Selected quad for the lemma: england_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
england_n	earl_n	lord_n	sussex_n	2,508	5	13.4598	5	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A36795	The history of imbanking and drayning of divers fenns and marshes, both in forein parts and in this kingdom, and of the improvements thereby extracted from records, manuscripts, and other authentick testimonies / by William Dugdale.	Dugdale, William, Sir, 1605-1686.	1662 (1662)	Wing D2481; ESTC R975	640,720	507

at least which was a very great work 2. The Middle Levell also they defended from Peterborough water by a large Bank made from Peterborough to Wisebeche this being raised upon the foundation of that which the King begun excepting a little turn in Waldersey Bank From the River Ouse they likewise defended it by a great Bank extending from Erith to Salters lode on the North VVest side of Bedford River and made another new River parallel to the said Bedford river from Erith to Salters lode aforesaid containing an hundred foot in bredth and imbanked it with Banks on borh sides of threescore foot wide at the bottom ten at the top and eight foot in height The other new Drayns which he and his Participants made or repaired within this Levell being these viz. Uermudens Ea Hamonds Ea Stony Draine Nene old Chanel Pophams Ea Marshland Cut Moores Drayne Witlesey Dikes and some other small ones And the Sluses those at Salters lode Pophams Ea and Marshland Cutts 3. For scou●ing the South Levell from the overflowings of Ouse they raised also a great Bank from Over to Salters lode The lesser Rivers viz. of Grant Mildenhall Brandon and Stoke being defended by smaller Banks From Salters lode to Stow bridge they likewise caused a large River of one hundred and twenty foot wide and ten foot deep to be cut for the more speedy conveying away of the waters which River is now called Downham Ea As also two great Sasses at Salters lode for the passage of Boats and other great Vessels with three Sluses at the end of Downham Ea And divers small Drayns viz. Grunty fen Drayn the In-Drayn to the Bank of the Hundred foot River Reach lode and many others So that having accomplisht the whole work within the compass of five years the said Level was by a Decree of Sewers made at Ely on the 25th of March Anno 1653. adjudged to be fully drayned Whereupon the said Earl and his Participants had possession of those ninety five thousand Acres awarded to them CHAP. LV. Lindsey Levell Extending from Bourne to Lincolne OF this though I might have not incongruously discourst under my title of Kesteven and Holand yet forasmuch as 't is in truth a part of the great Levell before-mentioned however not so now taken notice of in Common reputation I have thought it more proper to speak of it here The first general attempt towards the Drayning of this part of the Country whereof I have taken notice was upon a complaint of the Inhabitants at a Session of Sewers held at Sempringham in the 8 year of the late Queen Elizabeth's Reign the Earl of Lincolne high Admiral of England with several other persons of quality being then Commissioners Whereupon a general Tax was laid for repairing and enlarging the Drayns and Sewers to carry off the waters which then annoyed these parts But little was done to any purpose herein as it seems for it appears that at another Session of Sewers held at Swinstede in the 17 year of that Queens Reign the Country complained that they were drowned more than formerly so that the Commissioners then decreeed that those Drayns which the Duke of Suffolke and others had ordained to be begun about the latter end of King Henry the 8 time as also some others should forthwith be set upon and laid a Tax accordingly But no payment of that Tax being made the work proceeded not Nor was there any farther considerable attempt therein whereof I have heard till the 5 year of the late King Charles of blessed memory that Sir Anthony Ireby Knight Sergeant Callice and other Commissioners finding all former essays fruitless by reason that the Inhabitants would never pay the Taxes and that the lands being surrounded had no Cattel upon them for distress and considering that the King as 't is observable in all the Statutes of Sewers was to give direction in works of this nature they did by their Letters represent to his Majesty the necessity of Drayning these lands and the Commodity which might accrue thereby humbly beseeching him to recommend some person of Honour to contract with them as Undertaker for performance of that work The King therefore understanding their design to be for the Drayning of all the surrounded Fens on the North side of the River of Glen in this County of Lincolne referred the view of those lying on both sides the Rivers of Fosse and Wythom from beyond the City of Lincolne to Kyme Ea unto Sir Henry Vane Knight Sir Robert Carr Baronet and others who in order to that good work did in a Session of Sewers held at Sleford 26 Febr. 8 Car. where were also present and Commissioners Robert Earl of Lindsey Theophilus Earl of Lincolne the Lord Willoughby Sir Henry Fines and others lay a Tax of xiij s. iiij d. the Acre for the scouring and clensing of the said Rivers and all Gotes and Drayns c. within those precincts to be imposed upon all the Landholders in the said low grounds and to be paid before the ix of April then next following And for the better furthering and compleating thereof the said Commissioners meeting again at Boston upon the second of March then next ensuing reciting their Decree so made at Sleford did extend their said Tax of xiijs iiijd the Acre to the other parts of that Level Nevertheless little was done therein as it seems till about three years afterwards but then the said King by his Letters Patents bearing date at Westminster 2 Aprilis in the xi year of his Reign directed unto George Earl of Rutland and others Commissioners of Sewers for the said Level recommended unto them Robert Earl of Lindsey Lord high Chamberlain of England a person of very great honour to be the sole Undertaker for the drayning of the whole Whereupon the said Commissioners at another Session of Sewers held at Sleford upon the second of Iune then next following proceeded to a treaty with his Lordship for that purpose and agreed with him to accept of twenty four thousand Acres in recompence of his chardges therein which was then accordingly decreed the work being to be perfected within the space of six years next ensuing the feast of St. Michael th'archangel then following And after this viz. in a Session of Sewers held at Boston the 29. of March the next year ensuing recitall being made of that Decree made at Sleford whereby the said Earl of Lindsey for the considerations therein expressed was to have those twenty four thousand Acres of land to be indifferently allotted out of the several Fens c. to enjoy to himself and his heirs for ever viz. as soon as ten thousand Acres or more should be drayned to have his portion thereof forthwith assigned As also the like recitall that upon consideration of the same Decree and other former preceding Decrees and Ordinances made at a ●ession of Sewers held at

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 th●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 a●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 Sessiō 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 St●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

whereof the said Marsh lay situate and Dionyse then Abbot of Robertsbrigge and the Covent of that Monastery for the title of that whole Marish and that upon an amicable agreement then made betwixt them the said Abbot and Covent did quit all their title thereto unto the before-specified Prior and Covent of Christ-Church But the said Prior and Covent out of a pious regard to the wants of the said Abbot and Covent did by their special favour then grant them and their successors one hundred Acres of those seven hundred viz. one hundred lying next to the Bank of the said Abbot and Covent neer unto the Land of Adam de Cherringe which at that time they had inclosed about the Newewodrove and that this Agreement was by the before-mentioned Earl then ratified and confirmed as the Instruments testifying the same then exhibited did fully manifest so that the said Abbot Covent ought not to challenge any thing more in that marish other than in those C Acres so given to them as afor●said In consideration therefore of all the premisses and circumstances thereof and especially of the Antiquity of the Evidences produced on each part as also to the obscurity of the bounds and limits of the said Towns of Snergate and Apuldre the perfect knowledge whereof by reason of the great and continual inundation of the Sea could not or was ever likely to be well discovered all parties therefore more desiring peace than strife and contention did unanimously agree that the said Prior and Covent of Christs-Church should release unto the Abbot and Covent of Robertsbrigge and their successors all their title to that parcell of land called the Newewoderove and in xxviij Acre of land then newly inclosed in the B●ecarde towards Apuldre and in the said CCLxxi Acres and a half of Land then to be inclosed in the Becarde adjoyning to the said parcell of land called the Newewoderove lying in length under the Bank dividing the said Land of the Newewoderove and the said Marsh so to be inclosed in the Becard so that the said Prior and Covent of Christs-Church nor their successors should have power to claim any right therein after that time And in like sort the said Abbot and Covent of Robertsbrigge did release unto the said Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury and to the Prior and Covent of Christs-Church and their successors all their right and title to the residue of that Marish lying next to the Church of Fayrefelde towards the East and the course of the Sea passing from Rye to Apuldre towards the West and the bounds dividing the Counties of Kent and Sussex towards the South so that they should chalenge no title therein from thenceforth Which agreement was so made by the said Instrument under their publick Seals and beareth date at Canterbury on the xxth day of March in the year before-mentioned In 2 H. 4. Thomas Erpyngham then Constable of Dovor Castle Will. Brenchesle Robert Oxenbrigge Will. Marchaunt and others had Commission for the view and repair of those Banks and Sewers lying betwixt Farlegh in Sussex and Apuldre in Kent with power to act therein according to the Custome of the Marsh and the Law and Custome of this Realm The next year following Will. Rikhill Will Makenade Stephan Betenham Will. Bertyn Henry Horne and Iohn Proude had the like for those in the Marshes of Lyde Promhull Middele and old Romney with direction to do all things therein according to the Law and Custome of this Realm and the Custome of Romney marsh In 2 H. 5. Sir Iohn Pelham Knight Richard Nortone Thomas Colepepir William Cheyne and others had the like Commission for the view and repair of the Banks betwixt the Port and Town of Rye and Bodyham bridge and to act therein according to the Custome of the Marsh and the Law and Custome of this Realm In 5 H. 5. Robert Oxenbrigge VVilliam Marchaund Iohn Halle junior VVilliam Cheyne and Adam Iwode had the like appointment for those betwixt the Town of Rye in Sussex and Ebbeneye in Kent and to act according to the Custome of the Marsh and the Law and Custome of this Realm of England So also in 7 H. 6. had Sir Roger Fenys Knight Henry Hoorne Robert Oxenbrigge Thomas Auger Richard VVakeherst and others for those betwixt Bodyhain bridge in Sussex and Smalhyde in Kent with direction to proceed therein according to the Law and Custome of this Realm and the Custome of Romney marsh as also to take up so many labourers upon competent wages as should be necessary for the said work CAP. XIX I Now come to Sussex alone Where the first Commission of Sewers that our Records do take notice of was in 17 E. 1. being directed to Roger de Leukenore and Lucas de la Gare. The next year following upon complaint made by the Abbots of Bataille and Bekeham as also by the Priors of Okeburne Lewes and Hastings together with Baldwin de Aldham and many others who had Lands about Pevenesel marsh that whereas the King had assigned the before-mentioned Roger de Leuknore and Lucas de la Gare to take view of the Banks and Sea-diches neer the said Marsh and to provide for the safeguard and defence of all persons aswel rich as poor as had lands thereabouts the said Lucas together with the Prior of Michelham Will. de Donne c. not prosecuting the said King's appointment and order did begin to raise a certain Bank overthwart the Haven of Pevenesel as also a Sluse intending to finish them so that the fresh water could not passe through the midst of the said Marsh to the Sea by the same Haven to the great peril of all persons there dwelling and apparent drowning of their lands by the frequent overflowing of the said fresh water For remedy thereof the King therefore by his Letters Patents dated at Westminster 15º Iulii in the 18th year of his reign constituted Iohn de Lascy and VVill. de Echingham his Justices to make enquiry by the Oaths of honest and faithful men touching the same and then to do therin according to their discretion In 23 E. 1. Will. de Stoke was associated to the before-mentioned Roger and Lucas for the viewing and repair of the Banks c. in this County In 31 E. 1. the King being informed that the Banks and Ditches which had been made in the Marsh of Wynchelse for the defence of his lands there and preservation of the adjacent parts were then so broken by the overflowing of the Sea that the said Lands were in danger to be drowned and lost and that his Tenants of those lands by reason of a certain antient composition made betwixt them and the Tenants of other lands in that Marsh which was that the said Kings lands should be defended in such reparations by the other Landholders there refused to contribute to the repair of those Banks and Ditches And being