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
Fryday bridge did run and the Sluce at Welle River was stopt the waters in the Drayn rose over the Dam called the Stintings and Oldfield and so ran into Marshland For remedy whereof and that the Land-holders of Oldfield were at the making of the said Law tyed to no conditions of restraint or stopping which they then conceived fitting by reason the said UUaltersey drayne which was not before thought of ran within their field and did overflow the Banks and fill their Dikes with water which came into Marshland contrary to their Law and by reason that they in Summer time took in waters to fill their Dikes which they might spare to take if they would dike them and make watering places for their Cattel as Marshland did it was therefore ordered that the said Land-holders of Oldfield should passe and run their said waters therein under such conditions and with such cautions as by the Law of Sewers the Land-holders on the West side of Elme and Soâ—th side of Wysebeche did and not otherwise under and upon such pains and penalties as in that Law is contained The number of Acres in the several Towns of Marshland  Acres Rodes UUest lynne CCxlviij xij Clenchwarton xvC lx i. Tylney vM viiiC xi iij. Wigenhale iiiM viiiC xi iij. Terington iiiiM iiiC xxvi iij. Walpole iiiiM viiC xxvij  Walton iiM iiiiC xlv ii UUaâ—soken iiM viiC vxx i.  Emnetâ— Hawsted iiM ixC vi  Sum total in the Franchises and Geldable xxvii M viiC xxxix Acres  Sumin the Liberties viz. Terington Walpole Walsoken Walton Emneth xvM iiiiC xxvij Acres i Rode  Adde Tylney and Clenchwarton thereto xxiiM viiC xxxix Acres  An Agistment of the new Powdiche from Saltham lake by Mullycourt to Northdelfe â—ccording to the Books and Rolls of the Country containing iiiiC Lxiii Rode and ii Foot divided thus Emneth and Hawsted xli rode iii foot ii inches Walsoken Liii rode iii foot ii inches Walton xlvi rode xi foot Waâ—pole XC rode iiii foot vi inches Terington Lxxxii rode x foot x inches Clenchwarton xxix rode ix foot iii inches Tylnâ—y vxx xii rode x foot ix inches West Lynne v rode i foot Wigenhall iiixx xii rode xiii foot From Northdelfe to the hundred Acres charge are vxx xli rode vi foot iiij inches divided thus Emneth with Hawsted xlix rode viii foot i inch Walsoken iiixx iii rode xvi foot vi inches Walton Lvi rode i inch Walpole vxx viii rode vii foot ix inches Terâ—ngton iiiixx xix rode iiii foot ix inches Clencâ—warton xxxv rode ix foot xi inches Tyâ—neâ— vxx xv rode vi foot i inch West Lynne v rode viii foot xi inches Wigenhall iiiixx vii rode viii foot iii inches The old Powdich containing ........ Agiâ—ted thus  Rodes Foot Inches Emnâ—th and Hawâ—â—ed Lxvi viii iii. Waâ—â—â—kne iiiixx xviii xii viii Waâ—ton iiii â—â— vi viii v. Walpole viâ—x viii ix o. Terington viiâ—x xiii v. x. Clâ—nchwarton Lv. o iii. Tylneâ— xxx ix ii o. Wigenhale Cxv. ii ix Note that the true sum of this is viiC ix Rode xlix foot and iii inches Of which xlix if there be allowed xvi foot iiâ— inches to a Rode as is set down under Mr. Beaupre's hand then is the sum viiiC xii Rode and ix perches The little Powdich containing CCCxliii hath agisted thereon xxiiiM viiC iiiixx vii Acres and iii Rode every hundred Acres cometh to a Rode xi foot two inches a half and a Barley-corn which is the third part of an Inch. Agisted thus  Rods. Foot Inches Tylney iiiixx xvi xii o Clenchwarton xxv xiii vii Terington Lxxiii vi vii Walpole Lxxx. iiii o. Walton xli iiii o. Walsoken xlvii viii vi Emneth and Hawsted xxxvi viii ix The Ward dich from Wel gate to Sandyrood belonging to the Fraunchises with Tylney and Clenchwarton containing viiixx xviii rode xv foot Agisted thus  Rods. Foot Inches Tylney xliiii iii. o Clenchwarton xi x. o. Terington xxxii vi vi Walpole xxxv vi vi Walton xviii iiii vi Walsoken xâ— xiiii o. Emneth with Hawsted xvi ii vii Brokendike Agistment From Kyrkham lane to the turning against Mr. Blewick's containeth ....... Rode and is agisted iiiixx Rode from the middle of Mildam towards the house of the said Iohn Blewick To the which there is said Tilney Terington Walpole Walton Walsoken and Emneth containing xxiiM CC xxxix Acres So every Acre hath almost two inches Every thousand and iiiâ—x xii Rode v foot v inches and two Barly-corns iiM Cxxiiii Rode x foot xi inches and i corn iiiiM CC hath xlix Rode v foot x inches ii Barley-corns Every hundred and vi Acres hath a Rode iii foot ix inches Every Lxiii Acres hath ix foot x inches and a half  Rods. Foot Inches Tylney Lxviii ii o Terrington xlix xi x. Walpole Lv. vii vii Walton xxviii x. viii Walsoken xxxii x. viii Emneth and Hawsted xxv iiii iii. From Emneth bridge between the Town and the Smethe be xiiiiC xv Rodes which be thus divided  Rods. Foot Inch. Emneth with Hawsted Cxxx. viii o. Walsoken CLxviii xi o. Walton Cxlvii xi iii. Walpole CCLxxx vi ii iii. Terington CCLxi xiii vi Wigenhall CCxxxviii o. vii Tylney CCCLvi xv vi Clenchwarton iiiixx xiiii o viii West Lynne xv ii vi Drayns and Bridges lying within the precincts of the several Towns of Marshland Emneth A Drayn there belonging to certain Fields called Suffield and Haulsted extending from the common Sea dike called Emneth Sea dyke on the West part of the same Field and from thence to a place called the Styldes at which place the said Drayns do meet and from thence into the Fen. Which Drayns ought to be in bredth ix foot and in depth v foot Another Drayn belonging to Churchfield and Northfield extending from a place called Seadike-dole to a place called Knape more and from thence Eastwards towards Whicks brigg and so to Myd feder into the Smethe lode which is the common Drayn of all Marshland Another Drayn belonging to Newfield extending from Hallow crofts on the West and so to Ports bush on the East thence to Hawkyns brigge and so to Hungate dyke to a place called Nomans land corner and so into Smeth lode Bridges Over the first of these Drayns are three Bridges the one at a place called Lonhole the other at the end of the Drayn and the third between Ladyes drove and the great Drove of Emneth Another Bridge situate at the North stile of Emneth Another called Knapmore bridge set over Churchfield Drayn Another called Whicks bridge Another called Little Edge bridge Another called Hawkyns bridge lying over Newfield drayn Walsoken A Drayn there called the Maiâ—t Drayn extending from Holmes bridge on the North part of the Town to the common Sewer called Smethe lode Another Drayn on the South side of the Town beginning at Small lane in Larke lande and extending to a Bridge called Bronden bridge and so to Knapemore
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
c. Whereupon complaint being made unto Mr. Justice Gawdy and other Commissioners of Sewers sitting at Sechie in Com. Norff. xi of April last past it was by them ordered 1. That the said Turks banke should be presently cut 2. That Small lode London lode and Mayd lode be sufficiently scoured by the Inhabitants of Welle and the Londoners 3. That Mayd lode be made xxx foot wide at the mouth xxv and xx foot at the Sluâ—e with Sluses to carry it and five foot in depth and so to be maintained by the Londoners as need shall require Whereupon on May day following the said Bank was cut in many places by reason whereof the water ran so forcibly through the said Cuts that for the space of x or xii days after it sucked in divers Boats and Vessels passing that way And it was farther presented that a little without the upper end of this Bank there hath been a Crest for people to travel on from Welney to Welle in the Summer time when the waters are down for which cause the said Church-path being about fifty years past made of more strength and height than in former times by one Mr. Beaupre the same was not long after cut down in many places by the expresse command of Bishop Goodrick then Lord Chancellour of England and Bishop of Ely In 44 Eliz. there was an Agreement bearing date the xx of March made by Indenture between Sir Iohn Peyton Kâ— Dame Dorothy his wife and Edmund Bell Esquire then owners of the Mannour of Upwell Iohn Richardson and divers others who were at that time the major part of the Commoners and Inhabitants of Upwell aforesaid and Iohn Watts Citizen and Alderman of London Sir William Cokain of London Skinner and others for the drayning of divers Fenny VVasts and Commoâ—s containing about three thousand acres lying in Upwell between a certain Drayn called London lode towards the North Maiden lode and Ship lode towards the South and towards the VVest adjoyning to and upon the Causey-bank extending from London lode to Welney and towards the East upon Denver Common for drayning and maintaining whereof they were to have conveyed unto them their heirs and assigns one full moytie of the said wasts Whereupon with the expence of great sums of money they did accomplish the work and accordingly had the said moytie thereof set out for them which they enjoyed for divers years till about the latter end of King Iames his Reign that the Fen-waters broke their Banks and drowned all again the Country people then turning the Adventurers out of their possessions which they kept till Francis late Earl of Bedford beâ—ame the principal undertaker for draining of the whole great Levell and did perform the work But afterwards his said drayning meeting with some disasters the whole Levell became totally surrounded again and so continued untill William Earl of Bedford and his Participants did in the year 1649. undertake to drayn it anew which in four years time he perfected as I have elswhere more fully shewed VVhereupon Sir Iohn Watts Knight and some others who claimed under the first undertakers before-mentioned were restored to the possession thereof At a Session of Sewers held at King's Lynne 1. Octob. 7 Iacobi before Sir Raphe Hare Sir Thomas Hewar and Sir Henry Spelman Knights Iohn Reppes Thomas Oxburgh Thomas Athow Rob. Gawsell and Richard Bachcroft Esquires and others it was ordained that the Decree made for the drayning of Needham fen and Buriall field the tenth of October 31 Eliz. should be confirmed in all points and an Acreshot of xd. the Acre imposed for the speedy redress of all defaults in the said Drayns Banks c. Certain Observances made upon the Marshes below the 4 Cambridgshire Gotes of the outfall of Wisbeche River and certain Creeks there with their Sands and Deeps by Richard Atkins of Utwell Gent. in June 1605. WIsbeche Chanel falleth from the 4 Gotes Eastward down by Walpole Marshes on the East and South to Crosse-Keys Corner alias gates-Gates-end Corner and from thence passeth towards Tirington Bank leaving to the Southward an high Skore of Clay the only preservative of the Town And when it hath run East as low as against the Beacon then doth it turn flat North under the Sand called Tirington brest lying on the East of the Chanelâ— and so continueth Northwards by the said Brest by the space of 5 miles and there falleth into Blow deepe It is to be observed that upon every flow there commeth from the North out of Blow-deepe a Tide which runneth along Tirington brest on the East side and a Sand called the Thief on the West And out of the West from a Chanel called the Maids Eye commeth another tide and both these do meet within a mile of Tirington banks and so meeting do make great Seas there And many times when the wind is at West or North the Seas rise there higher than they do ten miles off at Sea These two Tides thus united with violenâ—e run right upon Tirington banks and but that God of his mercy hath there placed a Skore of Clay containing not above a furlong in bredth the Bank could not in man's reason stand the next 3 Tides This Skore of Clay by the fretting of the Sea dayly wasteth and the people of the place not understanding what a defence it is to their Banks continually bear away the same to the repair of those Banks never foreseeing their destruction if that Skore of Clay were once gone and the Sea at the ordinary depth of his Chanel suffered to come to the foot of the Bank Where Mayds Eye meeteth with Tirington deep at the very entrance thereof at a dead low water it exceedeth not 5 or 6 foot deep at this day and it hath been observed that in a great drought the whole mouth thereof of hath been stopped with sands but upon the next great fresh that hapned all those sands have been removed and the Chanel grown to the old course again Here is a special observance to be made Qui habet intellectum attendat Decursus namque aquae dulcis viam praebet marinae Oceanus interim ex duobus his canalibus aestuans fossata marina alatrandâ— alluendo inundando lacerando saepissimè gravissimeque ita excercet ut deficientibus aggeribus de quibus malè sustentatis multùm doleo de finali perditione dissolutione partium adjacentium verisimiliter quod absit formidatur nisi Hinc nascitur periculum onus illico acquirendum est remedium salus Homines verò patriae cum plerique inertes sint hebeti ingenio in se invicem nuper pro fossatorum sustentandorum oneribus obruentes de remedio ex sublatâ causâ ne somniare quidem possunt sed nec ingeniosos inertiamque suam desidiosam exosos inter se vivere vix sustinâ—re possunt The head of the 4 Lincolnshire Gotes is preserved especially in Summer by two great Finns brought
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
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
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
xxvi of September in a Session held at King's Linne in the County of Norfolke there was another Law of Sewers made called Low fen and UUalsingham fen Law the tenor whereof is as followeth viz. Whereas there are about 1300 Acres of low grounds lying together in the several Parishes of Upwell and Outwell in the County aforesaid between Popham River on the South and the Bank called Bardyke and Churchfield dike on the North and Outwell Crest towards the East which are preserved from overflowing by the said Crest and by the Bank on the North side of Popham river aforesaid which low grounds may be drayned c. And that the repairing of the said Crest and of the North Bank of Popham River will be a defence to the new Powdich and a great preservation to the Countrey of Marshland And whereas the drayn from Plawfield in Upwell to Hodghyrne and there falling into Rightforth lode and thence by a Sluse neer Stow bridge into the River of Ouse is very defective c. which being repaired would be sufficient to drayn all those low grounds We do ordain and decree c. that it shall be lawfull â—or the Landholders and Commoners of and in the said low grounds c. to drayn them through the said Sewer And we do farther ordain that the said Sewer from the said Sluse to a place called West head shall be diked c. ten foot broad in the bottom at the least and in depth proportionable c. And from thence to UUelle river x foot broad and 5 foot deep and the greater part of the menure to be cast on the South side of the said Lode from UUest head to the East end of Hodg hirne for the making of a sufficient Crest to hold the waters within the brink thereof And that there shall be placed in the North end of Churchfield dike in Outwell a Sluse of Brick with a tunnel of two foot broad and three foot high with a dore to be pulled up shut c. And from the said Sluse a Drayn or Sewer to be made under Churchfield dike on the East part thereof to the North end of Champney-Corner And from thence to continue the same Drayn in an antient Dike between Outwell Common on the North c. to North delph Upon Tuesday being the 8th of October following in the night tide the Dam made by Mr. Hunt for Coldham a little below Stow bridge broke up and on Wednesday being inwardly taken with a little light Moor broke again So likewise on Thursday being taken with earth between Planks set end-wise it brake again and continued running till Sunday Oct. 13. At which place there assembled that day Sir Raphe Hare and six other Commissioners who laying the command of the work and order of it upon Mr. Richard Hunt he with the assistance of the Country took it in hand and made it firm before the return of the next Tide But as we see by how little was done in this and most of the precedent years that the general Drayning went but slowly on notwithstanding the King himself as also the Lords of the Council and those Gentlemen who were constituted Commissioners for that purpose had so earnestly endeavoured the speeding thereof so was there now such a stop for the space of five years at the least that there nothing appeareth of consequence to have been farther prosecuted therein by reason of the opposition which divers pâ—rverse spirited people made thereto by bringing of turbulent sutes in Law aswell against the said Commissioners as those whom they imployed therein and making of libellous Songs to disparage the work of which kind I have here thought fit to insert one called the Powtes Complaint COme Brethren of the water and let us all assemble To treat upon this matter which makes us quake and tremble For we shall rue it if 't be true that Fenns be undertaken And where we feed in Fen and Reed thei 'le feed both Beef and Bacon Thei 'l sow both Beans and Oats where never man yet thought it Where men did row in Boats ere Undertakers bought it But Ceres thou behold us let wilde Oats be their venture Oh let the Frogs and miry Boggs destroy where they do enter Behold the great designe which they do now determine Will make our bodyes pine a prey to Crows and Vermine For they do mean all Fenns to drain and waters overmaster All will be drie and we must dye 'cause Essex-Calves want pasture Away with Boates and Rodder Farewell both Bootes and Skatches No need of t'one nor t'other men now make better matches Stiltmakers all and Tanners shall complain of this disaster For they will make each muddy Lake for Essex Calves a pasture The fethered Foules have wings to fly to other Nations But we have no such things to help our transportations We must give place oh grievous case to horned Beasts and Cattell Except that we can all agree to drive them out by Battell Wherefore let us intreat our antient water Nurses To shew their power so great as t' help to drain their purses And send us good old Captain Floud to lead us out to Battel Then two-peny Jack with Skakes on 's back will drive out all the Cattel This noble Captain yet was never known to fail us But did the Conquest get of all that did assail us His furious rage none could asswage but to the Worlds great wonder He bears down banks and breaks their ranks and Whirly-giggs asunder God Eolus we do thee pray that thou wilt not be wanting Thou never saidst us nay now listen to our canting Do thou deride their hope and pride that purpose our confusion And send a blast that they in haste may work no good conclusion Great Neptune God of Seas this work must needs provoke thee They mean thee to disease and with Fen-water Choake thee But with thy Mace do thou deface and quite confound this matter And send thy Sands to make dry lands when they shall want fresh water And eke we pray thee Moon that thou wilt be propitious To see that nought be done to prosper the malitious Though Summers heat hath wrought a feat whereby themselves they flatter Yet be so good as send a floud lest Essex Calves want water Upon great complaint therefore of these their doings made to the Lords of the Council I find this Order made by them bearing date at White Hall upon the 8th of November in the xiiijth year of the said King's Reign viz. That whereas sundry vexatious sutes had been brought against his Majesties Commissioners of Sewers and their Officers by divers obstinate persons for executing the Orders c. of the said Commission to the great hazard of the inundation of many large Levells in the Counties of Northt Hunt Cambr. and Linc. That the said Lords well weighing these undue proceedings and the antient Laws of this Realm evidenced from divers notable Records in
Swinshed upon the xi of August then last past upon full debate and consideration of the former Decrees and consideration of a true and perfect scedule of all the Fens c. comprised in a Decree of Tax bearing date at Boston upon the second of March in the eighth year of the said King Charles from Kyme Ea South-wards aswell within the parts of Kesteven as Holand to the River of Glen being part of the said Level mentioned in that Decree made at Sleford c. it did at that time appear to the said Commissioners and then to those present Commissioners at Boston that that part of the Level amounted to thirty six thousand Acres or thereabouts And recitall being likewise made that whereas at the said Session of Swineshed it was proposed that the severals within the said Level lying from Kyme Ea to the River of Glen might not contribute any part of land to the making up of the said quantity of fourteen thousand Acres but that the whole proportion should be taken out of the Fens and Commons And in a Session of Sewers held at Bourne upon the xith of August the next year following there was a speciall assignation in what particular place in each of the Fens before-specified the quantities so decreed as aforesaid should be set out and a certain mistake concerning Poynton fen rectified Which said several Decrees viz. that at Sleford 2 Iunii 11 Caroli that at Boston 29 Martii 12 Car. and this at Bourne 11 Aug. 13 Car. were afterwards in a Session of Sewers held at Sleford 25 Sept. 14 Car. ratified and confirmed And in another Session held likewise at Sleford upon the xiiijth of March then next ensuing the Commissioners receiving information by the said Earl that he had then effectually drayned all the lands between the River of Glen and Kyme Ea containing more than thirty five thousand Acres and taking view of them with all the Sluses Banks Sewers c. therein did so adjudge thereof and that he had made a full performance of his said undertaking And lastly in another Session held at Sleford also upon the 14 of Iune next following reciting and confirming all the former Decrees And that whereas but three thousand Acres were by the said Law of Sleford made 2 Iunii 11 Caroli decreed for the perpetual maintenance of the works within the said whole Level and that the said Earl had nevertheless at the instance of the Commissioners condescended to ty the said fourteen thâ—usand Acres for the perpetual maintenance of the said works made between the River of Glene and Kyme Ea over and above the Rent of iiijd the Acre thereupon reserved to be paid out of the said fourteen thousand Acres in case the said iiijd. the Acre should not be sufficient they decreed and ratified the same accordingly After which the said Earl and his Participants having been at no less than fourty five thousand pounds charge therein did inclose build inhabit plant plow sow and reap two years without disturbance but the third year divers clamorous Petitions were exhibited to the Parliament then sitting by the Country people Whereupon after examination of Witnesses Orders were granted from both Houses to quiet the possession of the said Earl and his Participants and to secure their Crops then upon the land Nevertheless the Petitioners in contempt of all entred and destroyed the Drains and buildings as also the Crops then ready to be reapt to a very great value and have ever since held the possession to the great decay and ruine of those costly works and exceeding discommodity to all that part of the Country CHAP. LVI The East and West Fenns NOrthwards of this Fenny part of the Country called Lindsey Levell are divers other Marshes lying towards Waynflete the greatest whereof are called by the name of the East and West Fenns Upon a Writ of Ad quod Dampnum in 41 Eliz. concerning the Drayning of these Fens it appears that the East fen lying betwixt the parts of Holand and Lindsey was found to contain five thousand Acres or thereabouts and that the one half thereof being the Skirt Hills and Out-rings might conveniently be drayned but the other half consisting of deeps for the most part could not be recovered and moreover that the Commons and Severals pertaining to the Towns confining on the said Fen did then amount to the number of three thousand and four hundred Acres or thereabouts all which were at that time surrounded Whether any thing was done at that time towards the drayning of those Fens I am not able to say but in 6 Caroli 15 Maii there was a Decree made in a Session of Sewers held at Boston by Robert Earl of Lindsey Lord great Chamberlain of England Edward Earl of Dorset Lord Chamberlain to the Queen Iohn Shorey Mayor of Boston Sir Robert Killegrew Vice-Chamberlain to the Queen Sir Robert Bell Sir Iohn Browne Knights Robert Callice Serjeant at Law and others which Decree makes this following recital viz. that there was a Law of Sewers made at Boston 7 9 Apr. then last past by the said Sir Robert Bell and others whereby it appeared that the grounds hereafter named were overflowed with fresh waters viz. Dockdike hurne from Armitage Causey and Howbriggs East to the River of Witham VVest and from the said River of Wytham South to Hawthorne North from the East end of Hundell house grounds and so along by Raydyke to the North side of Moorhouse grounds from thence by Marcham Revesby East Kirkby and Hagnaby to Hagnaby gate from thence along by Bar loade banck and the West end of Stickney Severals to Stickney Graunge From thence on the North side of Westhouse grounds along to Blacksyke from thence on the North side of Medlam to Gamock stake from thence directly to the East end of Hundel house grounds from Stickney graunge Southwards on the VVest side of the severals of Stickney and Nordyke gate East to Nordyke stream South and the West fenne VVest wherein is included Westhouse grounds the low grounds belonging to Stickney grange and Thornedales from Norlands lane along between Sibsey severals aâ—d the new Drayn to Hale Causey from thence along to the Shottells And that all these grounds as also the grounds mentioned in a Verdict heretofore given up at a SessioÌ„ of Sewers held at Boston aforesaid 16 Ian. An. 1629. viz. the East fenne extending in length from the severals of Wainflet on the East to the severals of Stickney on the VVest and in bredth from the severals of Waynflet Friskeney Wrangle Leake and Stickney on the South and the severals of Stichford Keales Toynton Halton Stâ—ping and Thorpe on the North were for the most part surrounded grounds And likewise that certain severals and Commons of divers Lords and Owners belonging to Waynflet and Friskeney lying between a bank called Fen-dyke bank on the East and East fen on the VVest and abutting
VVill. Newesome VVill. Hundgate Richard de Beverley and VVill. VVandesforde for those upon the River of Hull and parts adjacent from the towns of Etton Lokyngtone Scorburghe Ake and Berghe to Beswyke Wattone Hotone Crauntewyke and Skerene Upon a pleading in the Kings Bench 2 H. 4. it was adjudged that the Chantry Priest of Preston ought to repair and clense a Ditch called Skyrthdyke from Levergote unto Hedon and from Harphoc to Northoc And that the Towns of Brustwyke and Skeklings ought to do the like from Brustwyke Hallebridge to Middle gar and the Town of Ryell from Cambertonwell to Stoke holney land the Shireeve therefore had command to distrain them In 3 H. 4. there was an Inquisition taken by virtue of a VVrit of Ad quod Dampnum touching a Sewer in those parts upon which the Jurors presented that it would be no damage to the King or any other if a new Ditch by the name of a Sewer were made in the Meadows and Pastures of Anlaby xij foot in bredth and v foot in depth measured according to the Kings Ell and in length from a certain VVell called Iulians Welle situate in the said meadows and Pastures of Anlaby to the Waldkerr of Swanland and so descending from the said Waldkerr according to the length depth and bredth aforesaid unto Miton Kerdyke and thence by Miton Kerdike on the North side the pasture of Miton kerr to a certain Ditch then newly made neer to the Road-way which leadeth from the said Town of Kyngeston towards Beverley in length descending to the Ditch called the Town dyke under the VValls of Kingston upon Hull and thence by a sufficient Chanel to the Gate of that Town And that a substantial stop should be there made to keep back the salt water at the end of a certain Ditch lying betwixt the pasture of Swanland called the Wald-kerr and the pasture called Miton kerr as also other stops to be afterwards made whersoever the Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty of the said Town should think necessary for the preservation of the fresh water and keeping back any salt water from thence for ever And that all such stops so made or to be made to be made and repaired by the said Mayor Bayliffs and Commonality at their own proper chardges without any cavill molestation or impediment for ever By which said Sewer so to be made anew and thenceforth called Iulian dyke all the current of fresh water both from the said spring called Iulian well as of all other currents of VVells in Dernyngham Enges in Anlaby together with the current of a certain Ditch betwixt Dernyngham Enges aforesaid and the North kerr of Anlaby as also the currâ—nâ—s of two springs in Anlaby and Hautempris one in the Ditch sometime of Peter de Anlaby in Anlaby descending thence unto the said Ditch called Iulian dyke and of another spring in the field of Hautempris in the North west Enges descending thence by divers Chanels unto the said Ditch called Iulian dyke to have their course in the said Ditch called Iulian dyke as abovesaid without any diversion or impediments of the said currents to be made for ever contray to the form and tenor of the premisses for the support maintenance and relief of the Town of Kingston upon Hull before-specified In 7 H. 4. Sir Peter de Bucton Knight Will. Gascoigne Sir Alexander Metham Knight Robert Tirwhit Iohn Radenesse Will. Skerne Richard Tirwhit and William Waldby were assigned to view and repair the Banks c. in these parts of Holdernesse and to do all things therin according to the Law and Custome of this Realm and the Custome of the Est Rything of this Country before that time used Upon a suâ—e in the Kings bench 13 H. 4. the Jurors presented upon Oath that there was a certain Water-course which came from the Springhead in the fields of Anlaby by Warlinghamdyke unto the Town of Kingston upon Hull so stopped at the gate of that Town towards Anlaby that it overflowed the Meadows and Pastures of Gerard de Usflet and of the Towns of Anlaby Swanland Hesil and Feriby to the common damage of all those Villages which Watercourse ought to be scoured by the Town of Kingston upon Hull but was not Howbeit in this there was no judgement then given in regard that the Townsmen of Kingston upon Hull pleaded again in Michaelmasse Term 1 H. 5. by reason of the former Kings death In 5 H. 5. Robert Tirwhit Peter del Hay Iohn Ellerker Will. Waldeby Iohn Holme Iohn Disnay Christopher Boynton Robert Rudstane and the Shireeve of Yorkeshire were appointed to view and repair the banks then in decay throughout the whole Est Rithing of this Country and to proceed therein according to the Custome of the Marsh and the Law and Custome of this Realm The like appointment in 5 H. 6. had Sir Iohn Scrope Sir Robert Babthorpe Sir Thomas Brounflete and Sir Henry Brounflete Knights Iohn Ellerker and others So also in 11 H. 6. had Sir Rob. Babthorpe and Sir Rich. Hastyngs Knights Iohn Ellerker Iohn Constabill of Halsham Esquire Iohn Holme senior Iohn Portyngton Robert Rudstane and VVill. Muston with direction to do all things therein according to the Law and Custome of this Realm and the Custome of Romeney marsh As also to imprest so many Labourers upon competent wages to be imployed in that work as should be necessary for the same considering the great and urgent necessity in expediting therof for prevention of farther damage Other such general Commissions for the said Est Rything had these persons hereafâ—er named viz. in 13 H. 6. the same Sir Rob. Babthorpe and his associates In 14 H. 6. Sir Rich. Hastyngs Kt Iohn Constable of Halsham Iohn Ellerker Rob. Hatfield Iohn Portyngton Iohn Holme senior Robert Rudstane and Thomas Wylton And in the same year the said Sir Robert Babthorpe Iohn Ellerker Raphe Babthorp Esquire Guy Roclyff Iohn Portyngton Robert Rudstone VVill. Mustone and Alexander Lounde In 18 of this Kings reign Sir Iohn Constable Knight Iohn Portyngtone Robert Hatfield and Thomas VVilton being constituted Commissioners for the repair of the banks c. within the liberty of Holdernesse and the VVapentakes of Bokeres and Dykering sate at Tiktone upon Friday next after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Crosse before whom the Jurors presented that there was a certain common Sewer in Hornese extending in length from Hornesemare to the Sea and over it a bridge for foot and Horsemen at the East end of Hornese which bridge ought to be in bredth six foot and in length ten and repaired whensoever need should be by the Abbot and Covent of S. Maries in Yorke as it had been time out of mind it being at that time in decay to the great damage of the said Kings Liege people VVhereupon the Shireeve having command to impanel a Jury to enquire c. he did accordingly VVho
associates then Justices of Sewers in this County touching their proceedings in a Commission directed to them for the view of the Banks and Ditches betwixt Boston and Barton aforesaid and enquity through whose default the breaches and decays therein were not repaired they certified that the Jurors impanelled and sworn before them by virtue of that Commission did upon their Oaths present that it would be much to the benefit of the North Common of Burghe near Waynflete and of the Tenants of the lands Meadows and Pastures in Wynthorpe and Ingoldmels on the VVest part of a certain Wardyke called Dâ—fdyke that there sâ—ould be a new Sewer made in Wynthoâ—pe contâ—ining in bredth xij foot by the Kinâ—s Elâ— for the drayning of the lanâ— meadow and Pasturâ—s there viz. from a place called Nedderhowe in Wynthorpe uâ—â—o a comâ—on High way called Châ—lgâ—tâ— beginning first from Nedderâ—owe at the lands sometime belonging to Robert Herrier of Wynthorpe on the East and West part and the lands of Robert the son of William Buttercake of Wâ—nthorpe on the East part and thence betwixt the lands of the said Rob. on both parts to the common high way called Chelgate And that one Floudgate should be new made and fixed athwart the same high way by which the said Sewer might run whereupon a Bridge to be erected by which travailers and Carriages might securely passe too and fro and from that Floudgate the said water to passe into an old Sewer made in Skegnes to Whete croft gote within that town and thence to the main Sea And they said that the quantity of the Lands Meadows and Pastures aforesaid which had preservation and benefit by the said Sewer were MCLxix Acres and 1 Rode whereof every Acre was assessed at xij â— for making of the said Floud-gate and bridge the name of every Land-holdâ—r and the particular number of Acres then held by him being there exprest In 41 E. 3. Sir Godefrey Foljaumbe Sir Will. Croiser and Sir Iohn Dâ—mock Knightâ— Simon Simeon and others were appointed to view and repair the Banks and Sewers upon the Verge of the River of Wythom from Marton dyke to Boston The like appointment in 42 E. 3. had Thomas de Ingelby Godefrey Foljaumbe Simon Simeon with others for those betwixt the Towns of Skidbroke and Humberstone So also had the said Thomas de Ingelby Iohn Moubray Godefrey Foljaumbe Will. Croiser and others for those betwixt Boston and Stikeswald Several other Commissions do I find afterwards to the like purpose viz. in 42 E. 3. to the said Godefrey Foljambe Iohn de Stafâ—ord and Iohn de Nessefeld Clâ—rks Iohn de Haghe and Iohn Amery for those from Saâ—tdet haven to Waynflet In which year it was presented that the Sewer pasâ—ng on the West part of of the High Road which drayned â—heves Creke South lade Northlade Lusdyke and Bullingbrooke Fenn ought to be repaired by the Tenant of the Duke of Lancasters fishing in Waynflete In 44 E. 3. to Richard de Raveâ—sere Archdeacon of Lincolne Sir Iohn de Welle Knight Thomas de Ingelby and others for those betwixt Ingoldmels and Grymesby In 47 E. 3. to Henry Asty Iohn de Boys Will. Wascelyn and others for those betwixt Buterwyk and Doneheved In 48 E. 3. to the same Henry and Iohn with Thomas de Brunham and others for those betwixt Gaynesourgh and Doneheved In 49 E. 3. to Robert de Wylughby Rob. de Crumwell Will de Skipwith and othâ—rs for those betwixt Skegnes and Grymesby In 3 R. 2. to Sir Robert de Wylugâ—by Sir Raphe de Cromwell and Sir Will. de Skipwith Knights Iohn de Hagh and others for those betwixt Skegnes and Goushull In 4 R. 2. to Iohn K. of Castile and Leon Robert de Wylughby Iohn de Welle Raphe de Crumwelle Will. de Skipwith and otherâ— for those betwixt the Towns of Wrangell and Barton upon Humbre The like in 6 R. 2. to the same Iohn K. of Castile c. Henry de Percy Earl of Northumberland Robert de Wilughby and others So also to l Henry Asty Will. de VVilughby Iohn Bussy Iohn de Hawe Robert de Haldanby and others for those betwixt Gaynesâ—urgh and Doneheved upon the Verge of Trent In the same year to Sir VVill. de Skipwith Sir Will. de Wilughby and Sir Raphe Paynell Knights and others for those betwixt the Towns of Coryngham and Frethyngham And betwixt Gaynesburgh and Coryngham In 12 R. 2. to Iohn Markham Gerard de Sothill Hugh de Mitford and others for those betwixt Gaynesburgh and Burton Stather on the East side of Trent and betwixt a certain place called Prest croft dyke and Donehed on the West part thereof In 13 R. 2. to Sir Iohn de Welle Sir Thomas Hungerford and Sir VVill. Skipwith Knights Iohn de Rochford and Iohn Hawe for those betwixt Tedeney and Skegenay In 15 R. 2. to Sir Philip Spenser Sir Henry Retteford and Sir Iohn Powether Knights VVill. Crosby Iohn Hawe VVill. Holme and Iohn Redenesse for those upon the coast of Humbre in the Marshes of Stallyngburgh betwixt the Towns of Imyngham and great Cotes By an Inquisition taken at Bullingbroke before Iohn Rocheford Iohn de la Lande and Iohn VVallis in the 17th year of King Rich. 2. and in the presence of Iohn Bushey high Steward of the Dutchy of Lancaster it was found that the Sewer called Goodike extending it self through the East fenne unto the Eas end had wont and ought to be xvi foot in bredth betwixt the banks and in depth eight foot but was then stopped by a VVear which VValter de Athall and VValter Randson had made there for that it was not then four foot deep and that it ought to be scoured and clensed by the said Walter and VValter Fermours of the fishing there or whomsoever else should be the Fermours thereof by the assignation and dimise of the Lords of Busâ—ingbroke and Dalby or their Bayliffs And it was also presented that the Sewer called the South lade extending from the Eastfenne aforesaid unto the Eas end ought and had used to be in bredth xvi foot and in depth eight foot and likewise to be repaired by those Fermours as aforesaid but was then also stopt by those Fermours of the Fishing And that the Banks of a third Sewer called Lyme beginning at Stepinge mill and extending it self to the Clow betwixt Steping and Thorpe ought to be repaired and raised higher by the Township of Thorpe And thence to the Ease ende called Lusdyke the bank on the East side to be repaired by the Towns of All hallows and S. Maries so that the water running into the said Sewers might no way enter the Fenn And that the said Sewer from the Clowes of Thorpe to the Eas end ought to be xvi foot in bredth and eight foot in depth being then obstructed by a VVear which those Fermours
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
be reformed by the Townships and persons who of right ought to do the same and to be of xij in bredth and of height sufficient for boats to passe under upon pain of 3l. 6s. 8. for every bridge unfinished at Michaelmasse following And that the Waredyke beginning at Colehousestile and so extending along the River of Burne Ee to Goodrams coote should be continued from the said Coote to Done hurne and to be distant from the River C. fooâ— and in bredth xij foot and depth iiij at the cost of the Inhabitants of Pinchbeckâ— upon pain of xxd. for every rode unfinished at Michaelmasse then next following Also that the Sewer called Newedyke in Dykesen should be perfected from Eedyke bridge unto Holand Fendyke according to the Law at Sempringham as aforesaid upon pain also of iijs iiijd. for every rode unfinished at Michaelmasse then next following Likewise that the Sewer extending directly against the East to Northgraft should be dyked and banked sufficiently by the Townships of Hakenby Dunsby and Pinchebeck and the manure to be cast on the North and that from the beginning of Pinchbeck limits to the Graft And that the Sewer of Northgraft from the first fall of the waters of the Fen into the said Sewer and thence to the Sea ought to be xij foot broad and six foot deep and to be done by the Inhabitants of Pinchbeck before Michaelmasse then next ensuing upon the penalty above-specified And that the Sewer called the Beche from Wrightbold Clowe to the Sea should be dyked roded and scoured by the Townships of Pynchbeck Gosberkirk and Surflet as had been accustomed before Michaelmasse then next ensuing upon like pain Likewise that the Sewer called Marisbeek should be scoured by the Landholders there according to their several parts to be done before the said day c. Also that the banks from Colehouse stile to Goodrams coote and thence to Done hurne should be made of xij foot thicknesse and three foot height where most need required by the Land-holders of Pinchbeck and Burne according to their limits before the said day c. And lastly that the Sewer called Hawewell should be scoured to Dykebarre by the Fermours of the Hawes and Tho. Gotherd Thence to Repingale South-dyke by the Inhabitants of Dyke Morton Hakenby and Dunsby Thence to Berhomepoles by the Inhabitants of Repingale Ringstone and Kirkby-Underwood before Michaelmasse then next following After this viz. in 43 and 44 Eliz. there arose a great controversie about the erecting of two new Gotes at Skirbek and Langare for drayning the waters out of South Holand and the Fenns into Boston Haven which work Sir Edward Dimock Knight did by himself and his friends further what he could but it was opposed by the Country of Kesteven and the very exception taken thereto was that the Commissioners of Sewers could not by the power of their Commission make a Law for the erecting of those new Gotes whâ—re never any stood before Whereupon the decision of this point coming at length before the then two chief Justices viz. Popham and Anderson they delivered their opinions that the said new Gotes if they were found to be good and profitable for the safety and advantage of the Country they might be erected by the power of the Statute of xxiij of Henry the eighth Of Spalding and Pinchbeck Fens see farther in my last Chapter under the title of Kesteven and Holand CAP. XLVI FRom Lincolnshire keeping on my course Eastwards I come next into Norfolke on the West side of which Country very great advantages have been made by banking and drayning whereof the most antient are in that part of it called Marshland next adjoyning to Holand last spoken of That this was originally gained from the Sea by the Romans I have in the Chapter of this discourse endeavoured to make manifest which admitted we may well conclude that our Ancestors the Saxons considering the extraordinary fertility of the soil had a fair invitation to seat themselves therein for that they did so is evident enough from that authentique Survey taken by the Norman Conqueror which sheweth that the Towns now in being there were all extant in the days of King Edward the Confessor Nor is it improbable but that they were so likewise for divers preceding ages forasmuch as it appears that the Church of Ely was possest of Walpole long before a place of no small note by reason it gave birth to S. Goderic the Hermite of whom M. Paris maketh ample mention Tâ—iâ— Country on the East is bounded by the stream of Ouse on the West with Wisbeche River on the North with the Sea-bank and on the South with the new Po-dike as the Map sheweth and containeth no lesse than tâ—irty thousand Acres whereof part is a â—amous plain called the Smeeth which being common to all the Towns therein maintaineth at least thirty thousand sheep and yet is not of a larger extâ—nt in the widest part of it than two English miles Of this plain I may not omâ—â— a tradition which the common people thereabâ—uts have viz. that in old time the Inhabitants of the neighbouring Villages had a fierce contest with one Hickifric the then owner of it touching the bounds thereof which grew so hot that at length it came to blows and that Hickifric being a person of extraordinary stature and courage took an Axeltree from a Cart instead of a Sword and the wheâ—l for his Buckler and being so armed most â—toutly repelled those bold invaders for farther testimony of which notable exploit they to this day shew a large Grave-stone near the East end of the Chancel in Tilney Church-yard whereupon the form of a Cross is so cut as that the upper part thereof by reason of the flourishes wherewith the Carver hath adorned it sheweth to be somewhat circular which they will therefore need have â—o be the wheel and the sâ—aft the Axâ—â—râ—e It is observed that within the compasse of this Province there is neither Mole nor Rat and that such hath been the care of the Inhabitants for pervention of mischief which might happen by any breach of the publick Sea-bank that they have invironed every Town with a particular bank called the Indike or Ward-dikâ— â— which upon any such inundation doth secure it from danger As for the several Sewers and Bridges which it hath I shall reserve them to be spoke of in the lâ—st place purposing now to go on in taking notice of such improvements as have been made within the old Precinct thereof as also how it hath been preserved from the violence of the tides on the one part and fresh waters on the other with the farther enlargement of it's particular bounds By an antient Pleading it appeareth that before the year MCLxxxi 27 H. 2. there was neither any habitation nor ground that yielded profit within that part of Wigenhale from Busterdesdole unto the South side of the same Town except the Monastery
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
lane bridge and thence to the Smethe lode Bridges Holmes Bridge Borret bridge situate over the main Drayn Mayes Bridge upon the same Drayn Another Bridge at Small Droves end Walton THe old Drayn extending from Clynkhyrne on the North part and abutting upon Newland lane on the South end Another Drayn extending from Crosse-green by Halehyrne to a place called le Yates Wall at the foot of Walton Sea dike and thence to Gybson's bridge Another Drayn beginning at Gibson's bridge and thence to the Smethe lode Bridges Gybson's bridge Old fen dich bridge Terington THe common Drayn extending from Fawkesfield to Oxhow borde and from thence into the Smethe lode Another Drayn extending through the same Town unto the Smethe lode Bridges One Bridge over the common Drayn at St. Iohns lane end Another at the Old fen dich A third ruinous adjoyning to the common Sewer called the Smethe lode Tylney with the Hamlets THe More dich drayn beginning at Tungreen bridge and so going to Wyndbrigge Read's Drayn beginning at Rysgate and extending to the Common Sewer The Fen dich drayn beginning at the West end of Tylney drove and extending to Pollets gool Another Drayn beginning at the West end of Meeres greâ—n and so extending to Creydike from thence to Fryth dich gole and so into the main River Another Drayn coming out of Spellow field and so over Meyres green to Meyres green Drayn Another called Black dich lying from Terington to Islington Fen end Bridges Five Bridges upon Moredich drayn whereof two are in Sale yate a third called Tungreen bridge another called Moredich bridge and the fift at the end of the said Drayn Another Bridge at Rysegate Another adjoyning to the Common Sewer Another Bridge called Fen dich bridge Another Bridge called Pollets gool bridge Another called Poyse gole bridge Another called Meyres green bridge Another at Dodale fedham Another called Meyres dich bridge A Causey called Islington droves end lying between the Bridges of Islington and Wigenhall Wigenhall A Drayn that beginneth at Crow gool and extendeth to New land gate thence to Barnwell Cloyt thence to Cowstow pipe and so to Raynham gool Another called St. Peters dich leading from Islington bridge to West fen lode Another called the High fen dich leading from Cowstow to Pykers hyrne thence to Hel bottom and so into the main River Another called the Heddings beginning at Pykers hyrn and thence extending to Hel bottom Another called the Border extending from Wygenhall mere to Pykers hyrne Another lying from Wigenhall mere to Scales corner so forth to Newfield heddyng between the Spade gonge and Islington drove Another called Simons lode extending from a place called the Senston alias the Hook and thence to Symonslode gool Another called Crosse lode extending from the Hook to the main River Another called Iohn's lode extending from the said Hook unto Iohn's-lode gool Another called Bustard's lode which extendeth from the said Hook unto Buctard lode gool Another called Griggs lode extending from a place called the Lowe way to the Gool head at the main River Another Drayn coming from West fen dich to Griggs gool Another called Martin drayn Another called New dich beginning at the West part of the Common belonging to Stow Bardolf Wynbotesham and Downham and extending to the main River Another Drayn lying in Stow-Bardolf from a place called West head into the main River A Dike belonging to Dounham which extendeth from Dounham bridge unto the chardge of the C. Acres of Stow Bardolf lying at the new Powdich Bridges and Causeys Gillingore brigge A Causey called called Wigenhall mere extending from the old Pow dike to Black dich A certain Causey called Low side A Common Causey called Stow brinke extending from a place called Scapwere unto the Common gate Memorandum that the Ward dich called the Little Pow dich ought to be repaired by the Townships of Tylney with it's Hamlets Terington Walpole Walton UUalsoken and Emneth A note of the Chardges which do yearly belong to Marshland being but eight Towns INprimis in the High ways for Travellers there are xxv Bridges valued in their reparations yearly at Cl. Item there is in the other ways of the Countrey Lxxx Bridges and five Gooles without which the Country is neither habitable nor passable valued yearly for reparations at DCl Item there are two other Gooles very great ones with Drayns into the River of Ouse one called Knight's goole the other the New goole valued yearly for reparations at CCl. Item the Sea-Banks of the Countrey valued yearly for reparations at M Ml. Item the Pow dikes the one called the New Pow dike and the other the Old Pow dike which be defensive Banks against the fresh waters valued yearly for reparations at Cl. The total 3000l. CHAP. XLV HAving no more to say of Marshland I shall next take notice of the remainder of this Country lying Eastwards from the River Ouse and then of those parts of Suffolk wherein any improvement hath been made by Banking and Drayning In 55 H. 3. complaint being made that about seven hundred acres of Marish and other Lands belonging to William Bardolf and the Prior of Wyrmyngey lying in Wyrmyngey and Tokenhull were then overflowed more than formerly partly by inundations from the Sea and River of Secchehithe and partly by the making of Pools and otherwise so that the said Prior had received very much damage thereby And that there was a certain Causey lying in the proper soil of the said William overthwart the said Mannours which Causey was the Kings High-way to Lenne through the midst whereof a certain stream of water passed behind a Mill And that the said William and his Ancestors having permitted the people of the Country for their common benefit to raise the same Causey in the Winter season the said stream of water which had wont to have it's course through the midst of it as aforesaid was thereby so stopt that it overflowed all the lowgrounds therabouts the King therefore being desirous that there should be some remedy had therein granted a Commission to Iohn de Cokefeld to enquire the truth thereof and how and in what manner those Marish grounds might be drayned with the least damage to the Country In 5 E. 1. upon the like complaint that the course of the River at Wirmegay had been so obstructed by the frequent inundations of the Sea that two thousand Acres of Land Meadow and Pasture lying in the Marshes of Midleton and Wirmegeye were drowned the King assigned Raphe de Wyrham and Will. de Midleton to enquire thereof and how they might be so drained as aforesaid And in 22 E. 1. Peter de Campania and Adam de Shropham were constituted Commissioners for the view and repair of the Banks Ditches and Sewers of Middelton Rungetone and Sechithe then ruinous and in decay by reason of the Tides and flouds of fresh water Other general Commissions of the like nature were afterwards issued
out both in this King's time and K. Edward the second 's viz. in 35 E. 1. to William de Carleton Will. Houward Giles de Mounpinson and Iohn le Bretun In 1. E. 2. to the same Will. Howard Iohn le Bretun and Thomas de Ingoldethorp In 2 E. 2. to Henry de Staunton Iohn le Bretoun Richard de Walsingham and Thomas de Ingoldesthorpe In 6 E. 2. to Iohn de Thorpe Richard de Walsyngham and Thomas de Snyterton for the view of all the Banks Ditches Sewers c. in the Hundreds of Frethebrigge and Clackelose In 10 E. 2 to Iohn de Milford Robert de Maddingle William de Corton and Simon de B ....... for those in the same Hundreds In 15 E. 2. upon a Session of Sewers held at Tirington by Sir Thomas de Ingaldesthorpe Iohn Fytton Iohn de Hotoft and Will. Bataile the Jurors presented upon Oath that the Causey of Watlington called East wrodiche extending from Burfenne to Polberdiche and another Causey in the same Town called Polberdiche reaching from East wrodiche to the Eebrynke of Wigenhale ought to be raised in every low place so as it might be made equal with the highest and to be six foot in bredth throughout at the top And likewise that the Eebrinke at the River of Wigenhale ought to be raised in every place from Pulberdiche to Gerys dam so as it might be full two foot higher than the highest Water-mark which was in the thirteenth year of the said King Edward the second 's reign and to be ten foot broad at the top And that the Causey of Watlington called Gerys dam be raised to the same Levell as it then was in the highest place and to be xvi foot in bredth at the top And they said that the Sewer in the Cornfen of Watlington lying betwixt the Lands of William Chaplein and Iohn Saunfoly on the North part extending it self from the Meadow gate to the Broad beche ought to be scoured and a Bridge of three foot in bredth and as much in height made over the same in the way of Broad beche so that the water might run under the same without the South side of the Beche into the Hending Westward untill it should come to Will. fitz Thomas there divert the water through the midst of the narrow Beche to Skindeslediche then to run in that Ditch unto the Kings High way there a Gutter to be made 3 foot broad 3 foot high through the midst of the Kings high way and so to run in the Ditch betwixt the land of Roger Hestings and Maud Skindwell till it come to the Eebrynke in which place there ought to be a Gutter made three foot in bredth and as much in height through the midst of the said Eebrynke through which the water might passe to UUigenhale And that the said Sewer be clensed throughout so that it might contain eight foot in bredth And they said that the Gutter called Iuresgole and Goseygole with the Gutter running through the midst of the Kings High way opposite to the other ought to be enlarged each of them to the bredth of one foot and as much in height And that the Sewer extending it self from the Kings High way to the before-specified Gutters called Iuresgole and Goseygole ought to be scoured and enlarged to the bredth of six foot And for the repair and enlarging of those Causeys and Sewers that land should be purchased in some placesâ— every acre so imployed to be estimated at 5 Marks And they said that all the before-mentioned Causeys togeâ—her with the Eebrynke and Sewers aforesaid with the Bridges and Gutters ought to be made repaired inlarged and clensed as often as need required at the chardge of those which held Lands or Tenements in the said Cornfen of Walington betwixt the same Causeys or elswhere each man to be assessed according to the proportion of what he held and according to the benefit and safeguard which he had thereby And that there were in the field of Cornfen betwixt those Causeys four hundred and fourscore Acres and one rode of land And they said moreover that the Sewer in the Cornfen of Watlington extending from Eastwrodiche unto Meadow gate betwixt the arable lands meadows Sewers on the West part of Meadow gate from Watlington Hall meadow Southwards unto the Dam and the Sewer from the Lake at the Thwarlbek towards the South betwixt the Flegester and the Common and Westwards toward the Meadow gate on the East side of the Meadow gate Northwards to the Meadow gates end And the Sewer on the East part of the Beche from Polberesdich Southwards to the Gutter passing through the midst of Thurlanegate betwixt the Beche and the Hedlondole And the Sewer from the Calkecotecroft Southwards betwixt the Reyndole and Thurlongpythils and Forkescroft to the Cheker And the Sewer from the Thurlongpightels Southwards betwixt Thurlongate and the Lake to the Dam. And the Sewer from the Gutter passing through the midst of Thurlongate Westwards to Wigenhale crofts betwixt the Dam and Dich furlong And the Sewer from the Dam to Wigenhale crofts and the Dich furlong the Beche Northwards to Skindelesdiche And the Sewer on the East part of the Kings High way from the Dam Northwards unto Polberdich ought to be clensed as often as need should require so that the water coming into those Sewers might passe without any impediment at the chardges of those persons which have lands abutting upon them And that every Sewer should be six foot in bredth And they said that the Causey in Newland and Watlington on the South part of Gerys Dam ought to be raised from the land of Robert atte Dam Eastwardâ— unto the meadow of Peter fitz Iohn And that the Causey froÌ„ Gerys dam to Geylode drove lying at the East had lands in the Newland ought to be raised in every low place as much as where it was then highest and to be six foot in bredth at the top And that the said Causeys ought to be made at the chardges of those which have lands in Newlond quilot according to each mans proportion and the Commodity and defence which they have by them And they said that the Gutter in Newlond through the midst of Ee brynke betwixt the lands of Will. Lucas and of Maude the Daughter of Iohn Geylode And the other Gutter lying betwixt the land of Will. de Clenchwarton and the land of Thomas the Son of Rich. atte Greene ought to be enlarged as aforesaid And another Gutter lying betwixt the land of Thomas Bennyng ought to be enlarged As also another Gutter lying betwixt the Messuage of Will. Seaman and the Messuage of Clarice the Widow of Henry And likewise another Gutter lying betwixt the land of Iohn Leff and Peter Heward And another lying betwixt the land of Will. fitz Thomas called Wadys and the land belonging to the heirs of Thomas Bond And another lying betwixt
the land between the Briggecroft and the Messuage late Peter Mountfords Also that the Eâ—brynke at the River of Wygenhale from Geyrys dam to Geylode drove ought to be raiâ—ed two foot above the high Water-Mark as it was in the xiiijth year of the reign of K. Edw. the second and to be ten foot in bredth at the top And the said Ee brynke to be made maintained at the charge of the landholders in Newlond Watlington And that all the Ee brynks in Watlyngton be made and repaired before the days assigned by the Dichgreves upon penalty of Bylaw which is for every perch xiid. And that all the Banks in the said Town for defence against the fresh waters be likewise made according to the days assigned by the Dichgreves upon the like penalty of By-law which is for every perch vid. And they said that all the Sewers and Gutters in the Cornfen and Newland ought to be made before the days so likewise assigned by the Dichgreves according to the Ordinance made before the Justices upon penalty of the Bylaw viz. for default of every perch iijd. Also that the Custome of Marshland is that they who ought to make or repair their Banks shall be warned to do the same by a certain day and that if they fail therein then that the Bylaw shall be levyed upon them And they moreover ordainedâ— that all such as had Stowes lying in their Sewers any year or after the Feast of All Saints should pay to the Dichgreves for every such transgression vid. And that all the Tenants and Commoners in Watlington should meet twice in the year and hold the Customes of Marshland And that there should be chosen from year to year certain Bayliffs which are called Dichegreves who may have power on the Kings behalf to distrain the offenders both within and without their houses by all their Goods and Catals found in the said Town And that whensoever those Dichgreves should find any Hoggs rooting upon the Ee bryuk it should be lawfull for them to impound them and to keep them so impounded till they shall receive three pence for every Hog And that when any man is reasonably required to repair and maintain his said Banks Ditches c. and shall neglect so to do so that his Goods and Catals are thereupon taken by the said Dichgreves or their Deputies the said Dichgreves shall receive for their pains in so distraining them id for each distress By another Inquisition n taken about that time before Sir Robert de Scales Sir Iohn de Fytton and others it appears that the Jurors presented upon Oath that the Inhabitants of Watlington and Runcton holme suffred great losses in the Common of Pasture belonging to those Towns for want of Gutters and Sewers there And they said that the Sewer which extendeth it self from Monyescroft in South old Ee Westwards to the Hirne croft and from the East end of Hirne croft into the Ditch which is betwixt the Field called the Sight from Geylode drove directly to the Eebrynke of Wigenhale ought to be amended made deeper so that the water running therin might pass without any impediment and to be in bredth eight foot for the whole length thereof And that a Gutter should be made through the midst of Heibrynke in bredth three foot and as much in height through the midst whereof the water may run in Wigenhale Ee. And they said that the same Gutter and Sewer at Geylode drove ought to be made maintained repaired and clensed as often as need should require at the charges of those which had Common of Pasture or that had Common betwixt Gerys dam and Flemyngs hithe each man according to the proportion of what he held and as they had benefit and preservation by the said Sewer And that the said Commoners should every year meet at the Old Ee on the morrow after Trinity Sunday and keep the Customes of Marshland And for the performance of the premisses there were chosen four Guardians by the said Jurors In 7 E. 3. Iohn Claver Robert de Welle Thomas de Birston and Simon Costyn were constituted Commissioners for the view and repair of the Banks Ditches Sewers c. in the Towns of Midleton Sechithe Rungetone Westwynche Watlyngtone Wirmegey Shuldham and Pentney in this part of Norfolk Upon a Presentment in 37 E. 3. there was a Precept directed to the Shireeve and Iohn Berney to enquire how the River of Smal Ee came to be obstructed and who ought to scour it as also what Towns had damage thereby By a pleading in 41 E. 3 Sir Hamond de Felton Knight then Lord of the Mannour of Dansey could not deny but that he ought to clense the several waters running from Gaywood to the Sea called Danseye hee which was then obstructed and that he ought likewise to make and repair a Bridge there then ruinous the Shireeve thereof had command to distrain him and his Tenants both to clense the said Chanel and repair that Bridge In 44 E. 3. the Mayor Aldermen and Constables of Lenne were commanded to view the Ditches compassing that Town which by reason of its situation upon an arm of the Sea were through the ebbing and flowing of the Tides filled up with mud and other filth to the great damage of that Town and to take course for the speedy remedy thereof In 4 H. 4. Iohn Hevenyngham Iohn White Raphe Ramsey Will. Snetesham Iohn Clere and Robert Marcham had Commission to view the Banks Ditches and Sewers c. betwixt the Town of great Iernemuth and the City of Norwich on the one part and the said Towns of great Iernemuth and Bekles on the other which were then in decay with special direction to perform all things therein according to the Law and Custome of this Realm and those parts of this County By an Indenture tripartite made in the Church of S. German at Wigenhale on the Feast day of S. Mark the Evangelist in 11 H. 4. it appeareth that the Abbot of Dereham Prior of Shuldham Prior of Pentney Robert Kervill and Iohn Elwin Tenants of the Lands lying on the East side of the River of UUigenhale aforesaid and the xij Jurors then in the Sembec there did for themselves and their successors with the consent and assent of all the Land-holders on the said East part of UUigenhale and of the Hamlet of Sadylbow â— grant unto the Prior and Covent of UUestacre and to the Prioresse and Covent of Blackvergh and their successors as also to Will. Campneys and Margerie his wife their heirs and assigns that they the said Prior Prioresse William and Margery of their own proper costs might make a certain VVater-course or Sewer sufficient for all the Lands and Tenements of the said Prior and Prioresse and their successors and of the said William and Margerie and their heirs and assigns lying in the Erles march viz. betwixt the Erles dich on the North part
and Bond 's dam on the South side of Grenedich so that by the same Sewer the before-specified lands might drayn from time to time whensoever the said Prior and Prioresse William and Margery their heirs and assigns should think fit And that they should have enjoy and maintain the said Sewer so made for ever from a certain place called the Erlesmarsh and so through the midst of Sadilbow pitts to the bredth of eight foot and thence to a certain Gutter called Feresgote With power to make a sufficient Bridge over the same for Carts at the South East Corner of Geffrey Siward and another also for Carts neer the gate of the heirs of Iohn Drew and a third likewise for Carts together with a Clow having two bars with Keys at the West end of Brod will Ea whereof one Key to be kept by the Dyk Reeves for the time being to remain on the said East part of Wigenhale and the other by the said Prior and Prioress and their Successors and the said Will. and Margaret and their heirs and assigns for ever to the intent that if an excess of water should fortune to come on the side of Erlesfeld then the said Dike Reeves might shut the same Clow untill the said Sewer might in reasonable time convey it away so that the Lands in Wigenhale and Sadilbo might not be overflowed therewith And in like manner if such an excess of water should come from Wigenhale and Sadilbo that then the said Prior and Prioress and their successors and the said Will. and Margerie and their heirs and assigns for prevention of the inundation of their Lands might shut the same Clow untill the said water should be carried away And that otherwise than for the evacuation of such excess of water coming from Erlesmarsh or from that part of Wigenhale and Sadilbow neither of the said parties to shut the same Clow. And the said Prior and Prioress for themselves and their successors and the said Will. and Margerie for them and their Heirs did Covenant to keep sufficiently and maintain the said Sewer Bridges and Clow at their own proper costs and chardges And the said Land-holders in Wigenhale and Sadilbow Covenanted likewise to permit them the said Prior and Prioress and their successors and the said Will. and Margerie and their Heirs to have a sufficient Sewer for the draining of their Lands in Erlesmarsh aforesaid In consideration whereof they the said Prior and Prioress for themselves and their successors and the said William and Margery for themselves their Heirs and Assigns did grant to the said Landholders of Wygenhale and Sadilbow an yearly rent of viiis. to be received yearly out of the Lands beforespecified After this about two years scil on Thursday next after the Invention of the Holy Cross there was a Perambulation made on the East part of the River of Wigenhale by xij Jurors who said upon their Oaths and ordained that for safeguard of the said Town the Newland dich ought to be eight foot in bredth at the â—op And that all the Sea-banks opposite to the messuage Walls and elswhere from the said Newland dich to Rouse beche ought to be xij foot broad at the top And that the Rouse beche Briggebeche Yernemouth dole Dukesbeche Gromesdiche and Cannesbeche ought to be xij foot in bredth at the top And they said that all the Sea-banks opposite to the messuage Wall of Sechegole unto Pulbergole ought to be six foot in bredth at the top and within the Wall four foot but elswhere xij foot And that all the said Sea-banks ought to be raised above the highest tides two foot and perfected before the Feast of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist upon penalty of the Bylaw viz. for every perch not repaired vid. And that they be well turfed before the Feast of All Saints upon penalty of Biscot and at the utmost that they be sufficiently repaired before the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord upon penalty of Triscot And they likewise ordained for the better safeguard of the said Town that all the said Sea-banks should be strengthned with Stakes and Piles or with Timber viz. of schoring where need required before the Feast of All Saints upon penalty of vis. viiid. for every perch not repaired And that all the Sewers should be clensed and scoured where need was before the Feast of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist upon penalty of Bylaw viz. for every perch not repaired ijd. without damage to the Land sowed And that where the Sewers lay upon the sowed Land that they should be clensed before the Feast of S. Michael the Arch Angel upon the like penalty And that all the warp should be thrown into the Common wayes to fill up haggs and lakes where need was upon a great penalty where it should ly neer the Common rode And they furthâ—r ordained that all Dunghills lying in Common to the nusance of any should be amerc'd viz. for each Dunghill iiâ— there was therefore warning given for their removall before the Feast of S. Michael the Arch-angel upon penalty of iiiiâ— for every Dunghill And they said that there was a certain Lake in the Kings High way betwixt the Messuage of Iohn Hastings Chaplain and the Plot lately belonging unto Edm. Blower command was therefore given to fill the said Lake with earth on each side before the Feast of S. Iohn Baptist upon penalty of vis. viiiâ— As also that all Trenches Lakes and Haggs in the faiâ— publick ways within the before-specified limits should be filled up with earth lying neer thereto before the said Feast of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist upon penalty of viâ— And they likewise ordained that all those old Cuâ—tomes of Bylaws and othâ—r touching the safeguard of that Town antiently used and approved by the Kings Justices should be firmly kept And to quicken the observance of them that the said By-laws Biscot and Triscoâ— should be levyed according to antient Custome by the oversight and advice of the Jurors of the Purale And that the principal Guardians called Dike-Reeves as often as they should think fit should make inquisition of the trespasses touching the common obstruction in the Sewers and Stows and the like and amerce those whom they find faulty according to the measure of the offence Which Dike Reeves to have the one half and the Commonalty the residue for those common nusances to be imployed in menwarke and grundegole And the persons taking the said distresses to have id. called Wopeny for every one so taken as also twelve pence in every xxs of Tallages and Amerciaments by them Collected And that the chief Guardians of the Town should for the future from year to year upon the Feast of S. Marke the Evangelist give up their accompt at a publick meeting of all Tallages Bylaws Biscot and Triscot in what sort soever levyed and be answerable for the same unto the Commonalty according to antient usage and the same day to deliver up their
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
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
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
Church of Helgay the Landholders late Massingham's and the Landholders late Bexwell's ought to dyke the said Sewer against the late Landholders of the Cellerer of Bury from the said Willow unto Pulverlake And they said that the Landholders of the late Cellerer of Bury ought to dike the one half of the said Sewer in a certain place called the Middyl in Creeklode against all men by the space of two miles The said Landholders of the Lands belonging to Ramsey ought to dyke a certain place called Balkwere abutting upon Gnatlode by the space of a quarter of a mile The Dean of Norwich the Parson of Helgay the Landholders of Massingham's and the Landholders late Bexwell's ought to dyke the said Sewer unto four lodes end The Heirs of Tho. Butler of Helgay ought to dyke a certain place in the said Sewer called Hogges myddle by the space of one furlong The King for Lands somtimes the Duke of Gloucester's ought to dike at a certain place called the great Were against all men by the space of a mile The Landholders of the late Monasteries of Castleacre and Wendlyng and the Landholders late Bexwell's ought to dyke the other part of the said Sewers against the King for the space of a mile Then the Landholders late belonging to the said Celerer of Bury ought to make a Shetting middyl in the said Sewer by the space of a mile and more The King for Lands somtime the Duke of Gloucester's ought to dyke a certain place called Chattyngs in the said Sewer by the space of half a furlong and more And the Landholders late belonging to the said Celerer of Bury ought to dyke a certain place in the said Sewer called Stream middyl by the space of a mile and then the Landholders of the late Priory of Modney ought to dyke the one half of Unge medyl in the said Sewer by the space of two furlongs against the Landholders of the late Monastery of Thetford The Heirs of Iohn Ashfeild the Landholders of the late Monastery of Ramsey somtime Nicholas Gunne's ought to dyke the said Sewer against the said Landholders of the late Priory of Modney And the Landholders late Iohn Ashfeild's ought to dyke at a certain place in the said Sewer called Lod were by the space of two furlongs The Landholders of the late Monastery of Thetford and the Landholders late Iohn Champayne ought to make the other part by the space of two furlongs The Landholders of the late Priory of Modney ought to make the one half of a certain place in the said Sewer called Bullings against the Landholders of the late Monastery of Ramsey by the space of two furlongs and more And the Landholders of the said late Priory of Modney and Massingham's ought to dyke the said Sewer called Credy-middyl by the space of one furlong The Landholders of the late Monastery of Thetford ought to dyke in the said Sewer called Iolles-middyl by the space of a mile The Township of Litilport the Landholders sometime called Nicholas Orme and the Earl of Worcester ought to dyke the said Sewer called New dyke unto the said South branch called Welney water by the space of a mile And that the persons chargable with the making scouring c. of these Sewers shall have the Fishings so far as they are so charged Also they said that there is another occasion of the drowning of the said Marish and Pasture grounds and of the whole Country of Marshland which is the decay of a certain River parcell of the North branch extending from Shrewysnest poynt unto Outwellsholl the which decay beginneth at a certain place in Outwell aforesaid called Saltham lake and extendeth to a place in Downham called North delf and so to Salters lode The which River ought to be in bredth in the narrowest place of the Chanel xxiiij foot and of convenient depth And of the bredth and depth aforesaid by the Inhabitants of Marshland and Wygenall from the said place called Salthamlake unto Salter's lode And they said that there is a certain Bank before remembred called the New Powdich set in Outwell and Downham aforesaid on the East and North part of the same River aswell for the safeguard of certain low grounds in Downham Outwell Wimbotesham and Stow Bardolf aforesaid as also of the whole Country of Marshland and Wygenall for and against the abundance of fresh waters descending to and against the same bank the which Bank beginneth at the South end of the Parish of Outwell aforesaid and extendeth South Eastward unto Mullycourt drove thence to Saltham lake thence to North delf in Dounham and thence to Salters lode and adjoyneth in part thereof to the East side of the said River and in part to the North side thereof Which Bank by all the limits thereof ought to be in bredth in the foundation xviii foot at the least and in the top xii foot And in height from the plain ground unto the top thereof from the said Saltham lake unto Northdelph six foot of lawfull measure and from North delf unto Salters lode in height five foot of like measure And they said that the Landholders of those lands in Outwell aforesaid in certain fields in the same Town called Mutlycourt field Sandy field Out-Sandy field alias Blewick field and Powdich field ought to maintain the said Bank from the Towns end of Outwell unto Mullycourt drove at their costs And the Dean of Ely for the said late Priory of Mullycourt from Mullycourt drove unto Saltham lake And the Inhabitants of Marshland and Wygenhall from the said Saltham lake unto North delph and from thence unto Salters lode c. And they said that the decay of the said Bank hath grown most especially by reason that the Earth taken for the repairing thereof hath been dyked and cast from the foot of the said Bank whereas by the antient Ordinances it hath been appointed to be taken on the South part and West part of the said River adjoyning to the said Bank in time of Summer and in the Winter upon great necessity the Country of Marshland and Wygenhall to take their manure in the common Fenns of Outwell and Dounham on the East part and North part of the said Bank in distance xl foot from the same And they said that there is another Bank extending from Salters lode aforesaid unto Dounham brigge and thence unto Stow Bardolf houses and so by the same Houses to Staple were in Stow Bardolf aforesaid made for the defence of the several and common grounds and Marishes of Dounham Wimbottesham and Stow Bardolf for and against the Floud and Spring waters coming out and from the North Seas at King's Lynne aforesaid the which Bank viz. from Salters lode to Dounham Bridge ought to be in bredth in the foundation xviii foot and on the top xii foot and in sufficient height for the defence of the floud And that the Inhabitants of Dounham ought to repair the said Bank from Salters lode
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
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
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
all surrounded Wastes and Commons as also the most of the Commoners for their particular Commons might contract or bargain for part of such Commons Wastes Severals with such person or persons who would undertake the Drayning the Country themselves being not able to do it as the said Act acknowledges and that the same their contract and conveyances thereupon made should be good and available in Law against the Lords of the soyl c. and all other the Commoners therein but not against the said Queen her heirs or successors except such conveyances should be certified into the Chancery in case the said Wastes were of the possessions of the Crown and except the royal assent were obtained thereunto Howbeit upon this Act hapning so neer the latter end of that Queens reign little was done but King Iames shortly after coming to the Crown being a grave and prudent Prince as also of a most noble and publick Spirit and withall highly sensible of the general advantage which thereby would redound to whole Kingdome by his Letters directed to the Commissioners of Sewers for the Isle of Ely and Counties of Norfolk Suffolk Cambridge Huntendon Northampton and Lincolne bearing date at Westminster the xith of Iuly in the second year of his reign encouraged their proceedings therein expressing his readiness to allow a part of his own Lands to be so recovered towards the charge of the work in like proportion that other of his subjects should do and signified to them that he had appointed one Henry Totnall and Iohn Hunt respectively to take view of the said Fenns and to treat and contract with as many Lords and Commoners as they might touching the premisses desiring likewise the said Commissioners to be aiding to the said Henry Totnall and I. Hunt therein The limits of the Commission for the general Drayning attempted Aâ— 1605. The grounds lying between and within any the limits within the Isle of Ely and Country of Marshland and within all the grounds every way between the said Isle and the River of Ouse and between the Countrey of Marshland and the same River of Ouse and the Upland grounds of Norff. Suff. Cambr. and Huntingdon and between all the grounds between the Isle of Ely and the Upland grounds of Huntingdon Northampton shires and within all the grounds aswell of the Washes in Lincolnshire as those between the same washes the Isle of Ely South ea bank great Porsant bank and the River of Welland and within all the grounds between the said River of Welland great Porsant bank South Ea bank and the Upland grounds in the Counties of North. and Linc. and within all the grounds between the River of Welland and the River of Glen or in the borders and confines of the same The particular limits From the Corner of Edw. Skypwith's bank next to Creek lode by the River of Ouse and so by that Bank to Maid lode alias Shiplode and by a Bank on the North side of the said Lode to Calsey-dike and so through a part of Upwell to Lakebridg and from thence by Bishop's dike to Fryday brigge and so Elme leame to Maryes dam and to Tilnâ—y hyrne and from thence to Hob's house alias Bensted hyrne to Guy hyrne and from thence to Clowes Crosse and so by South Ea bank and through Crouland to the further end thereof towards White house from thence by a new Bank or Banks as intended to be made to the Upland neer Peykirke in Com. Northt From thence by the utmost ring of the Fenns or low ground to the Upland subject to surrounding in the said Counties of Northt and Hunt to Erith and from thence by Over fen Bank to Over hive and from thence by the utmost ring of the Fens or low grounds towards the Upland subject to surrounding in the said County of Cambridge to a Causey leading from Water beche to Clay hive Ferrey and from thence to the utmost ring of the Fenns or low grounds towards the Upland subject to surrounding in the said County of Cambridge unto Upwere and thence by the utmost ring of the Fens or low grounds towards the Upland subject to surrounding in the said Counties of Cambridge Suff. and Norff. to Stoke Causey and by it and the utmost ring of the Fenns and low grounds towards the lands subject to surrounding in the said County of Norff. to another Bank of the said Edm. Skipwith's by Stoke River and by the said Bank of Helgay Causey and from thence by the utmost ring of the Fenns or low grounds towards the Upland of Helgay and Sotherey subject to surrounding unto Sotherey Calsey and by it to the River of Ouse at Sotherey ferrey and from thence by the said River of Ouse to the said Corner of the said Mr Edw. Skipwith's Bank In order therefore to this great work direction was given to one Mr. Richard Atkins of Outwelle a person whose observations in these fenny grounds were very notable to make search with an Augar of xi foot long on the skirts of the New Leame from Guy hirne to Stanground stafe to find the soil there of at eight foot deep whereupon he began so to do on the second of April and found the first place on the North side 2 3 4 and 5. all Moor. 6. At mile and half Tree Moor 7 8. All Moor. 9. In the Leame Moor 10. On the North side Moor In Knarlake Moor at eleven foot deep 12. On the South side against Knarlake all Moor. 13. In the Leame Moor. 14. On the North side all Moor to 8. foot 15. In the Leame Moor 9. foot deep 16. By Lords dikes end black Moor mixt with earth 17. In the Leame the like 18. On the North side the like 19. On the South side Lipny holt against the Hill mixt Earth 20. Westward a furlong black Moor mixt 21. The like 22. 23. Against Easttree mixt Moor. 24. Nigh Cotes Moor on both sides 25. Against Cotes all Moor Above Cotes on the North Moor by Basually hill 26. At Stonhil doles Moor. 27. Against Calves Croft South Bassa gravel North Moor. 28. Between the Leame and the Lake against the Mills Moor. 29. Between Great Hill and Stone hill gravell Moor mixt 30. Between Stone hill gravell and Eastlong Lotts all Clay aloft and gravell at 2. foot 8. inches 31. More Westwards in the River Gravel and silt at 4 foot 32. On the North side At North Ee gravell the like 33. At North Long-lotts all Clay aloft 34. 35. By Bradley fen Clay and mixt Earth aloft about 3 foot 36. By Bradley fen to the Leames end such like above but rank Moor all the way under The Searches made from Erith bridge to Plawlis were At Erith bridg within Lx pole of the Bridg at the first Ham there at 2 foot and 2 foot and a half Clay But after under the same at 8 and 9 and 10 foot and upwards is all red Moor and so from thence
Up-were on the West Wickynhie grounds on the South and of Soham East 4297 The Fens and low grounds between Grant from Upwere to Clay hithe and Horningsey high grounds on the West the way from Quoy to Eambridge and Quoy and Bottesham high grounds on the Southâ— the two Swafhams Reach Burwell Lanward and Fordham on the East and of Soham and Wickin North 11950 The Fens between the high grounds of Teversham and Hinton West of Fulburne South of great and little Wilbram East of Bottesham and Quoy North 1240 Between Grant from Harrymere to Ditton on the East of Ouse from Harrymere to Aldrich bridg on the North Hempsall Yram and the high grounds of Rampton West and the high grounds of Cottenham and Denney Abby South 9480 Hempsall and Ireham East of Aldrich Causey 823 The low grounds from St. Ives to Erith bridge on the South the Fens of Willingham and Over on the East the high grounds of Swasey Drayton and Stanton on the South and the high grounds of St. Ives West 3529 The low grounds below St. Ives on the North side of Ouse between the said River on the South and East and the high land of Bluntesham Hallywell and St. Ives on the North and West 1871 The total sum 307242 Acres Whereupon the said Commissioners sitting at Wisebeche aforesaid upon the day and year aforesaid the Lord Chief-Justice Popham being then and there present made certain Laws and Ordinances the extract whereof is as followeth Ordered first that Sir Iohn Popham Knight Lord Chief Justice of England Sir Thomas Fleming Knight Chief Baron of the Exchequer Sir William Rumney Knight Alderman of London and Iohn Eldred Citizen and Cloth-worker of London their heirs and assigns shall within the space of 7 years next coming at their own proper costs and charges drayn all the Fens and surrounded grounds between the old course of the River of Ouse as it now runneth from Erith bridg to Salters lode and Deping and within the land Eas hereafter mentioned And convey the said River of Ouse or the greatest part thereof from some place at or neer Erith bridg aforesaid unto such place between Salters lode and Mayden lode as the said Undertakers c. shall think meet Which conveyance to be made between the bottom of the two uttermost Banks 30 pole at the least and the Rivers to be 30 foot wide and 8 foot deep And the same utmost Banks to be each of them 30 foot wide at the bottome and 7 foot in height at the least and if that height will not do to carry away the water c. then to raise them higher That the like passage be made at the entrance of the Fens neer Peterborough for the conveyance of the River Nene from thence to Wisbeche And so likewise for the River of Weland from its entrance into the Fens at Waldram Hall untill it meet with Glen That Land-Eas from Erith to Stanground and thence to Waldram hall be made to defend the grounds within them and between the said new passage of Ouse and Weland from the Land flouds falling from the Upland-Countreys which Land eas to be from the utmost part of the Fence dike 6 pole at least That a drayn be made from Salters lode unto the Ham in March River to carry away the water which shall fall into the same Land eas c. That a new Bank be made from Erith bridg to Ely to defend the grounds between that and the same new passages from the overflowing of Ouse As also other necessary Sluses and Drayns within the precincts before-mentioned with Bridges c. for passage c. That the Undertakers shall have such sums of money as the Commissioners at their Session shall think fit from those persons who shall take benefit by this drayning and not contribute part of their Lands towards the charge thereof That the Undertakers shall allow for the drayn at Clows Crosse in ease of this charge to the Countrey That a Navigable Sluse be made at Salters lode And that Well-Creeke shall be inlarged and diked to London lode and thence through Neatmore to Wadingstowe and thence over the River of Wellenhee as directly as may be unto or above the Ham in March River And a Sluse with a bridg to be made at Wadingstow to keep so much of the River Neene as shall be needfull in its old course through both the Towns of Welle In recompence of which performance the said Undertakers to have one hundred and thirty thousand Acres of statute measure of Fen grounds at fivescore to the hundred to be taken out of the worst sort of every particular Fen proportionably by the Commissioners before the Feast of the Annunciation of our Lady next coming the whole number of surrounded Acres being 307242. And that the Undertakers their heirs c. shall enjoy all the said waters Fishings and Banks of and within the Rivers with the Indikes and Land-Eas and liberty to take sufficient menure for the repairing of the said Banks c. which Rivers Banks Indikes c. to be accounted parcell of the said 130000 Acres so assigned to them And that the said Undertakers shall make good all drowned parcells out of their own proportions or in value in case the drayning be not made perfect to the Land-owners Of which quick dispatch his Majesty being advertised he wrote to them again from Theobalds upon the xxiiith of the same Month of Iuly by which Letters he commended their endeavours in the work and progress made therein and taking notice of some opposition which had been made by certain people thereto not knowing out of what spirit it proceeded desired them to take special care to suppress the spreading of all false rumours that might give distast to the Countrey touching their proceedings therein and with those who were then imployed by his Majesty in that service as also to examine the grounds of all such rumors and to punish the Offenders giving advertisement to his Majesty and the Councel of any mutinous speeches which might be raised concerning this business so generally intended for the publick good Shortly after this viz. upon Monday Aug. 5th Mr. Hunt Ric. Atkyns and others laid out the ground where the River through Neatmore should go by a straight line to Mumbes dikes end but misliking the way on Tuesday they veiwed New ditch and in the north-Northeast end thereof by the Pow dich laid out the Ditch to be led line-right from thence to the Cross at Upwell Towns end And upon Wednesday about 8 of the Clock the work began in the presence of Mr. Hunt who cast the first spit the wrong way Mr. Helon Mr. Totnall Mr. Hamon Mr. Iohn Fyncham Mr. Richard Atkyns and others And was prosecuted so well as that upon the xxith of December following being the Feast day of S. Thomas the Apostle the Bank at the Cross at Upwell towns end was opened and the River
known and so likewise where they are not known to do the like which boundaryes shall stand good for ever And that if the Commissioners cannot agree the difference to be certifyed to the Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper for the time being who with the assistance of certain Judges of both Benches to determine it And that within 3. years after such determination the Owners and Commoners to make division Dikes in bredth and depth as shall be thought fit by their Lords and the Homage 19. That the Commons shall be stinted by the Lords and greatest part of the Freeholders and Copyholders Commoners with the allowance and consent of the Judge of the Isle or one of the Justices of Assize of the County 20. That the Cottagers upon the Lords waste not having right of Common because they have been suffred to take benefit of the wastes shall be provided for by the Lords and Homage in every Mannour in the said wastes as the Lords and Homage shall think fit 21. That of the 112000. Acres belonging to the Undertakers no more then 4d. an Acre to be paid for the Tithe thereof for ever yearly 21. That after the said Drayning there shall be a Corporation or body politick of xxx known discreet and sufficient persons by the name of the Governours of the Fens within the Isle of Ely c. to purchase c. Lands to sue and to be sued by that name the first of these to be Martin â—ishop of Ely Sir Anthony Mildmay Sir Iohn Peyton Governor of Gernâ—ey Siâ— Oliver Crumwell Sir Robert Bevyll Sir Edw. Coke Attorney General Sir Iohn Cutts Sir Iohn Heigham Sir Rob. Wingfield â—ir Rob. Cotton Sir Edw. Apsley Sir Henry Warner Sir Miles Sandys Sir Simeon Steward Sir Thomas Lambert Sir William Rumney Knights Humfrey Tindall Dean of Ely Anthony Irby Tho. War Thomas Rawlyâ—s and Henry Totnall Esquires Iohn Eldred Roger Oâ—field of London Merchants Iohn Fyncham and Iohn Hunt Gentlemen And when these dy new to be chosen by the most voices out of such Lords or Undertakers as shall have 1000. Acres at the least of lands assigned to them 21. And that the Governours for ever shall have assured to them 112000 Acres statute measure which they may keep for ever and the profits to be imployed for the perpetual maintenance of the drayning and satisfaction for drowning as before so far as it will suffice and when it will not suffice the Governours then to lay a Tax of all the rest to do it withall 22. And that the said Governours may make Laws for the maintenance of the drayning and levying such Taxes in cases aforesaid and put them in execution being ratified by the Lord Chancelour Lord Keeper or the Lord Tresurer and the two Chief Justiceâ— or any three of them whereof the Lord Keeper or Tresurer to be one And the Governours to let the lands to them appointed to the best value so as they exceed not the term of seven years An. 4o. Iacobi Regis Cap. 13. Observations out of the Act for Drayning of certain Fens c. within the I le of Ely containing about 6000. Acres and compassed with a Bank called the Ring of Waldersey and Coldham THat Francis Tindall Esquire Henry Farre and Iohn Cooper Gentâ— having undertaken to endeavour the drayning c. shall have power for the space of 7 years ensuing the end of that present Session of Parliament to effect the same the lands so intended to be drayned lying within the Bank beginning at Kekys mill and thence extending by Tower house and Hobbes house to Tylney hirne so by Maryes dam and Elme leame to Fryday bridge and thence by Redmore dike Begdale and Goldike to Kekys mill again And that for the doing thereof they may have power to make new or repair as need is all Drains Lodes Banks c. and Sluces as they shall think fit not being in Marshland withâ—in the old Pow dike giving such satisfaction to the owners as by any six Commissioners of Sewers whereof three inhabiting within the said Isle and thrâ—e within the County of Norff. shall be set down VVhich Undertakers c. having accomplished the said Drayning to have two parts in three of the lands so drayned to them and their heirs to be set out by six of the said Commissioners at the least whâ—râ—of four inhabiting within the said Isle which two parts to be holden of the chief Lord of the Fee c. in free and common Soâ—age and to be exempt from payment of any Tithes for 7 years after the time limited for the said drayning But if the said grounds so undertaken c. shall in deâ—ault of the said Undertakers be overflowed and so continue by the space of two months betwixt the Feast of S. Mich. the Archangel and the Annunciation of our Lady or the space of one month betwixt the Feast of the Annunciation of our Lady and S. Michael the owner by the view c. of any six of the said Commissioners to re-enter and to enjoy the same Things most observable extracted by me W. D. out of the Verdict of the Iurats for the Hundred of Clakclose and Freebridge in Marshland at a Session of Sewers held at Ely 26 Iulii An. 1608. 6 Iacobi 1 THat the River of Welle from Salters lode to North delf and so upward was then in great decay in depth and bredth for want of clensing c. 2. So likewise the Sewer called Small lode in Upwell being stopt c. 3. That the Sewer called London lode lying in Upwell ordained for the Drayning of the Fen called Nâ—atmore was aâ—â—o in some decay 4. That the Sewer called Maide lode beginning at Welney water extending to Shiplode and so to the River of Ouse was imposed upon the Undertakers to scour c. 5. That the Sewer called New dich in Littleport taking its head from Welney water and extending to Crekelode in Sothrey and Helgay was then in decay c. 6. That the Sluse at Crekelode end next to the River of Ouse being utterly decayed to be new made with a dore six foot broad and 8 foot deep 7. That there was a new Sewer in Upwell then lately begun by the late Lord chief Justice Popham which taking its head out of the River of March neer a place in Upwell called Newdich end and extending in self through the Common of Upwell c. to Wadyngstow and so through Neatmore falleth into Welle River at North delph is esteemed to be a perfect Drayn for the most part of the Isle of Ely especially the whole Hundred of Wisbeche and the Towns of Upwell March Dodington Wimlington Benwick Chateriz Whitlesey Litleport and other adjoyning places even to the high Lands 8. That the Common Sewer in Sothery called Stake lode was then in great decay 9. That the River of Wysse from Helgay brigge to the River of Ouse was then defective in bredth and depth and to be amended The
is said that the water was turned into the Fen so as to go out of the right course into the Fen proveth plainly that there was no Watercourse through the Fen for the water to passe by And in An. 1 Mariae it was thus presented Et quod nulla persona abscindet Calcetum in aliquâ parte ejusdem sive aliquorum aliorum Calcetorum c. sub poena forisfacturae pro quolibet tempore sic factum vis viiid. And in the Convocation for Cowstowe .... the Jury say thus Dicunt etiam quod antiquo tempore antequam aquae Marisci descendebant versus Wigenhale Sed postquam aquae marisci desendebant versus Wigenhale nunquam fuit dictum fossatum aliqua salvatio c. Whereby it appeareth that antiently the waters of Upwell did not fall down towards Wigenhall and so by Lynne That there was a Mere in Welle called the Wide Robert de Swaffham in his Hist. of the Foundation of Peterborough under the title De gestis â—ncliti militis Herewardi saith that Hereward fleeing William the Conqueror cum navibus suis quas habebat benè armis munitas c. in quoddam mare Wide vocatum juxta Welle secessit magnum spaciosum lateribus aquarum liberos exitus habens The name and tract of which Meer yet remaineth in the Fens of Upwell Wide lode being ordained to be clensed by the same Law that Small lode was That the waters had their course from Gnat lode towards Welle The tract to this day sheweth it for the Presentment by which Small lode is so much urged saith that Gnat lode incipit apud Hawkyns bright durat usque Fowr lodes end The Crosse end of Gnat lode was Docky lode which fell into Widelode and in the same Presentment it is said that Wide lode was in length a mile and a half and xv furlongs and that old Small lode incipit à Wide lode and continued towards Welle to a place of late called Crosse-water against Nurses viii acres end by the space of half a mile and half a furlong and there fell into Cheselbeche lode alias Small lode and from Seman's goole came into the River a little below Upwell Church Other Branches there were all tending their course towards UUelle and so to the North Seas at UUisbeche as UUebwinche lake UUell meere Audley lode UUabeche lode Chesebeche lode Twane lode Saltham lake c. as may seem by the tracts of many of them in the Fens of UUelle So much be spoken touching the old course of the River of Ouse and of the other Lodes and Meers which by reason that the outfall at Wisebeche hath been for a long time much choak'd up with silt are not now well known to the vulgar and therefore I have thought it not impertinent to leave this memorial of them to posterity I now return to the general Drayning Upon the xxiiij of February in the said 15 year of King Iames there was a Session of Sewers held at Huntendon and these following Decrees then made viz. 1. First that the great River of Wisebeche from the Sea to Wisbeche bridg thence to the mouthe and so to Gyhyrne Crosse be clensed to the antient bredth and old bottom viz. from the Sea to the Mouth by the Hundred of Wisebeche thence to Guyhyrne Crosse by the Bishop of Ely before the xxth of Iune then next ensuing upon pain of 3s. 4d. for every perch not perfected by that time 2. That Morton's leame be accordingly scoured c. from Guy hyrne Crosse to Midfentre by the Hundred of Wisebeche for their Common in the High Fenn thence to Musdyke by the Inhabitants of Wittlesey thence to Stanground staffe by the heirs or assigns of Sir Anth. Mildemay before the xxth of Iuly next upon the like penalty 3. That the Old Ea from Clay lake unto Middle honce hard at Bull dyke end neer Peterborough be in like sort clensed c. by the Dean and Chapter of Peterborough Thence to Thorney Cross by the Lord of the Cokenary of Wittlesey or the fermour thereof 4. That the Sewer called Catts water from Thorney Cross to Fynset Cross be clensed c. by the Lord Russell or his Tenants for the Lordship of Thorney on the East side and on the West side by the Bishop of Peterborough And to Tooth willow thence to Henny dyke and Perkyns coat by the said Lord Russell before the xxth of Aug. next 5. That Thorney water from Blackstile to Thorney gote and thence to Powteshed and so to Wryde ware by the said Lord Russell his Tenants c. From Wryde ware down Wryde lake unto High fen dyke by the Commoners in Wisbeche high fen before the said xxth of August 6. That the River called High fen dyke and South Ea being also a branch of â—ene be scoured c. from Guyhyrne crosse unto Clow's crosse in bredth xl foot and depth six foot by the Towns of Wisbech Leverington Newton and Tyd S. Giles And from Clows crosse to Halgates by the Landholders of Sutton cum membris and Tyd S. Maries their Tenants c. on the North part and the Lord of Throkenholt on the South before the said xxth of August 7. And from Hallegates to Goldyke by the Inhabitants and Landholders of Gedney and Sutton cum membris so far as their limits extend on the North part and by the Inhabitants c. of Sutton c. wholy on the South part And from Goldyke to Dowsedale on the North side by the Inhabitants c. of Whaplode Holbeche Flete and Gedney every Township so far as their particular lymits extend And on the South side by the Lord and Owners of Thorney c. And from Dousedale to Nomans land on the North side at the Prince his charge for his lands in Crouland and on the South by the Lord of Thorney 8. And that the River of Weland from the Sea to Crouland and thence to Stamford bridge be sufficiently clensed c. before the 20th of Iune aforesaid And that the out-ring banks from Dousdale to Crouland in length 4. miles be amended at the charge of the Prince or his Tenants of Crouland And the Bank from Crouland to Clout house 3. miles in length be amended at the charge of the said Prince That Lx. Rods thereof be repaired by Rob. Chapman Clark and several other small proportions of it by other mean persons 9. And whereas the two Rivers of Ouse and Grant do pour down so much water that the Chanel below Harrymere where they unite cannot contain the same but hath been supplied by the Sewer called the Old Ea and by another Sewer called Padnall lake which Sewers being crooked and narrow were almost grown up and that the Commissioners for supplying the said defects had make two Laws of Sewers the one dated 9. Iunij 1609. the other the 8th of Aug. in the said year and thereby appointed two larger Sewers neer the said places and