dike shall scour the Lode from Belly mill to the nine hundred Briggs as need requireth and thence to Evildike brigg the nine hundreth to be Contributers And from Evysdike to the 4 gotes all the lands on the North side the River every man according to what he holdeth 25 That a Close Shut be made at Leonards pipe by the Landholders of the next fields Another at Evysdike brigge by the Landholders of the nine Hundreds to keep the water from running into the Low fields 26 That all Weres and Stampes from Guyhirne to Clows-crosse or elswhere within any part of the Fenn be xxiiij foot in
the Were and the dore and wider if need be so that no water be stopped or straightned 27 And from Clows Crosse unto the Northwest corner of Troknold in the river called Old Ee alias South Ee the one half of the said river to be clensed by the Landholders of Troknold and the other by those of Tyd S. Maries and Sutton and from Troknold field unto Marysh cote the one half to be clensed by the Bishop of Ely and his Tenants and the other by the Landholders of Sutton and Gedney it being the division betwixt Cambridgshire and Lincolnshire 28. That Guyhirne gole be stopped 29 That the Sewer called the New leame from Knar lake to Stanground being so grown up that no water can passe in dry years to the utter decay of Wisbeche river be diked 30 foot wide and 6 foot deep 30. That the Landholders of Wisbeche do make a Shut at Fytton brdg within the Town of Newton to stop the water when need shall be 31. That all the lands in Wisbeche on the North side the River ought to clense the high lode of Wisbeche from the 4 gotes to Eydikes brigge in Leverington in bredth xii foot and depth four and repair seven Bridges in the Town of Newton 32. That the great River of Wisbeche being greatly decayed raised and filted up by reason of the flowing and ebbing of the salt water for preservation therefore of the whole Hundred that a Sluse be made in the said River at the Horshoo in Leverington at the charge of all the Hundred of Wisbeche or any other place that shall take profit by it and to be made in bredth Lx foot and depth x foot from Guyhirne to the Sea 33. Also that there be two new rivers cast of each side of the said great river of Wisbeche the one to begin at Guy hirne Crosse and to extend to Kentoun's Corner the other at Tower house and to extend unto Kekys mill which rivers to be xv foot wide apeice and six foot deep and this to be done by the whole Hundred of Wisbeche 34. And that for the better preservation of the high Fen dike and the Countrey the Townships of Newton and Tyd S. Giles shall as oft as by any outragious tempests and waters it shall be in danger rise and come to give their attendance with the Townships of Wisbeche and Leverington to watch for the preservation of the same 35 That a Dam be made in the Lode at Hobs house to the end that by the stopping thereof in dry years the waâ—er may the better descend into the great river Leverington 36. That a Crest be made from Fytton bridge against the gole in Leverington by the Landholders on the North of UUysbeche that the water may run within the Bay 37. And that the heirs of Richard Everard Esquire shall maintain a dam in the xl acres lying between the lands late Geffrey Norman's and the heirs of the said Mr. Everard to keep out the gool water from drowning of Parkfield and UUratfield 38. That the Landholders of Harpfield and Sherefield in Leverington make a Crest in a place called two Lanes beginning at Shofendyke and leading to Blacklane in height 6 foot and in bredth 8. 39 That the Landholders in Southingham in Leverington make a dike called Overdyke beginning at Bellmylne Briggs and leading to Parson drove end and thence to Meysbrigge by the Landholders of Northinham And from thence to Blacklanffield otherwise called Lady outgote by the Landholders of Fenhalfield and thence unto Bond 's gote by the Landholders of Blacklanefield in height 6 foot and bredth xii 40. That the Landholders of Rymersfild in Leverington make a Crest in Pokle beginning at South-gate and so leading unto Birds drove in height six foot and bredth eight foot 41. That the Landholders of Newfield in Leverington make and repair a Crest in Alinne drove beginning at Bird's drove and so leading to Newfield pipe in height six footâ— and bredth 8. 42. That the Landholders of Pokefield make a Crest in Mill lane beginning at South gate and so leading to the Pipe at Birds drove in height six foot and in bredth 8 foot 43. That the Landholders of Richmund field make a Crest in Cattle dike beginning at Newer's dike and so leading unto Richmund pipe in height six foot and in bredth xij foot 44. That the Landholders in Richmund field and Newfield make a Crest in Turnmeredike beginning at Bond 's gote and so leading to Richmund pipe in height 6 foot and in bredth xii foot 45. That the Landholders of Longmeadow and Catfield make a Crest in Oldfendike lane beginning at Leonard's pipe and so leading on to Cakerow hill gate in height 4 foot and in bredth 8. 46. That a gool in Northinham and a gool in Southinham shall be agisted and made and the agistment thereof maintained by all the Landholders in Leverington the menure to be taken off the lands annexed paying to the Owners iiijd. for every Rod. 47. That the Landholders from the High Fendike to Newlane in Northinham shall make Newlane in bredth xii foot in the bottom and in height four 48. No stops to be made in those Sewers of Southinham and Northinham but that the narrowest place be six foot wide that Boats may passe 49. That the Landholders on the North of Wisâ—eche River who drayn through Leonard's pipe make sufficient a Crest beginning at Leonard's pipe and so leading by Popelane to Ives dike bridg in height four foot above the water and in bredth 6 foot And every one to keep their Heddings and their Cloues on the West side of Popelane according as heretofore 50. That the Landholders of Out Newlands in Leverington make a sufficient Dam in bredth 8 foot and height 6. at their lands ends at the North east side at the Windmill in Leverington to keep out the water from running in Wisbeche lode 51. That the Landholders of Southinham and Canonfield make a Crest from Dike corner unto Over dike in height six foot and bredth eight 52. That all the lands in Leverington ought to scour the high Lode from the Fendike unto the 4 gotes in bredth 12 foot and in depth 4. And all Stamps and Weres therein to be pulled up neverthelesse the Inhabitants to have a Common set in the said Lode at a place called Richmond greene from side to side according to antient old Custome Newton 53. That a Sewer be made in Longfield in Newton in bredth 8 foot and depth 4 between the lands of Ieffrey Colvile Esquire and Simon Trove and the lands of the said Mr. Colvile and Thomas Reynold from Mill lane unto Medow lane 54. That another Sewer be made in the midst of Longfield aforesaid from the lands of Ieffrey Colvile Esquire abutting upon the lands of Robert Roydan unto the aforesaid Sewer to be in bredth 8 foot and in depth four 55. That all Fish taken at the 4 gotes be converted to the use of the
said gotes 56. That the Heddings of Fytton Seacrofts be diked from Dods dyke unto Medow lane in bredth 8 foot and in depth 4. 57. That the Heddings of the lands in Fytton croft be diked in bredth 8 foot and in depth 4. from Lowing's Fendike unto Dods dike 58. That a Sewer be made by the Heddings of the lands in the midst of the old ......... viz. from Fittâ—â— Crosse unto the lands of Ieffrey Colvile Esquire called Worthens Croft in bredth 8 foot and in depth 4. 59. That a Sewer be made on the South side of Worthens Croft unto Dods dike in bredth 8 foot and depth 4. 60. That the Township of Newton time out of mind ought to repair a Dike called Lowings otherwise called Blackdike beginning at Fitton and so leading unto Tyd Sea-dyke in height 8 foot and bredth xii 61. That the Landholders of Iohn Clarke and Rolles field ought to make a Dam at the East end of Iohn Clarke's land in Newfield to keep the water of Newfield from running into Rolles field 62. That the whole Township of Newton ought to repair a Dike called Goredike from Block's lane leading to Shoffendike in height 8 foot and in bredth xii 63. That all the lands in Newton shall clense one Lode called Newton lode beginning at Fendike bridg and leading to Pickerd's stile to the four Gotes in bredth xii foot and in depth 4 foot 64. That the Landholders of Rolles field shall keep their Clotes and the Landholders of Newfield and all other fields that drayn that way shall make their Heddings in Rolles field from the lands of Iohn Clarke aforesaid unto Dod dike and there to make a Pipe of four foot square 65. That a Sewer be made in Newton from viii acres of ...... Drews at Fytton gole at the West end of meadow field and so all along by Medow lane unto West field and so by Sim. Troves 8 acres and from thence by the Heddings of Mr. Colvile's xx Acres and so over the Lane through a pipe to the Common Sewer of Newton to be diked 8 foot in bredth and depth 4 every man against his own land 66. That the Sewer in Fenlondfield beginning at Starts gate and so going into a Pipe lying over Franks lane and so to the mote of Geffrey Colvile Esquire and thence to another Pipe lying over the High way in the same Town of Newton neer to the Common Sewer be diked by all the Landholders that shall take profit thereby 67. That all the lands in Newton do make a Dike coming from Shofendike beginning at Goredike and so leading to Tyd thredding in height 8 foot and bredth 6. 68. That all Weres and Stamps being in the high lode of Newton from Shofendike into the 4 gotes be pulled up 69. That the Township of Leverington do make 8 Bridges in Newton and one Close shut which Bridges do lye towards the South the first at Stanfield's dore the second at the beginning of Black dike two at Leverington pipe with 2 stone walls one at Lords lane another at Child's grave otherwise called Taylors sheers one at Green dike and one at Start's dike 70. That the Landholders of Leverington ought to make the Heddings in Newton beginning at the burnt place in Fytton and so leading unto Fen-dike Bridges and thence by Galls field unto Start's bridge in height ... foot and in bredth 8 taking menure and paying to the Owner for every Rod of length 18 foot bredth 4 foot and depth four foot four pence Tydde S. Giles 71. That all the Landholders in Tyd S. Giles ought to make a certain agisted Dike called Shoffendike from Tyd thredding unto Ee graynes in Tyd in height six foot and bredth 8. 72. That a Bank called Ee dike and all Ee Banks from the said Eegraynes unto Tyd gote shall be made of the same height and bredth by all the said Inhabitants saving against Hockfield and other two places called the Ee dike or Bishops dike The which Ee dike to be made by the Bishop of Ely and the others by the Lord of the said Hockfield 73. That a petty Drayn be made in Newfield beginning at Brown's bridge at Newgate leading by Broad gate and Barngate to the Bridge at Churchgate in bredth 8 foot and depth 4. by the Landholders on the North side of Newgate bordering on the same Drayn 74. That a petty Drayn in Somerlesue be scoured beginning at the said Bridge at Church gate and by Church gate going to Littilbrigg in bredth ... foot and depth 4. by all the Landholders in Somerlesue and a Shut or Dam made at the said Littlebrigge as oft as need requireth 75. That all the Dikes lying against the North side of the Town drove and under Old dyke and Fen lane beginning at Skepgate brigg and so by the Droves to Shofendyke be scoured by all their Heddings every one against his front 8 foot wide and four foot deep 76. That a Crest be made in Towndrove beginning at Gaunt's brigge and so leading unto Cowstowe thence unto Fen lane and thence unto Ee dike in height 6 foot and in bredth 8 foot by all the Landholders in Rylondfield Carrow field and Northlane field And from Fenlanes end unto Shofendyke one Crest to be made in height and bredth as aforesaid by all the Landholders in Elletfield 77. That a Pipe be made in the same Bank a little from Gaunt's brigge out of the Lode for the drayning of the Fen and not to run but at such time as it shall not surround any other lands 78. That all the Wardikes in Tyd aforesaid shall be barred at all times in the year when need shall require by the advise of the Headborows and Dike-Reeves of the same Town that is to say aswell Town drove Fenlane South dike Tyd thredding Blackdyke and Beyslane as all the other agisted Banks and Dikes 79. That the Landholders in Tyd do make a Crest in Beyslane beginning at Tyd Sea dike and so leading unto Brown's brigge in height 4 foot and in bredth 8. 80. That the Landholders in South-field beginning at the lands late Iohn Houshold and abutting upon a certain land called Beyse place and leading unto Tyd Sea dike ought to make one Crest upon the Sea dike beginning at Beislane end and leading to Averie's trees or Black dike in height 6 foot bredth 8. 81. That all the Lands in Brodhest abutting upon Haftcroft lane do repair a petty Drayn beginning at the Common Sewer ....... and leading by the said lane unto Brassey lode in bredth 8 foot and depth 4. 82. That the Common Drove in Halcroft beginning at Hall pasture and so leading between the lands of Sir William Cordall Knight and so by the said Lane unto Welman's street and so into the old Sewer and so by the Sea gate green unto Skepp's board and so by the Sea bank unto the Common Sewer be clensed by all the lands lying upon the same 8 foot broad and 4
foot deep 83. And that at the said Shepes bourd be made a Bridge with a Close shut or else a Dam and the said place to be stopt at all times at the discretion of all the Head-borows and Dikereeves of the said Town 84. That the Landholders in Ee dike field from Black lane unto Mosse lane abutting upon Ee dike make one petty Drayn as oft as need shall require at the North head of the same land in bredth 8 foot and in depth 4 foot so that the water of the said field may have his course to the Common Sewer 85. And that the Landholders of the same field from Blacklane unto Barrow's greene at the North head of the same field ought to make one petty Drayn in bredth 8 foot and in depth 4 that the water may passe into the Common Sewer 86. That one Sewer be made at the East side of Crosse gate beginning at Thack ..... a little from Chaucheon's bridg and so leading through a Pipe at Black lane unto Black .... and so to Garreds lane end and so through Seagate greene unto Helgay's gote 8 foot wide and 4 footâ— deep by all the Landholders thereto adjoyning 87. That all the Landholders in Hurnefield make one Crest ..... in Broadgate at the North side of the Common Sewer thereâ— from Sheppers gate bridge unto Hubberds Corner in height 4 foot and bredth 8. 88. That all the lands in Cockley field ought to make one Crest in Bottel's lane from Bottel lane brigg unto Ee dike in height 4 foot and in bredth 8. 89. That all the Landholders in Fendyke field make one Crest in Blacklane to begin at Tubbesbrigge unto Bottlebrigge And in like sort the Landholders in Cockley field to make one Crest in Ey gate from Bottel brigg unto Ee dyke in height four foot and bredth ..... 90. And in like manner the Landholders of Carrow field to make one Crest there 100. That the whole Township of Tyd do make one Shut or Dam in Brasselode Dam in the Sewer and one other Dam at Dike Landam And another ..... head Acres under the Sea dyke with Shuts to stop out the salt water And also a Shut at Hornelanes end another at Foster's dam Another at Thursley bridge Another at Tubbes brigge another at ...... Bridge in Kyrklane All which to be stopped by the Assent of the Headborows and Dikereeves when need shall require 101. That the Landholders of Tyd ought to keep two Wardikes viz. Tyd Eedike and Thredding beginning at Averey's trees and so leading to New fendike alias Shoyfendike in height 4 foot and bredth 6. 102. And another Wardyke called Black dyke and Skeppers gate to be made by all the lands between the East side of the said Dike and the Sea-bank and by all the Commoners of the said Town Which Dike beginneth at Averey's trees and so leadeth to Tyd bridge to be made in height 8 foot and bredth 12. The Presentments of Elme and Coldham are wanting Upwell and Outwell 103. That Henry Cowper shall make his Bank in Upwell aforesaid from Lakebrigg unto Dods stile otherwise called Sewell's clout as the Abbot of Bury hath done before his time which Bank to be in height 6 foot and bredth 8. And that there shall be two good lawfull Gates between the said Lakebrigge and Dods stile for passage of people 104. That all persons having lands in Budbech field in Upwell ought to make their part of Green dike from Dod's stile and so to the Stony Crosse at Sumpter's dore every man his part 8 foot broad on the top 105. That the Sewer called the Chayre in Upwell more beginning at the great River of Welle and descending unto Coxecote tree thence to Darsey lode and so to Welney River be scoured in bredth xvi foot and depth 6 foot by the Bishop of Ely for his part Edm. Beaupre Esquire for his part and all others that have been charged heretofore 106. That Fryday lake and Magglake in Outwell and Upwell be clensed by the Inhabitants of both the said Towns in bredth ....... foot and depth 4 foot 107. That Bishop's dike which beginneth at Sewell's clout in Upwell and thence extending to Langbeche which lyeth in Elme ought to be made good by all the Lands of Upwell 108. That a pair of Barrs be kept at Sewell's clote 109. That every Were and Dore in the great River be xxiiii foot wide or more and all other Rivers and Draâ—ns in the Hundred of Wisbeche xviii foot in bredth or more 110. That Budbech Sewer beginning at Broad Common and coming to Pyes drove and thence going to a Pipe at the house of Simeon Fyncham being decayed and grown up be clensed in bredth x foot and depth 3 foot by all the Landholders of the said field 111. That the Sewer called Newdike lying in Buriall field in Outwell beginning at the East end of a Wood sometime Hilbrond's and descending unto the Chapel-bridg and thence to a Pipe at the Stone crosse at the dore of Ric. Sumpter be clensed and that there be a Sluce set at the Bridge at the house of Iohn Chambers and then that the Bank at Mildam being cut the water may passe to the River called the Salt Ee. 112. That in the watering place in Elme marsh be made a Pipe of stone with a Sluce that may stop the water when it is high in the River of Elme so that it descend not backward 113. That a pair of Barrs be set up at Dod's stile alias Seywell's Clout 114. That a Dike called Brokendike lying in Elme ..... upon the East side of the Salt Ee be made in height ...... foot and bredth xii foot by the whole Country of Marshland 115. All Weres and Stampes within the Hundred of Wisbeche to be pulled up 116. That if any person be negligent in making or repairing their Banks or in scouring their Drayns within the said Hundred of Wisbeche according to such Orders as they are bound to do that it shall be lawfull for the Dikereeves of every Town to cause them to be made and being so made to distrain any lands of every such person so neglecting And if he be not stramable then to distrain upon any other his lands lying within the said Hundred of Wisbeche or elswhere within the Realm of England and to sell the distresse paying to the Owner the overplus when the charges and expences are deducted according to the Laws and Statutes of this Realm 117. That new Agistment Books be made by the Headborows with the Dike-reeves of every Township 118. That all pains forfeited the moytie of them to redound to the Bishop of Ely and his Successors and the residue to be bestowed upon the Banks Barrs Crests c. 119. That the Bank beginning at the Horshooe and so leading directly to the Town of Wisbeche which is the defence for the East field be repaired by Thomas Orrell Esquire from the said Horshoo to Leverington Wardyke and to be
made higher by three foot 120. And that Guyhirne gole be banked with a Bank of xvi foot and in height x foot by all the lands lying in Wisbeche between Sorcel dike and the high Fendike On the 12th of Iuly in the same 13th year of Qâ—een Eliz. reign it was thus ordered by Robert Bell Ieffrey Coleville William Hunston Robert Balam William Brian Richard Nicholas Thomas Hewar and Henry Hunston Esquires Justices of Sewers for the Countrey of Marshland in the County of Norffolf and for the Borders and Confines of the same viz. Forasmuch as Bishops dyke within the Isle of Ely is greatly decayed by the abundance of fresh waters which hapned this last Winter the like whereof was never seen within the remembrance of man to the great decaying and impairing of Broken dyke being one of the defencâ—-Dikes for salvation of the whole Country of Marshlande to the great peril of the drowning the said Country of Marshland and to the utter undoing of all the Landholders of the East side of Elme between the said Bishop's dike and Broken dike if the said Bishop's dike be not sufficiently repaired and amended in time the experience wherof was too manifest this last winter to the great losse of a number of the Queen's Majesties Subjects the misery whereof is unspeakable it is therefore condescended and agreed by the said Justices That the Landholders of Elme within the Isle of Ely aforesaid between Nedeham dyke and Broken-dyke aswell for that the Countty of Marshland may the better repair and maintain the said Broken dike this last Winter decayed by the means of the overflowing of the said Bishop's dike as also to be without charge of making and defending of the said Broken dike the said Broken dyke being maintained which cannot be if the land there remain surrounded still and so thereby no profit to be reaped by the Owners of the same land shall have license to issue out the water of Oldfield between Needham dike and Broken dyke at the Gote or Pipe already laid on Broken dike not far distant from Blewick's house and to issue into Marshland by the direction of Mr. Balam Mr. Hewar and Mr. Henry Hunston through Emneth and Walsoken in the highest parts of Marshland Provided that when it shall be thought by any two of the Justices aforesaid or by any four of the chiefest Landholders of the Country of Marshland then resiant within the said Country that the same water running underneath Broken dike is hurtfull to the Country of Marshland or to any part thereof or that it shall be perceived by any two of the said Justices or by any four of the chiefest Landholders of the Country of Mershland aforesaid that the Charge bearers of Bishop's dike be negligent in the well defending the said Bishops dyke or that the Landholders of Oldfield do not sufficiently from time to time maintain and keep Needham dike or lay any Gotes or Pipes in any place of the said Needham dike to issue any water from any part of the South side of the said Needham dike or that any water is received into Oldfield by any way or device to the intent to utter the same at the Gote in Broken-dyke other than the downfall of the Ayre falling into the aforesaid Oldfield that then and at all times afterwards it shall be lawfull for any of the Inhabitants of the Country of Marshland so to cease the running of the water through the same any thing mentioned in this Order or Law to the contrary notwithstanding Or if the owners of the lands which do lye between Needham dike and Broken dike or any of them do refuse to bear and pay all and every such charges to Knight's goole or to any Sewer leading thereunto as the other lands in Marshland do according to the number of Acres and the same to be paid to the Dikereeves in Emneth Or if the Owners and Landholders of Oldfield do not from time to time well and sufficiently repair and maintain aswell the said Gote or Pipe lying underneath or through Broken dike as also as much of the Bank or Dike called Broken dike alias Oldfield dike as the same Gote or Pipe is in length or bredth Or if the same Gote have not two strong dores viz. at each end one always in readinesse to be shut or stopped when occasion shall serve at or before the day of S. Michael the Arch Angel next ensuing the date hereof and from time to time thenceforth to continue and keep the same in good reparations or else to cease as is aforesaid At a Session of Sewers held at Wisbeche 22 Aprâ— xvi Eliz. Ordered that the Causey called Norwol dam shall be raised with gravell three foot higher than it is at the costs of the Hundred of Wisbeche saving a way to be left of xii foot in bredth with a Bridg over the same as heretofore hath been accustomed which Bridg to be made at the costs of the Bishop of Ely Also that Longe's drove in Elme shall be made sufficient to keep out Says field water by the Landholders of Oldfield In An 1576 xviii Eliz. was the first Improvement of Needham Buriall fields lying within the Precincts of Upwelle by an Agreement of the Landholders there on the xxiiiith day of Iune in the same year at which time they setled an Acre-shot of six pence the Acre for defraying the charge thereof And about two years after this at a Session of Sewers held at Erith brigge viz. 4º Augusti xx Eliz. it was ordered by the Justices that there should be a Bank made from Marysse dike unto Bishop's dike alias Lovedays dike over the River of Elme to be in height eight foot in bredth xii on the upper part and in the bottom xxxii foot as also a Clouse at Marisdam but so as Boats might passe through the same And likewise that the Bank beginning at Keâ—ismill and extending to Guy hirne and so by Coldham to Fryday bridg in Elme should be repaired so that the height thereof might be six foot the bredth in the bottom xxiiii foot and at the top 8 foot At a Session of Sewers held at Wisebeche upon the 12th of Iuly in xxiii Eliz. it was thus ordered that whereas the Common called Ladwers lying in Elme is drowned for want of a Crest that there be a Crest or Bank made beginning at Tylneyhirne and so leading to the New Leame thence by the River of Nene to the Horshooe thence to Marmond land thence to the West end of Langbeche adjoyning unto Bishops dike which Bank to be xii foot in the bottom in bredth 4 foot at the top and in height 5 foot And that the Sluse upon Marys dam shall be taken up and when the said Bank is made then to be set at New Leames end As also a convenient Tenement built meet for a man to dwell in for the keeping of the same And it was likewise
then ordered that the Towns of Upwell aud Outwell should from thenceforth be discharged from any diking in Wisbeche river unlesse by the goodnesse of the Drayn their lands do take benefit thereby And in the same year in another Session of Sewers held at Wis beche 14 15 Sept. before Iohn Peyton Geo. Carleton Humfrey Michell Thomas Hewar Esquires and others there was this following Decree Whereas the great River of Wisbeche is by this our Law ordered to be digg'd for the better grinding of the Chanel low to the Sea we find that Elme River called also Elme Ee ought to be in like sort digg'd But whereas that part of the said River extending from the Floudgates in Elme to Wisbeche Sluse hath been doubted in former Sessions for Sewers who of right ought to dig the same and that thereupon in a Session held 18º Martii 23 Eliz. we find that service laid upon the whole Hundred of Wisbeche we now upon Record shewed forth before us bearing date the 6 Dec. ... R. 2. that Wisbeche from Stone Crosse otherwise called Spittel Crosse to the Sluse should make and maintain the Sea-bank And also in a Session for Sewers held the Thursday before S. Mathew's day 25 H. 8. that from the Floudgates in Elme to Spittle Crosse the Township of Elme should dig and scour the same and from Spittel crosse to Wisbeche Sluce the Township of Wisbeche to dig the same we ordain That the said River called Elme Ee shall be scoured viz from Wisbeche Sluce to Spittel Crosse being the division between Elme and Wisbeche by the Township of Wisbeche and from Spittel Crosse unto the Floud-gates of Elme by the Township of Elme and from the said Floudgates unto the Townbrigge of Elme by the Bishop or his Fermour of Brauncâ—mere and from the said Townbridge of Elme to Frydaybrigge by the Queens Majesty for her lands late belonging to the dissolved Monastery of Crouland And from Fryday brigg to Marys dam by the Lord of Coldham And from Marysdam to the cutting over the Old Ee by the said Lord of Coldham Thence unto Branchmere by the Township of Elme in consideration that the said Township shall hereafter be discharged of all such like digging in and upon any the Commons of the said Hundred Lodward excepted the Bishop of Ely for his length in Branchmere From thence to Levermere by the Township of Elme Then for the length of Levermere by the Landholders thereof Then to the River Nene by the Township of Elme And that from Marysdam under Bishop's dike unto Lakebrigge and so into Welle River shall be diked from Lakebridge unto Swan pen two parts thereof by the ......... and the third by Richard Fyncham Gent. And from Swan pen to Langbeche by the Township of Upwell and for the length of Langbeche the Bishop of Ely From thence to Gale dole the Township of Elme Upwell and Outwell And for the length of Gale-dole by those that have the profit thereof to Marys dam. Which digging viz. from Wisbeche Sluce to Spittel Crosse to be 4 foot deeper than now it is and to hold xx foot in bredth and the rest by that example Saving that the River under Bishop's dike between Marys dam and Well streme shall not exceed xvi foot in bredth And we also ordain that there be made a new Crest to begin at Tilney hirne leading to the New Leame thence to the Horshooe thence to Marmound land thence to the West end of Langbeche adjoyning upon Bishop's dike to be made a Bank of xii foot thick in the bottom 3 foot at the top and five foot broad at the charge of all the Inhabitants of the Hundred of Wisbeche And at a Session of Sewers held at Wisbeche 26 May 29 Eliz. it was presented by the Jurors that Norwold Causey being in decay ought to be raised 5 foot higher than it was at that time and in bredth 8 foot on the top at the charge of the Landholders of the whole Hundred of Wisbeche and a Bridge of xii foot in bredth at the higher end of the same Causey at the charge of the Bishop of Ely Likewise that the Watercourse on the South end of Wisbeche should have it's course under the great River of Wisbeche through the xiC Bridg and so by the high Lode unto the 4 Gotes And that the waters in Fen end in Wisbeche which have their course by the High lode from Leonards pipe unto Evysdike bridg by a cut through the Bank at Leonards pipe shall have their course in Pope lane lode unto Evsydike bridg and so to the four Gotes At another Session of Sewers held also at Wisbeche 10 Oct. 31 Eliz. by Sir Iohn Peyton Knight Nich. Hare Iohn Colvile Iohn Reppes George Carleton Thomas Hewar Charles Balam Richard Buckworth and Alex. Balam Esquires Commissioners of Sewers then constituted it was thus decreed That whereas the Fen called Needham and Buriall Fen lying in Elme and Welle had antiently been drayned into the little Lode in Welle called the Sholle at the Stone Crosse and so by Welle River descended into Ouse at Salters lode but then having no descent into the said â—ittle lode by reason that the height of the water therein was 2 foot above the Level of the same Fen And whereas the Landholders in the same Fen having to their great charge procured a new Drayn passing under the Bank called Greendike where they have erected a Sluse for that purpose and from thence by a Sewer upon the East side of Meares drove by another Sluse by them likewise erected at Stow-sted to stop Nedham water for running into Budbech field where the said Sewer taketh its course into the Drayn of the same Budbech field and so continueth therein by and through a Pipe lying under the said Little Lode of Welle and thence passeth to Hodg hirne corner where they by the consent of Sir Robert Bell Knight late Lord chief Baron of the Exchequer caused a new Sewer to be made through a several ground of the said Sir Robert called the Fences and Bardolph fen by the space of 2 miles or more in length and from thence by the consent of Nich. Hare Esquire Lord of Stow-Bardolf did carry the one half of the said Sewer called Common lode between divers severalls lying in Stow Bardolf aforesaid on the North and the Common Fen belonging unto Stow Bardolf Wimbotesham and Dounham on the South and so through another Sluse lately also erected by the before-mentioned Landholders into the River of Ouse And whereas the said Sewers and Sluces were found to be most beneficial for the drayning of the Fen above-mentioned the said Commissioners ordered that they should continue for ever and be maintained from time to time by a Common Acre-shot upon all the lands in Nedham Buriall aforesaid Which new Sewer for Nedham doth from Hodghirne before-mentioned to Ward brigge in Stow contain Lxxii Rode and a half And from thence
to the Sluse by Ouse Cxiiii Rods and a half And they then also decreed that for taking away of the Sock of Bishop's dike and better drayning of this Fen a Drayn should be made under Bishops dike within the said Fen xxx foot at the least from the said Bishop's dike in bredth x foot and depth ..... the menour whereof to be cast towards Bishops dike The which Drayn to begin at Fenbridge and to go to the Barrs that part the Fen in the possession of Alex. Baalam Gent. c. thence to a pair of Barrs standing on Bishops dike next to the West corner of Malles fen then to the Drain called Langbech thence to Dods stile and thence under Greendike to the Sluse lately erected at S. Christopher's Chapel And that there should be another Sewer made from Hall's fen to the said Sluce at St. Christopher's Chapel And likewise that an antient Sewer belonging to the said Fen called Knights dike beginning neer Benford's Hall now Mr. Alex. Balaam's house and so passing under Needham dike on the North so unto Elme drove and thence to the Drove in Buriall field neer S. Christopher's Chapel should be kept and maintained in bredth xii foot and in depth five And moreover that the agisted Dike called Ea brinke beginning at Needham dike and extending from Maryes dam unto Dod's stile should be from time to time repaired And that for default in payment of the Acre-shot the Dikereeves to levy for every iiiid. by them expended vid. and for every iiiid. unpaid to levy vid. Likewise that an Indike be made on the North side of the Sewer extending from Hodghirnâ— through Bardolph fen and a new Sluse neer the River Ouse at the East end of Common lode and an Acre-shot of xiid. the Acre imposed upon all the lands in Nedham and Buriall for supporting the charge thereof And that for default in payment of the Acre-shot distresses should be taken and sold restoring the Surplusage in any Market within ten miles And at a Session of Sewers holden at Lynne Regis ult Sept. 33º Eliz. before Sir Iohn Peyton Knight Nich. Hare Hâ—mfr Guibon Edm. Bell Rob. Forest Tho. Oxburgh Alex. Balam Iohn Willoughby and Miles Forest Esquires it was farther ordered that whereas the Acreshots imposed upon Richard Fyncham Gent. towards the drayning of Nedham fen amounting to xxxvil. viiis. were not paid noâ— any distresse to be found upon the grounds charged therewith and that Rich. Fyncham and Rob. Fyncham interessed in the reversion of the said lands did refuse to pay the same that Iohn Fyncham of Upwell Gent. having paid the said sum to the Dikereeves should have the said lands for a certain term of years Upon the 19 of Sept. 39 Eliz. at a Session of Sewers held by Edmund Bell Iohn Reppes Tho. Hewar Tho. Oxburge Rich. Ogle Anthony Irby Alexan. Balam William Guibon and Iohn Hunt Esquires there were certain Laws and Ordinances made concerning the course of Welney stream and Welle stream with other Sewers the substance whereof are as followeth viz. Whereas it is evident that not only the Rivers of Grant Nene Ouse and Weland but the land-waters from the Counties of Hunt Northampton Cambr. and Norâ—f and some part of Suff. which border upon the Isle of Ely do stay in the Fenny grounds of the said Isle c. forasmuch as neither the several Rivers nor the other streams that are fed with the same as March stream the New Leame the West-water and divers Lodes within those limits be sufficiently clensed not imbanked for the ready conveyance of them to the Sea by means whereof the Out-ring Banks of Deping Croyland and South Ea in Com. Linc. and the Fen dike Waltersey Bank Bishop's dike Elme Ee brinke Coldham and Redmore Bank in the said Isle of Ely and the out-ring of Marshland as also the New Powâ—ike in Com. Norff. are in years of water much chargable to the owners and Inhabitants of those Countries and those Fenny grounds lye unprofitable The said Commissioners deliberately considering the redress do conceive that by renewing of the former depth and wideness of those Rivers Lodes and streams as also of the decayed Banks and by farther imbanking in places convenient the said Marish grounds will be perfected or much amended and therefore did ordain that Welney stream and Well stream from Litelport Chayre to Well ea and so towards Elme as the same have been accustomed to have their fall And March stream unto Shrewysnest where it falleth into UUell stream As also that the water of South Ea antiently called the Old Ea from Clow's Crosse unto Guy hirne before the x of December which shall be in the year 1598. shall be clensed and scoured by such as were to do the same And that the Lode called Small lode from the great River in Upwell to Ingram's hyrn be scoured by Sir Iohn Peyton Knight Dame Dorothy his wife or Edm. Bell Esquire for their lands in Upwell and Outwell parcel of the Possessions of the late Abby of Dereham and thence to Seman's goole and thence to Northdelph by those whose lands lye adjacent thereto So also Darcey-lode and Coxlode Likewise that Maid lode and Ship lode and the moytie of London lode which endeth at Northdelph should be perfected the Banks to be made in the bottom xvi foot and four in the top and five foot in height And the said Maidlode to be five foot deep and xxx foot wide by the space of the first 2 miles thereof And for the next two miles in wideness 25 foot and for the residue of the same and Shiplode xx foot with a Sluce at its fall into the River of Ouse in widenesse xii foot of water and in depth below the low-water-mark of the said River as it hapneth to be about Bartholmew tide all to be done by those that have interest of Common in Neatmore And the other moytie of London lode beginning at Upwell Causey to be done by the Inhabitants of Upwell for the residue of their Common called Neatmore lying without the limits Likewise that a Tax of x s. the Acre be imposed for erecting of Sluces heightning of Banks and making of Drayns and in default of payment thereof the one half of their lands who shall neglect to be sold. Moreover that for drayning of Denver fen a Sewer of xviii or xx foot in bredth be cut through the same to the great River of Ouse and a Sluce at its entrance thereinto And that the Bank called the Causey extending from the Crosse at Upwell Town 's end unto London lode head and the Bank called the Indike leading from thence by the North side of London lode to Welle streme at Northdelph with sufficient Indikes to the said Bank and Causey should before the first of Ian. next following be made and maintained of the like widenesse height and bredth as those that should be Purchasors or Lessees did or should make theirs between London lode
this Isle and kept guards about the waters near to the land hoping to take him cunningly without any slaughter of his own men But Hereward being aware thereof as also that some of those guards had encountred with part of his souldiers and pursued them he came in to their aid and by taking some of them discovering that the said Earl had set these ambushes for him and likewise that he was on the morrow to be at Hoherhed he hastned thither with his ships and placing some armed souldiers near the bank of the River went himself with three Horsmen and fouâ— Archers well armed unto the mouth thereof where the Earl himself with his men was then also come on the other side and seeing them sent some of his party nearer who enquiring whether they belong'd to Hereward and finding that they didâ— endeavoured to perswade them to forsake himâ— but prevailing not they returned to the Earl and told him that Hereward himself was on the other side of the water Whereupon the said Earl animated his souldiers to swim over with him presently and revenge his brothers death But they told him that it was not possible so to do saying that his coming thither was purposely thus to delude them whereupon the Earl sighing said to them on the other side of the water Oh that I had that Devilish fellow your Master here I would certainly torment him to death To which words of his Hereward replyed If we should happen to be so fortunate as to meet alone in any fit place you would not wish me in your feeble hands nor like well of my company and having so said stooping a little he bent his Bow and letting fâ—ye an Arrow hit the Earl on the breast but his Coat of mail would not suffer it to enter neverthelesse it came with such a force that it struck him off his Horse so that his servants took him up for dead in their arms In the mean while Hereward went away and came with his company into the Isle the same day where he was received with great honour by the Abbot and his Monks as also by those noble persons that were there viz. Edwine Earl of Leicester and Morkere his brother Earl of Warwick and other eminent men of the Country who having been much oppressed by the said Conquerour fled thither Whereof the King hearing and being much inraged thereat he resolved to get the Isle by assault and to that end caused a rendezvous of his whole Army at Alrehede neer which place there is a military rampire yet to be seen where the Fen was four furlongs in bredth and having brought store of wood stone and fagots of all kinds with a multitude of Trees and great pieces of timber fastned them together underneath with Cow-hides and to the end that they might the better passe over them they stript off the skins of beasts and filled them with wind like bladders which being done there were so many that pressed on to get over being greedy of the gold silver whereof they supposed store to be in the Isle that they that went formost were drowned with their Bridge and those in the midst became swallowed up in the depth of the Fenn but of those that were hindmost a few throwing away their weapons made a shift by the mud to escape Nevertheless multitudes perished in this adventure whose bodies were long after found putrified in their Harnesse and dragg'd out from the bottome of the water but one onely man whose name was Beda getting into the Isle The King therefore beholding this lamentable disaster and much grieving thereat departed thence with those few which he had left without any hope to conquer it placing guards of soldiers about it to prevent those within from wasting the Country In the mean time the said Beda being taken and brought before the chief persons that were in the Isle and asked why he so boldly adventured himself told them that the King did promise that whosoever should first enter and do some notable exploit there to the danger of those that defended it let him ask what he would of any mans therein and he should obtain it which when they heard they commended his valour and kept him there with them for certain days using him with great respect Having therefore had this experience of their civilities and observed how secure the place was by reason of the fortifications there made as also the number and valour of the souldiers therein he professed that as he had often heard them reputed to be persons more expert in warr than others he now found it to be true and faithfully promised them upon liberty to go back to the King's camp that he would there relate as much which he accordingly did all being joyful to see him safe returnedâ— even the King himself for he was one of his most eminent souldiers unto whom he related the strength of the Isle and his own adventure and that those Earls before-mentioned were there with two noble men viz. Orgar and Thirchitell surnamed Childe but extolled Hereward not only beyond them all comparing him with the most famous Knights which he had seen through France the whole Roman Empire or Constantinople At which story the Earl Warren took no small offence not enduring to hear such a commendation of him that had slain his brother as hath been observed and suggested the King that the relator was bribed to make so partial a report But the King going on in making more enquiry of his particular observations there had this farther account from him That the Monks of this place â—earing to be subject to a soreiner in regard the King had designed to bring over such out of France to be chief in all Monasteries and Churches of England did entertain those persons there for their defence and thereupon fortified the said Isle affirming that they were much more willing to live by the labour of their hands than to be reduced to such a servitude And that the same Isle was not then at all burthened by those forcesâ— For quoth he they matter not the siege the Husbandman not neglecting his Plow nor the Hunter his sports neither doth the Fowler cease from his imployment concluding that they were securely dâ—fended by their own Souldiery Nay I shall tell you more saith he both what I know and saw This Isle it extraordinary fruitfull in all sorts of grasse there being no place in England that hath a more fertile turf Moreover it is compassed about with huge waters and Fenns as it were with a strong wall and aboundeth not only with domestique Cattell but with a multitude of wild beasts viz. Harts Does Goats and Hares both in the woods and neer the Fens as also Ermines Pole-Cats Weesels and the like Vermine which are taken with traps and other Engins in the winter time And of Fish and foul which there breed what shall I say At the Floud-gates upon the skirts of those waters what
this time I suppose it to be though it have no date that there was a Survey made of the Marshes about Wisebeche as followeth whereby it was found that the Marsh called the Hey fen belonging to the said Mannour of Wisebeche and to the Towns of Leverington Neuton Tyd Elme and Welle within the liberty of Ely did begin at the Shofe an continued from thence to the Horshooe by the old River thence to the Ditch of Robert de Marshe thence to Wride by the Bank belonging to the Abbot of Thorney unto the two furlongs beyond the Knor thence to Orchard sled thence to Stod path thence to Wipe by Dede hee unto Mimers thence to West fen cote by the said River thence to Wisemouth and thence by Swerdesdelf to Great Crosse and from Great Crosse by Hiden hee to Quedale and so to Mercheford by the Crike and the Heyronâ— unto Eching hee and so all along beyond Heyront to Thermercote and from Tharmares to Stanimeres and thence all along farther unto Pealyswere and so by Hold Wellen hee to Milnested and thence to Shrewid hist where the said Towns ought to Common together with their Cattel Horn under Horn Saving always to the Bishop his Royalty and Fishing within the said bounds In 21 E. 3. Sir Iohn de Colvile Knight Iohn de L'isle Iohn de Dayvile Hugh de Walton Adam de Walsokne and Will. de Neuport were constituted Commissioners for the view and repair of the Banks Ditches and Sewers in the Towns of Dodington and Elme The like Commission in 24 E. 3. had the said Sir Iohn de Colvile Iohn de L'isle Iohn de Pelham Hugh de VValton Adam de VValsokne and VVill. de Neuport So also in 26 E. 3. had Iohn de Colevill Iohn de Pelham VVill. Muchet Iames de Grauncecete and Hugh de Walton In 32 E. 3. Sir Robert del Ilde Kt. Sir Iohn de Colvill Sir Iohn de Wilton and Sir Iohn de Vernoun Kts Thomas de Ba Hugh de Walton Thumas de Welsh and Nich. de Massingham for those Banks upon the Sea coast within the Hundred of Wysebeche and Town of Marcheford in this County And in 37 E. 3. Laurence de Flete Iohn de Wilton Hugh Lovet Iohn Hoode Will. Hyptofyt and Nich. de Massyngham for all those in the Towns of Wisebeche and Leverington with the Hamlets of Neuton Elme Welle Marchford By virtue of which Commission the said Laurence and his associates sate at ........ on Thursday next after the Feast of the Annunciation of our Lady and upon Inquisition made touching the premisses they ordained that the Pipe lying under the River of Elme at the house of Iohn Massingham should be repaired and that a Clow should be made to the end that no water might passe from that Pipe unto Ieccons gote but in a measure and under the Chanel upon penalty of stopping the said Pipe in Elme at that house And they also ordained that a Causey should be made in the Smal drove in bredth eight foot and in height three at the charge of all the Landholders in the Newland on the South part of the River of Wisebeche and likewise that another Causey of the like bredth and height should be made from the Smal drove unto the Land of Gilbert Hillary where need required at the charge of the Landholders in Beckdale field And that all the Inhabitants of Elme should at their charges scour repair the Pipe lying under the Sewer of Elme at Hillâ—â—â— dich to the land of Will. Porter And they likewise ordained that a Clow should be made in Elme at the end of Hillary dich in bredth two foot and in depth as much at the charge of the Landholders drayning by that Clow And that when the River is low that no water do run through the said Clow but in the Chanel so that all the Lands of Wisebeche lying there have no damage by the said water And if any one of Elme or any other person whatsoever shall transgress this present Ordinance that then it may be lawfull for any Inhabitant of Wisebeche to stop the water so running through that Clow. And they farther ordained that the said Bank called Hillaries diche should be amended and raised higher by three foot and made eight foot in bredth from the said Clow to the River of UUysebeche at the charge of all those that had benefit by the same Clow. And that all the Heddings of the Middle dole be stopt with Clotes As also that a sufficient Bridge be made in Hillary diche betwixt the Lands of Henry Fayer and Will. Loke And that all the Crests and Clotes be sufficiently made betwixt the said Lands from Hillaryes dich to Brig diche And they moreover ordained that a Causey should be made from the old River of Elme to the River of UUisebeche in the Bridg drove â— in height three fooâ— and in bredth eight at the charge of the Inhabitants of Elme and Brig field And that a sufficient Bridge be made in the Bridg drove at the end of Iohn Mudfish his lands at the charge of the Inhabitants of Elme And likewise a Causey from the said Bridge unto the Pipe lying over the River at Mesdrove which Causey to be three foot in height and eight foot in bredth and to be done at the charge of the Land-holders of Elme drayning thereby And that the Inhabitants of Elme should at their own charges clense and repair a certain Pipe in UUsibeche lying over Meesdrove under the Sewer of Elme running by Boulstre brigg And they likewise ordained that a Clow should be made at Boulsterbrigg in height two foot and in depth as much at the charge of all the Landholders there but not suffered to run otherwise than when that Clow which was to be made at the end of Hillary diche did run upon penalty of stopping up the Sewer of Elme at Boulsterbrigg And that a Causey lying in Reynold's drove be made from Flemyng's drove to the River three foot in height and eight foot in bredth at the charge of all the Landholders in Longland And that the drayn of the Vicaridge Lands in Wisebeche called the Werch or the Weares should be raised three foot in height and eight foot in bredth at the croft of Iohn Simonde at the charge of all the Landholders in Elme that drayned thereby And they moreover ordained that Meesdrove Bolney hirst drayne and Cromediche should be raised and amended in all places needfull by a Causey of three foot in height and eight foot in bredth at the charge of the Sewer at Elme and the Lands of Bolnehirst And that all the Pipes Bridges Causeys Croftes Clotes and Clowes which ought to be made by the men of Elme be repaired and amended and sufficiently made before the Feast of S. Peter ad vincula upon penalty of stopping all the Sewers of Elme lying in Wisebeche And that two Pipes be put in East field and
common Sewer at Brownesbrigge and another Clow or one Dam in the Common Sewer at Wâ—singhambrigge and another at Boteleslane brigge and another at Tubbesbrigge so also one in each of the Common Sewers at Mannyngesbrigge Beeslane brigge and Stonebrigge in Kirklane And that the said Town of Tyd ought also and did use to make repair and mantain sufficiently two Banks called Wardyches in Tyd aforesaid viz. the Syd dyke and Thre dike beginning at Avereys trees in Tyd aforesaid and extending to the New fen dyke in the same Town higher by six foot than they were at that time in the best place and in bredth twelve And that the said Town of Tyd ought to raiseâ— maintain and repair sufficiently one Bank called Marteynesfendike in Tyd aforesaid beginning at Avereys trees and leading to Wesynham brigge in the same Town six foot higher than it was at that present in the best place and in bredth xij foot Whereupon the before-specified Commissioners decreed that the said Sewers and Banks should be made and raised accordingly And they likewise for the better safeguard of the said Town of Tyd did decree and ordain that a new Sewer should be made from Brownysbrigge unto Kirklane on the North side of Newgate in bredth ten foot and in depth as much as needed so that the Rivers of Elâ—tesfeld Fendykefeld Cokeleyfeld Hornefeld and Rylondfeld might have their course to the House somtime belonging to Will. Noche but then to Will. Hobart on the North part of Brodgate and so thwarting the Broadgate unto Brownesbrigge aforesaid on the South side of Brodgate and so unto the said new Sewer and then crossing Kirklane where a fitting Bridge of bredth and depth convenient was to be made and so by the hades of the Lands of Somerleswe abutting on Kirklane towards the West unto Thorgereslane and so by Thorgereslane on the North side unto Hastcroft dyke neer to Thesâ—ill brigge and from Thestely brigge unto the end of Thorgaresâ—ane unto Hascrost mylle hylle thwarting Hascroft dyke and so to the antient Sewer called Brossebrigge and so to the Sea which Sewer was to be made by all the Landholders of the Town of Tyd aforesaid And that the two Sewers on each side Brodgate and Kirkgate from the House of Will. Hobert and Brownesbrigge should be stopt up when need required And that one Sewer should be repaired and digged on the South part of Southgrafte feld neer to the Syddyke viz. from Childesgrave unto the Gorys and so to Theâ—tely brigge eight foot in bredth and as deep as needed by all the Landholders in Southgrafte feld aforesaid And that all the hade Lands of Southgrafte feld aforesaid towards Thorgaresâ—ane should be stopt by the Landholders there upon penalty of xxs. for every of them to be paid to the Bishop of Ely for the time being so that the water of Southgrafte feld aforesaid might have its course to the Sea without any impediment And that every man having Lands or Tenements in Tyd aforesaid might take Earth to repair and make the Shoffen dyke from the Common next to the River which is in Tyd aforesaid and Tyd S. Maries which is the division betwixt Cambridgshire and Lincolnshire And that the said Shoffendyke should be barred in three places to prevent Carts from coming thereon and that a certain way in Tyd aforesaid called Beeâ—lane should likewise be barred for the same respect from the Feast of S. Michael the Arch angel unto the Feast of S. Peter ad vincula by the Landholders in Newfelde And they lastly presented that Thomas Floure of Okham in the County of Roteland ought to repair and maintain upon the Bank called Wisebeche Fendyche a certain proportion containing six hundred foot in respect of xxiiij acres of land in Wisebeche and that upon Monday the Feast of S. Wolstan the Bâ—shop and Confessor in the seventeenth year of the said King Henry the sixt his reign the same portion of that Bank was broken and decayed and that the Dike Reeves aforesaid did warn the said Thomas to amend the same which he refusing to do the fresh waters made the said breach greater whereby the portions of the same Bank belonging to Geffrey Lambard and others adjoyning thereto were also broke and ruined to the danger of destroying the whole Country MMMMCCCC acres in Wisebeche MMMMDC acres in Leverington MCCCC acres in Neutone and MM. acres in Tyd being thereby at that time overflowed and drowned Not long after this viz. upon Saturday next before the Feast of the Nativity of the blessed Virgin in 17 H. 6. there was a Session of Sewers held at Wisebeche by Sir Iohn Colevile Knight Gilbert Haltoft and others at which time the Jurors presented upon their Oaths that there was a certain Sewer called South Ee but antiently Old Ee whereby the water of Nene and Weland ought to passe from Noman's land in Croyland unto Dowesdale in the same Town and thence by South Ee dyke unto the East end of the field of Throkenold in Leverington neer the Crosse in Leverington and thence into the Sewer called Fendiche in Leverington and Wisebeche unto the River of Wisebeche at Guyhirne Which Sewer of South Ee aforesaid is the division betwixt Lincolnshire and Cambridgshire And that the moytie of the said Sewer ought to be scoured by the Abbot of Crouland and the Towns of Quaplode Hotheche Fleete Gedney Sutton and Tyd S. Maries in Lincolnshire viz. by the said Abbot to Dowesdale aforesaid and thence by each village aforesaid for their proportions of land in each Town And the other moytie by the Abbot of Thorney and Bishop of Ely with his Tenants of Wisebeche Hundred viz. by the said Abbot for his Fens in Thorney and Leverington bordering upon the same Sewer and by the said Bishop and his Tenants for their Fen called Wisebeche fen in Cambridgshire abutting upon the said Sewer And the said Sewer called Fendiche ought to be clensed by the Towns of Wisebeche Leverinton Neuton and Tyd S. Giles And that the said moytie of that Sewer which ought to be scoured by the said Towns of Quaplode Holbeche Fleete Gedney Sutton Tyd S. Maries was not clensed but stopt up and filled with Reeds Haffs and other Vegetables so that the said water could not have its right course unto the said Sewer called Fendiche and thence to the River of Wisebeche and so to the Sea as it used to have whereby the whole Fen called Wisebeche fen belonging to the Bishop of Ely was drowned so that the said Bishop and his Tenants of Wisebeche Hundred could not receive any benefit in the same And they likewise presented that one part of the water of Nene descended from the Bridge at Peterborough unto Thorney barre aforesaid thence to Noman's land in Croyland Which River the Abbots of Peterborough and Thorney ought to clense from the said Bridge at Peterborough unto Thorney bart aforesaid and thence to Noman's land aforesaid viz. the Abbot of Peterborough the
And in 18 E. 2. to William la Zouche Iohn de Cantebrig Simon de Brim and Iohn de Hinton for those in this County alone Upon a Pleading in 40 E. 3. it was found by the Jurors that the Prior of Ely did obstruct the course of the water at Wilburgham magna in a certain place called Watholm dam so that it could not have it's current as it usually had insomuch as the Commons belonging to the Town of Fulbourne were overflowed to the damage of the whole Country And in 12 H. 4. the Town of Harlton being questioned for diverting the current of the water betwixt Harlton and Haselingfeld to the damage of the whole Country could not deny the charge and therefore was amerc'd Raphe Bateman being then Lord of that Mannour In 14 H. 6. William Godrede Thomas Fulthorpe Sir Iohn Colvyle Sir Henry Rocheforth and Sir Robert Hakebeche Kts William Yelverton Thomas Dereham Iohn Iakys Thomas Reynold and Iohn Tylney were constituted Commissioners for the view and repair of the Banks Sewers and Ditches throughout this whole County only and to make Statutes and Ordinances for the same according to the Laws and Customes of Runmey marsh On the West side of this County and at the outmost skirt thereof lyeth Wittlesey mere the greatest Lake in all these parts and consequently the more worthy of note I shall therefore cloze up what I have farther to say of this Shire with that particular description of it which I find in the Register of Peterborough In Septentrionali parte stagni c. On the North side of this Lake there is a water called Merelade issuing out of the River of Neene where the Northern bounds thereof are This with the Fens thereto belonging hath at the end thereof a certain Fishing called Eddâ—rmuthe Upon the East part thereof are two other Meres called Wellepole and Trendelmere betwixt which is a narrow stream containing two furlongs in length called Trendelmere beche having in it two Fishings And there is likewise another narrow water there of one mile long which is called Falet having in it one Fishing In that part thereof betwixt Wytlesmere and Kynkesdelf where the Eastern boundary thereof is the bredth of the Meer containeth three miles having in it a narrow stream called Derescuf and a Wood named Rageholt On the South part thereof also there is another slender stream of three furlongs in length called Selfremerebeche having in it two Fishings at the end whereof is a Lake named Selfremere having on the South side thereof a narrow water of half a mile long called Ubbemere lade at the head whereof is likewise another Fishing And about the middle thereof there is a place in the Fen called Alwynesbarwe and there is the Southern boundary thereof Moreover on the West side of this Lake there is also a narrow stream containing two furlongs in length named Trendemere beche which hath one Fishing in it at the end whereof is the Meer called West Trendemere On that side there are also these waters viz. Drelgmere Wellepole Withibuscemere Langemere Kinninges and Musklemere There is likewise on that side another narrow water of one mile in length extending to Oppebeche and hath in it one Fishing at the end of which water is the Western limits of the Fens and all the waters pertaining to Witlesmere About two miles distant from the North East side of the before-specified Meer there is a memorable Chanel cut through the body of the Fen extending it self from neer Ramsey to Peterborough and is called King's delph The common tradition is that King Canutus or his Queen being in some perill in their passage from Ramsey to Peterborough by reason of the boysterousnesse of the Waves upon Witlesey mere caused this Ditch to be first made and therewith do some of our Historians agree who say thus Anno Domini Mxxxiiii Cnuto Rex potentissimus viam in marisco inter Ramsey Burgum quod King's delph dicitur ut periculum magnorum stagnorum vitaretur eruderavit But how to reconcile this testimony to what I meet with above threescore years before I well know not which is that King Edgar confirming to the Monks of Peterborough before-mentioned the fourth part of UUitlesmere with all the waters Fishings and Fens thereto belonging bounds it to these limits viz. quorum Septentrionalis est ubi primùm intrat Mere lode de ampne Nen orientaliter ad King's delph Australiter ad Adewinesbarue c id est whereof the North side is where Mere lode first enters thereinto from the River Nen Eastward to King's delph and Southward to Aldewynesbarue c. But the largest and most notable is that fair Chanel made from Stanground steafe below Peterborough to Guyhirne neer UUisebeche of xl foot in bredth by Iohn Moreton Bishop of Ely in King Henry the seventh's days and still called Moreton's Leame or the New Leame a work certainly of singular consequence not only for the quicker evacuation of the overflowings of Nene but for conveniency of Carriage from Peterborough to UUisebeche which will remain a lasting memorial to that worthy Bishop CHAP. LI. SOuth-west from Cambridgshire lieth the County of Huntendon into which a skirt likewise of this great Level extendeth at the entrance whereof I meet first with Ramsey compassed with Fens on all parts excepting towards the South-west and containing about ...... Acres wherein for the like respect as in Ely Crouland and Thorney by others Ailwin a neer Kinsman to King Edgar and who is stiled by our Historians totius Angliae Aldermannus id est Chief Iustice of England did found an eminent Monastery for Monkes of S. Benedict's Rule almost an hundred years before the Norman Conquest Touching the situation of this Isle for so it was antiently called let us hear what the Register of that Abby saith Quum igitur in orientali angulo territorii Huntedonensis c. Forasmuch therefore as this place situate in the Eastern corner of Huntendoushire where the Chanel of the River Ouse restraineth the bounds of the Fens is for its bigness the fairest of the fenny Islands and which many have endeavoured to extoll so that it needeth not our commendation nevertheless we will not wholy leave it untoucht On the West side for on all other there is no access to it by reason of the Fens it is severed from the firm land with certain deep and boggy Quagmires in bredth about two Bow shot insomuch as in times past the access unto it was by navigable Vessells brought thither through a slow stream with gentle windes but now by much labour and no small cost there is with Wood Stones and Gravel a firm Causey made so that people may come to it on foot In length this Island doth extend almost unto two miles but in bredth not so much being environed with Alders Reedes green Canes and Bulrushes which do beautify it exceedingly and before it became inhabited was full
next year following upon the 7th day of Iune in a Session of Sewers held at Ely these following Laws were made viz. 1. That the defects in Popham lode shall be amended 2. That for the safeguard of the grounds in Welle by which the said Lode must passe there be on either side of the same a sufficient Crest made extending from the Causey of Upweâ—l to Welle river at North delph and the said Crest or Bank to be six foot from the plain ground and in bredth at the top six foot and in thicknesse at the bottom xviii foot And that the said River be scoured and cast two foot more in depth than it then was With Indikes of x foot in bredth and four in depth and two convenient Pipes or Sluses at its fall at North delph into Welle River 3. That a Bridge of stone be made at the head of the said River by the Causey aforesaid over the said Lode of x foot broad with Sluses in the three Arches thereof 4. That four pair of Barrs be set up to keep Cattel from coming on the said Banks 5. And that Welle River from Mullycourt to Salters lode be made above 50 foot wide By virtue of which Law the River called Popham lode was again taken in hand upon the first of August ensuing and cast two foot deeper Soon after this viz. on the xxiii of the same month in a Session of Sewers held at Ely the Commissioners taking into their consideration that whereas part of the main River dividing the County of Huntendon from the Isle of Ely called the West water had used to fall by and through Sutton lode and thence by sundry Lodes to Cannol lode and so into Welney water neer Littleport all which Lodes by sundry annoyances and negligences were become almost altogether unprofitable to the Country c. to the great damage of all the Towns lying on the South side of the said Isle and sundry Towns in the Counties of Cambridge and Huntendon they ordered and decreed that all the said Lodes should be clensed And also that one antient Bank on the East side of the West water extending from Erith to Sutton lode end and so to Mydelmore stampe should be raised four foot from the Level of the ground thereabouts and made ten foot in bredth at the bottom and 3 foot at the top by the owners c. â—f the said grounds And one other Bank lying by the said Westwater upon Mydilmore and another at the South thereof in South Medland extending it self from New ditch c. to be made of the height and bredth aforesaid by the Inhabitants of Sutton abovesaid And that another Bank lying partly by the said Westwater extending from the â—outh end of Abbots Holload house bank to Holload gate at the miles end and so by the Westwater in North Medland unto Sutton lodes end aforesaid tâ—ence to Mydilmore stampe thence by Shakpole lode so to Manny Mandolegate to Hunlode gate to be repaired as aforesaid by the Inhabitants of Sutton Mepall abovementioned About that time twelvemonth there was another Session of Sewers held at Wysebeche viz. sexto Iulii 8 Iacobi where Iames Hawe Gentleman Edmund Gawsell Gent. and others presented as followeth Inprimis we find not by any Record c. that the River of Well from North delf pingle unto Salters lode hath at any time within the memory of man been ditched But we find that it hath been twice enlarged by the Inhabitants of Marshland and the Town of Wiggenhall and the Landholders of North delf pingle viz. in the sixt year of K. Henry the 1. and at the erecting of New Powdich c. And we likewise find that in 18 Eliz. there was 24 foot of ground lying on the South side of the River next Salters lode granted to the InhabitaÌ„ts of Marshland the Town of Wiggenhall whereof xii foot was digged next to the river for the erecting of a Bank to amend the Pow dich in time of necessity In full satisfaction whereof the said Inhabitants of Marshland and Wiggenhall with the Landholders aforesaid did grant to widen the River there xii foot Which Grant was then decreed by a Law of Sewers for perpetuity c. We likewise say that Popham Ee doth and is likely to bring much more water to the River of Welle from North delf to Salters lode than hath usually passed that way within the memory of man Upon which Verdict ensued then and at that place these Orders made by Sir Iohn Peyton Sir Miles Sandes and other his Majesties Commissioners viz. That the ixth of August next following a view should be taken by the said Commissioners of the River between North delf and Salters lode and upon the same view a Law made for the widening diking and making it of such widenesse and depth as the said Commissioners should think fit to be done at the charges of the Country of Marshland the Town of Wigenhall and the Landholders of the hundred and odd Acres in Stowe and the Landholders of North delf pingle And that the said Landholders c. shall be thereupon free from any charge toward Popham Ee. Upon this view it was likewise agreed that the River from North delf to Mathew Bales and xl pole lowerâ— should be made xxx foot wide which was done accordingly The next year following at a Session of Sewers held at Stow brynke in com Noff. upon the xx of May it was thus ordered by the Commissioners that the Undertakers and their heirs should have power to drayn all the grounds mentioned in the Act of 4 Iac. formerly mentioned through the Pipe called Coldham gote which lyeth under the Bank of Elme leame and so through a piece of ground lying between the said Leame and a Bank leading from Fryday bridge to Bishops dike and so till it come over against a Dike between the lands in Oldfield and Needham Thence betwixt the lands in Oldfield and Say's field on the one side and Needham bank and Thornedike on the other side and so to Old lode called Chapell lode Thence through Greendike Thence to the Bridge neer Bâ—aupre Hall Thence to Stonhamslile and so to Boys fen gate Thence unto Bedingfield Barrs and so to Hook gate and thence to Staple were at the Bank of Ouse This was called Coldham and Waltersey Law In pursuance whereof the Dikers set upon the work upon the Wednesday then next following And upon the second of August the Maâ—ons began the Pipe under UUelle River which was finished upon the Tuesday after Michaelmass day After which within a few dayes viz on Fryday ensuing the Masons began the Sluse at Stow for Coldham And upon Saturday being the xxith of September the Commissioners took view for Mr. Bell in Stowe and UUelle for the low grounds between Popham lode and the new Powdike All things therefore speeding on so well upoâ— Thursday following it being the
Gutters formerly there were then obstructed and the bridges decayed by means of a certain controversie which had long been betwixt Iohn de Britaine Earl of Richmund and Robert de Grelly touching the metes and bounds of that Fen and through the default of those who ought to have repaired those Sewers Ditches c. the King therefore appointed Iohn Beke and N. Stapleton to enquire thereof c. VVhat was done therein I find not but the next year following the King by the advice of his Justices commanded Iohn Beke N. de Stapilton and Roger Loveday to enquire who ought to repair the Bridge called Peccebrig and the two Bridges in Spalding who finding by Inquisition that the Abbot of Croyland the Prior of Spalding and all men holding lands in Spalding were obliged to the repair of them according to the proportion of land which they held in the said Town so that every acre were assessed alike summoned the Prior of Spalding and all the Free-holders in Spalding to come before them who all of them excepting the Abbot of Crouland appeared and consented for themselves their successors and heirs to repair and maintain those Bridges according to the quantity of their lands that they had there provided that the said Abbot would do the like for his And because the said Abbot absented himself and refused command was given to the Shireeve that he should summon him to appear before the Commissioners before-specified at Boston upon the Eve of S. Laurence At which time he accordingly came and in the presence of Raphe de Hengham I. de Metingham W. de Burenton and Roger de Leicestre agreed for himself and his sâ—ccessors to do as the said Prior had done viz. that they with the consent of the Free-holders of Spalding would repair and maintain those Bridges according to the proportion of their lands in that Town so that every Acre should be assessed alike of the demesnes aswell new as old and of the Villenages And that if any shops or stalls should be built upon the said Bridges all the benefit arising by them should redound to the repair and maintenance of the same In 12 E. 1. Iohn de Wigetost having commenc'd a sute against Iohn the son of Osbert de Swyneheved and divers others for making of Ditches in the said Fen called Haute hundre fen Swyneheved Wyktost Sotterton Algerkirk Kirketon Fraunkton Wyberton and Skyrbek so that he could not drive his Cattel to the said Fen desired license to withdraw his sute which was granted About two years after after this there was a great inundation in these parts at which time the most of Boston was drowned and the Monastery of Spalding suffered much loss The King therefore having advertisement that excessive damage had befallen this Province by the want in repair of the Causey called Holand Causey and by the decay of the Banks Ditches and Sewers in these parts gave special command to Iohn de Vaux and his fellow Justices itinerant in this County of Lincolne that they should search their Rolls and send unto him aswel such Inquisitions as had been made by them touching the repair of that Causey Banks Ditches c. as those which were taken by Martin de Littelbury and his associates Gilbert de Preston and his as also of other Justices itinerant in this County in the time of King Henry the third Who did accordingly which Inquisitions so transmitted as aforesaid did then remain in the custody of Sir Raphe de Hengham upon a certain file of Records of the xxth year of this Kings reign Upon perusal whereof by the Justices of the Common pleas they thought not fit to proceed to judgement nor to cause any distresses to be made because it did not appear by what had been done therein that any of the parties consented thereto but rather that thâ—y were taken in their absence for which respect they deemed it necessary that all such persons as were concern'd in that businesse should appear in Court that the matter might be argued and determined in their presence And because they thought that it would be too much trouble and inconvenience for so great a number of people to appear before the King wheresoever he might then be in this Realm and therefore that it might be better to have the same â—iscussed in these parts the said King did by the advice of those his Justicâ—s itinerant direct his precept unto Iohn Beek Nicholas de Stapilton and Roger Loveday that they should enquire who ought to repair those Banks Ditches and Bridges and to distrain them thereto Who accordingly making Inquisition first concerning the bridge called Pekkebrig and then of the two bridges in Spaldyng and finding that the Abbot of Crouland the Prior of Spalding and all the Land-holâ—ers in Spalding were obliged to those repairs according to the proportion of land which each man had in that Town so that every acre were alike did thâ—reupon summon the said Prior of Spalding and the whole number of the free-holders in that Town All which excepting the said Abbot appeared and agreed for themselves their successors and heirs to repair and maintain those Bridges according to the quantity of their lands in that Town though the said Abbot would not consent thereto for his portion And because the said Abbot did absent himself and refused the Shireeve had command to give him special summons to appear at Boston upon the Eve of S. Laurence at which tune he came thither before the said Commissionersâ— and in their presence as also in the presence of Raphe de Hengham I. de Metingham W. de Brumpton and Roger de Leycestre accorded for himself and his successors that they with the assistance of the Inhabitants of Spalding would repair and maintain the said Bridges according to the proportion of land which each of them had in that Town so that every acre might be assessed alike of the demesnes aswell old as new and of those held in Villenage and that if any shops or stalls should be built or planted upon those bridges all the profit arising thereby to be imployed in their repair In 15 E. 1. W. de Carleton and Will. de Candlesby were constituted Commissioners to enquire through whose default the Sea-banks in this Province were in decay and so consequently broken by the violence of the tides to the great damage of the Inhabitants much of their low grounds being thereby drowned And by an Inquisition taken at Scoft near Trokenhou before Simon de Ellesworth and his fellow Justices upon Monday next after the feast of the Epiphany in the xxiith year of the reign of the said K. Ed. the first it was found that the Towns of Tid and Sutton in this Province of Hoiland in Lincolnshire and of Tid Neuton and Leverington in the County of Cambridge could not be preserved except the fresh water of Scoft neer Trokenhou were restrained unto the bredth of four foot and