and_o yet_o be_v the_o inheritance_n of_o sir_n edward_n rosseter_n of_o summerbie_n in_o the_o say_a county_n of_o lincoln_n knight_n and_o heretofore_o drain_v by_o sir_n john_n monson_n knight_n of_o the_o bath_n and_o now_o baronet_n undertaker_n for_o the_o drain_n of_o that_o level_n his_o participant_n or_o some_o of_o they_o and_o be_v it_o further_o enact_v that_o the_o say_v one_o hundred_o acre_n of_o land_n be_v settle_v and_o vest_v and_o the_o say_v one_o hundred_o acre_n be_v hereby_o settle_v and_o vest_v in_o the_o say_a sir_n edward_n rosseter_n his_o heir_n and_o assign_v for_o ever_o but_o with_o this_o express_a limitation_n that_o for_o the_o future_a the_o say_v one_o hundred_o acre_n of_o land_n shall_v be_v liable_a to_o their_o respective_a proportion_n and_o rate_v hereafter_o to_o be_v set_v upon_o they_o in_o the_o payment_n of_o all_o tax_n and_o other_o duty_n necessary_a for_o the_o perfect_a and_o maintain_v of_o the_o say_a work_n for_o ever_o in_o such_o way_n method_n and_o manner_n and_o according_a to_o such_o act_n order_n and_o decree_n of_o sewer_n as_o shall_v be_v lawful_o make_v to_o that_o purpose_n the_o say_a sir_n edward_n rosseter_n and_o his_o heir_n also_o perform_v such_o other_o covenant_n and_o agreement_n which_o be_v already_o mutual_o agree_v on_o the_o say_a sir_n edward_n rosseter_n also_o pay_v in_o consideration_n of_o the_o charge_n already_o expend_v to_o such_o participant_a under_o who_o allotment_n the_o say_v one_o hundred_o acre_n may_v fall_v such_o sum_n and_o sum_n of_o money_n as_o shall_v be_v express_o set_v down_o in_o writing_n as_o equal_a under_o the_o hand_n and_o seal_n of_o sir_n matthew_n appleyard_n knight_n and_o charles_n hall_n esquire_n before_o the_o first_o day_n of_o august_n which_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n god_n one_o thousand_o six_o hundred_o sixty_o and_o two_o and_o in_o case_n the_o say_a sir_n matthew_n appleyard_n and_o charles_n hall_n shall_v not_o agree_v as_o aforesaid_a that_o then_o sir_n robert_n bolles_n of_o scampton_n in_o the_o county_n in_o lincoln_n baronet_n shall_v have_v and_o hereby_o have_v power_n full_o to_o determine_v the_o whole_a before_o the_o first_o day_n of_o october_n one_o thousand_o six_o hundred_o sixty_o and_o two_o provide_v that_o whereas_o there_o be_v a_o controversy_n arisen_a between_o the_o lord_n bishop_n of_o ely_n and_o sir_n john_n monson_n and_o his_o participant_n concern_v some_o land_n lie_v in_o the_o manor_n call_v the_o manor_n of_o thornton_n in_o the_o moor_n in_o the_o county_n of_o lincoln_n in_o the_o part_n of_o lindsey_n be_v part_n of_o the_o possession_n of_o the_o bishopric_n of_o ely_n it_o be_v refer_v to_o sir_n edward_n turner_n knight_n speaker_n of_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o in_o this_o present_a parliament_n to_o examine_v award_v adjudge_v and_o final_o determine_v accord_v to_o equity_n what_o portion_n or_o part_n within_o the_o say_a manor_n or_o land_n within_o the_o say_a manor_n shall_v be_v allot_v to_o the_o say_a sir_n john_n monson_n and_o his_o participant_n in_o recompense_n of_o he_o or_o their_o dreyn_v and_o melioration_n thereof_o and_o that_o if_o such_o award_n and_o adjudication_n shall_v not_o be_v make_v before_o the_o first_o of_o may_v one_o thousand_o six_o hundred_o sixty_o and_o three_o that_o then_o the_o say_a lord_n bishop_n of_o ely_n or_o his_o assign_v shall_v have_v and_o enjoy_v the_o full_a and_o quiet_a possession_n of_o the_o say_a manor_n and_o every_o part_n thereof_o until_o such_o award_n and_o adjudication_n shall_v be_v make_v any_o thing_n in_o this_o act_n to_o the_o contrary_n contain_v notwithstanding_o and_o in_o case_n the_o say_a sir_n edward_n turner_n shall_v happen_v to_o die_v before_o the_o say_v first_o day_n of_o may_n one_o thousand_o six_o hundred_o sixty_o and_o three_o or_o shall_v decline_v the_o say_a reference_n that_o then_o and_o from_o thenceforth_o all_o the_o matter_n and_o thing_n contain_v in_o this_o proviso_n shall_v be_v refer_v to_o the_o lord_n chief_a justice_n of_o the_o common_a plea_n for_o the_o time_n be_v to_o hear_v and_o determine_v the_o same_o as_o aforesaid_a provide_v always_o and_o be_v it_o enact_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o neither_o the_o lord_n bishop_n of_o lincoln_n nor_o the_o dean_n and_o chapter_n of_o the_o cathedral_n church_n of_o lincoln_n aforesaid_a their_o or_o any_o of_o their_o successor_n receive_v any_o prejudice_n or_o damage_n by_o this_o present_a act_n but_o that_o their_o land_n and_o possession_n be_v preserve_v and_o keep_v indemnify_v any_o thing_n herein_o contain_v to_o the_o contrary_a in_o any_o wise_n notwithstanding_o provide_v also_o and_o be_v it_o enact_v that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v lawful_a to_o or_o for_o any_o person_n or_o person_n concern_v in_o any_o covenant_n or_o agreement_n touch_v the_o say_v undertake_v to_o bring_v or_o prosecute_v any_o action_n or_o action_n or_o suit_n at_o law_n or_o equity_n for_o recovery_n of_o damage_n or_o satisfaction_n for_o or_o by_o reason_n of_o any_o breach_n of_o any_o of_o the_o say_a covenant_n by_o any_o way_n or_o mean_v hitherto_o have_v make_v or_o do_v but_o that_o all_o person_n concern_v in_o any_o of_o the_o say_a covenant_n as_o to_o any_o breach_n of_o covenant_n heretofore_o make_v â—e_n for_o ever_o discharge_v and_o be_v it_o further_o enact_v and_o ordain_v by_o the_o authority_n aforesaid_a that_o a_o commission_n of_o sewer_n under_o the_o great_a seal_n of_o england_n before_o the_o first_o day_n of_o may_n which_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n one_o thousand_o six_o hundred_o sixty_o and_o two_o shall_v be_v issue_v out_o to_o twelve_o person_n whereof_o six_o to_o be_v nominate_v by_o the_o say_a sir_n john_n monson_n and_o his_o heir_n and_o other_o six_o to_o be_v nominate_v by_o the_o inhabitant_n and_o owner_n of_o the_o land_n upon_o the_o level_n of_o ancholme_n lie_v in_o winterton_n and_o bishop-norton_n aforesaid_a or_o by_o the_o knight_n that_o serve_v for_o the_o say_a county_n of_o lincoln_n which_o say_v commissioner_n or_o any_o four_o or_o more_o of_o they_o shall_v have_v full_a power_n and_o authority_n to_o inquire_v as_o well_o by_o their_o own_o view_n as_o upon_o the_o oath_n of_o witness_n which_o they_o be_v hereby_o impower_v to_o administer_v and_o to_o send_v summons_n for_o and_o by_o all_o other_o legal_a way_n whether_o the_o owner_n of_o the_o land_n upon_o the_o level_n of_o ancholme_n lie_v in_o the_o say_a town_n of_o winterton_n and_o bishop-norton_n or_o either_o of_o they_o or_o within_o the_o precinct_n of_o they_o or_o either_o of_o they_o have_v or_o may_v receive_v and_o sustain_v any_o prejudice_n by_o sir_n john_n monsons_n undertake_v for_o which_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v reparation_n and_o thereupon_o to_o make_v such_o satisfaction_n to_o the_o say_a owner_n as_o shall_v be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o justice_n or_o equity_n by_o restore_v to_o the_o say_a owner_n and_o person_n damnify_v by_o the_o say_v undertake_v their_o heir_n executor_n and_o administrator_n respective_o all_o or_o any_o part_n of_o the_o land_n lie_v in_o winterton_n and_o bishop-norton_n by_o this_o act_n settle_v unto_o and_o upon_o the_o say_a sir_n john_n monson_n his_o participant_n and_o adventurer_n and_o his_o and_o their_o heir_n and_o be_v it_o further_o enact_v and_o ordain_v that_o the_o say_a commissioner_n do_v make_v to_o sir_n john_n monson_n and_o his_o heir_n recompense_n at_o the_o same_o time_n out_o of_o the_o residue_n of_o the_o five_o thousand_o eight_o hundred_o twenty_o and_o seven_o acre_n settle_v by_o this_o act_n on_o the_o say_a sir_n john_n monson_n his_o participant_n and_o adventurer_n or_o any_o owner_n of_o any_o part_n of_o the_o say_v five_o thousand_o eight_o hundred_o twenty_o and_o seven_o acre_n according_a to_o their_o several_a proportion_n have_v respect_n to_o the_o quantity_n and_o quality_n of_o the_o land_n that_o shall_v or_o may_v be_v take_v from_o the_o say_a sir_n john_n monson_n and_o his_o heir_n out_o of_o winterton_n and_o bishop-norton_n aforesaid_a as_o in_o their_o judgement_n shall_v be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o justice_n and_o equity_n which_o judgement_n and_o order_n of_o they_o or_o any_o of_o they_o so_o as_o there_o be_v four_o or_o more_o of_o they_o shall_v be_v make_v and_o publish_v in_o write_v under_o the_o hand_n and_o seal_n of_o the_o saiâ—_n commissioner_n or_o any_o four_o or_o more_o of_o they_o before_o the_o five_o and_o twenty_o day_n of_o march_n in_o the_o say_a year_n one_o thousand_o six_o hundred_o sixty_o and_o three_o and_o that_o until_o the_o say_v five_o and_o twenty_o day_n of_o march_n one_o thousand_o six_o hundred_o sixty_o and_o three_o the_o lord_n freeholder_n owner_n and_o
the_o shireeve_n be_v command_v to_o distrain_v not_o only_o the_o say_a bishop_n and_o his_o bondman_n but_o all_o other_o persous_a have_v land_n between_o the_o say_a hospital_n and_o the_o town_n of_o shadwell_n lie_v within_o the_o before-specified_n peril_n for_o the_o repair_n and_o amendment_n of_o the_o ditch_n where_o the_o say_a ground-breach_n be_v make_v by_o that_o great_a flood_n and_o likewise_o to_o repair_v the_o bank_n ditch_n sewer_n and_o gutter_n which_o by_o mean_n of_o that_o ground-breach_n be_v so_o break_v and_o tear_v in_o pursuance_n of_o which_o verdict_n the_o say_a king_n in_o the_o same_o 18_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n wherein_o the_o plead_a abovementioned_a be_v assign_v dorso_fw-la ralph_n hereward_n robert_n de_fw-fr ashele_n and_o john_n the_o dour_a to_o view_v the_o say_a bank_n betwixt_o the_o before-specified_n hospital_n of_o s._n katherine_n and_o shadwell_n and_o to_o take_v order_n for_o their_o repair_n in_o the_o 15_o of_o e._n 3._o robert_n de_fw-fr sadyngton_n thomas_n de_fw-fr blaston_n and_o gervase_n de_fw-fr wilford_n have_v commission_n dorso_fw-la to_o view_v and_o repair_v the_o bank_n etc._n etc._n on_o the_o coast_n of_o the_o say_a river_n be_v within_o the_o precinct_n of_o westminster_n and_o the_o part_n adjacent_a betwixt_o a_o place_n call_v the_o neyt_n and_o temple-barr_n in_o london_n then_o break_v and_o in_o decay_n by_o the_o force_n of_o the_o tide_n and_o in_o 28_o e._n 3._o will._n de_fw-fr thorpe_n will._n de_fw-fr notton_n john_n bray_n thomas_n ludlowe_n will._n de_fw-fr hatton_n and_o thomas_n morice_n have_v the_o like_a dorso_fw-la commission_n for_o those_o in_o the_o town_n of_o stebenhethe_n before_o mention_v as_o also_o upon_o the_o river_n of_o lie_n in_o the_o confine_n of_o middlesex_n and_o essex_n in_o a_o certain_a part_n of_o hakney_n near_o to_o a_o mill_n call_v crachehegge_v betwixt_o the_o say_a town_n of_o hakney_n and_o the_o town_n of_o welcomstowe_n in_o essex_n in_o 36_o e._n 3._o will._n de_fw-fr fyncheden_n will._n de_fw-fr wynchingham_n and_o other_o be_v in_o like_a sort_n assign_v dâ—â—so_o for_o all_o the_o bank_n etc._n etc._n betwixt_o the_o chapel_n of_o s._n katehrine_n in_o middlesex_n and_o the_o town_n of_o est-tilbury_n in_o essex_n so_o also_o the_o next_o year_n follow_v be_v dâ—â—so_o thomas_n morisse_n thomas_n frowyk_n and_o george_n fanillore_n for_o those_o bank_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o marsh_n of_o stebenhithe_n brambeleye_a and_o redclyve_v and_o elsewhere_o within_o the_o lordship_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o london_n upon_o the_o verge_n of_o the_o thames_n and_o in_o 38_o e._n 3._o thomas_n morris_n thomas_n frowyk_n and_o john_n brikclesworth_n for_o those_o in_o stebenhithe_n and_o brambeley_n from_o the_o tower_n of_o london_n to_o the_o river_n of_o leye_n in_o 41_o e._n 3._o john_n de_fw-fr bampton_n john_n de_fw-fr sudbury_n and_o thomas_n brette_n be_v constitute_v dorso_fw-la commissioner_n for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o the_o bank_n etc._n etc._n betwixt_o the_o before-specified_n chapel_n of_o s._n katherine_n and_o berkynflete_a in_o essex_n and_o to_o do_v all_o thing_n therein_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n in_o 43_o e._n 3._o thomas_n de_fw-fr lodelowe_n will._n halden_n john_n sundbie_n and_o john_n chertsey_n have_v dorso_fw-la the_o like_a for_o all_o those_o aswell_o upon_o the_o coast_n of_o the_o river_n of_o leye_n as_o of_o thames_n which_o be_v in_o the_o parish_n of_o stebenhithe_n so_o likewise_o the_o same_o year_n have_v 33._o solomon_n wauter_n and_o nich_n cartere_fw-mi for_o those_o in_o the_o say_a parish_n upon_o the_o river_n of_o thames_n only_o with_o power_n to_o take_v so_o many_o carpentersâ—_n and_o other_o labourer_n as_o shall_v be_v necessary_a for_o the_o work_n upon_o competent_a wage_n in_o 1_o r._n 2._o john_n bampton_n will._n rykhill_n thomas_n aspale_v and_o thomas_n mylende_fw-la have_v the_o like_a commission_n dorso_fw-la for_o those_o betwixt_o blakewale_v and_o the_o beforementioned_a hospital_n of_o s._n katherine_n in_o 4_o r._n 2._o will._n cheyne_n helmingus_fw-la leget_fw-la will._n rykhill_n and_o will_v cressewyke_v for_o dorso_fw-la those_o upon_o the_o river_n of_o lie_n betwixt_o stebenhythe_n and_o bramle_n in_o 6._o r._n 2._o the_o prior_n of_o the_o hospital_n of_o s._n johns_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v question_v midâ—_n for_o the_o not_o cleanse_v of_o a_o ditch_n near_o mileford_n for_o a_o hundred_o perch_n and_o can_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o he_o ought_v to_o do_v it_o and_o therefore_o the_o shireeve_n of_o middlesex_n be_v appoint_v to_o compel_v he_o by_o distress_n for_o the_o performance_n thereof_o at_o his_o own_o proper_a charge_n in_o the_o same_o year_n will._n cheyne_n will._n rykhill_n john_n shorediche_n and_o will_n cressewyke_n be_v dorso_fw-la appoint_v to_o view_v and_o repair_v the_o bank_n upon_o the_o river_n of_o lie_n betwixt_o stebenhethe_n and_o bramle_n in_o 19_o r._n 2._o will_v rykhill_n will._n skrene_n thomas_n cherleton_n john_n shoredyche_n senior_a and_o john_n ongham_n have_v dorso_fw-la the_o like_a appointment_n for_o those_o betwixt_o the_o town_n of_o stratford_n atte_n bow_n and_o the_o tower_n of_o london_n and_o to_o perform_v all_o thing_n therein_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n so_o also_o in_o 22_o r._n 2._o have_v will._n thirning_n will._n rykhill_n john_n cokaine_n thomas_n charleton_n john_n shoredyche_n senior_a and_o john_n ongham_n the_o shireeve_n of_o middlesex_n be_v associate_v to_o they_o for_o dorso_fw-la the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o those_o bank_n etc._n etc._n in_o stebenhithe_n marsh_n and_o to_o proceed_v therein_o as_o aforesaid_a which_o commission_n be_v renew_v dorso_fw-la in_o 1_o h._n 4._o to_o all_o the_o party_n before_o mention_v except_v john_n cokayn_n in_o 5_o h._n 4._o john_n cokain_n will._n skrene_n thomas_n tyldeslegh_n robert_n rykedon_n and_o john_n hogham_n with_o the_o say_a shireeve_n of_o middlesex_n have_v dorso_fw-la the_o like_a and_o in_o dorso_fw-la 9_o h._n 4._o will._n cheyne_n john_n selman_n john_n profyt_n and_o john_n hogham_n and_o to_o act_v therein_o according_a to_o the_o ancient_a law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n in_o 8_o h_n 6._o henry_n summer_n robert_n frampton_n john_n thwayte_v walter_n grene_n and_o alexander_n anne_n be_v assign_v dorso_fw-la in_o like_a sort_n for_o the_o bank_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o marsh_n of_o stebenhithe_n and_o walmershe_n and_o to_o make_v statute_n and_o ordinance_n for_o the_o defence_n thereof_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o romeney_n marsh_n as_o also_o to_o impress_v so_o many_o labourer_n for_o that_o employment_n upon_o competent_a salary_n as_o they_o shall_v see_v necessary_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o imminent_a danger_n by_o the_o breach_n in_o those_o bank_n which_o require_v their_o speedy_a repair_n in_o 26_o h._n 6._o john_n fortescu_n chief_a justice_n of_o the_o common_a plea_n robert_n wellys_n abbot_n of_o grace_n near_o the_o tower_n of_o london_n john_n fyloll_n thomas_n burgoygne_n john_n wylton_n walter_n grene_n john_n harpour_n robert_n tanfield_n edmund_n plofeld_n john_n eton_n and_o thomas_n croxton_n have_v the_o like_a commission_n dorso_fw-la for_o the_o bank_n etc._n etc._n betwixt_o the_o mill_n of_o s._n katherine_n near_o the_o tower_n of_o london_n to_o the_o chapel_n of_o s._n marie_n matfelon_n thence_o to_o the_o church_n of_o s._n dunstan_n in_o stepenhithe_n thence_o to_o the_o church_n of_o s._n leonard_n in_o bremley_n thence_o to_o the_o river_n of_o leye_n thence_o to_o the_o thames_n and_o thence_o to_o the_o say_a mill_n and_o to_o make_v law_n etc._n etc._n according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o ordinance_n of_o romeney_n marsh_n as_o also_o to_o impress_v labourer_n etc._n etc._n as_o abovesaid_a upon_o a_o inquisition_n midd._n take_v in_o 27_o h._n 6._o the_o juror_n present_v that_o by_o the_o violence_n of_o the_o tide_n upon_o the_o bank_n of_o stebenhithe_n marsh_n a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o say_a bank_n adjoin_v to_o that_o marsh_n be_v then_o ruinous_a and_o break_a through_o the_o neglect_n of_o the_o land-holders_n there_o and_o that_o through_o the_o default_n of_o one_o john_n harpour_n gentleman_n in_o not_o repair_v his_o bank_n opposite_a to_o depford_n strand_n there_o be_v on_o the_o monday_n be_v the_o feast_n of_o the_o annunciation_n of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n in_o the_o 26_o year_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o say_a king_n h._n 6._o a_o breach_n make_v in_o the_o say_a bank_n of_o the_o before-specified_n john_n harpour_n for_o the_o length_n of_o xx_o rod_n unto_o the_o land_n of_o john_n fyloll_n in_o so_o much_o as_o a_o thousand_o acre_n of_o land_n lie_v within_o the_o say_a marsh_n be_v drown_v and_o that_o he_o the_o say_v john_n and_o all_o those_o who_o estate_n he_o then_o have_v be_v oblige_v in_o respect_n of_o their_o land_n adjoin_v to_o the_o
passelewe_n and_o the_o say_v simon_n sell_v they_o to_o one_o cecelie_a de_fw-fr lancaster_n and_o she_o the_o say_v cecelie_o grant_v the_o say_v whole_a lordship_n together_o with_o the_o rent_n and_o service_n before_o mention_v to_o the_o church_n of_o s._n leonard_n of_o stratford_n and_o to_o the_o nun_n there_o serve_v god_n to_o hold_v in_o pure_a alm_n and_o so_o the_o say_a prioress_n than_o have_v and_o possess_v the_o say_a lordship_n together_o with_o the_o rent_n and_o service_n aforesaid_a and_o she_o far_o allege_v that_o the_o say_v robert_n le_fw-fr ku_n whilst_o he_o live_v and_o hold_v those_o land_n and_o hope_n always_o repair_v that_o bank_n and_o after_o his_o decease_n the_o say_a bank_n and_o hope_n descend_v to_o joane_n his_o daughter_n and_o heir_n who_o be_v wed_v to_o one_o will._n de_fw-fr rokesle_n in_o who_o time_n all_o the_o say_a hope_n by_o a_o great_a inundation_n of_o the_o thames_n be_v whole_o destroy_v and_o drown_v and_o the_o say_v william_n then_o consider_v that_o the_o charge_n of_o repair_v of_o that_o bank_n will_v much_o exceed_v the_o profit_n of_o the_o say_a tenement_n whole_o relinquish_v all_o that_o tenement_n and_o will_v not_o meddle_v any_o more_o with_o the_o say_a bank_n and_o so_o the_o say_a bank_n lie_v unrepaired_a and_o she_o allege_v moreover_o that_o the_o say_a prioress_n only_o receive_v of_o her_o tenant_n of_o those_o land_n in_o that_o marsh_n of_o the_o say_a fee_n of_o covele_n a_o certain_a rent_n of_o xiiijs._o over_o and_o above_o the_o service_n due_a and_o accustom_a to_o the_o say_v john_n de_fw-fr handlo_n then_o chief_a lord_n of_o that_o fee_n and_o that_o she_o be_v ready_a according_a to_o the_o quantity_n of_o that_o rent_n to_o contribute_v to_o the_o repair_n of_o that_o bank_n and_o therefore_o require_v justice_n to_o be_v do_v to_o she_o in_o the_o premise_n and_o hereupon_o come_v the_o abbot_n of_o stratford_n by_o his_o bailiff_n as_o also_o john_n de_fw-fr brumpton_n and_o thomas_n le_fw-fr bret_n in_o their_o proper_a person_n and_o as_o tenant_n of_o the_o land_n in_o the_o say_a marsh_n lie_v within_o the_o danger_n of_o the_o same_o bank_n allege_v that_o the_o say_a prioress_n do_v unjust_o prosecute_v that_o writ_n forasmuch_o as_o she_o thereby_o endeavour_v to_o excuse_v herself_o from_o the_o repair_n of_o the_o same_o bank_n and_o to_o lay_v the_o burden_n thereof_o upon_o the_o say_a abbot_n and_o other_o they_o also_o allege_v that_o the_o say_a prioress_n and_o all_o her_o predecessor_n from_o the_o time_n that_o the_o say_a lordship_n of_o the_o fee_n of_o covele_n come_v to_o their_o hand_n do_v use_v till_o that_o very_a time_n to_o make_v and_o repair_v the_o say_a bank_n and_o that_o as_o often_o as_o they_o refuse_v so_o to_o do_v they_o be_v ever_o thereto_o compel_v and_o this_o they_o say_v they_o be_v ready_a to_o prove_v whereupon_o they_o require_v judgement_n and_o the_o say_a prioress_n say_v as_o she_o do_v before_o add_v that_o forasmuch_o as_o she_o have_v be_v thus_o disquiet_v and_o molest_v by_o grievous_a and_o intolerable_a distress_n she_o then_o do_v complain_v and_o bring_v her_o action_n and_o as_o before_o she_o do_v so_o she_o still_o require_v remedy_n accord_v to_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o say_v king_n whereupon_o the_o say_v justice_n have_v hear_v her_o complaint_n in_o this_o business_n and_o have_v respect_n to_o the_o say_v king_n precept_n be_v willing_a to_o inquire_v and_o be_v inform_v touch_v the_o premise_n and_o therefore_o yield_v that_o a_o inquision_n shall_v be_v take_v which_o be_v according_o do_v by_o the_o say_v john_n de_fw-fr dakenham_n and_o his_o fellow_n juror_n who_o say_v upon_o their_o oath_n that_o there_o have_v be_v time_n out_o of_o mind_n and_o then_o be_v certain_a lordship_n in_o the_o town_n of_o westhamme_n viz._n the_o lordship_n of_o handlo_n the_o lordship_n of_o lancastre_n the_o lordship_n of_o placetz_n and_o the_o lordship_n of_o the_o prioress_n of_o stratford_n and_o that_o ancient_o all_o the_o lord_n of_o those_o lordship_n meet_v together_o and_o agree_v among_o themselves_o that_o each_o lord_n shall_v have_v a_o certain_a part_n of_o the_o bank_n of_o thames_n belong_v to_o his_o lordship_n and_o they_o say_v that_o to_o the_o lordship_n of_o the_o say_a prioress_n there_o be_v assign_v a_o certain_a parcel_n of_o that_o bank_n now_o call_v prioreswall_n and_o that_o the_o say_a prioress_n be_v oblige_v to_o make_v and_o repair_v the_o same_o bank_n at_o her_o own_o proper_a charge_n in_o such_o sort_n as_o the_o other_o lord_n before-specified_n be_v they_o and_o they_o say_v far_o that_o the_o defect_n then_o in_o that_o bank_n may_v be_v make_v good_a for_o cs_n and_o the_o say_a prioress_n have_v hear_v the_o verdict_n of_o the_o say_a juror_n allege_v that_o they_o have_v not_o in_o any_o thing_n make_v answer_v to_o what_o they_o have_v in_o charge_n whereupon_o she_o require_v that_o they_o may_v make_v a_o further_a answer_n and_o therefore_o because_o the_o say_a justice_n be_v not_o satisfy_v that_o the_o abovementioned_a verdict_n be_v sufficient_a for_o they_o to_o ground_v any_o judgement_n upon_o by_o the_o tenor_n of_o their_o commission_n they_o appoint_v that_o the_o say_v juror_n shall_v appear_v before_o they_o again_o and_o have_v a_o new_a charge_n for_o a_o better_a enquiry_n whereupon_o they_o the_o say_v juror_n together_o with_o nicholas_n le_fw-fr forestere_n richard_n le_fw-fr saltere_fw-la etc._n etc._n also_o swear_v and_o associate_v with_o they_o come_v and_o say_v upon_o their_o oath_n that_o the_o say_v john_n de_fw-fr covele_n long_o ago_o viz._n in_o the_o time_n of_o king_n henry_n the_o three_o hold_v xliij_o acre_n and_o a_o half_a of_o land_n in_o the_o marsh_n of_o west_n hamme_n together_o with_o the_o say_a bank_n now_o call_v prioreswall_n which_o be_v then_o call_v coveles-wall_n as_o also_o with_o a_o hope_n adjoin_v which_o land_n and_o hope_n be_v then_o whole_o chardged_a with_o the_o make_n and_o repair_v of_o the_o say_v bank_n and_o that_o afterward_o the_o say_a john_n long_o before_o the_o statute_n of_o quia_fw-la emptores_fw-la terraram_fw-la etc._n etc._n be_v so_o seize_v demise_v all_o the_o say_a land_n particular_o to_o divers_a tenant_n to_o be_v hold_v of_o he_o the_o say_v john_n and_o his_o heir_n by_o certain_a service_n to_o be_v perform_v to_o he_o and_o his_o heir_n for_o ever_o and_o that_o then_o he_o reserve_v to_o himself_o the_o say_a bank_n and_o hope_n together_o with_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o same_o bank_n and_o that_o he_o afterward_o dimise_v the_o say_a bank_n and_o hope_n to_o one_o robert_n de_fw-fr ku_n to_o hold_v for_o ever_o because_o that_o the_o say_a hope_n do_v then_o afford_v pasturage_n for_o ten_o cow_n yearly_a in_o summer_n time_n and_o that_o afterward_o the_o say_a john_n do_v total_o alienate_v all_o those_o his_o service_n together_o with_o all_o his_o fee_fw-mi and_o lordship_n of_o all_o his_o tenant_n and_o their_o tenement_n unto_o one_o simon_n de_fw-fr passelewe_n and_o that_o afterward_o by_o divers_a alienation_n so_o make_v from_o hand_n to_o hand_n the_o same_o service_n with_o the_o whole_a fee_fw-mi and_o lordship_n aforesaid_a come_v to_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o say_a prioress_n who_o do_v then_o enjoy_v the_o say_v service_n and_o so_o likewise_o the_o say_a fee_n and_o service_n of_o all_o that_o land_n and_o they_o far_o say_v that_o the_o before-specified_n robert_n le_fw-fr ku_n whilst_o he_o hold_v the_o say_v bank_n and_o hope_n do_v undergo_v the_o charge_n of_o the_o say_a bank_n all_o his_o time_n as_o aforesaid_a and_o that_o after_o his_o decease_n the_o say_a bank_n and_o hope_n come_v to_o the_o hand_n of_o one_o william_n de_fw-fr rokeslee_n and_o joane_n his_o wife_n daughter_n and_o heir_n of_o the_o say_v robert_n in_o who_o time_n by_o reason_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a flood_n of_o the_o thames_n it_o be_v much_o spoil_v and_o almost_o drown_v so_o that_o the_o say_v william_n and_o joane_n consider_v the_o charge_n of_o the_o bank_n to_o be_v great_a and_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o for_o the_o future_a receive_v any_o more_o benefit_n of_o the_o say_a hope_n forasmuch_o as_o there_o be_v little_a of_o it_o leave_v they_o whole_o relinquish_v the_o say_a bank_n and_o render_v it_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o same_o prioress_n than_o lady_n of_o that_o fee_n as_o aforesaid_a and_o hereupon_o the_o say_a juror_n be_v ask_v whether_o any_o part_n of_o the_o hope_n do_v then_o remain_v or_o not_o they_o answer_v that_o there_o do_v not_o and_o be_v far_o ask_v who_o be_v then_o the_o tenant_n of_o the_o say_a land_n which_o have_v so_o belong_v former_o unto_o the_o say_v john_n de_fw-fr covele_n and_o they_o say_v that_o john_n
throw_v down_o in_o divers_a place_n as_o it_o be_v very_o lawful_a for_o he_o to_o do_v and_o that_o he_o do_v not_o cast_v down_o any_o causey_n else_o therefore_o both_o himself_o and_o his_o covent_n be_v dischardged_a of_o the_o beforementioned_a presentment_n in_o 40_o e._n 3._o the_o juror_n for_o divers_a hundred_o present_v 10._o before_o gilbert_n d'umfravill_v earl_n of_o anego_n and_o his_o fellow_n justice_n for_o the_o gaol_n delivery_n then_o sit_v at_o lincoln_n that_o the_o town_n of_o spalding_n ought_v to_o scour_v and_o repair_v a_o certain_a run_a river_n call_v weland_n from_o the_o house_n of_o william_n atte_v touneshende_v of_o spalding_n unto_o a_o place_n call_v brother_n house_n which_o they_o have_v not_o do_v and_o that_o by_o reason_n thereof_o great_a damage_n do_v accrue_v to_o the_o king_n liege_n people_n whereupon_o the_o shireeve_n have_v command_v to_o summon_v the_o inhabitant_n of_o spalding_n to_o answer_v this_o charge_n who_o make_v their_o appearance_n according_o by_o john_n de_fw-fr kirketon_n their_o attorney_n and_o say_v that_o the_o river_n mention_v in_o that_o presentment_n than_o be_v and_o long_o have_v be_v a_o arm_n of_o the_o sea_n whereinto_o the_o tide_n do_v ebb_n and_o flow_v twice_o in_o twenty-four_o hour_n and_o therefore_o that_o they_o ought_v not_o of_o right_a to_o cleanse_v and_o repair_v it_o nor_o ever_o have_v do_v and_o desire_v that_o the_o country_n may_v inquire_v thereof_o whereupon_o a_o jury_n be_v summon_v in_o 11_o h._n 6._o there_o be_v a_o agreement_n a._n make_v betwixt_o the_o monk_n of_o crouland_n and_o spald_v and_o sir_n will._n bonevile_n kt._n and_o elizabeth_n his_o wife_n by_o indenture_n tripartite_a touch_v the_o make_n and_o repair_v of_o divers_a bank_n in_o crouland_n aforesaid_a whereof_o one_o extend_v itself_o from_o a_o certain_a place_n call_v dovedale_n clote_z unto_o crouland_n brigg_n and_o another_o from_o the_o say_a bridge_n to_o a_o place_n call_v brotherhouse_n and_o the_o three_o call_v winter_n dyke_n in_o crouland_n aforesaid_a within_o the_o precinct_n of_o south_n i_fw-mi nene_n and_o weland_n the_o monk_n of_o spald_v and_o sir_n william_n bonevill_n with_o elizabeth_n his_o wife_n allege_v that_o the_o abbot_n of_o crouland_n and_o his_o predecessor_n have_v time_n out_o of_o mind_n use_v to_o repair_v and_o maintain_v the_o same_o and_o the_o say_a abbot_n utter_o deny_v it_o the_o tenor_n of_o which_o agreement_n be_v as_o follow_v viz._n that_o whereas_o there_o be_v certain_a bank_n in_o crouland_n aforesaid_a in_o a_o certain_a place_n call_v the_o purceynt_a betwixt_o brotherhouse_n and_o a_o bank_n call_v quapelodes_n dyke_n begin_v to_o be_v make_v in_o two_o parcel_n by_o richard_n late_a abbot_n of_o crouland_n predecessor_n to_o john_n the_o then_o abbot_n he_o the_o say_v john_n and_o his_o successor_n shall_v within_o three_o year_n next_o ensue_v that_o agreement_n support_n and_o repair_v they_o and_o where_o need_n shall_v require_v raise_v they_o high_o and_o moreover_o that_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o those_o three_o year_n he_o shall_v make_v a_o new_a bank_n betwixt_o those_o other_o two_o so_o as_o they_o meet_v all_o in_o one_o and_o be_v of_o sufficient_a height_n may_v extend_v as_o one_o bank_n from_o the_o say_a place_n call_v brotherhouse_n to_o quapelodsyd_n dyke_n without_o any_o breach_n gutter_n or_o trench_v and_o be_v a_o sufficient_a defence_n against_o all_o the_o flood_n of_o water_n within_o that_o compass_n that_o may_v happen_v on_o the_o south_n side_n thereof_o which_o bank_n to_o be_v also_o make_v so_o high_a as_o that_o the_o say_v flood_n shall_v not_o overflow_v it_o nor_o burden_n break_v or_o overflow_v a_o certain_a bank_n call_v lode_n dyke_n belong_v to_o the_o prior_n of_o spalding_n and_o to_o the_o say_a sir_n william_n and_o elizabeth_z and_o other_o nor_o overflow_v the_o land_n of_o the_o say_a sir_n william_n and_o elizabeth_n lie_v in_o the_o town_n of_o weston_n &_o multon_n provide_v that_o such_o flood_n which_o may_v so_o happen_v be_v not_o through_o extraordinary_a tempest_n and_o rain_n much_o great_a than_o usual_a and_o that_o the_o say_a abbot_n and_o his_o successor_n shall_v repair_v and_o maintain_v the_o before-specified_n bank_n so_o to_o be_v make_v as_o aforesaid_a from_o brotherhouse_n to_o quapelodesyd_n dyke_n well_o and_o sufficient_o in_o every_o part_n for_o the_o term_n of_o forty_o year_n than_o next_o ensue_v the_o date_n of_o that_o agreement_n and_o moreover_o that_o the_o same_o abbot_n and_o his_o successor_n shall_v from_o the_o feast_n of_o all_o saint_n than_o next_o ensue_v well_o and_o sufficient_o repair_v and_o maintain_v the_o say_v two_o bank_n whereof_o one_o do_v extend_v itself_o from_o dovedale_n clote_n before-specified_n unto_o the_o before-specified_n bridge_n at_o crouland_n and_o the_o other_o from_o thence_o to_o brotherhouse_n until_o the_o say_a bank_n from_o brotherhouse_n to_o quapelodesyd_n dyke_n shall_v be_v sufficient_o perfect_v so_o that_o the_o usual_a flood_n and_o overflowing_n of_o the_o water_n of_o south_n i_fw-mi nene_n and_o weland_n aforesaid_a may_v not_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n do_v any_o hurt_n to_o the_o say_a bank_n call_v lodyke_n or_o drown_v the_o land_n in_o weston_n and_o multon_n before-specified_n provide_v that_o such_o flood_n be_v not_o much_o great_a than_o usual_a through_o excessive_a tempest_n and_o rain_n and_o the_o say_a prior_n of_o spalding_n with_o his_o covent_n do_v then_o grant_v and_o agree_v that_o the_o beforementioned_a abbot_n of_o crouland_n and_o his_o successor_n shall_v have_v power_n and_o authority_n to_o dig_v and_o take_v within_o the_o soil_n of_o he_o the_o say_a prior_n and_o his_o successor_n in_o spalding_n sen_fw-la near_a to_o the_o say_a place_n call_v brotherhouse_n so_o much_o earth_n sand_n and_o clay_n for_o the_o make_n and_o repair_v of_o the_o say_a bank_n thus_o begin_v and_o to_o be_v new_o raise_v as_o a_o hundred_o boat_n can_v carry_v upon_o the_o river_n of_o weland_n each_o boat_n contain_v six_o cart_n load_v which_o agreement_n be_v so_o make_v betwixt_o the_o party_n abovesaid_a by_o the_o special_a mediation_n of_o sir_n john_n juyn_n knight_n then_o chief_a baron_n of_o the_o exchequer_n and_o one_o of_o the_o justice_n of_o the_o court_n of_o common_a plea_n and_o john_n cotesmore_n another_o of_o the_o justice_n of_o that_o court_n bear_v date_n upon_o the_o thursday_n next_o after_o the_o feast_n of_o s._n michael_n the_o archangel_n in_o the_o year_n before-specified_n after_o this_o viz._n in_o 17_o h._n 6._o upon_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o waynflete_a upon_o saturday_n next_o after_o the_o feast_n of_o s._n michael_n the_o archangel_n before_o richard_n hague_n and_o john_n langholme_n there_o be_v a_o presentment_n b._n exhibit_v against_o the_o abbot_n and_o covent_n of_o crouland_n charge_v he_o that_o he_o and_o his_o predecessor_n time_n out_o of_o mind_n have_v repair_v and_o so_o ought_v to_o do_v a_o certain_a bank_n in_o crouland_n extend_v itself_o from_o brotherhouse_n unto_o a_o place_n call_v the_o clote_n and_o thence_o to_o the_o triangular_a bridge_n in_o that_o town_n and_o so_o unto_o dovedale_n clote_n in_o crouland_n and_o that_o the_o same_o be_v not_o repair_v to_o the_o great_a damage_n of_o the_o country_n and_o that_o the_o say_a abbot_n and_o covent_n and_o their_o predecessor_n have_v likewise_o use_v to_o repair_v another_o bank_n in_o crouland_n call_v sharpesdyke_n within_o a_o certain_a marsh_n there_o call_v the_o purcâ—yuâ—_n which_o bank_n extend_v from_o brotherhouse_n to_o a_o place_n call_v plantefeld_v in_o thorney_n and_o moreover_o that_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a bank_n in_o crouland_n call_v uuynterdyke_n within_o the_o say_a marsh_n call_v the_o purceynt_a which_o do_v reach_v from_o the_o clote_n unto_o the_o side_n of_o the_o abbey_n of_o crouland_n and_o be_v then_o in_o decay_n through_o the_o default_n of_o the_o same_o abbot_n and_o also_o that_o there_o be_v another_o bank_n lie_v within_o the_o purceynt_a beforementioned_a on_o the_o west_n side_n of_o shepes_fw-mi i_fw-mi extend_v it_o â—elf_n from_o dovedale_n cloâ—e_v near_o the_o division_n betwixt_o multon_n and_o uuhappelode_n which_o bank_n ought_v likewise_o to_o have_v be_v repair_v by_o the_o say_a abbot_n as_o it_o have_v be_v by_o his_o say_a predecessor_n time_n beyond_o memory_n and_o last_o that_o the_o say_a abbot_n and_o his_o predecessor_n have_v usual_o repair_v another_o bank_n in_o crouland_n call_v moredyke_n lie_v also_o within_o the_o say_a marsh_n call_v the_o purceynt_a which_o bank_n do_v reach_v from_o shepe_n i_fw-mi to_o asendyke_n and_o be_v then_o defective_a whereupon_o the_o shireeve_n of_o this_o county_n have_v command_v to_o summon_v the_o say_a abbot_n to_o appear_v at_o alford_n upon_o the_o friday_n next_o after_o the_o feast_n of_o s._n michael_n
the_o archangel_n to_o answer_v unto_o the_o particular_n contain_v in_o the_o say_a presentment_n who_o come_v according_o and_o say_v that_o he_o himself_o and_o some_o of_o his_o predecessor_n with_o their_o tenant_n and_o fermour_n in_o the_o town_n and_o place_n adjacent_a to_o those_o bank_n have_v for_o their_o own_o commodity_n and_o benefit_n often_o repair_v divers_a part_n of_o they_o but_o not_o at_o all_o for_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o country_n and_o thereupon_o do_v put_v himself_o upon_o the_o trial_n of_o a_o jury_n which_o be_v summon_v to_o appear_v come_v and_o say_v upon_o their_o oath_n that_o the_o say_a abbot_n and_o his_o predecessor_n as_o also_o their_o servant_n tenant_n and_o fermour_n of_o their_o land_n and_o tenement_n lie_v in_o the_o place_n adjoin_v to_o those_o bank_n have_v very_o often_o for_o the_o avoid_n of_o damage_n to_o themselves_o repair_v those_o bank_n for_o their_o own_o private_a advantage_n as_o he_o the_o say_a abbot_n have_v plead_v and_o not_o otherwise_o and_o that_o neither_o the_o say_a abbot_n nor_o any_o of_o his_o predecessor_n have_v ever_o repair_v they_o for_o the_o safeguard_n of_o the_o country_n or_o keep_v in_o the_o water_n within_o the_o say_a bank_n for_o the_o benefit_n and_o commodity_n of_o the_o king_n liege_n people_n wherefore_o the_o say_a abbot_n be_v dischardged_a from_o that_o presentment_n but_o after_o this_o viz._n in_o h._n 6._o time_n there_o be_v a_o inquisition_n cedulâ_fw-la take_v at_o staunford_n in_o this_o county_n before_o sir_n john_n beauchamp_n knight_n then_z steward_z of_o the_o king_n household_n and_o john_n duke_n of_o norfolk_n marshal_z of_o england_n and_o the_o marshal_n of_o the_o court_n of_o marshalsiâ—_n in_o the_o say_v king_n household_n where_o it_o be_v find_v by_o the_o juror_n that_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a clough_n call_v shiphey_n lie_v at_o dousdale_n in_o the_o parish_n of_o crouland_n then_o break_v by_o reason_n whereof_o the_o land_n and_o tenement_n of_o divers_a person_n thereabouts_o be_v overflow_v to_o their_o great_a damage_n and_o hindrance_n and_o that_o the_o abbot_n of_o crouland_n ought_v to_o repair_v the_o same_o as_o he_o and_o his_o predecessor_n have_v former_o use_v to_o do_v which_o clough_n have_v be_v break_v and_o out_o of_o repair_n from_o the_o feast_n of_o easter_n in_o the_o xxxvi_o year_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o king_n henry_n the_o vi_o and_o do_v so_o remain_v at_o the_o take_n of_o this_o inquisition_n upon_o which_o presentment_n so_o make_v by_o the_o say_a juror_n as_o aforesaid_a the_o abbot_n of_o crouland_n by_o his_o attorney_n appear_v at_o depe_v upon_o thursday_n next_o after_o the_o feast_n of_o all_o saint_n in_o the_o second_o year_n of_o king_n edward_n 4_o before_o the_o steward_n and_o marshal_n of_o the_o king_n household_n and_o plead_v not_o guilty_a as_o to_o the_o say_a charge_n but_o because_o he_o will_v not_o contest_v therein_o with_o the_o king_n he_o submit_v himself_o and_o desire_v that_o he_o may_v be_v admit_v to_o his_o fine_n and_o be_v according_o which_o the_o court_n assess_v at_o vis._o viij_o d._n in_o 3_o h._n 5._o there_o be_v a_o award_n 7._o make_v betwixt_o the_o abbot_n of_o crouland_n and_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o spald_v and_o pinchebec_n by_o john_n woodhouse_n chancellor_n of_o the_o duchy_n of_o lancaster_n john_n leventhorp_n receiver_n and_o will._n babington_n one_o of_o the_o council_n of_o the_o say_a duchy_n with_o the_o assistance_n of_o richard_n norton_n chief_a justice_n of_o the_o common_a plea_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o then_o justice_n of_o that_o court_n who_o do_v decree_n to_o the_o say_a abbot_n and_o his_o successor_n all_o the_o soil_n of_o goggisland_n together_o with_o the_o whole_a fish_n and_o fowl_v therein_o and_o that_o the_o say_v inhabitant_n of_o spalding_n and_o pinchebec_n shall_v be_v exclude_v from_o take_v any_o other_o profit_v therein_o except_v common_a of_o pasture_n cap._n xlv_o have_v now_o do_v with_o what_o concern_v that_o sometime_o famous_a monastery_n of_o crouland_n i_o shall_v proceed_v with_o the_o remainder_n of_o this_o province_n but_o before_o i_o descend_v to_o speak_v in_o particular_a as_o to_o the_o support_n and_o maintenance_n of_o those_o ancient_a bank_n so_o long_o before_o make_v for_o the_o gain_v thereof_o from_o the_o sea_n and_o its_o defence_n against_o the_o fresh_a water_n as_o also_o such_o work_n of_o drayn_v or_o otherwise_o as_o tend_v to_o the_o better_a improve_n of_o all_o or_o any_o part_n of_o the_o same_o i_o think_v it_o not_o impertinent_a to_o take_v notice_n that_o these_o follow_a marsh_n and_o fen_n be_v observe_v to_o have_v long_o since_o be_v within_o the_o limit_n of_o it_o viz._n in_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n dcccxxxij_o in_o b._n langtoft_n to_o the_o extent_n of_o two_o mile_n in_o length_n and_o as_o much_o in_o breadth_n in_o ibid._n baston_n xuj_o furlong_n in_o length_n and_o eight_o in_o breadth_n in_o a._n holbeche_n and_o capelade_v in_o the_o year_n dcccli_o five_o thousand_o acre_n and_o in_o the_o norman_a conqueror_n time_n in_o b._n algarekirk_n ten_o ox_n gang_v then_o waste_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o sea_n inundation_n next_o to_o observe_v that_o king_n henry_n the_o first_o do_v xlii_o afforest_n a_o great_a part_n thereof_o aswell_o as_o of_o kesteven_n already_o speak_v of_o and_o that_o king_n john_n do_v in_o the_o five_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n deafforest_n 30._o all_o those_o land_n that_o belong_v to_o surflet_n gosbercherche_fw-fr quadaver_a and_o dunnington_n as_o to_o the_o sea-bank_n in_o this_o province_n i_o find_v no_o mention_n of_o they_o till_o king_n henry_n the_o three_o time_n but_o than_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o say_a king_n direct_v his_o precept_n 15._o to_o the_o shireeve_n to_o distrain_v all_o those_o that_o hold_v any_o land_n liable_a to_o the_o repair_n of_o they_o to_o the_o end_n that_o they_o may_v be_v repair_v as_o they_o ought_v and_o use_v to_o be_v which_o tenant_n be_v afterward_o to_o have_v allowance_n thereof_o from_o their_o landlord_n and_o about_o four_o year_n afterward_o viz._n in_o 44._o h._n 3._o the_o say_a king_n by_o his_o letter_n dorso_fw-la patent_n to_o henry_n de_fw-fr bath_n of_o who_o i_o have_v have_v occasion_n to_o make_v signal_n mention_v in_o my_o discourse_n of_o romeney_n marsh_n recite_v that_o whereas_o through_o the_o inundation_n of_o the_o sea_n into_o these_o part_n of_o holland_n inestimable_a loss_n have_v happen_v and_o more_o be_v imminent_a as_o he_o have_v credible_a information_n and_o that_o by_o reason_n thereof_o he_o have_v send_v his_o precept_n to_o the_o shireeve_n of_o this_o county_n to_o distrain_v all_o those_o who_o hold_v any_o land_n and_o tenement_n in_o these_o part_n which_o ought_v to_o contribute_v to_o the_o repair_n of_o the_o ditch_n bridge_n and_o bank_n of_o the_o sea_n and_o fen_n therein_o in_o order_n to_o the_o repair_n and_o maintenance_n of_o they_o according_a to_o the_o quantity_n of_o their_o say_a land_n nevertheless_o for_o the_o manifestation_n of_o his_o great_a care_n of_o that_o work_n he_o appoint_v dorso_fw-la the_o before-specified_n henry_n together_o with_o the_o say_a shireeve_n to_o provide_v forthwith_o for_o those_o repair_n and_o to_o make_v distress_n for_o the_o same_o in_o such_o sort_n as_o he_o shall_v think_v most_o fit_a and_o conduce_v to_o the_o benefit_n and_o security_n of_o those_o part_n in_o 47_o h._n 3._o there_o be_v a_o presentment_n 8._o by_o a_o jury_n exhibit_v to_o martin_n de_fw-fr litlebury_n and_o his_o fellow_n justice_n itinerant_a at_o lincoln_n on_o the_o morrow_n after_o the_o clause_n of_o easter_n show_v that_o ancient_o in_o the_o time_n of_o old_a will._n de_fw-fr rumare_fw-la earl_n oâ—_n linâ—colne_n chester_n it_o happen_v that_o two_o man_n carry_v a_o corpse_n from_o stikeney_n to_o cibecey_n to_o be_v bury_v in_o the_o churchyard_n there_o drown_v it_o on_o north_n dyke_n causey_n which_o be_v tell_v to_o the_o say_a earl_n a._n he_o acquaint_v the_o abbot_n of_o revesby_n therewith_o and_o advertise_v he_o that_o he_o and_o his_o covent_n aught_o at_o their_o own_o proper_a charge_n to_o repair_v and_o maintain_v the_o say_a causey_n in_o consideration_n of_o two_o piece_n of_o ground_n which_o he_o the_o say_a earl_n have_v give_v they_o to_o that_o purpose_n for_o ever_o whereof_o one_o be_v call_v heyholme_n and_o the_o other_o west_n few_o contain_v about_o sixscore_o acre_n and_o worth_a by_o the_o year_n vil._o and_o the_o juror_n far_o say_v that_o the_o before-specified_n abbot_n and_o covent_n which_o then_o be_v do_v receive_v that_o land_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o say_a earl_n for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o the_o same_o causey_n for_o ever_o and_o that_o they_o do_v according_o repair_v it_o for_o a_o long_a time_n until_o that_o
distringendum_fw-la &_o per_fw-la amerciamenta_fw-la &_o alio_fw-la modo_fw-la prout_fw-la etc._n etc._n all_o which_o be_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o common_a law_n id_fw-la est_fw-la the_o ancient_a usage_n of_o this_o kingdom_n as_o the_o learned_a sergeant_n calais_n well_o infer_v from_o the_o word_n dignitatis_fw-la suae_fw-la regiae_n all_o prerogative_n be_v without_o limitation_n of_o time_n now_o for_o the_o statute_n the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v in_o 6_o h._n 6._o and_o this_o add_v to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o say_a commissioner_n for_o it_o give_v they_o authority_n to_o make_v officer_n to_o take_v account_n of_o their_o expenditor_n to_o set_v labourer_n on_o work_n and_o to_o rate_v the_o wage_n of_o such_o labourer_n then_o that_o of_o 8_o h._n 6._o cap._n 3._o which_o supply_v the_o defect_n of_o the_o former_a grant_v power_n to_o the_o say_a commissioner_n to_o ordain_v and_o execute_v the_o statute_n ordinance_n and_o other_o thing_n to_o be_v make_v according_a to_o the_o effect_n and_o purport_n of_o the_o say_a commission_n next_o that_o of_o 18_o h._n 6._o cap._n 10._o which_o continue_v the_o power_n of_o that_o statute_n of_o 6_o h._n 6._o for_o ten_o year_n long_o the_o time_n first_o limit_v therein_o be_v then_o expire_v then_o that_o of_o 23_o h._n 6._o cap._n 9_o prolong_v that_o of_o 18_o h._n 6._o to_o xv_o year_n more_o next_o that_o 7._o of_o 12_o e._n 4._o cap._n 6._o which_o not_o only_o add_v the_o like_a number_n xv_o year_n more_o thereto_o but_o enlarge_v it_o to_o the_o march_n of_o caleis_n guynes_n and_o ham_n on_o the_o border_n of_o france_n and_o flanders_n then_o that_o of_o 4_o h._n 7._o cap._n 1._o prolong_v that_o of_o 12_o e._n 4._o to_o twenty-five_o year_n more_o likewise_o that_o of_o 6_o h._n 8._o cap._n 10._o ratify_v the_o former_a act_n and_o give_v power_n to_o the_o lord_n chancellor_n of_o england_n for_o the_o time_n be_v to_o grant_v out_o commission_n of_o sewer_n into_o all_o part_n of_o this_o realm_n next_o that_o of_o 23_o h._n 8._o cap._n 5._o in_o the_o preamble_n whereof_o there_o be_v these_o word_n viz._n the_o king_n nothing_o erthe_o so_o high_o weigh_v as_o advance_v of_o the_o common_a profit_n wealth_n and_o commodity_n of_o this_o realm_n whence_o say_v the_o before-specified_n learned_a sergeant_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o make_n of_o this_o law_n be_v of_o all_o other_o think_v to_o be_v most_o necessary_a and_o of_o great_a consequence_n the_o king_n prefer_v the_o same_o before_o any_o earthly_a thing_n and_o the_o king_n care_n therein_o become_v his_o royal_a person_n very_o worthy_o because_o by_o this_o statute_n safety_n be_v bring_v to_o the_o realm_n and_o wealth_n and_o profit_n to_o the_o people_n thereof_o in_o that_o preamble_n it_o be_v likewise_o observable_a first_o that_o marsh_n and_o low_a ground_n have_v former_o be_v by_o politic_a wisdom_n win_v and_o make_v profitable_a for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o commonwealth_n second_o that_o if_o more_o speedy_a and_o further_a remedy_n be_v not_o have_v and_o provide_v though_o divers_a provision_n have_v be_v former_o make_v yet_o none_o of_o they_o be_v sufficient_a remedy_n for_o reformation_n thereof_o and_o three_o that_o power_n be_v give_v thereby_o to_o six_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n whereof_o three_o to_o be_v of_o the_o quorum_fw-la to_o take_v any_o man_n timber_n etc._n etc._n to_o be_v use_v therein_o and_o to_o set_v the_o price_n thereof_o as_o also_o to_o sell_v any_o man_n land_n nay_o the_o king_n be_v also_o or_o part_v thereof_o in_o fee_n or_o for_o what_o other_o term_n they_o please_v all_o which_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o king_n be_v royal_a assent_n have_v thereunto_o be_v not_o to_o be_v repeal_v but_o by_o act_n or_o parliament_n and_o make_v they_o therefore_o a_o absolute_a court_n to_o hear_v and_o determine_v all_o thing_n concern_v sewer_n after_o this_o about_o two_o year_n viz._n 25_o h._n 8._o cap._n 10_o there_o be_v another_o statute_n which_o extend_v this_o last_o commission_n to_o the_o town_n and_o march_n of_o caleis_n and_o impose_v a_o penalty_n of_o five_o mark_n upon_o every_o commissioner_n who_o shall_v refuse_v to_o be_v swear_v according_a to_o the_o act_n of_o 23_o h._n 8._o then_o that_o of_o 3_o &_o 4_o e._n 6._o cap._n 8._o which_o take_v notice_n how_o beneficial_a the_o statute_n of_o 23_o h._n 8._o have_v be_v to_o this_o realm_n ordain_v that_o it_o shall_v continue_v with_o these_o addition_n thereto_o for_o ever_o viz._n that_o all_o skot_n loâ—s_n and_o sum_n of_o money_n thenceforth_o to_o be_v rate_v and_o tax_v upon_o any_o of_o the_o king_n land_n his_o heir_n or_o successor_n for_o any_o thing_n concern_v the_o article_n of_o the_o say_a commission_n of_o sewer_n shall_v be_v gather_v and_o levy_v by_o distress_n or_o otherwise_o in_o like_a manner_n and_o form_n as_o shall_v and_o may_v be_v do_v in_o the_o land_n of_o any_o other_o person_n and_o that_o no_o commission_n of_o sewer_n shall_v thenceforth_o have_v continuance_n for_o above_o five_o year_n after_o the_o date_n thereof_o next_o that_o of_o 13_o eliz._n cap._n 9_o which_o authorise_v the_o commission_n of_o sewer_n thenceforth_o to_o stand_v in_o force_n for_o the_o term_n of_o ten_o year_n next_o after_o their_o date_n unless_o they_o be_v repeal_v by_o reason_n of_o any_o commission_n or_o by_o supersedeas_fw-la and_o last_o that_o of_o 3_o jac._n cap._n 14._o which_o comprehend_v the_o wall_n ditch_n bank_n gutter_n sewer_n gate_n causeys_n bridges_n stream_n and_o watercourse_n have_v their_o passage_n into_o the_o river_n of_o thames_n and_o within_o two_o mile_n of_o the_o city_n of_o london_n as_o subject_a to_o the_o commission_n and_o statute_n of_o sewer_n and_o to_o the_o penalty_n of_o the_o same_o to_o these_o for_o remove_v of_o some_o scruple_n touch_v the_o power_n of_o the_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n for_o erect_v of_o new_a sluice_n and_o for_o make_v new_a cut_n and_o drayn_n where_o none_o be_v before_o i_o shall_v add_v the_o opinion_n of_o those_o two_o chief_a justice_n viz._n popham_n and_o anderson_n man_n famous_a in_o their_o time_n for_o their_o learning_n in_o both_o these_o case_n and_o which_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o before-specified_n serg._n calais_n in_o his_o say_v read_v upon_o the_o stat._n of_o 23_o h._n 8._o as_o also_o of_o sir_n henry_n hobart_n knight_n attorney_n general_a to_o king_n james._n in_o 43_o &_o 44_o eliz._n a_o great_a controversy_n do_v arise_v in_o the_o county_n of_o lincoln_n about_o the_o erect_n of_o two_o new_a goat_n at_o skirbeck_n and_o langare_n for_o drayn_v the_o water_n of_o south_n holland_n and_o the_o fen_n into_o boston_n haven_n which_o work_n sir_n edward_n dimock_n knight_n do_v by_o himself_o and_o his_o friend_n further_a what_o he_o can_v but_o it_o be_v oppose_v by_o the_o country_n of_o kefâ—even_n and_o they_o very_a exception_n take_v thereto_o be_v that_o the_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n can_v not_o by_o the_o power_n of_o their_o commission_n make_v a_o law_n for_o the_o erect_n of_o these_o new_a goat_n where_o never_o any_o stand_v before_o whereupon_o the_o decision_n of_o this_o point_n come_v at_o length_n before_o the_o then_o two_o justice_n viz._n popham_n and_o anderson_n they_o deliver_v their_o opinion_n that_o the_o say_v new_a goat_n if_o they_o be_v find_v to_o be_v good_a and_o profitable_a for_o the_o safety_n and_o advantage_n of_o the_o country_n they_o may_v be_v erect_v by_o the_o power_n of_o this_o statute_n the_o like_a controversy_n arise_v in_o 12_o jacobi_fw-la in_o the_o county_n of_o cambridge_n huntingdon_n and_o northampton_n about_o the_o make_n of_o new_a cut_n and_o drayn_n in_o the_o isle_n of_o ely_n by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n which_o be_v much_o oppose_v the_o business_n come_v in_o the_o end_n to_o be_v hear_v before_o the_o king_n and_o the_o council_n whereupon_o the_o say_a king_n by_o the_o advice_n of_o his_o council_n upon_o mature_a deliberation_n compare_v the_o undue_a proceed_n of_o those_o who_o have_v disturb_v his_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n in_o those_o county_n with_o the_o ancient_a law_n of_o this_o realm_n as_o also_o with_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o ancient_a and_o late_a time_n and_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o lord_n chief_a justice_n popham_n deliver_v in_o write_v very_o exact_o and_o full_o upon_o the_o say_a question_n touch_v the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o say_v commissionersâ—_n it_o be_v object_v 1._o that_o the_o commissioner_n have_v no_o power_n to_o raise_v new_a bank_n drayn_n or_o sluice_n where_o there_o have_v be_v none_o before_o 2._o that_o they_o may_v not_o lay_v the_o tax_n upon_o hundred_o town_n or_o the_o inhabitant_n thereof_o in_o general_a but_o upon_o
beryall_a and_o westmore_n fen_n to_o wellenhey_n river_n and_o thence_o through_o certain_a fen_n of_o norfolk_n into_o the_o ouse_n about_o maid_n load_n will_v be_v most_o necessary_a and_o that_o without_o so_o do_v the_o fen_n can_v never_o be_v drayn_v thence_o we_o go_v to_o rebbech_n where_o brandon_n river_n alias_o ouse_n parva_fw-la fall_v into_o ouse_n near_o priest_n house_n thence_o to_o sotherey_n and_o modney_n thence_o to_o helgay_n bridge_n thence_o to_o fordham_n thence_o to_o salter_n load_n where_o nene_n fall_v into_o ouse_n which_o be_v a_o very_a great_a descent_n viz._n ten_o foot_n from_o the_o soil_n of_o the_o fen_n to_o the_o low_a water_n mark_v beside_o the_o natural_a descent_n of_o the_o fen-ground_n from_o the_o upland_n of_o huntingdon-shire_n thither_o thence_o to_o wisbeche_v 27._o thence_o to_o tower_n house_n and_o so_o to_o hobbs_n house_n where_o we_o observe_v that_o plantwater_n which_o come_v out_o of_o nene_n at_o great_a cross_n to_o the_o say_v hobbs_n house_n with_o staven_n ea_fw-la which_o be_v wont_a to_o run_v to_o tower_n house_n and_o so_o to_o wisbeche_v do_v now_o run_v from_o hobbs_n house_n by_o hunster_n stone_n through_o hobbs_n dike_v into_o march_n river_n thence_o we_o go_v to_o march_n and_o dodington_n and_o between_o dodington_n and_o chateriz_n there_o be_v a_o small_a load_n besselinge_n load_n which_o run_v through_o a_o low_a marish_a fenn_n thence_o to_o chateriz_n town_n end_n where_o there_o be_v a_o sewer_n call_v chateriz_v leame_z grow_v from_o the_o west-water_n at_o chateriz_n ferry_n unto_o dodington_n weel_z thence_o to_o mephall_n and_o there_o see_v mephall_n load_n which_o run_v from_o sutton_n load_n thence_o by_o water_n to_z cambridge_z in_o which_o passage_n we_o take_v notice_n that_o harrymere_n gravel_n be_v a_o great_a mean_n of_o the_o overflow_a of_o grant_n as_o also_o of_o burwell_n load_n swaffham_n load_n and_o botesham_n load_n all_o which_o do_v fall_v into_o grant_n upon_o this_o view_n mr._n hunt_v who_o be_v the_o artist_n for_o the_o drayn_n represent_v a._n to_o the_o say_a commissioner_n what_o cut_v bank_n sluice_n clow_n etc._n etc._n will_v be_v in_o his_o judgement_n far_o necessary_a in_o order_n to_o the_o perfect_a this_o work_n all_o which_o they_o signify_v under_o their_o hand_n to_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o council_n together_o with_o their_o opinion_n how_o much_o it_o will_v tend_v to_o the_o honour_n and_o enrich_n of_o the_o kingdom_n but_o decline_v in_o regard_n of_o shortness_n of_o time_n to_o give_v any_o estimate_n of_o the_o charge_n thereof_o or_o upon_o what_o condition_n it_o will_v be_v meet_a to_o take_v it_o in_o hand_n and_o upon_o the_o xxiiiith_o day_n of_o the_o same_o month_n 1605._o the_o king_n himself_o by_o his_o letter_n b._n bear_v date_n at_o greenwich_n take_v notice_n of_o they_o to_o the_o lord_n of_o his_o council_n as_o aforesaid_a incite_v they_o to_o fall_v in_o hand_n speedy_o with_o the_o work_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o that_o be_v a_o dry_a summer_n and_o so_o the_o more_o proper_a for_o it_o intimate_v also_o that_o for_o the_o better_a expedit_v thereof_o he_o have_v employ_v his_o chief_a justice_n popham_n to_o take_v pain_n therein_o whereupon_o such_o good_a speed_n be_v make_v that_o upon_o the_o xiiith_o of_o the_o next_o month_n this_o follow_a certificate_n be_v deliver_v in_o to_o the_o say_a commissioner_n then_o sit_v at_o wisebeche_n a._n the_o true_a content_n or_o number_n of_o acre_n in_o the_o fen_n describe_v in_o the_o general_a plot_n lie_v without_o the_o fendikes_a as_o it_o be_v deliver_v by_o william_n hayward_n gent._n surveyor_n upon_o his_o oath_n at_o wisbeche_n 13_o july_n 1605._o acre_n burrough-soke_a great_a fen_n with_o some_o several_n by_o catts-water_n 1605._o 8015_o burrough_n little_a fen._n 900_o croyland_n fen_n in_o three_o piece_n 2000_o certain_a several_a fen_n and_o wet_a meadow_n lie_v in_o ely_n between_o borough_n little_a fen_n borough_n great_a fen_n and_o cat_n water_n 763_o thorney_n ground_n contain_v in_o all_o 15850_o whereof_o in_o hard_a land_n 400_o acre_n in_o fenn_n 15450_o uuisbeche_n hundred_o high_a fen_n with_o sutton_n fen_n and_o throkenholt_n several_n 8365_o ladwer_n ixwell-moore_n the_o river_n etc._n etc._n and_o other_o several_n between_o coldham_n bank_n bishop_n dike_a the_o division_n of_o march_n uuelney-river_n and_o darcey-lode_n 0740_o uuittlesey_n and_o stanground_n common_a fen_n with_o divers_a several_n and_o half_a several_n between_o the_o old_a ea_fw-la and_o thorney_n bound_n the_o division_n of_o uuisbeche_n high_a fen_n and_o dodington_n fen_n and_o from_o that_o division_n by_o the_o high_a stream_n and_o ramsey-mere_a to_o knuts_n delft_n and_o by_o that_o delft_n up_o to_o horsey_n brigg_n in_o which_o bind_v ramsey_n have_v a_o part_n of_o a_o fen_n next_o to_o ramsey_n mere_a contain_v 2800_o acre_n 24435_o other_o fen_n between_o the_o say_v delft_n the_o high_a stream_n ubmere_n uuittlesey_n mere_a and_o so_o by_o conquest_n load_n to_o pocket-holme_a and_o the_o high_a land_n 7390_o certain_a fen_n in_o huntingdonshire_n between_o the_o high_a land_n skirt_n and_o ramsey-hards_a and_o mere_a and_o the_o say_v high_a stream_n and_o conquest_n load_v 13455_o other_o fen_n of_o huntindonshire_n lie_v between_o ramsey_n mere_n the_o high_a stream_n to_o benwick_n the_o west-water_n to_o erith_n brigge_n and_o the_o skirt_n of_o the_o high_a land_n between_o the_o say_a bridge_n and_o ramsey_n hards_n 13340_o the_o fen_n of_o dodington_n cum_fw-la membris_fw-la common_a and_o several_a 32000_o honey_n fen_n in_o all_o 370._o viz._n hard_a land_n 90._o fen_n 280_o chateryz_n fen_n together_o with_o certain_a fen_n of_o sutton_n and_o byall_a fen_n with_o some_o several_n lie_v between_o the_o bound_n of_o dodington_n and_o hony_n the_o west-water_n sutton_n load_n and_o oxwillow_n load_n 20700_o sutton_n fen_n on_o the_o south_n of_o sutton_n load_n between_o the_o west-water_n haddenham_n fen_n and_o the_o harde_n of_o haddenham_n sutton_n and_o mephall_n 2910_o haddenham_n fen_n between_o the_o former_a fen_n the_o river_n of_o ouse_n wilberton_n fen_n and_o haddenham_n hard_n 3870_o willingham_n fen_n on_o the_o south_n of_o the_o ouse_n on_o the_o west_n of_o aldrey-causey_n beside_o hempsall_n on_o the_o east_n thereof_o 2920_o wilberton_n fen_n with_o part_n of_o other_o fen_n between_o the_o ouse_n and_o hard_a land_n to_z ely_z bridge_n 2790_o grunty-fen_n encompass_v with_o the_o high_a land_n 1694_o a_o fen_n more_o north_n between_o sutton_n load_n by_o coveney_n and_o the_o hard_a land_n of_o divers_a town_n compass_v it_o 3780_o downham_n wodfen_n and_o other_o fen_n between_o the_o fen_n of_o little_o port_n the_o ouse_n and_o ely_n hard-land_n to_o the_o town_n 2440_o the_o fen_n of_o littleport_n on_o both_o side_n of_o the_o ouse_n common_a and_o several_a 12660_o westmore_n south_n of_o darcey-lode_n and_o west_n of_o welney_n river_n together_o with_o divers_a several_n 15360_o certain_a fen_n ground_n common_a and_o several_a between_o welney_n river_n and_o the_o causey_n dike_v in_o upwell_n 1105_o certain_a fen_n common_a and_o several_a between_o welney_n river_n maid_n load_n the_o ouse_n and_o litleport_n ground_n 8600_o part_n of_o wisbeche_n high_a fen_n lie_v in_o waltersey_n with_o divers_a several_n 4320_o marshland-fen_n and_o many_o other_o ground_n between_o maid_n load_n and_o spalding_n river_n the_o fen_n bank_n and_o sea_n bank_n which_o will_v be_v make_v dry_a by_o the_o general_a drayn_v 4220_o the_o fen_n between_o helgay_n brigg_n and_o stoke_n brigg_n by_o the_o river_n on_o the_o southeast_n the_o high_a land_n of_o stoke_n wretton_n wereham_n dâ—reham_n and_o wroxham_n on_o the_o north_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o edmund_n skipwith_n gent._n on_o the_o west_n 2900_o the_o fen_n between_o the_o high_a ground_n of_o hocwold_n wilton_n feltwell_n methwold_n and_o northwold_n high_a land_n on_o the_o east_n soak_v river_n on_o the_o north_n the_o imbanked_a ground_n of_o helgay_n modney_n sotâ—erey_n and_o in_o part_n the_o river_n of_o ouse_n on_o the_o west_n and_o brandon_n river_n from_o priest_n house_n to_o brandon_n brigg_n 23290_o the_o fen_n between_o brandon_n river_n on_o the_o north_n the_o river_n of_o ouse_n in_o part_n and_o whelpmore_n and_o burt_n fen_n on_o the_o west_n mildenhall_n high_a land_n and_o river_n on_o the_o south_n and_o the_o high_a land_n from_o mildenhall_n to_o brandon_n 22120_o between_o mildenhall_n river_n on_o the_o north_n east_n ouse_n from_o prickwillow_n to_o ely_n brigg_n on_o the_o north_n west_n stuntney_n and_o soham_n causey_n the_o high_a ground_n of_o stuntney_n noruey_o soham_n isleham_n and_o worlington_n on_o the_o south_n and_o east_n contain_v 11780_o between_o the_o say_a causey_n and_o the_o high_a land_n of_o stuntney_n on_o the_o north_n ouse_n and_o grant_v from_o ely_n brigg_n by_o
upwere_a on_o the_o west_n wickynhie_a ground_n on_o the_o south_n and_o of_o soham_n east_n 4297_o the_o fen_n and_o low_a ground_n between_o grant_n from_o upwere_n to_o clay_n hithe_a and_o horningsey_n high_a ground_n on_o the_o west_n the_o way_n from_o quoy_fw-fr to_o eambridge_n and_o quoy_fw-fr and_o bottesham_n high_a ground_n on_o the_o southâ—_n the_o two_o swafham_n reach_v burwell_n lanward_n and_o fordham_n on_o the_o east_n and_o of_o soham_n and_o wickin_n north_n 11950_o the_o fen_n between_o the_o high_a ground_n of_o teversham_n and_o hinton_n west_n of_o fulburne_n south_n of_o great_a and_o little_a wilbram_n east_n of_o bottesham_n and_o quoy_fw-fr north_n 1240_o between_o grant_n from_o harrymere_n to_o ditton_n on_o the_o east_n of_o ouse_n from_o harrymere_n to_o aldrich_n bridge_n on_o the_o north_n hempsall_n yram_n and_o the_o high_a ground_n of_o rampton_n west_n and_o the_o high_a ground_n of_o cottenham_n and_o denney_n abbey_n south_n 9480_o hempsall_n and_o ireham_n east_n of_o aldrich_n causey_n 823_o the_o low_a ground_n from_o st._n ives_n to_o erith_n bridge_n on_o the_o south_n the_o fen_n of_o willingham_n and_o over_n on_o the_o east_n the_o high_a ground_n of_o swasey_n drayton_n and_o stanton_n on_o the_o south_n and_o the_o high_a ground_n of_o st._n ives_n west_n 3529_o the_o low_a ground_n below_o st._n ives_n on_o the_o north_n side_n of_o ouse_n between_o the_o say_a river_n on_o the_o south_n and_o east_n and_o the_o high_a land_n of_o bluntesham_n hallywell_n and_o st._n ives_n on_o the_o north_n and_o west_n 1871_o the_o total_a sum_n 307242_o acre_n whereupon_o the_o say_v commissioner_n sit_v 1605._o at_o wisebeche_n aforesaid_a upon_o the_o day_n and_o year_n aforesaid_a the_o lord_n chief-justice_n popham_n be_v then_o and_o there_o present_a make_v certain_a law_n â—_o and_o ordinance_n the_o extract_n whereof_o be_v as_o follow_v ordered_n first_o that_o sir_n john_n popham_n knight_n lord_n chief_a justice_n of_o england_n sir_n thomas_n fleming_n knight_n chief_a baron_n of_o the_o exchequer_n sir_n william_n rumney_n knight_n alderman_n of_o london_n and_o john_n eldred_n citizen_n and_o clothworker_n of_o london_n their_o heir_n and_o assign_v shall_v within_o the_o space_n of_o 7_o year_n next_o come_v at_o their_o own_o proper_a cost_n and_o charge_n drain_v all_o the_o fen_n and_o surround_v ground_n between_o the_o old_a course_n of_o the_o river_n of_o ouse_n as_o it_o now_o run_v from_o erith_n bridge_n to_o salter_n load_n and_o depe_v and_o within_o the_o land_n eas_fw-la hereafter_o mention_v and_o convey_v the_o say_a river_n of_o ouse_n or_o the_o great_a part_n thereof_o from_o some_o place_n at_o or_o near_o erith_n bridge_n aforesaid_a unto_o such_o place_n between_o salter_n load_n and_o maiden_n load_n as_o the_o say_a undertaker_n etc._n etc._n shall_v think_v meet_a which_o conveyance_n to_o be_v make_v between_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o two_o uttermost_a bank_n 30_o pole_n at_o the_o least_o and_o the_o river_n to_o be_v 30_o foot_n wide_a and_o 8_o foot_n deep_a and_o the_o same_o utmost_a bank_n to_o be_v each_o of_o they_o 30_o foot_n wide_a at_o the_o bottom_n and_o 7_o foot_n in_o height_n at_o the_o least_o and_o if_o that_o height_n will_v not_o do_v to_o carry_v away_o the_o water_n etc._n etc._n then_o to_o raise_v they_o high_o that_o the_o like_a passage_n be_v make_v at_o the_o entrance_n of_o the_o fen_n near_o peterborough_n for_o the_o conveyance_n of_o the_o river_n nene_n from_o thence_o to_o wisbeche_v and_o so_o likewise_o for_o the_o river_n of_o weland_n from_o its_o entrance_n into_o the_o fen_n at_o waldram_n hall_n until_o it_o meet_v with_o glen_n that_o land-eas_a from_o erith_n to_o stanground_n and_o thence_o to_o waldram_n hall_n be_v make_v to_o defend_v the_o ground_n within_o they_o and_o between_o the_o say_v new_a passage_n of_o ouse_n and_o weland_n from_o the_o land_n flood_n fall_v from_o the_o upland-countreys_n which_o land_n eas_fw-la to_o be_v from_o the_o utmost_a part_n of_o the_o fence_n dike_v 6_o pole_n at_o least_o that_o a_o drain_v be_v make_v from_o salter_n load_n unto_o the_o ham_n in_o march_n river_n to_o carry_v away_o the_o water_n which_o shall_v fall_v into_o the_o same_o land_n eas_fw-la etc._n etc._n that_o a_o new_a bank_n be_v make_v from_o erith_n bridge_n to_o ely_n to_o defend_v the_o ground_n between_o that_o and_o the_o same_o new_a passage_n from_o the_o overflow_n of_o ouse_n as_o also_o other_o necessary_a sluice_n and_o drayn_n within_o the_o precinct_n beforementioned_a with_o bridge_n etc._n etc._n for_o passage_n etc._n etc._n that_o the_o undertaker_n shall_v have_v such_o sum_n of_o money_n as_o the_o commissioner_n at_o their_o session_n shall_v think_v fit_a from_o those_o person_n who_o shall_v take_v benefit_n by_o this_o drayn_n and_o not_o contribute_v part_n of_o their_o land_n towards_o the_o charge_n thereof_o that_o the_o undertaker_n shall_v allow_v for_o the_o drain_v at_o clow_n cross_a in_o ease_n of_o this_o charge_n to_o the_o country_n that_o a_o navigable_a sluse_n be_v make_v at_o salter_n load_n and_o that_o well-creeke_n shall_v be_v enlarge_v and_o dike_v to_o london_n load_n and_o thence_o through_o neatmore_n to_o wadingstowe_n and_o thence_o over_o the_o river_n of_o wellenhee_o as_o direct_o as_o may_v be_v unto_o or_o above_o the_o ham_n in_o march_n river_n and_o a_o sluse_n with_o a_o bridge_n to_o be_v make_v at_o wadingstow_n to_o keep_v so_o much_o of_o the_o river_n neene_v as_o shall_v be_v needful_a in_o its_o old_a course_n through_o both_o the_o town_n of_o welle_v in_o recompense_n of_o which_o performance_n the_o say_a undertaker_n to_o have_v one_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o thousand_o acre_n of_o statute_n measure_n of_o fen_n ground_n at_o fivescore_o to_o the_o hundred_o to_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o worst_a sort_n of_o every_o particular_a fen_n proportionable_o by_o the_o commissioner_n before_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o annunciation_n of_o our_o lady_n next_o come_v the_o whole_a number_n of_o surround_v acre_n be_v 307242._o and_o that_o the_o undertaker_n their_o heir_n etc._n etc._n shall_v enjoy_v all_o the_o say_a water_n fishing_n and_o bank_n of_o and_o within_o the_o river_n with_o the_o indikes_n and_o land-eas_a and_o liberty_n to_o take_v sufficient_a menure_n for_o the_o repair_n of_o the_o say_a bank_n etc._n etc._n which_o rivers_n bank_n indikes_n etc._n etc._n to_o be_v account_v parcel_n of_o the_o say_v 130000_o acre_n so_o assign_v to_o they_o and_o that_o the_o say_v undertaker_n shall_v make_v good_a all_o drown_a parcel_n out_o of_o their_o own_o proportion_n or_o in_o value_n in_o case_n the_o drayn_n be_v not_o make_v perfect_a to_o the_o land-owner_n of_o which_o quick_a dispatch_v his_o majesty_n be_v advertise_v he_o write_v to_o they_o again_z from_o theobalds_n upon_o the_o xxiiith_o of_o the_o same_o month_n of_o july_n by_o which_o letter_n a._n he_o commend_v their_o endeavour_n in_o the_o work_n jac._n and_o progress_n make_v therein_o and_o take_v notice_n of_o some_o opposition_n which_o have_v be_v make_v by_o certain_a people_n thereto_o not_o know_v out_o of_o what_o spirit_n it_o proceed_v desire_v they_o to_o take_v special_a care_n to_o suppress_v the_o spread_a of_o all_o false_a rumour_n that_o may_v give_v distaste_n to_o the_o country_n touch_v their_o proceed_n therein_o and_o with_o those_o who_o be_v then_o employ_v by_o his_o majesty_n in_o that_o service_n as_o also_o to_o examine_v the_o ground_n of_o all_o such_o rumour_n and_o to_o punish_v the_o offender_n give_v advertisement_n to_o his_o majesty_n and_o the_o council_n of_o any_o mutinous_a speech_n which_o may_v be_v raise_v concern_v this_o business_n so_o general_o intend_v for_o the_o public_a good_a short_o after_o this_o viz._n upon_o monday_n aug._n 5_o mr._n hunt_n ric._n atkyns_n and_o other_o lay_v 5_o out_o the_o ground_n where_o the_o river_n through_o neatmore_n shall_v go_v by_o a_o straight_a line_n to_o mumbe_n dike_v end_n 1605._o but_o mislike_v the_o way_n on_o tuesday_n they_o veiw_v new_a ditch_n and_o in_o the_o north-east_n end_v thereof_o begin_v by_o the_o pow_z do_fw-mi lay_v out_o the_o ditch_n to_o be_v lead_v line-right_a from_o thence_o to_o the_o cross_n at_o upwell_n town_n end_n and_o upon_o seven_o wednesday_n about_o 8_o of_o the_o clock_n the_o work_n begin_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o mr._n hunt_n who_o cast_v the_o first_o spit_v the_o wrong_a way_n mr._n helon_n mr._n totnall_n mr._n hamon_n mr._n john_n fyncham_n mr._n richard_n atkyns_n and_o other_o and_o be_v prosecute_v so_o well_o as_o that_o upon_o dec._n the_o xxith_o of_o december_n follow_v be_v the_o feast_n day_n of_o s._n thomas_n the_o apostle_n the_o bank_n at_o the_o cross_n at_o upwell_n town_n end_n be_v open_v and_o the_o river_n
suffer_v to_o run_v as_o also_o a_o bridge_n present_o lay_v over_o mâ—rtij_fw-la but_o on_o the_o xuth_o of_o march_n next_o ensue_v there_o happen_v so_o great_a a_o storm_n that_o it_o break_v the_o bank_n of_o this_o new_a river_n and_o drown_v neatmore_n with_o the_o several_n adjoin_v so_o that_o on_o the_o xxi_o martij_fw-la of_o the_o same_o month_n of_o march_n they_o be_v constrain_v to_o stop_v the_o river_n at_o upwell_n town_n end_n again_o not_o long_o after_o this_o there_o be_v a_o petition_n b._n exhibit_v to_o the_o king_n by_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o divers_a fen-town_n without_o the_o i_o will_v of_o ely_n in_o the_o county_n of_o suff._n and_o cambridg_n humble_o desire_v that_o whereas_o a_o most_o laudable_a work_n of_o drayn_v the_o fen_n etc._n etc._n be_v then_o recommend_v to_o the_o high_a court_n of_o parliament_n and_o that_o divers_a town_n lie_v on_o the_o skirt_n of_o those_o fen_n will_v have_v no_o benefit_n thereby_o in_o regard_n their_o land_n be_v very_o seldom_o surround_v they_o therefore_o may_v be_v exclude_v out_o of_o the_o intend_a act_n of_o parliament_n whereby_o a_o proportion_n of_o the_o say_a fen_n ground_n be_v to_o be_v allow_v to_o the_o undertaker_n in_o the_o drayn_n for_o the_o support_v of_o their_o charge_n therein_o whereupon_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o council_n by_o their_o letter_n a._n date_v at_o white-hall_n upon_o the_o xxxi_o of_o august_n in_o the_o four_o year_n of_o the_o say_v k._n james_n his_o reign_n 1606._o recite_v what_o have_v be_v signify_v former_o by_o they_o as_o to_o the_o fecibleness_n of_o the_o before-specified_n drayn_v and_o that_o the_o lord_n chief_a justice_n popham_n be_v present_a at_o the_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o cambridge_n and_o give_v notice_n to_o the_o country_n that_o his_o majesty_n pleasure_n be_v so_o far_o to_o further_o the_o same_o as_o to_z man_n of_o understanding_n may_v appear_v to_o be_v to_o the_o general_a good_a of_o his_o people_n as_o also_o that_o there_o be_v a_o law_n then_o make_v for_o the_o say_v drayn_v and_o moreover_o that_o at_o another_o session_n hold_v at_o wysbeche_n order_n be_v take_v for_o the_o draw_v of_o a_o law_n to_o be_v present_v to_o the_o parliament_n for_o confirmation_n thereof_o but_o that_o some_o person_n not_o well_o understand_v the_o state_n of_o the_o cause_n complain_v to_o his_o majesty_n of_o great_a loss_n and_o hindrance_n which_o they_o be_v like_a to_o sustain_v in_o case_n the_o say_a act_n shall_v proceed_v and_o therefore_o desire_v the_o say_v commissioner_n to_o examine_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o those_o complaint_n and_o to_o represent_v to_o they_o the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o fen_n with_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o last_o year_n profit_n and_o that_o present_a year_n in_o answer_v whereunto_o the_o say_v commissioner_n make_v this_o return_n bâ—_n to_o the_o say_a lord_n of_o the_o council_n viz._n that_o they_o do_v meet_v at_o cambridge_n on_o the_o 22._o of_o october_n 1606._o for_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o petition_n former_o mention_v and_o that_o they_o find_v few_o reason_n to_o fortify_v it_o but_o such_o as_o be_v or_o may_v be_v provide_v for_o in_o the_o intend_a bill_n all_o person_n with_o who_o they_o have_v treat_v have_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o want_n of_o drayn_v be_v a_o inestimable_a hurt_n to_o those_o fenny_a country_n and_o that_o whereas_o a_o objection_n have_v be_v make_v of_o much_o prejudice_n that_o may_v redound_v to_o the_o poor_a by_o such_o drayn_n they_o have_v information_n by_o person_n of_o good_a credit_n that_o in_o several_a place_n of_o recover_a ground_n within_o the_o isle_n of_o ely_n etc._n etc._n such_o as_o before_o that_o time_n have_v live_v upon_o alm_n have_v no_o help_n but_o by_o fish_v and_o fowl_v and_o such_o poor_a mean_n out_o of_o the_o common_a fen_n while_o they_o lay_v drown_v be_v since_o come_v to_o good_a and_o supportable_a estate_n the_o chief_a content_n a._n of_o the_o bill_n handle_v in_o parliament_n anno_fw-la 4._o regis_fw-la jacobi_n touch_v this_o general_a drayn_n the_o limitation_n of_o time_n allow_v to_o sir_n john_n popam_n knight_n lord_n chief_z justice_z and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o adventurer_n for_o accomplish_v the_o work_n be_v to_o be_v ten_o year_n after_o the_o end_n of_o that_o session_n of_o parliament_n the_o particular_a cutts_n and_o drayn_n etc._n etc._n to_o be_v make_v by_o the_o undertaker_n be_v as_o follow_v 1._o a_o new_a river_n with_o a_o bank_n and_o indike_a from_o the_o upland_n near_o peykirke_n between_o weland_n and_o burrow_n bank_n unto_o or_o near_o heddike_n corner_n and_o thence_o to_o crouland_n water_n head_n and_o there_o to_o place_v a_o sluse_n and_o so_o to_o great_a porsand_n bank_n with_o a_o dam_n over_o the_o river_n to_o the_o say_a bank_n to_o keep_v in_o weland_n from_o overflow_a 2._o to_o amend_v the_o leame_z from_o peterborough_n to_o guyhirne_n and_o to_o cut_v a_o new_a river_n and_o bank_n on_o either_o side_n of_o the_o say_v leame_z with_o indikes_n for_o preserve_v of_o the_o bank_n the_o north_n bank_n to_o begin_v from_o burrow_n little_a fen_n bank_n where_o six_o of_o the_o commissioner_n shall_v think_v fit_a 3._o to_o enlarge_v the_o river_n from_o guy_n hirne_n to_o wisebeche_n and_o so_o to_o the_o four_o goat_n 4._o to_o make_v a_o sufficient_a passage_n for_o the_o river_n of_o ouse_n from_o erith_n to_o salter_n load_n either_o by_o enlarge_n its_o channel_n or_o embank_v etc._n etc._n and_o to_o make_v two_o new_a river_n to_o begin_v about_o erith_n brigg_n and_o so_o to_o go_v by_o sprall_n be_v to_o maid_n load_n and_o so_o through_o denver_n fen_n into_o ouse_n about_o denver_n hithe_o with_o sufficient_a bank_n and_o indikes_n etc._n etc._n and_o sluice_n at_o the_o upper_a end_n of_o the_o new_a river_n and_o west_n water_n in_o such_o sort_n as_o the_o navigation_n in_o old_a ouse_n and_o grant_n may_v not_o be_v impair_v 5._o to_o imbank_v in_o all_o needful_a place_n grant_v mildenhall_n brandon_n and_o stoke_n river_n viz._n grant_v from_o a_o corner_n below_o clayhithe_n ferrey_n mildenhall_n and_o brandon_n rivers_n from_o their_o entrance_n into_o the_o fen_n or_o from_o some_o other_o more_o convenient_a place_n and_o stoke_n river_n from_o stoke_n causey_n unto_o the_o place_n where_o they_o fall_v into_o ouse_n and_o to_o enlarge_v they_o where_o need_n be_v with_o bank_n and_o indikes_n etc._n etc._n as_o six_o of_o the_o commissioner_n shall_v think_v fit_a 6._o and_o to_o make_v new_a river_n bank_n indikes_n etc._n etc._n where_o need_n be_v &c._n &c._n yield_v to_o the_o owner_n of_o the_o land_n such_o recompense_n as_o any_o six_o of_o the_o say_a commissioner_n shall_v think_v meet_a as_o also_o bridges_n passage_n sluice_n and_o land_n eas._n 7._o that_o they_o may_v take_v in_o water_n to_o maintain_v fish_v so_o as_o the_o same_o be_v keep_v within_o bank_n and_o be_v not_o hurtful_a to_o the_o adjoin_a fen_n 8._o to_o make_v ferrye_n and_o ferrey_n house_n where_o need_n be_v 9_o that_o for_o this_o performance_n the_o undertaker_n etc._n etc._n to_o have_v in_o severalty_n 112000._o acre_n statute_n measure_n by_o the_o small_a hundred_o by_o assignation_n of_o the_o commissioner_n 10._o that_o where_o there_o be_v sufficient_a waste_n to_o answer_v the_o undertaker_n and_o leave_v sufficient_a for_o the_o commoner_n the_o land_n owner_n not_o to_o be_v impeach_v in_o their_o several_n 11._o that_o the_o commissioner_n do_v respect_v both_o quantity_n and_o quality_n in_o their_o opportion_v 12._o that_o such_o opportion_v be_v make_v before_o michaellmass_n a._n 1007._o if_o they_o may_v 13._o that_o of_o waltersey_n the_o undertaker_n to_o have_v 2._o full_a part_n of_o 3._o to_o be_v set_v out_o as_o aforesaid_a 14._o that_o the_o undertaker_n shall_v have_v the_o soil_n water_n and_o fish_v of_o all_o the_o new_a river_n so_o to_o be_v make_v with_o the_o bank_n indikes_n etc._n etc._n 15._o that_o they_o shall_v begin_v to_o take_v their_o profit_n as_o they_o finish_v their_o drayning_n 16._o that_o if_o any_o of_o the_o ground_n shall_v be_v again_o overflowen_v recompense_n to_o be_v make_v to_o the_o party_n damnify_v out_o of_o the_o 112000._o acre_n to_o be_v assess_v by_o any_o six_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n whereof_o 2._o of_o the_o quorum_fw-la where_o such_o surround_v shall_v happen_v 17._o that_o all_o ground_n adjoin_v to_o these_o fen_n which_o be_v better_v by_o the_o drayn_n shall_v contribute_v towards_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o undertaker_n as_o any_o six_o or_o more_o of_o the_o commissioner_n shall_v think_v meet_a 18._o that_o all_o manor_n waste_v and_o common_a shall_v have_v mete_n and_o boundary_n set_v to_o they_o by_o the_o say_a commissioner_n where_o the_o bound_n be_v
know_v and_o so_o likewise_o where_o they_o be_v not_o know_v to_o do_v the_o like_a which_o boundarye_n shall_v stand_v good_a for_o ever_o and_o that_o if_o the_o commissioner_n can_v agree_v the_o difference_n to_o be_v certify_v to_o the_o lord_n chancellor_n or_o lord_n keeper_n for_o the_o time_n be_v who_o with_o the_o assistance_n of_o certain_a judge_n of_o both_o bench_n to_o determine_v it_o and_o that_o within_o 3._o year_n after_o such_o determination_n the_o owner_n and_o commoner_n to_o make_v division_n dikes_n in_o breadth_n and_o depth_n as_o shall_v be_v think_v fit_a by_o their_o lord_n and_o the_o homage_n 19_o that_o the_o commons_o shall_v be_v stint_v by_o the_o lord_n and_o great_a part_n of_o the_o freeholder_n and_o copyholder_n commoner_n with_o the_o allowance_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o judge_n of_o the_o isle_n or_o one_o of_o the_o justice_n of_o assize_n of_o the_o county_n 20._o that_o the_o cottager_n upon_o the_o lord_n waste_v not_o have_v right_a of_o common_a because_o they_o have_v be_v suffer_v to_o take_v benefit_n of_o the_o waste_n shall_v be_v provide_v for_o by_o the_o lord_n and_o homage_n in_o every_o manor_n in_o the_o say_a waste_n as_o the_o lord_n and_o homage_n shall_v think_v fit_a 21._o that_o of_o the_o 112000._o acre_n belong_v to_o the_o undertaker_n no_o more_o than_o 4d._o a_o acre_n to_o be_v pay_v for_o the_o tithe_n thereof_o for_o ever_o yearly_o 21._o that_o after_o the_o say_v drayn_v there_o shall_v be_v a_o corporation_n or_o body_n politic_a of_o thirty_o know_v discreet_a and_o sufficient_a person_n by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o fen_n within_o the_o isle_n of_o ely_n etc._n etc._n to_o purchase_v etc._n etc._n land_n to_o sue_v and_o to_o be_v sue_v by_o that_o name_n the_o first_o of_o these_o to_o be_v martinâ—ishop_n â—ishop_z of_o ely_n sir_n anthony_n mildmay_n sir_n john_n peyton_n governor_n of_o gernâ—ey_n siâ—_n oliver_n crumwell_n sir_n robert_n bevyll_n sir_n edw._n coke_n attorney_n general_n sir_n john_n cutts_n sir_n john_n heigham_n sir_n rob._n wingfield_n â—ir_n rob._n cotton_n sir_n edw._n apsley_n sir_n henry_n warner_n sir_n miles_n sandys_n sir_n simeon_n steward_n sir_n thomas_n lambert_n sir_n william_n rumney_n knight_n humphrey_n tindall_n dean_n of_o ely_n anthony_n irby_n tho._n war_n thomas_n rawlyâ—s_v and_o henry_n totnall_n esquire_n john_n eldred_n roger_n oâ—field_n of_o london_n merchant_n john_n fyncham_n and_o john_n hunt_v gentleman_n and_o when_o these_o die_v new_a to_o be_v choose_v by_o the_o most_o voice_n out_o of_o such_o lord_n or_o undertaker_n as_o shall_v have_v 1000_o acre_n at_o the_o least_o of_o land_n assign_v to_o they_o 21._o and_o that_o the_o governor_n for_o ever_o shall_v have_v assure_v to_o they_o 112000_o acre_n statute_n measure_n which_o they_o may_v keep_v for_o ever_o and_o the_o profit_n to_o be_v employ_v for_o the_o perpetual_a maintenance_n of_o the_o drayn_n and_o satisfaction_n for_o drown_v as_o before_o so_o far_o as_o it_o will_v suffice_v and_o when_o it_o will_v not_o suffice_v the_o governor_n then_o to_o lay_v a_o tax_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n to_o do_v it_o withal_o 22._o and_o that_o the_o say_v governor_n may_v make_v law_n for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o the_o drayn_n and_o levy_v such_o tax_n in_o case_n aforesaid_a and_o put_v they_o in_o execution_n be_v ratify_v by_o the_o lord_n chancellor_n lord_n keeper_n or_o the_o lord_n tresurer_n and_o the_o two_o chief_a justiceâ—_n or_o any_o three_o of_o they_o whereof_o the_o lord_n keeper_n or_o treasurer_n to_o be_v one_o and_o the_o governor_n to_o let_v the_o land_n to_o they_o appoint_v to_o the_o best_a value_n so_o as_o they_o exceed_v not_o the_o term_n of_o seven_o year_n an._n 4o._o jacobi_fw-la regis_fw-la cap._n 13._o observation_n b_o out_o of_o the_o act_n for_o drayn_v of_o certain_a fen_n etc._n etc._n within_o the_o i_o will_v of_o ely_n contain_v about_o 6000._o acre_n and_o compass_v with_o a_o bank_n call_v the_o ring_n of_o waldersey_n and_o coldham_n that_o francis_n tindall_n esquire_n henry_n far_o and_o john_n cooper_n gentâ—_n have_v undertake_v to_o endeavour_v the_o drayn_n &c._n &c._n shall_v have_v power_n for_o the_o space_n of_o 7_o year_n ensue_v the_o end_n of_o that_o present_a session_n of_o parliament_n jacâ—_n to_o effect_v the_o same_o the_o land_n so_o intend_v to_o be_v drayn_v lie_v within_o the_o bank_n beginning_n at_o kekys_n mill_n and_o thence_o extend_v by_o tower_n house_n and_o hobbes_n house_n to_o tylney_n hirne_n so_o by_o maryes_fw-mi dam_n and_o elm_n leame_z to_o friday_n bridge_n and_o thence_o by_o redmore_n dike_a begdale_n and_o goldike_n to_o kekys_n mill_n again_o and_o that_o for_o the_o do_v thereof_o they_o may_v have_v power_n to_o make_v new_a or_o repair_v as_o need_n be_v all_o drain_v load_v banks_n etc._n etc._n and_o sluice_n as_o they_o shall_v think_v fit_a not_o be_v in_o marshland_n within_o the_o old_a pow_n dike_v give_v such_o satisfaction_n to_o the_o owner_n as_o by_o any_o six_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n whereof_o three_o inhabit_v within_o the_o say_a isle_n and_o thrâ—e_v within_o the_o county_n of_o norff._n shall_v be_v set_v down_o which_o undertaker_n &c._n &c._n have_v accomplish_v the_o say_v drayn_v to_o have_v two_o part_n in_o three_o of_o the_o land_n so_o drayn_v to_o they_o and_o their_o heir_n to_o be_v set_v out_o by_o six_o of_o the_o say_a commissioner_n at_o the_o least_o whereof_o four_o inhabit_v within_o the_o say_a isle_n which_o two_o part_n to_o be_v hold_v of_o the_o chief_a lord_n of_o the_o fee_n etc._n etc._n in_o free_a and_o common_a soâ—age_n and_o to_o be_v exempt_a from_o payment_n of_o any_o tithe_n for_o 7_o year_n after_o the_o time_n limit_v for_o the_o say_v drayn_v but_o if_o the_o say_a ground_n so_o undertake_v etc._n etc._n shall_v in_o deâ—ault_n of_o the_o say_a undertaker_n be_v overflow_v and_o so_o continue_v by_o the_o space_n of_o two_o month_n betwixt_o the_o feast_n of_o s._n mich._n the_o archangel_n and_o the_o annunciation_n of_o our_o lady_n or_o the_o space_n of_o one_o month_n betwixt_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o annunciation_n of_o our_o lady_n and_o s._n michael_n the_o owner_n by_o the_o view_n etc._n etc._n of_o any_o six_o of_o the_o say_a commissioner_n to_o re-enter_v and_o to_o enjoy_v the_o same_o thing_n most_o observable_a extract_v by_o i_o w._n d._n out_o of_o the_o verdict_n 1608._o of_o the_o jurat_n for_o the_o hundred_o of_o clakclose_v and_o freebridge_n in_o marshland_n at_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o ely_n 26_o julii_fw-la an._n 1608._o 6_o jacobi_fw-la 1_o that_o the_o river_n of_o welle_v from_o salter_n load_n to_o north_n delf_n and_o so_o upward_o be_v then_o in_o great_a decay_n in_o depth_n and_o breadth_n for_o want_v of_o cleanse_v etc._n etc._n 2._o so_o likewise_o the_o sewer_n call_v small_a load_n in_o upwell_n be_v stop_v etc._n etc._n 3._o that_o the_o sewer_n call_v london_n load_n lie_v in_o upwell_n ordain_v for_o the_o drayn_n of_o the_o fen_n call_v nâ—atmore_n be_v aâ—â—o_o in_o some_o decay_n 4._o that_o the_o sewer_n call_v maid_n load_n begin_v at_o welney_n water_n extend_v to_o shiplode_v and_o so_o to_o the_o river_n of_o ouse_n be_v impose_v upon_o the_o undertaker_n to_o scour_v etc._n etc._n 5._o that_o the_o sewer_n call_v new_a do_fw-mi in_o littleport_n take_v its_o head_n from_o welney_n water_n and_o extend_v to_o crekelode_n in_o sothrey_n and_o helgay_n be_v then_o in_o decay_n etc._n etc._n 6._o that_o the_o sluse_n at_o crekelode_n end_n next_o to_o the_o river_n of_o ouse_n be_v utter_o decay_v to_o be_v new_o make_v with_o a_o door_n six_o foot_n broad_a and_o 8_o foot_n deep_a 7._o ☜_o that_o there_o be_v a_o new_a sewer_n in_o upwell_n then_o late_o begin_v by_o the_o late_a lord_n chief_a justice_n popham_n ea._n which_o take_v its_o head_n out_o of_o the_o river_n of_o march_n near_o a_o place_n in_o upwell_n call_v newdich_n end_n and_o extend_v in_o self_n through_o the_o common_a of_o upwell_n etc._n etc._n to_o wadyngstow_v and_o so_o through_o neatmore_n fall_v into_o welle_v river_n at_o north_n delft_n be_v esteem_v to_o be_v a_o perfect_a drayn_n for_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o isle_n of_o ely_n especial_o the_o whole_a hundred_o of_o wisbeche_n and_o the_o town_n of_o upwell_n march_n dodington_n wimlington_n benwick_n chateriz_n whitlesey_n litleport_n and_o other_o adjoin_a place_n even_o to_o the_o high_a land_n 8._o that_o the_o common_a sewer_n in_o sothery_a call_v stake_n load_n be_v then_o in_o great_a decay_n 9_o that_o the_o river_n of_o wysse_o from_o helgay_n brigge_v to_o the_o river_n of_o ouse_n be_v then_o defective_a in_o breadth_n and_o depth_n and_o to_o be_v amend_v the_o
the_o very_a point_n question_v as_o also_o the_o continue_a practice_n of_o ancient_a and_o latter_a time_n and_o likewise_o the_o opinion_n in_o write_v of_o the_o lord_n chief_a justice_n popham_n upon_o the_o question_n touch_v the_o authority_n and_o power_n of_o the_o say_a commission_n viz._n first_o whether_o the_o say_v commissioner_n have_v authority_n to_o cause_v new_a bank_n draynsâ—_n or_o sluice_n to_o be_v make_v whâ—re_v none_o have_v be_v before_o second_o whether_o they_o may_v lay_v a_o tax_n upon_o any_o hundred_o town_n or_o the_o inhabitant_n thereof_o in_o general_n and_o not_o impose_v it_o upon_o every_o particular_a man_n according_a to_o the_o quantity_n of_o his_o land_n or_o common_a three_o whether_o they_o may_v commit_v to_o prison_n such_o as_o disobey_v their_o order_n etc._n etc._n and_o four_o whether_o that_o action_n of_o false_a imprisonment_n trespass_n and_o other_o process_n at_o the_o common_a law_n have_v be_v bring_v against_o the_o commissioner_n or_o their_o officer_n for_o execute_v their_o decree_n order_n etc._n etc._n their_o lordship_n find_v in_o their_o wisdom_n that_o it_o can_v neither_o stand_v with_o law_n nor_o common_a sense_n that_o in_o a_o case_n of_o so_o great_a consequence_n the_o law_n can_v be_v void_a of_o providence_n to_o restrain_v the_o commissioner_n in_o make_v new_a work_n aswell_o to_o stop_v the_o fury_n of_o the_o water_n as_o to_o repair_v the_o old_a where_o necessity_n require_v it_o for_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o country_n or_o to_o raise_v a_o charge_n upon_o the_o town_n or_o hundred_o in_o general_a which_o be_v interest_v in_o the_o benefit_n or_o loss_n with_o attend_v a_o particular_a admesurement_n of_o acre_n where_o the_o service_n be_v to_o be_v speedy_a etc._n etc._n or_o that_o a_o commission_n of_o so_o high_a consequence_n to_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o of_o so_o ancient_a jurisdiction_n both_o before_o the_o statute_n and_o since_o shall_v want_v mean_n of_o coercion_n for_o obedience_n to_o their_o order_n etc._n etc._n whereas_o upon_o the_o performance_n of_o they_o the_o preservation_n of_o thousand_o of_o his_o majesty_n subject_n their_o land_n good_n and_o life_n do_v depend_v and_o plain_o perceive_v that_o it_o will_v be_v a_o direct_a frustrate_v and_o overthrow_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o say_a commission_n if_o the_o commissioner_n etc._n etc._n shall_v be_v subject_a to_o every_o suit_n at_o the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o delinquent_n etc._n etc._n their_o lordship_n order_v that_o the_o person_n former_o commit_v by_o that_o board_n for_o their_o contempt_n concern_v this_o cause_n shall_v stand_v commit_v until_o they_o release_v or_o discharge_v such_o their_o action_n etc._n etc._n save_v nevertheless_o any_o complaint_n or_o suit_n for_o any_o oppression_n or_o grievance_n before_o the_o court_n of_o sewer_n or_o before_o the_o say_a council_n board_n if_o they_o receive_v not_o justice_n at_o the_o say_a commissioner_n hand_n and_o that_o letter_n be_v write_v to_o the_o commissioner_n to_o proceed_v in_o their_o several_a commission_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o pursuance_n of_o this_o general_a work_n the_o say_a lord_n of_o his_o majesty_n council_n sit_v at_o white_a hall_n the_o ixth_o of_o may_n 1617._o than_o next_o follow_v order_v 15â—â—_n 1._o that_o a_o sluse_n must_v necessary_o be_v make_v at_o the_o out-fall_a of_o wisbeche_n river_n into_o the_o sea_n at_o the_o charge_n aswell_o of_o the_o high-country_n as_o the_o low_a to_o be_v rate_v by_o the_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n 2._o that_o the_o river_n of_o wisbeche_n and_o all_o the_o branch_n of_o nene_n and_o westwaterâ—_n â—_z be_v cleanse_v and_o make_v in_o breadth_n and_o depth_n as_o much_o as_o by_o ancient_a record_n it_o shall_v appear_v they_o have_v be_v or_o where_o that_o can_v appear_v at_o the_o discretion_n of_o the_o commissioner_n 3._o that_o weland_n be_v also_o scour_v etc._n etc._n from_o the_o out-fall_a to_o waldram_n hall_n at_o the_o particular_a charge_n of_o the_o owner_n and_o their_o tenant_n as_o also_o the_o river_n of_o south_n ea_fw-la from_o crouland_n to_o guy_n hirne_n by_o those_o that_o of_o right_a aught_o to_o do_v it_o and_o that_o till_o that_o be_v do_v clow_n cross_a drain_v shall_v run_v 4._o and_o that_o thing_n to_o be_v far_o do_v therein_o be_v refer_v to_o a_o new_a commission_n of_o sewer_n to_o be_v procure_v at_o the_o indifferent_a charge_n of_o the_o country_n therein_o mention_v iâ—c_n after_o this_o viz._n upon_o the_o xth_o of_o september_n the_o â—ame_n year_n in_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o wisebeche_n before_o francis_n lord_n russell_n and_o other_o his_o majesty_n commissioner_n it_o be_v inter_fw-la alia_fw-la order_v 1_o that_o london_n load_n shall_v be_v damn_v up_o at_o welle-causey_n and_o that_o popham_n ea_fw-la be_v make_v a_o perfect_a sewer_n with_o bank_n on_o both_o side_n according_a to_o a_o former_a law_n for_o height_n breadth_n and_o strength_n and_o so_o continue_v for_o ever_o and_o that_o so_o much_o charge_n as_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o bank_n on_o both_o side_n of_o london_n load_n and_o of_o the_o load_n itself_o whereof_o they_o be_v dischardged_a by_o this_o order_n shall_v be_v employ_v upon_o the_o make_n and_o maintain_v of_o the_o bank_n and_o sewer_n of_o popham_n ea_fw-la the_o same_o to_o be_v rate_v by_o the_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n and_o that_o the_o say_v commissioner_n shall_v also_o consider_v what_o charge_n be_v to_o be_v impose_v on_o those_o who_o by_o the_o old_a law_n be_v chargeable_a towards_o small_a load_n and_o to_o allow_v the_o same_o upon_o popham_n ea_fw-la etc._n etc._n whereupon_o sir_n henry_n hobart_n knight_n jac._n then_z lord_n chief_z justice_z of_o the_o common_a plea_n be_v then_o advise_v with_o and_o likewise_o assist_v by_o divers_a of_o the_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n deliver_v his_o opinion_n a._n touch_v this_o drain_n call_v small_a load_n as_o follow_v viz._n 1._o that_o it_o be_v a_o old_a forsake_a sewer_n not_o know_v within_o the_o memory_n of_o man_n to_o have_v be_v in_o use_n and_o so_o grow_v up_o that_o the_o very_a tract_n thereof_o be_v not_o in_o many_o place_n discernible_a and_o that_o it_o be_v also_o uncertain_a whether_o the_o proper_a out-fall_a thereof_o shall_v be_v towards_o the_o ouse_n as_o a_o exemplyed_a law_n of_o 39_o eliz._n appoint_v it_o or_o to_o wisbeche_v river_n as_o some_o presentment_n much_o more_o ancient_a do_v declare_v it_o 2._o that_o the_o scour_n thereof_o have_v ancient_o belong_v to_o the_o owner_n of_o land_n adjoin_v now_o pertain_v to_o sinolphus_n bell_n esquire_n and_o other_o but_o for_o the_o reason_n aforesaid_a not_o put_v in_o charge_n till_o the_o say_a law_n of_o 39_o eliz._n ordain_v it_o to_o be_v open_v and_o to_o have_v its_o fall_n by_o the_o new_a powdich_n into_o ouse_n 3._o that_o by_o a_o law_n make_v ix_o jac._n ground_a upon_o a_o view_n and_o open_a debate_n in_o session_n it_o be_v ordain_v to_o be_v damn_v up_o as_o unnecessary_a 4._o that_o popham_n ea_fw-la though_o a_o new_a sewer_n be_v of_o such_o use_n in_o respect_n of_o its_o largeness_n and_o situation_n that_o it_o alone_o suffice_v as_o many_o think_v both_o to_o discharge_v the_o water_n descend_v thither_o from_o the_o high_a country_n and_o those_o also_o of_o the_o ground_n drayn_v by_o london_n load_n that_o there_o be_v no_o use_n of_o this_o small_a load_n 5._o that_o therefore_o those_o land_n adjoin_v which_o belong_v to_o the_o say_v sinolphus_n bell_n and_o other_o be_v discharge_v from_o its_o repair_n etc._n etc._n reason_n confirm_v this_o opinion_n so_o long_o as_o the_o outfall_n of_o wisbeche_n have_v its_o perfect_a be_v the_o whole_a river_n of_o ouse_n have_v there_o its_o perfect_a outfall_n from_o whence_o the_o town_n seem_v to_o have_v take_v the_o denomination_n viz._n ouse_n or_o wisebeche_n thither_o then_o come_v the_o first_o branch_n of_o ouse_n from_o erith_n by_o the_o course_n now_o callâ—d_a the_o west_n water_n to_o benwick_n where_o meet_v with_o a_o part_n of_o nene_n which_o then_o be_v very_o small_a the_o great_a passage_n be_v in_o those_o day_n by_o crouland_n south_n ea_fw-la wride_n stream_n and_o other_o course_n about_o thorney_n fall_v together_o by_o great_a cross_n or_o plantwater_n to_o the_o north_n sea_n at_o wisbeche_n the_o other_o part_n at_o ouse_n be_v the_o second_o branch_n fall_v down_o from_o eryth_n to_o harrymere_n and_o there_o meet_v with_o the_o river_n grant_v from_o cambridge_n pass_v so_o unite_v to_o ely_n thence_o to_o litleport_n chair_n and_o so_o by_o welney_n and_o welle_v to_o the_o say_a north_n sea_n at_o wisbeche_n where_o it_o meet_v with_o the_o former_a branch_n from_o benwick_n then_o as_o it_o seem_v there_o be_v no_o river_n between_o litleport_n chair_n and_o rebbech_n which_o be_v a_o
half_a of_o all_o the_o say_a ground_n so_o to_o be_v in_v according_a to_o the_o purport_n and_o true_a meaning_n of_o the_o say_v recite_v indenture_n the_o other_o moiety_n to_o belong_v to_o the_o owner_n of_o the_o say_a marsh_n ground_n according_a to_o the_o several_a proportion_n of_o their_o quantity_n which_o they_o then_o have_v in_o those_o ground_n to_o be_v hold_v of_o edmund_n cook_n esquire_n his_o heir_n and_o assign_v as_o of_o his_o manor_n of_o lesnes_n and_o fant_n in_o free_a socage_n by_o fealty_n and_o one_o penny_n rend_v for_o every_o acre_n and_o not_o in_o chief_a nor_o by_o knight_n service_n and_o that_o in_o consideration_n of_o the_o great_a charge_n of_o this_o work_n the_o say_v in_v marsh_n to_o be_v dischardged_a from_o all_o tithe_n and_o ten_o whatsoever_o for_o and_o during_o the_o term_n of_o seven_o year_n next_o after_o the_o inning_n win_a and_o fence_v of_o the_o same_o cap._n fourteen_o and_o now_o surrey_n though_o by_o what_o have_v yet_o be_v instance_a touch_v the_o improvement_n make_v by_o bank_v and_o drayn_v upon_o the_o verge_n of_o this_o river_n the_o first_o commission_n which_o i_o have_v vouch_v bear_v not_o date_n above_o three_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o year_n since_o yet_o do_v i_o make_v no_o question_n but_o that_o this_o good_a husbandry_n be_v far_o more_o ancient_a for_o notwithstanding_o the_o like_a commission_n for_o the_o defence_n and_o safeguard_n of_o the_o other_o marsh_n situate_v high_o upon_o this_o stream_n whereof_o i_o shall_v give_v instance_n by_o and_o by_o be_v not_o much_o elder_a it_o will_v by_o great_a circumstance_n be_v evident_a that_o some_o of_o these_o bank_n be_v not_o of_o less_o antiquity_n than_o the_o time_n of_o the_o roman_n here_o in_o britain_n otherwise_o how_o can_v that_o ancient_a borough_n of_o suthwarke_n have_v be_v build_v the_o ground_n whereon_o it_o stand_v be_v at_o first_o natural_o flat_a and_o low_a and_o within_o the_o power_n of_o the_o usual_a tide_n as_o the_o adjoin_a marsh_n still_o will_v be_v be_v not_o they_o defend_v by_o the_o like_a bank_n though_o now_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o vast_a building_n there_o which_o do_v stand_v upon_o artificial_a ground_n it_o be_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o suburb_n to_o that_o great_a and_o ancient_a city_n of_o london_n there_o be_v little_a notice_n take_v that_o it_o have_v be_v so_o raise_v where_o beside_o divers_a roman_a coin_n that_o be_v still_o frequent_o dig_v up_o i_o myself_o in_o the_o year_n 1658_o saw_n in_o those_o field_n on_o the_o backside_n of_o winchâ—ster_n house_n call_v suthwark_n parkâ—_n upon_o the_o sink_n of_o divers_a cellar_n for_o some_o new_a building_n at_o about_o two_o foot_n below_o the_o present_a level_n of_o the_o ground_n a_o roman_a pavement_n make_v of_o brick_n not_o above_o a_o inch_n and_o a_o half_a square_n and_o adjoin_v to_o it_o a_o more_o curious_a piece_n of_o the_o like_a small_a brick_n in_o length_n about_o ten_o foot_n and_o in_o breadth_n five_z wrought_v in_o various_a colour_n and_o in_o the_o midst_n thereof_o betwixt_o certain_a border_n in_o the_o fashion_n of_o wreathe_a column_n the_o form_n of_o a_o serpent_n very_o lively_o express_v in_o that_o kind_n of_o mosaique_a work_n i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o commission_n the_o first_o whereof_o our_o public_a record_n do_v take_v notice_n be_v dorso_fw-la in_o 23_o e._n 1._o which_o be_v direct_v to_o john_n de_fw-fr metingham_n and_o will._n de_fw-fr carleton_n for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o the_o bank_n etc._n etc._n betwixt_o lambehethe_n and_o grenewiche_n after_o this_o about_o three_o year_n through_o the_o neglect_n of_o those_o who_o ought_v to_o have_v maintain_v the_o bank_n near_o retherhithe_n the_o breach_n thereof_o be_v such_o as_o that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o those_o marsh_n become_v drown_v whereupon_o the_o king_n commit_v the_o manage_n of_o their_o repair_n to_o his_o trusty_a and_o belove_a will_n haward_n soon_o after_o one_o of_o the_o justice_n of_o his_o court_n of_o common_a plea_n to_o who_o he_o assign_v a_o certain_a sum_n of_o money_n for_o that_o purpose_n which_o not_o be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o work_n though_o he_o the_o say_v william_n even_o beyond_o his_o ability_n add_v thereto_o of_o his_o own_o purse_n the_o say_a king_n by_o the_o advice_n of_o his_o counsel_n ordain_v dorso_fw-la that_o all_o those_o land_n which_o through_o the_o before-specified_n neglect_n be_v thus_o overflow_v and_o drown_v shall_v be_v seize_v into_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o commit_v to_o some_o such_o honest_a and_o trusty_a person_n as_o will_v be_v willing_a to_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o say_v repair_v and_o new_a make_n of_o the_o say_a bank_n to_o have_v and_o enjoy_v by_o a_o extent_n to_o be_v make_v thereof_o until_o he_o shall_v reimburse_v himself_o out_o of_o the_o profit_n of_o the_o say_a land_n to_o the_o full_a of_o whatsoever_o he_o may_v lay_v out_o upon_o that_o work_n in_o 2_o e._n 2._o john_n de_fw-fr foxle_n walter_n de_fw-fr gloucestre_fw-fr with_o some_o other_o be_v assign_v dorso_fw-la to_o take_v view_n of_o a_o certain_a breach_n of_o a_o bank_n near_o bermundsey_n and_o to_o provide_v for_o the_o repair_n thereof_o in_o the_o same_o year_n it_o happen_v that_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o say_a breach_n the_o prior_n and_o covent_n of_o dorso_o bermondsey_n receive_v great_a loss_n by_o the_o drown_n of_o certain_a ground_n belong_v to_o that_o house_n the_o king_n therefore_o at_o the_o request_n of_o isabella_n his_o queen_n grant_v dorso_o this_o favour_n to_o the_o say_a prior_n and_o covent_n that_o nothing_o of_o the_o corn_n hay_o or_o any_o the_o good_a or_o catall_n belong_v to_o the_o say_a priory_n shall_v be_v take_v to_o the_o use_n of_o the_o king_n or_o any_o other_o without_o the_o assent_n of_o they_o the_o say_a prior_n and_o covent_n the_o like_a breach_n also_o happen_v in_o the_o bank_n of_o the_o marsh_n in_o suthwarke_n which_o not_o long_o before_o pertain_v to_o the_o knight_n templar_n but_o then_o be_v in_o the_o king_n hand_n he_o be_v advertise_v thereof_o direct_v his_o precept_n 7._o bear_v date_n at_o barwick_n upon_o twede_n 23_o maii_n 4_o e._n 2._o unto_o william_n de_fw-fr montalt_n at_o that_o time_n guardian_n of_o those_o land_n command_v he_o that_o out_o of_o the_o profit_n of_o they_o he_o shall_v cause_v they_o to_o be_v speedy_o repair_v and_o in_o 9_o e._n 2._o richard_n de_fw-fr repham_n and_o edmund_n de_fw-fr passele_n be_v constitute_v doâ—sâ—_n commissioner_n for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o the_o bank_n etc._n etc._n betwixt_o london_n bridge_n and_o the_o manor_n call_v fauxes-halle_n as_o also_o of_o a_o certain_a bank_n in_o the_o land_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o winchester_n in_o suthwerke_n which_o have_v be_v ancient_o make_v for_o the_o safeguard_n thereof_o be_v then_o ruinous_a and_o break_a and_o likewise_o of_o certain_a ditch_n whereby_o the_o fresh_a water_n have_v former_o use_v to_o descend_v into_o the_o thames_n which_o be_v then_o choke_v up_o and_o to_o distrain_v all_o such_o person_n for_o the_o repait_n of_o the_o say_a bank_n and_o ditch_n who_o in_o respect_n of_o any_o land_n that_o they_o hold_v or_o otherwise_o be_v oblige_v thereto_o in_o 13_o e._n 2._o upon_o a_o inquisition_n 3._o take_v before_o john_n de_fw-fr everdon_n and_o geffrey_n de_fw-fr hertelpole_n than_o the_o king_n justice_n assign_v to_o inquire_v of_o the_o defect_n in_o repair_n of_o those_o bank_n which_o be_v situate_a betwixt_o london_n bridge_n and_o grenewiche_n the_o jury_n present_v upon_o their_o oath_n that_o part_n of_o a_o bank_n at_o retherhethe_n contain_v thirteen_o perch_n in_o length_n be_v then_o break_v and_o that_o sir_n john_n latimer_n knight_n in_o respect_n of_o a_o certain_a message_n that_o he_o have_v there_o be_v and_o have_v be_v chardged_a with_o the_o repair_n thereof_o time_n out_o of_o mind_n it_o be_v likewise_o present_v that_o at_o a_o place_n there_o call_v milnewardstrete_n there_o be_v a_o gutter_n call_v mouse_n goter_n so_o obstruct_v that_o the_o water_n which_o have_v use_v and_o ought_v to_o pass_v through_o it_o into_o the_o thames_n be_v stop_v and_o that_o one_o richard_n le_fw-fr chaundeler_n be_v oblige_v by_o right_a to_o cleanse_v and_o scour_v the_o same_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o land_n there_o and_o moreover_o that_o there_o be_v another_o gutter_n in_o the_o land_n late_o belong_v to_o richard_n de_fw-fr dunle_fw-mi so_o stop_v likewise_o the_o cleanse_v whereof_o belong_v to_o agnes_n his_o widow_n than_o tenant_n to_o the_o say_a land_n as_o also_o that_o there_o be_v another_o gutter_n in_o the_o ground_n whereof_o richard_n de_fw-fr ashwy_n have_v be_v late_o possess_v which_o gutter_n be_v then_o likewise_o
say_a bank_n to_o take_v care_n of_o its_o amendment_n in_o 34_o h._n 6._o sir_n john_n fortescu_n knight_n then_o chief_a justice_n of_o the_o king_n bench_n john_n fylolle_n thomas_n burgoyne_n walter_n grene_n john_n harpour_n robert_n tanfeld_n will._n chadworth_n thomas_n cornwalys_n and_o thomas_n croxton_n be_v appoint_v dorso_fw-la commissioner_n for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o the_o bank_n &c._n &c._n lie_v betwixt_o s._n katherine_n mill_n before_o mention_v unto_o the_o chapel_n call_v s._n marie_n matfelone_n thence_o to_o the_o church_n of_o s._n dunstan_n in_o stepenhithe_n thence_o to_o the_o church_n of_o s._n leonard_n in_o bremley_n thence_o to_o the_o river_n of_o leye_n thence_o to_o the_o thames_n and_o so_o to_o the_o say_a mill_n and_o to_o make_v law_n and_o ordinance_n according_a to_o those_o of_o romeney_n marsh_n the_o like_a dorso_fw-la commission_n in_o 7_o e._n 4._o have_v thomas_n abbot_n of_o grace_n near_o the_o tower_n of_o london_n thomas_n urswyk_n thomas_n frowyk_n esquire_n and_o other_o in_o 14_o e._n 4._o sir_n thomas_n urswyke_a knight_n john_n elryngtone_n thomas_n frowyk_n will._n essex_n and_o other_o be_v assign_v dorso_fw-la to_o view_v and_o take_v order_n for_o the_o repair_n of_o all_o those_o bank_n &c._n &c._n lie_v betwixt_o the_o tower_n of_o london_n and_o the_o town_n of_o stratford_n atte_n bow_n and_o to_o proceed_v therein_o by_o make_v law_n etc._n etc._n and_o otherwise_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o romeney_n marsh_n in_o 20_o e._n 4._o thomas_n bishop_n of_o london_n edmund_z abbot_z of_o grace_n will._n wirsley_n dean_n of_o paul_n sir_n john_n elryngton_n and_o sir_n thomas_n frowyk_n knight_n richard_n gardener_z and_o other_o have_v dorso_fw-la the_o like_a assignation_n for_o those_o betwixt_o the_o town_n of_o lymeostez_n and_o the_o wall_n call_v black_a wall_n so_o ibid._n also_o in_o the_o same_o year_n have_v the_o say_a thomas_n edmund_z and_o william_n together_z with_o henry_n sharp_a dean_n of_o the_o free_a chapel_n of_o s._n stephan_n within_o the_o king_n palace_n at_o westminster_n john_n harding_n master_n of_o the_o hospital_n of_o s._n thomas_n of_o acon_n in_o the_o city_n of_o london_n sir_n john_n elryngton_n knight_n sir_n thomas_z frowyk_fw-mi knight_n richard_n gardner_n and_o other_o for_o all_o the_o bank_n upon_o the_o river_n of_o thames_n and_o leye_a betwixt_o the_o mete_n and_o bound_n of_o the_o city_n of_o london_n and_o the_o bridge_n of_o stratford_n atte_n bow_n on_o the_o north_n and_o west_n side_n of_o those_o river_n and_o the_o roadway_n which_o lie_v betwixt_o white_a chapel_n parish_n and_o the_o town_n of_o stratford_n atte_n bow_n before-specified_n cap._n xvi_o marsh_n in_o the_o suburb_n of_o london_n and_o that_o some_o place_n in_o the_o very_a suburb_n of_o the_o city_n of_o london_n itself_o have_v original_o be_v fenny_a and_o moorish_a though_o now_o by_o no_o small_a industry_n and_o cost_n equal_v the_o chief_a which_o be_v natural_o otherwise_o be_v apparent_a from_o undoubted_a testimony_n fitz_n stephan_n who_o live_v above_o five_o hundred_o year_n since_o speak_v of_o that_o place_n now_o call_v b._n moor_n field_n say_v thus_o cum_fw-la est_fw-la congelata_fw-la palus_fw-la illa_fw-la magna_fw-la quae_fw-la moenia_fw-la vrbis_fw-la aquilonalis_fw-la alluit_fw-la exeunt_fw-la lusum_fw-la super_fw-la glaciem_fw-la densae_fw-la juvenum_fw-la turmae_fw-la etc._n etc._n when_o the_o great_a fen_n which_o water_v the_o wall_n on_o the_o north_n side_n of_o the_o city_n be_v freeze_v multitude_n of_o young_a people_n go_v to_o play_v upon_o the_o ice_n some_o take_v a_o little_a room_n to_o run_v do_v set_v their_o foot_n a_o good_a distance_n and_o glide_v a_o great_a way_n other_o sit_v upon_o thick_a piece_n of_o ice_n as_o big_a as_o millstone_n and_o be_v draw_v by_o many_o who_o hold_v hand_n in_o hand_n when_o the_o foot_n of_o one_o slip_v they_o all_o tumble_v down_o together_o but_o other_o more_o expert_a in_o sport_v thereon_o fix_v bone_n under_o their_o heel_n and_o take_v a_o pikestaff_n do_v shove_v themselves_o forward_o with_o so_o much_o force_n that_o they_o glide_v with_o no_o less_o swiftness_n than_o a_o bird_n fly_v or_o a_o arrow_n pass_v out_o of_o a_o bow_n this_o fen_n say_v a._n stow_n stretch_v from_o the_o wall_n of_o the_o city_n betwixt_o bishopsgate_n and_o the_o postern_n call_v cripplegate_n to_o finsbury_n and_o to_o holy-well_a continue_v a_o waste_n and_o a_o unprofitable_a ground_n a_o long_a time_n so_o that_o the_o same_o be_v all_o let_v for_o four_o mark_n the_o year_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o king_n edward_n the_o second_o but_o in_o the_o year_n mccccxv_n 3_o h._n 5._o thomas_n fawconer_n maior_n cause_v the_o wall_n to_o be_v break_v towards_o the_o moor_n and_o build_v the_o postern_n call_v moor_n gate_n for_o ease_v of_o the_o citizen_n to_o walk_v that_o way_n upon_o causey_n to_o iseldâ—n_n and_o hoxton_n moreover_o he_o cause_v the_o ditch_n of_o the_o city_n and_o other_o the_o ditch_n from_o shores-ditch_n to_o deep_a ditch_n by_o bethlem_n into_o the_o moor_n ditch_n to_o be_v new_o cast_v and_o cleanse_v by_o mean_n whereof_o the_o say_a fen_n or_o moor_n be_v great_o drain_v and_o dry_v and_o in_o the_o year_n mdxij_o roger_n atchley_n maior_n cause_v divers_a dikes_n to_o be_v cast_v and_o make_v to_o drain_v the_o water_n of_o the_o say_v moor_n field_n with_o bridge_n arch_v over_o they_o and_o the_o ground_n about_o to_o be_v level_v whereby_o the_o say_a field_n be_v make_v somewhat_o more_o commodious_a but_o yet_o it_o stand_v full_a of_o noisome_a water_n whereupon_o in_o the_o year_n mdxxvij_o sir_n thomas_n seymour_n maior_n cause_v divers_a sluice_n to_o be_v make_v to_o convey_v the_o say_v water_n over_o the_o town_n ditch_n into_o the_o course_n of_o walbrooke_n and_o so_o into_o the_o thames_n and_o by_o these_o degree_n be_v this_o fen_n or_o moor_n at_o length_n make_v main_a and_o hard_a ground_n which_o before_o be_v overgrow_v with_o flag_n sedge_n and_o rush_n serve_v to_o no_o use_n nor_o be_v the_o ground_n in_o fleetstreet_n and_o thereabouts_o long_o since_o much_o better_a than_o a_o marish_a for_o the_o same_o author_n a._n say_v that_o in_o the_o year_n mdxcv_o he_o observe_v that_o when_o the_o labourer_n have_v break_v up_o the_o pavement_n against_o chancery_n lane_n end_n up_z towards_z s._n dunstan_n church_n and_o have_v dig_v four_o foot_n deep_a they_o find_v another_o pavement_n of_o hard_a stone_n more_o sufficient_a than_o the_o first_o and_o therefore_o hard_o to_o be_v break_v under_o which_o be_v in_o the_o made-ground_n pile_n of_o timber_n drive_v very_o thick_a and_o almost_o close_o together_o the_o same_o be_v as_o black_a as_o coal_n and_o many_o of_o they_o rot_v and_o now_o to_o manifest_v that_o not_o only_o the_o law_n but_o the_o usual_a practice_n be_v where_o disobedience_n or_o neglect_n have_v be_v find_v in_o those_o as_o be_v chardgable_a with_o the_o maintenance_n of_o any_o bank_n or_o sewer_n make_v for_o the_o common_a defence_n of_o such_o marsh_n as_o be_v in_o danger_n of_o surround_v that_o coercion_n be_v to_o be_v exercise_v for_o the_o performance_n thereof_o i_o shall_v here_o exhibit_v the_o testimony_n of_o a_o decree_n pettiâ—ag_n make_v in_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o ilford_n in_o essex_n 19_o aprilis_n aº_n 1639._o which_o recite_v a_o ordinance_n make_v in_o the_o like_a session_n at_o ilford_n before-specified_n for_o raise_v the_o sum_n of_o seventeen_o hundred_o and_o six_o pound_n for_o repair_v a_o breach_n in_o the_o bank_n or_o marsh-wall_n of_o bromley_n marsh_n in_o this_o county_n whereby_o ninety_o four_o acre_n of_o land_n be_v surround_v and_o the_o neglect_n of_o certain_a person_n therein_o name_v to_o pay_v their_o proportion_n thereof_o which_o be_v assess_v upon_o they_o a_o lease_n for_o xli_o year_n be_v make_v of_o several_a parcel_n of_o ground_n belong_v to_o those_o so_o neglect_v unto_o other_o at_o the_o rent_n of_o one_o pepper_n corn_n yearly_o cap._n xvii_o have_v now_o do_v with_o the_o marsh_n in_o middlesex_n essex_n i_o come_v to_o those_o in_o essex_n which_o county_n be_v divide_v by_o the_o river_n of_o lie_n ancient_o call_v luye_o of_o this_o river_n it_o be_v memorable_a 10._o that_o the_o dane_n in_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 894._o and_o 23_o of_o king_n alfred_n reign_n sail_v up_o it_o with_o their_o ship_n and_o build_v a_o castle_n on_o the_o bank_n thereof_o about_o xx_o mile_n from_o london_n near_o which_o the_o londoner_n give_v they_o battle_n and_o have_v the_o better_a of_o the_o day_n put_v they_o to_o flight_n so_o that_o they_o be_v constrain_v to_o fly_v to_o that_o hold_v whereof_o the_o king_n have_v notice_n he_o cause_v this_o river_n to_o be_v cut_v into_o three_o branch_n to_o
dorso_fw-la will._n gascoigne_n will._n thirning_n john_n cokayn_n and_o robert_n tirwhit_o for_o those_o betwixt_o stratford_n atte_a bow_n and_o reynham_n in_o 8_o h._n 5._o to_o dorso_fw-la richard_n baynard_n will._n cheyne_n richard_n reed_n and_o john_n cornewailles_n for_o those_o betwixt_o stretford_n atte_a bow_n and_o stretford_n langthorn_n on_o the_o south_n part_v the_o road_n between_o those_o town_n and_o the_o river_n of_o thames_n by_o both_o which_o commission_n they_o be_v to_o act_v according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n in_o 17_o h._n 6._o to_o dorso_fw-la john_n bishop_n of_o bath_n and_o welles_n sir_n ralph_n crumwell_n knight_n john_n fraye_n nich._n dykson_n and_o other_o for_o those_o from_o stratford_n atte_a bow_n to_o horndone_v thence_o to_o hokley_n and_o thence_o to_o tollesâ—ery_n and_o wybergh_n with_o power_n to_o make_v law_n and_o statute_n etc._n etc._n according_a to_o those_o of_o romeney_n marsh_n and_o to_o do_v all_o thing_n touch_v the_o same_o repair_v according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o that_o marsh_n as_o also_o to_o impress_v so_o many_o labourer_n etc._n etc._n for_o competent_a wage_n as_o shall_v be_v needful_a for_o that_o work_n etc._n etc._n in_o 18_o h._n 6._o to_o dorso_fw-la sir_n ralph_n crumwell_n knight_n john_n fray_n robert_n rollestone_n clâ—rk_n and_o other_o for_o all_o those_o betwixt_o the_o town_n of_o ware_n and_o the_o river_n of_o thames_n upon_o the_o river_n of_o leye_n in_o 26_o h._n 6._o to_o dorso_fw-la peter_n arden_n one_o of_o the_o justice_n of_o the_o common_a plea_n and_o chief_a baron_n of_o the_o exchequer_n sir_n thomas_n terrell_n and_o sir_n maurice_n bruyn_n knight_n john_n bamburgh_n john_n lymyngton_n and_o other_o for_o those_o betwixt_o portflete_a mill_v to_o reynham_n fleet_n thence_o to_o reynham_n church_n thence_o to_o wenyngton_n church_n thence_o to_o the_o message_n of_o thomas_n bernerde_a and_o thence_o to_o portflete_a mill_v before_o mention_v in_o 30_o h._n 6._o to_o dorso_o the_o abbot_n of_o s._n osithes_n john_n godmanston_n esquire_n john_n grene_n robert_n tanfield_n and_o other_o for_o those_o in_o the_o hundred_o of_o tender_v in_o 33_o h._n 6._o to_o dorso_fw-la sir_n thomas_n terrell_n knight_n will._n notyngham_n robert_n heworth_n will._n terrell_n esquire_n matthew_n hay_o esquire_n and_o will._n pert_n for_o those_o betwixt_o s._n katherine_n chapel_n upon_o bow_n bridge_n in_o the_o parish_n of_o west_n hamme_n unto_o est_fw-la tilbury_n in_o 34_o h._n 6._o to_o dorsâ—_n sir_n thomas_n terrell_n knight_n will._n terrell_n junior_a esquire_n john_n grene_n john_n geney_n and_o other_o for_o those_o within_o the_o limit_n of_o stratford_n atte_n bow_n to_o horndone_v thence_o to_o hokley_n and_o thence_o to_o tollesâ—ery_n and_o wyggeberghe_n in_o 1_o e._n 4._o to_o dorso_fw-la will._n notyngham_n rob._n de_fw-fr heyworth_n thomas_n heytone_n walter_n wretille_n esquire_n and_o will._n pert_n esquire_n for_o those_o from_o the_o mill_n call_v tempylmylle_v to_o the_o chapel_n of_o s._n katherine_n upon_o bolwebrigge_n thence_o to_o horndone_v etc._n etc._n as_o in_o the_o last_o in_o 9_o e._n 4._o to_o dorso_fw-la sir_n will._n terrell_n knight_n thomas_n urswyk_n humphrey_n sterkey_n and_o other_o for_o those_o bank_n from_o est_fw-la hamme_n to_o horndone_v and_o thence_o as_o aforesaid_a the_o like_a commission_n dorso_fw-la for_o the_o bank_n in_o those_o very_a place_n have_v john_n earl_n of_o oxford_n sir_n will._n terrell_n knight_n john_n grene_n thomas_n urswyk_n and_o other_o in_o 49_o h._n 6._o in_o 16_o e._n 4._o sir_n thomas_n urswyk_n knight_n sir_n thomas_n montgomerie_n knight_n sir_n john_n say_v knight_n john_n elryngton_n will._n alyngton_n and_o divers_a other_o be_v appoint_v dorso_fw-la to_o view_v and_o take_v order_n for_o the_o repair_n of_o all_o the_o bank_n etc._n etc._n upon_o the_o river_n of_o leye_n both_o above_o and_o below_o the_o town_n of_o ware_n unto_o its_o confluence_n with_o the_o thames_n and_o the_o next_o year_n follow_v the_o say_a sir_n thomas_n urswyk_n peter_n courtney_n clerk_n alured_n corneburgh_n esquire_n hugh_n bryce_n and_o other_o be_v in_o like_a sort_n appoint_v dorso_fw-la for_o those_o bank_n from_o bowe-bridge_n to_o raynham_n in_o all_o which_o from_o 6_o h._n 6._o the_o say_v commissioner_n be_v direct_v to_o proceed_v according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o romeney_n marsh_n and_o to_o make_v statute_n and_o ordinance_n for_o the_o regulate_v of_o all_o thing_n touch_v those_o bank_n ditch_n sewer_n etc._n etc._n in_o such_o sort_n as_o those_o be_v which_o concern_v that_o marsh_n as_o by_o a_o act_n of_o parliament_n make_v in_o the_o same_o 6_o year_n of_o king_n henry_n the_o six_o they_o be_v empower_v which_o act_n continue_v in_o force_n at_o this_o day_n forbear_v therefore_o to_o give_v instance_n in_o more_o particular_n i_o shall_v close_v up_o this_o chapter_n touch_v the_o marsh_n of_o the_o before-specified_n county_n with_o what_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o elâ—z_n touch_v the_o level_n of_o havering_n and_o dagenham_n at_o a_o session_n of_o 4._o sewer_n hold_v at_o romford_n xuj_o maii_n 36_o eliz._n before_o sir_n henry_n grace_n knight_n sir_n john_n peter_n knight_n richard_n warren_n esquire_n and_o other_o where_o for_o the_o recovery_n of_o havering_n marsh_n then_o overflow_v and_o drown_v and_o prevent_v the_o like_a to_o dagenham_n level_v it_o be_v decree_v that_o dagenham_n creek_n shall_v be_v immediate_o in_v and_o that_o whereas_o the_o say_v drown_v have_v be_v occasion_v by_o a_o breach_n in_o the_o wall_n of_o will._n ayloff_n of_o hornchurch_n esquire_n he_o the_o say_v william_n to_o pay_v the_o sum_n of_o â—ive_a hundred_o pound_n and_o the_o land-holdâ—rs_a of_o dagenham_n certain_a rate_n by_o the_o acre_n for_o all_o their_o marsh_n ground_n lie_v in_o the_o say_a level_n viz._n the_o land_n on_o dagenham_n side_n against_o the_o say_a creek_n at_o cclxvl._o and_o the_o land_n in_o havering_n level_v the_o sum_n of_o dcc_n howbeit_o these_o bank_n be_v not_o make_v strong_a enough_o to_o withstand_v those_o tempestuous_a storm_n and_o violent_a tide_n which_o happen_v pettibag_n in_o the_o month_n of_o september_n an._n 1621._o viz._n 19_o jac._n cornelius_n vermuden_n gentleman_n a_o expert_a man_n in_o the_o art_n of_o bank_v and_o drayn_v be_v treat_v withal_o by_o the_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n appoint_v for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o the_o breach_n then_o make_v undertake_v ibid._n the_o work_n and_o perfect_v it_o but_o such_o be_v the_o perverseness_n of_o those_o as_o be_v owner_n of_o the_o land_n assess_v by_o the_o commissioner_n â—o_o undergo_v the_o charge_n thereof_o that_o they_o neglect_v to_o pay_v their_o proportion_n thereof_o upon_o complaint_n therefore_o make_v to_o the_o say_a commissioner_n he_o the_o say_v cornelius_n in_o recompense_n of_o his_o charge_n have_v parcel_n of_o the_o say_a land_n assign_v ibid._n unto_o he_o which_o assignation_n be_v by_o the_o king_n letter_n patent_n bear_v date_n 1_o aug._n 1_o caroli_n recite_v the_o act_n of_o parliament_n of_o 13_o eliz._n cap._n ix_o viz._n that_o where_o any_o person_n shall_v be_v assess_v by_o the_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n to_o any_o lot_n and_o refuse_v or_o neglect_v to_o pay_v the_o same_o the_o land_n to_o be_v lease_v or_o pass_v in_o fee_n simple_a in_o recompense_n to_o the_o undertaker_n confirm_v ibid._n to_o he_o the_o say_v cornelius_n and_o his_o heir_n cap._n xviii_o have_v now_o do_v with_o the_o marsh_n in_o essex_n of_o which_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o adjacency_n unto_o the_o thames_n i_o think_v fit_a to_o take_v notice_n in_o this_o order_n as_o i_o have_v do_v i_o must_v according_a to_o my_o design_a method_n return_v southward_o and_o before_o i_o come_v to_o sussex_n of_o itself_o observe_v what_o i_o have_v find_v touch_v that_o county_n and_o kent_n promiscuous_o in_o king_n john_n time_n upon_o a_o suit_n 3._o betwixt_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n &_o prior_n of_o lewes_n plaintiff_n and_o rob._n de_fw-fr denton_n and_o other_o concern_v certain_a sea-bank_n in_o those_o part_n robert_z de_fw-fr marti_fw-la who_o be_v one_o summon_v upon_o that_o business_n appear_v and_o do_v put_v himself_o upon_o the_o man_n of_o the_o archbishop_n in_o maul_v &_o of_o the_o earl_n warren_n in_o pidingho_n and_o metinge_n for_o the_o repair_n of_o those_o bank_n in_o such_o sort_n as_o they_o ought_v and_o have_v wont_a to_o be_v a_o multitude_n of_o commission_n through_o the_o reign_v of_o sundry_a king_n i_o do_v find_v upon_o this_o occasion_n whereof_o the_o most_o be_v in_o general_a term_n for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o the_o bank_n ditch_n and_o sewâ—rs_n in_o both_o those_o county_n but_o some_o do_v express_v particular_o in_o what_o place_n unto_o all_o which_o i_o shall_v brief_o point_v according_a to_o the_o
every_o wane_n of_o the_o moon_n and_o the_o four_o be_v strike_v with_o a_o palsy_n contain_v so_o until_o his_o parent_n with_o great_a sorrow_n bring_v he_o to_o the_o tomb_n of_o s._n audrey_n and_o there_o watch_v one_o night_n and_o promise_v upon_o the_o sacrament_n to_o make_v satisfaction_n he_o become_v restore_v by_o the_o intercession_n of_o that_o bless_a virgin_n neither_o be_v this_o church_n possess_v by_o any_o other_o than_o these_o wicked_a priest_n until_o the_o ten_o year_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o king_n edgar_n for_o it_o happen_v in_o that_o king_n time_n that_o one_o sigewold_n a_o bishop_n a_o greek_a by_o nation_n and_o thurslane_n a_o dane_n take_v notice_n of_o the_o eminency_n of_o this_o place_n and_o become_v both_o of_o they_o suitor_n for_o it_o more_o out_o of_o covetuousness_n than_o devotion_n one_o wlstan_n de_fw-fr delham_n secretary_n to_o the_o king_n inform_v he_o of_o the_o fame_n and_o sanctity_n thereof_o and_o tell_v he_o that_o such_o person_n be_v not_o worthy_a of_o it_o and_o moreover_o declare_v unto_o he_o the_o life_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o glorious_a virgin_n s._n audrey_n in_o the_o presence_n and_o hear_n of_o ethelwold_n bishop_n of_o winchester_n than_o the_o king_n confessor_n who_o take_v notice_n thereof_o with_o great_a delight_n forthwith_o purchase_v it_o of_o the_o say_a king_n with_o such_o immunity_n and_o privilege_n as_o that_o it_o shall_v for_o ever_o be_v free_a from_o any_o regal_a tribute_n or_o exaction_n and_o have_v so_o do_v do_v put_v out_o those_o secular_a priest_n and_o repair_v the_o church_n which_o have_v be_v destroy_v by_o the_o dane_n and_o continue_v desolate_a for_o a_o hundred_o year_n introduce_v monk_n thereinto_o constitute_v brythnod_n provost_n of_o the_o church_n of_o winchester_n the_o first_o abbot_n all_o which_o be_v perform_v in_o the_o year_n after_o the_o incarnation_n of_o our_o saviour_n dcccclx_n and_o from_o the_o time_n that_o s._n audrey_n first_o build_v it_o ccxcvii_o receive_v into_o it_o those_o priest_n which_o be_v content_a to_o undergo_v a_o monastique_a life_n and_o augment_v its_o possession_n with_o divers_a other_o land_n purchase_v by_o himself_o as_o also_o divers_a rich_a ornament_n and_o obtain_v some_o of_o the_o say_a king_n grant_v and_o moreover_o buy_v of_o the_o say_a king_n not_o only_o the_o whole_a isle_n scil_n xx_o hide_v of_o land_n which_o he_o have_v therein_o but_o the_o dignity_n and_o soak_v of_o seven_o hundred_o and_o a_o half_a viz._n two_o within_o the_o isle_n and_o five_o and_o a_o half_a in_o the_o territory_n of_o the_o east-angle_n â—ive_a at_o meldeburne_n three_o and_o a_o half_a at_o hernyngforde_n and_o twelve_o at_o north_n will_v for_o which_o he_o give_v in_o exchange_n lx._n hide_v in_o hertyngham_n give_v unto_o he_o by_o k._n athelstan_n bestow_v other_o thing_n for_o which_o he_o pay_v a_o hundred_o pound_n as_o also_o a_o cross_n of_o gold_n beautify_v with_o merveilous_a work_n and_o fill_v with_o relic_n which_o the_o say_a king_n in_o confirmation_n of_o his_o say_a grant_n and_o privilege_n to_o this_o place_n have_v offer_v here_o upon_o the_o altar_n of_o s._n audrey_n with_o a_o admirable_a book_n so_o that_o the_o whole_a that_o this_o devout_a bishop_n give_v to_o god_n and_o s._n audrey_n within_o this_o isle_n marsh_n and_o fenk_n be_v no_o less_o than_o lx._n hide_v and_o to_o these_o concession_n do_v the_o same_o k._n edgar_n add_v the_o grant_n of_o xl_o hide_v of_o land_n lie_v in_o the_o town_n of_o hatfeilde_n and_o moreover_o give_v to_o the_o say_a bishop_n the_o manor_n of_o sudburne_n upon_o condition_n that_o he_o will_v translate_v the_o rule_n of_o s._n benedict_n out_o of_o latin_a into_o english_a which_o he_o do_v and_o offer_v it_o to_o s._n audrey_n and_o last_o bestow_v on_o the_o say_a church_n his_o garment_n of_o fine_a purple_a make_v aâ—ter_v the_o fashion_n of_o a_o coat_n of_o mail_n and_o wrought_v throughout_o with_o pure_a gold_n whereof_o a_o mitre_n be_v make_v and_o out_o of_o his_o own_o chapel_n several_a little_a chest_n and_o scroll_n with_o the_o relic_n of_o divers_a saint_n cap._n xl._o have_v now_o do_v with_o this_o second_o foundation_n of_o the_o say_a monastery_n so_o make_v by_o that_o devout_a bishop_n as_o have_v be_v observe_v i_o must_v not_o forget_v the_o gift_n of_o staney_n thereunto_o this_o be_v bestow_v b._n on_o it_o by_o the_o before_o mention_v wulstan_n de_fw-fr delham_n who_o have_v it_o with_o the_o fen_n belong_v thereto_o of_o the_o grant_n of_o one_o aescuen_n a_o widow_n which_o fen_n the_o monk_n afterward_o dimise_v for_o the_o rent_n of_o two_o thousand_o eel_n unto_o a_o certain_a kinsman_n of_o the_o say_v aescuen_n who_o have_v be_v tenant_n to_o it_o former_o and_o continue_v so_o likewise_o during_o the_o life_n of_o the_o say_a king_n edgar_n do_v at_o length_n hold_v it_o as_o their_o own_o without_o any_o sentence_n or_o law_n of_o the_o citizen_n and_o hundreder_n upon_o complaint_n make_v therefore_o of_o this_o injury_n to_o aegelwine_v the_o alderman_n who_o be_v then_o chief_a justice_n to_o the_o king_n over_o all_o england_n the_o say_a aegelwine_n come_v to_o ely_n and_o summon_v reigmund_n de_fw-fr holland_n and_o the_o rest_n that_o so_o hold_v it_o to_o come_v before_o he_o to_o answer_v the_o sameâ—_n but_o they_o though_o often_o warn_v refuse_v to_o appear_v nevertheless_o the_o say_a abbot_n continue_v his_o suit_n and_o renew_v his_o complaint_n to_o the_o people_n for_o that_o wrong_n upon_o all_o occasion_n at_o length_n the_o say_a alderman_n sit_v at_o cambridge_n there_o be_v a_o great_a court_n of_o those_o citizen_n and_o hundreder_n before_o xxiii_o judge_n hold_v under_o a_o câ—rtain_a place_n calledâ—_n thirningfeld_n near_a maideneberge_n where_o the_o abbot_n declare_v open_o to_o they_o all_o how_o unjust_o the_o say_v reimund_n and_o the_o rest_n have_v deal_v with_o he_o in_o dispossess_v s._n audrey_n of_o this_o staneye_n and_o how_o that_o they_o will_v never_o appear_v though_o frequent_o summon_v whereupon_o the_o judge_n decree_v that_o the_o before_o specify_v abbot_n ought_v to_o have_v the_o same_o again_o as_o also_o the_o whole_a fen_n and_o fish_n and_o moreover_o that_o he_o the_o say_v reigmund_n and_o the_o other_o defendant_n shall_v pay_v to_o the_o same_o abbot_n the_o arrear_n of_o fish_n due_a for_o six_o year_n and_o likewise_o give_v a_o forfeiture_n to_o the_o king_n and_o that_o if_o they_o do_v not_o free_o do_v so_o they_o shall_v be_v distrain_v by_o their_o cattle_n and_o thereupon_o also_o do_v the_o say_a alderman_n command_v that_o oskytel_n and_o osmund_n bece_n with_o a_o godere_fw-mi de_fw-fr ely_n shall_v perambulate_v that_o land_n and_o put_v the_o abbot_n in_o possession_n thereof_o who_o do_v according_o of_o the_o before_o specify_v abbot_n brithnod_n i_o also_o find_v b._n that_o by_o his_o care_n and_o industry_n the_o limit_n of_o this_o isle_n be_v first_o set_v forth_o viz._n b._n from_o cotingelade_v to_o litleport_n or_o abbot_n delfe_n since_o call_v bishop_n delfe_n be_v in_o length_n seven_o mile_n and_o from_o cherche_fw-fr be_v to_o straham_n mere_a in_o breadth_n four_o within_o which_o compass_n divers_a petty_a isle_n be_v include_v moreover_o as_o a_o member_n thereof_o though_o lie_v without_o this_o circumference_n be_v dudintone_n as_o also_o chateriz_n where_o be_v a_o house_n of_o nun_n with_o the_o town_n of_o wittlesey_n and_o abbey_n of_o thorney_n which_o abbot_n call_v together_o the_o inhabitant_n on_o every_o part_n thereof_o assign_v supâ—â—_n they_o their_o several_a portion_n of_o land_n and_o for_o a_o perpetual_a evidence_n of_o the_o possession_n belong_v to_o his_o church_n he_o cause_v that_o large_a and_o deep_a ditch_n to_o be_v cut_v through_o the_o main_a body_n of_o the_o fenn_n which_o be_v then_o call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o abbot_n delfe_n as_o i_o have_v observe_v to_o the_o end_n it_o may_v remain_v as_o a_o boundary_a in_o that_o deep_a mud_n and_o water_n this_o monastery_n be_v therefore_o so_o ample_o endow_v with_o land_n and_o otherwise_o rich_o beautify_v through_o the_o bounty_n of_o many_o zealous_a people_n who_o then_o think_v nothing_o too_o much_o for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o his_o service_n and_o grow_v more_o famon_n every_o day_n than_o other_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v do_v at_o the_o tomb_n of_o that_o renown_a virgin_n s._n audrey_n multitude_n of_o people_n for_o devotions_n sake_n flock_v thither_o it_o happen_v that_o about_o fifty_o year_n after_o king_n canutus_n a_o prince_n of_o great_a wisdom_n valour_n and_o pâ—ety_n be_v desirous_a together_o with_o queen_n emma_n his_o wife_n and_o the_o noble_n of_o this_o realm_n to_o keep_v the_o feast_n of_o the_o purification_n of_o our_o lady_n
pasturage_n for_o their_o cattle_n take_v advantage_n of_o a_o false_a rumour_n then_o spread_v of_o king_n henry_n the_o second_o be_v death_n it_o be_v the_o xxxv_o and_o last_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n and_o he_o then_o beyond_o sea_n and_o bear_v themselves_o not_o a_o little_a on_o their_o strength_n and_o wealth_n think_v that_o they_o may_v oppress_v the_o poor_a monk_n of_o crouland_n without_o any_o control_n whereupon_o gerard_n de_fw-fr bamvill_n fulke_n d'oiri_fw-la thomas_n de_fw-fr multon_n the_o elder_a and_o conan_n son_n of_o helyas_n who_o be_v much_o displease_v with_o the_o say_a monk_n of_o crouland_n for_o other_o respect_n associate_a to_o themselves_o richard_n de_fw-fr flet_n and_o walter_n with_o many_o other_o come_v to_o nicholas_n then_o prior_n of_o spalding_n and_o move_v he_o to_o be_v their_o leader_n and_o to_o augment_v the_o number_n all_o the_o chief_a man_n of_o ellow_a wapentake_n some_o few_o except_v conspire_v with_o they_o sometime_o have_v their_o meeting_n in_o the_o prior_n of_o spalding_n barn_n at_o uuestone_n and_o sometime_o in_o the_o church_n at_o holbeche_n when_o therefore_o the_o abbot_n of_o crouland_n according_a to_o custom_n keep_v up_o his_o marsh_n as_o every_o year_n he_o have_v use_v to_o do_v about_o rogation_n week_n and_o to_o the_o end_n that_o his_o hay_n may_v have_v the_o better_a growth_n cause_v proclamation_n to_o be_v make_v upon_o the_o bridge_n at_o spalding_n that_o the_o man_n of_o holland_n and_o other_o shall_v keep_v their_o cattle_n from_o come_v thereinto_o they_o not_o only_o refuse_v so_o to_o do_v but_o drive_v in_o many_o more_o than_o they_o have_v former_o do_v whereupon_o the_o abbot_n servant_n impound_v they_o the_o man_n of_o holland_n grow_v very_o angry_a and_o have_v set_v a_o day_n viz._n the_o feast_n of_o nereus_n and_o achilleius_fw-la they_o then_o come_v into_o the_o say_a marsh_n of_o crouland_n all_o arm_a as_o it_o have_v be_v to_o battle_n to_o the_o number_n of_o above_o three_o thousand_o whereof_o the_o abbot_n have_v notice_n he_o forthwith_o accompany_v with_o a_o few_o of_o his_o own_o family_n meet_v they_o at_o the_o bank_n call_v asendic_n which_o be_v the_o boundary_a of_o crouland_n fen_n and_o earnest_o entreat_v peace_n with_o they_o for_o he_o fear_v that_o they_o have_v a_o purpose_n to_o destroy_v the_o abbey_n and_o to_o that_o end_n be_v so_o come_v together_o but_o they_o answer_v he_o scornful_o and_o pass_v through_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o fen_n share_v it_o among_o themselves_o according_a to_o the_o situation_n of_o their_o to_n and_o have_v so_o do_v pitch_a tent_n and_o make_v hut_v on_o every_o side_n the_o abbey_n wherein_o they_o place_v guard_n of_o arm_a man_n to_o keep_v each_o part_n thereof_o and_o likewise_o dig_v turf_n cut_v down_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o wood_n and_o aldergroves_n of_o crouland_n and_o burn_v they_o depasture_v their_o meadow_n and_o carry_v away_o the_o hay_n with_o divers_a other_o violence_n by_o the_o space_n of_o xv_o day_n the_o abbot_n and_o monk_n with_o their_o servant_n be_v all_o this_o while_n shut_v up_o so_o that_o they_o dare_v scarce_o go_v out_o of_o their_o church_n door_n in_o this_o lamentable_a condition_n therefore_o they_o resolve_v to_o make_v complaint_n to_o the_o king_n justice_n and_o to_o that_o end_n dispatch_v a_o messenger_n to_o geffrey_n fitz_n piers_n then_o dwell_v at_o clive_n in_o northamptonshire_n who_o hear_v of_o these_o great_a outrage_n send_v six_o knight_n from_o northampton_n to_o be_v better_o inform_v thereof_o which_o knight_n come_v first_o on_o the_o east_n side_n of_o the_o abbey_n there_o find_v the_o tent_n of_o sutton_n man_n who_o be_v tenant_n to_o geffrey_n de_fw-fr canvill_n and_o have_v all_o sort_n of_o weapon_n with_o they_o and_o say_v that_o they_o be_v there_o by_o their_o master_n command_n so_o likewise_o do_v all_o the_o rest_n answer_n the_o tent_n of_o spalding_n man_n be_v the_o last_o but_o the_o abbot_n himself_o be_v most_o sensible_a of_o these_o high_a oppression_n get_v out_o private_o and_o make_v all_o the_o haste_n he_o can_v to_o london_n where_o he_o represent_v to_o hubert_n walter_n substitute_n to_o ranulph_n de_fw-fr glanvill_n the_o king_n chief_a justice_n then_o beyond_o sea_n with_o the_o king_n and_o to_o his_o fellow_n judge_n these_o great_a injury_n and_o abuse_n show_v they_o the_o king_n charter_n which_o set_v forth_o the_o bound_n of_o those_o their_o fen_n who_o thereupon_o much_o compassionate_v the_o say_a abbot_n and_o his_o monk_n send_v forthwith_o in_o the_o king_n name_n to_o the_o say_v geffrey_n fitz_fw-fr piers_n and_o require_v he_o that_o he_o shall_v call_v before_o he_o the_o prior_n of_o spalding_n and_o all_o those_o man_n of_o holland_n and_o to_o do_v the_o say_a abbot_n right_a upon_o they_o whereof_o these_o riotor_n hear_v they_o present_o burn_v their_o cabin_n and_o go_v to_o their_o own_o home_n at_o the_o summons_n therefore_o of_o the_o beforementioned_a geffrey_n fitz_fw-fr piers_n the_o say_a prior_n of_o spalding_n and_o the_o other_o delinquent_n meet_v he_o at_o depe_v to_o which_o place_n the_o say_v geffrey_n bring_v many_o eminent_a person_n with_o he_o upon_o the_o friday_n in_o whitsun_n week_n where_o the_o abbot_n of_o crouland_n chardged_a they_o with_o the_o breach_n of_o the_o king_n peace_n and_o all_o the_o violence_n and_o wrong_a before-specified_n there_o be_v likewise_o seven_o particular_a man_n who_o stand_v up_o and_o on_o the_o say_v abbot_n behalf_n lay_v to_o the_o charge_n of_o seven_o of_o the_o principal_a offender_n that_o each_o of_o they_o have_v damnify_v the_o abbot_n to_o the_o value_n of_o xx_o mark_n whereupon_o some_o of_o they_o be_v send_v to_o prison_n to_o northampton_n some_o to_o rokingham_n and_o some_o to_o other_o place_n the_o particular_n touch_v this_o suit_n for_o it_o last_v five_o year_n will_v be_v too_o much_o trouble_v to_o rehearse_v but_o at_o length_n the_o abbot_n prevail_v and_o recover_v the_o possession_n of_o those_o marsh_n the_o business_n be_v determine_v in_o the_o year_n mcxcxiij_fw-la 5_o r._n 1._o but_o though_o this_o suit_n have_v then_o a_o end_n the_o prior_n of_o spalding_n renew_v his_o former_a claim_n yet_o in_o the_o end_n they_o come_v to_o a_o amicable_a agreement_n 7._o by_o a_o fine_a levy_v betwixt_o they_o in_o 18_o h._n 3._o whereby_o it_o be_v conclude_v that_o neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o shall_v impound_v any_o cattle_n of_o they_o the_o say_a abbot_n and_o prior_n or_o their_o tenant_n of_o crowland_n spalding_n pinchber_n langtoft_n baston_n and_o depe_v depasture_v within_o the_o fen_n of_o the_o say_a town_n nor_o take_v in_o any_o stranger_n cattle_n into_o those_o fen_n about_o this_o time_n will._n de_fw-fr albinci_n a_o great_a man_n in_o these_o part_n challenge_v right_o of_o common_a in_o divers_a of_o these_o fen_n whereupon_o by_o a_o fine_a 7._o levy_v at_o lincoln_n in_o 24_o h._n 3._o betwixt_o the_o then_o abbot_n of_o crouland_n and_o prior_n of_o spalding_n and_o the_o say_v william_n it_o be_v determine_v that_o he_o the_o say_v william_n and_o his_o heir_n shall_v have_v common_a of_o pasture_n for_o all_o manner_n of_o cattle_n belong_v to_o himself_o and_o all_o his_o tenant_n of_o uffington_n caswike_n and_o tallington_n in_o the_o fen_n of_o crouland_n spalding_n pinchbec_n langtoft_n and_o baston_n in_o ....._o h._n 3._o there_o be_v a_o presentment_n a._n exhibit_v to_o the_o justice_n itinerant_a at_o lincoln_n by_o the_o juror_n for_o the_o wapentake_n of_o ellowe_n set_v forth_o that_o there_o be_v two_o course_n of_o water_n in_o the_o common_a river_n of_o croyland_n the_o one_o near_a and_o the_o other_o more_o remote_a and_o that_o the_o near_a current_n be_v the_o right_a channel_n and_o of_o sufficient_a depth_n wherein_o they_o that_o do_v go_v with_o barge_n and_o boat_n may_v well_o pass_v too_o and_o fro_o but_o that_o the_o abbot_n of_o croyland_n have_v by_o plant_v willow_n thereon_o so_o obstruct_v &_o straitghn_v the_o say_a course_n of_o that_o stream_n that_o boat_n and_o barge_n can_v not_o pass_v as_o former_o they_o have_v but_o it_o be_v afterward_o adjudge_v both_o by_o the_o say_a juror_n and_o likewise_o by_o the_o justice_n itinerant_n for_o this_o county_n who_o pass_v that_o way_n to_o view_v the_o same_o that_o the_o current_n of_o the_o say_a water_n be_v much_o more_o proper_a and_o commodious_a in_o the_o place_n where_o then_o it_o go_v than_o there_o where_o the_o juror_n present_v the_o default_n to_o be_v provide_v that_o it_o may_v continue_v as_o wide_a and_o deep_a as_o it_o then_o be_v and_o that_o it_o may_v be_v straight_o and_o not_o bend_v as_o the_o old_a one_o be_v and_o therefore_o they_o conclude_v and_o order_v that_o it_o
gutter_n former_o there_o be_v then_o obstruct_v and_o the_o bridge_n decay_v by_o mean_n of_o a_o certain_a controversy_n which_o have_v long_o be_v betwixt_o john_n de_fw-fr britain_n earl_n of_o richmund_n and_o robert_n de_fw-fr grelly_n touch_v the_o mete_n and_o bound_n of_o that_o fen_n and_o through_o the_o default_n of_o those_o who_o ought_v to_o have_v repair_v those_o sewer_n ditch_n etc._n etc._n the_o king_n therefore_o appoint_v dorso_o john_n beke_v and_o n._n stapleton_n to_o inquire_v thereof_o etc._n etc._n what_o be_v do_v therein_o i_o find_v not_o but_o the_o next_o year_n follow_v the_o king_n by_o the_o advice_n of_o his_o justice_n command_v john_n beke_v n._n de_fw-fr stapilton_n and_o roger_n loveday_n to_o inquire_v a._n who_o ought_v to_o repair_v the_o bridge_n call_v peccebrig_n and_o the_o two_o bridge_n in_o spalding_n who_o find_v by_o inquisition_n that_o the_o abbot_n of_o croyland_n the_o prior_n of_o spalding_n and_o all_o man_n hold_v land_n in_o spalding_n be_v oblige_v to_o the_o repair_n of_o they_o according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o land_n which_o they_o hold_v in_o the_o say_a town_n so_o that_o every_o acre_n be_v assess_v alike_o summon_v the_o prior_n of_o spalding_n and_o all_o the_o freeholders_n in_o spalding_n to_o come_v before_o they_o who_o all_o of_o they_o except_v the_o abbot_n of_o crouland_n appear_v and_o consent_v for_o themselves_o their_o successor_n and_o heir_n to_o repair_v and_o maintain_v those_o bridge_n according_a to_o the_o quantity_n of_o their_o land_n that_o they_o have_v there_o provide_v that_o the_o say_a abbot_n will_v do_v the_o like_a for_o he_o and_o because_o the_o say_a abbot_n absent_v himself_o and_o refuse_v command_n be_v give_v to_o the_o shireeve_n that_o he_o shall_v summon_v he_o to_o appear_v before_o the_o commissioner_n before-specified_n at_o boston_n upon_o the_o eve_n of_o s._n laurence_n at_o which_o time_n he_o according_o come_v and_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o ralph_n de_fw-fr hengham_n i._n de_fw-fr metingham_n w._n de_fw-fr burenton_n and_o roger_n de_fw-fr leicestre_fw-fr agree_v for_o himself_o and_o his_o successor_n to_o do_v as_o the_o say_a prior_n have_v do_v viz._n that_o they_o with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o freeholders_n of_o spalding_n will_v repair_v and_o maintain_v those_o bridge_n according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o their_o land_n in_o that_o town_n so_o that_o every_o acre_n shall_v be_v assess_v alike_o of_o the_o demesne_n aswell_o new_a as_o old_a and_o of_o the_o villenage_n and_o that_o if_o any_o shop_n or_o stall_n shall_v be_v build_v upon_o the_o say_a bridge_n all_o the_o benefit_n arise_v by_o they_o shall_v redound_v to_o the_o repair_n and_o maintenance_n of_o the_o same_o in_o 12_o e._n 1._o john_n de_fw-fr wigetost_fw-fr have_v commence_v a_o suit_n against_o john_n the_o son_n of_o osbert_n de_fw-fr swyneheve_v and_o divers_a other_o for_o make_v of_o ditch_n in_o the_o say_a fen_n call_v haute_fw-fr hundre_v fen_n swyneheve_v wyktost_a sotterton_n algerkirk_n kirketon_n fraunkton_n wyberton_n and_o skyrbek_n so_o that_o he_o can_v not_o drive_v his_o cattle_n to_o the_o say_a fen_n desire_v linc._n licence_n to_o withdraw_v his_o suit_n which_o be_v grant_v about_o two_o year_n after_o after_o this_o there_o be_v 381_o a_o great_a inundation_n in_o these_o part_n at_o which_o time_n the_o most_o of_o boston_n be_v drown_v and_o the_o monastery_n of_o spalding_n suffer_v much_o loss_n the_o king_n therefore_o have_v advertisement_n that_o excessive_a damage_n have_v befall_v this_o province_n by_o the_o want_n in_o repair_n of_o the_o causey_n call_v holland_n causey_n and_o by_o the_o decay_n of_o the_o bank_n ditch_n and_o sewer_n in_o these_o part_n give_v special_a command_n 1._o to_o john_n de_fw-fr vaux_n and_o his_o fellow_n justice_n itinerant_a in_o this_o county_n of_o lincoln_n that_o they_o shall_v search_v their_o roll_n and_o send_v unto_o he_o aswell_o such_o inquisition_n as_o have_v be_v make_v by_o they_o touch_v the_o repair_n of_o that_o causey_n banks_n ditch_n etc._n etc._n as_o those_o which_o be_v take_v by_o martin_n de_fw-fr littelbury_n and_o his_o associate_n gilbert_n de_fw-fr preston_n and_o his_o as_o also_o of_o other_o justice_n itinerant_a in_o this_o county_n in_o the_o time_n of_o king_n henry_n the_o three_o who_o do_v according_o which_o inquisition_n so_o transmit_v as_o aforesaid_a do_v then_o remain_v in_o the_o custody_n of_o sir_n ralph_n de_fw-fr hengham_n upon_o a_o certain_a file_n of_o record_n of_o the_o xxth_o year_n of_o this_o king_n reign_n upon_o perusal_n whereof_o by_o the_o justice_n of_o the_o common_a plea_n they_o think_v not_o fit_a to_o proceed_v to_o judgement_n nor_o to_o cause_v any_o distress_n to_o be_v make_v because_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v by_o what_o have_v be_v do_v therein_o that_o any_o of_o the_o party_n consent_v thereto_o but_o rather_o that_o thâ—y_o be_v take_v in_o their_o absence_n for_o which_o respect_n they_o deem_v it_o necessary_a that_o all_o such_o person_n as_o be_v concern_v in_o that_o business_n shall_v appear_v in_o court_n that_o the_o matter_n may_v be_v argue_v and_o determine_v in_o their_o presence_n and_o because_o they_o think_v that_o it_o will_v be_v too_o much_o trouble_v and_o inconvenience_n for_o so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o people_n to_o appear_v before_o the_o king_n wheresoever_o he_o may_v then_o be_v in_o this_o realm_n and_o therefore_o that_o it_o may_v be_v better_a to_o have_v the_o same_o discuss_v in_o these_o part_n the_o say_a king_n do_v by_o the_o advice_n of_o those_o his_o justice_n itinerant_a direct_v his_o precept_n unto_o john_n beek_n nicholas_n de_fw-fr stapilton_n and_o roger_n loveday_n that_o they_o shall_v inquire_v who_o ought_v to_o repair_v those_o bank_n ditch_n and_o bridge_n and_o to_o distrain_v they_o thereto_o who_o according_o make_o inquisition_n first_o concern_v the_o bridge_n call_v pekkebrig_n and_o then_o of_o the_o two_o bridge_n in_o spald_v and_o find_v that_o the_o abbot_n of_o crouland_n the_o prior_n of_o spalding_n and_o all_o the_o land-holâ—ers_a in_o spalding_n be_v oblige_v to_o those_o repair_n according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o land_n which_o each_o man_n have_v in_o that_o town_n so_o that_o every_o acre_n be_v alike_o do_v thereupon_o summon_v the_o say_a prior_n of_o spalding_n and_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o the_o freeholder_a in_o that_o town_n all_o which_o except_v the_o say_a abbot_n appear_v and_o agree_v for_o themselves_o their_o successor_n and_o heir_n to_o repair_v and_o maintain_v those_o bridge_n according_a to_o the_o quantity_n of_o their_o land_n in_o that_o town_n though_o the_o say_a abbot_n will_v not_o consent_v thereto_o for_o his_o portion_n and_o because_o the_o say_a abbot_n do_v absent_v himself_o and_o refuse_v the_o shireeve_n have_v command_v to_o give_v he_o special_a summons_n to_o appear_v at_o boston_n upon_o the_o eve_n of_o s._n laurence_n at_o which_o tune_n he_o come_v thither_o before_o the_o say_a commissionersâ—_n and_o in_o their_o presence_n as_o also_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o ralph_n de_fw-fr hengham_n i._n de_fw-fr metingham_n w._n de_fw-fr brumpton_n and_o roger_n de_fw-fr leycestre_fw-fr accord_v for_o himself_o and_o his_o successor_n that_o they_o with_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o spalding_n will_v repair_v and_o maintain_v the_o say_v bridge_n according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o land_n which_o each_o of_o they_o have_v in_o that_o town_n so_o that_o every_o acre_n may_v be_v assess_v alike_o of_o the_o demesne_n aswell_o old_a as_o new_a and_o of_o those_o hold_v in_o villeinage_n and_o that_o if_o any_o shop_n or_o stall_n shall_v be_v build_v or_o plant_v upon_o those_o bridge_n all_o the_o profit_n arise_v thereby_o to_o be_v employ_v in_o their_o repair_n in_o 15_o e._n 1._o w._n de_fw-fr carleton_n and_o will._n de_fw-fr candlesby_n be_v constitute_v dorso_o commissioner_n to_o inquire_v through_o who_o default_n the_o sea-bank_n in_o this_o province_n be_v in_o decay_n and_o so_o consequent_o break_v by_o the_o violence_n of_o the_o tide_n to_o the_o great_a damage_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n much_o of_o their_o low_a ground_n be_v thereby_o drown_v and_o by_o a_o inquisition_n a._n take_v at_o scoff_v near_o trokenhou_n before_o simon_n de_fw-fr ellesworth_n and_o his_o fellow_n justice_n upon_o monday_n next_o after_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o epiphany_n in_o the_o xxiith_o year_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o say_v k._n ed._n the_o first_o it_o be_v find_v that_o the_o town_n of_o tid_n and_o sutton_n in_o this_o province_n of_o hoiland_n in_o lincolnshire_n and_o of_o tid_n neuton_n and_o leverington_n in_o the_o county_n of_o cambridge_n can_v not_o be_v preserve_v except_o the_o fresh_a water_n of_o scoff_v near_o trokenhou_n be_v restrain_v unto_o the_o breadth_n of_o four_o foot_n and_o
betwixt_o the_o cross_n at_o wolmerstye_n and_o tide_n bridge_n in_o 4_o e._n 3._o to_o dorso_fw-la the_o say_v john_n de_fw-fr la_fw-fr gutere_fw-la william_n de_fw-fr ros_fw-fr of_o hamlake_n john_n de_fw-fr multon_n parson_n of_o skirbek_n and_o will._n de_fw-fr farford_n for_o those_o betwixt_o wrangel_n haven_n and_o boston_n and_o in_o 5_o e._n 3._o to_o dorso_fw-la robert_n de_fw-fr malbethorpe_n geffrey_n de_fw-fr edenham_n will._n de_fw-fr la_fw-fr lound_n and_o william_n de_fw-fr poynton_n for_o those_o upon_o the_o sea_n coast_n betwixt_o kesteven_n and_o holland_n in_o 7_o e._n 3._o the_o king_n direct_v his_o precept_n 24._o unto_o geffrey_n le_fw-fr scrope_n and_o his_o fellow_n justice_n of_o the_o plea_n before_o himself_o to_o be_v hold_v signify_v unto_o they_o that_o whereas_o by_o a_o inquisition_n then_o late_o take_v before_o robert_n de_fw-fr malberthorpe_n and_o his_o associate_n commissioner_n for_o the_o view_n of_o the_o bank_n ditch_n gutter_n sewer_n bridge_n causeys_n and_o floodgate_n in_o the_o part_n of_o kestevene_n and_o holland_n it_o be_v find_v that_o the_o prior_n of_o the_o chapel_n of_o s._n saviour_n ought_v to_o repair_n and_o maintain_v the_o causey_n call_v holland_n brigg_n and_o thirty_o bridge_n upon_o the_o same_o according_a to_o certain_a boundary_n and_o limit_n and_o that_o they_o the_o say_v justice_n at_o the_o suit_n of_o he_o the_o say_a prior_n affirm_v that_o he_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v charge_v with_o the_o say_a repair_n the_o say_a king_n cause_v the_o record_n &_o process_n of_o the_o say_a inquisition_n to_o be_v bring_v before_o he_o and_o that_o afterward_o by_o the_o petition_n of_o the_o say_a prior_n exhibit_v to_o he_o the_o say_a king_n and_o his_o council_n in_o the_o parliament_n hold_v at_o york_n set_v forth_o that_o upon_o their_o give_a judgement_n afterward_o in_o that_o business_n there_o happen_v a_o manifest_a error_n therein_o to_o the_o no_o little_a damage_n of_o the_o say_a prior_n he_o the_o say_a king_n cause_v the_o record_n and_o process_n thereof_o to_o be_v bring_v before_o he_o and_o that_o upon_o peruse_v the_o same_o it_o clear_o appear_v that_o one_o godwine_n a_o rich_a citizen_n of_o lincoln_n founder_v of_o that_o house_n of_o s._n saviour_n give_v the_o site_n of_o that_o monastery_n and_o certain_a other_o land_n to_o the_o canon_n of_o sempryngham_n there_o reside_v to_o the_o intent_n that_o the_o profit_n thereof_o shall_v be_v expend_v to_o the_o glory_n of_o s._n saviour_n and_o the_o brethren_n there_o serve_v god_n and_o the_o surplusage_n employ_v in_o the_o repair_n of_o the_o before-specified_n bridge_n and_o that_o upon_o their_o give_a judgement_n therein_o as_o aforesaid_a there_o be_v a_o error_n because_o by_o the_o charter_n of_o foundation_n beforementioned_a the_o maintenance_n of_o the_o say_a prior_n and_o his_o brethren_n be_v first_o provide_v for_o and_o the_o surplusage_n only_o assign_v for_o the_o repair_n of_o the_o say_a causey_n but_o by_o that_o their_o judgement_n they_o have_v put_v the_o maintenance_n of_o the_o say_a prior_n and_o his_o brethren_n in_o the_o last_o place_n which_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o first_o the_o king_n therefore_o for_o the_o rectify_v thereof_o command_v the_o say_a geffrey_n le_fw-fr scrope_n and_o his_o fellow_n justice_n to_o look_v upon_o the_o record_n before_o express_v and_o cause_v it_o to_o be_v amend_v and_o to_o inform_v he_o both_o of_o the_o value_n of_o the_o land_n so_o give_v to_o that_o monastery_n by_o the_o say_a founder_n and_o of_o some_o way_n whereby_o the_o repair_n of_o that_o causey_n may_v be_v ascertain_v and_o last_o to_o supersede_n the_o distrain_n of_o the_o say_a prior_n for_o that_o respect_n whilst_o the_o business_n be_v thus_o undetermined_a in_o 11_o e._n 3._o sir_n richard_n de_fw-fr roos_n knight_n will._n de_fw-fr la_fw-fr launde_n will._n de_fw-fr poynton_n laurence_n de_fw-fr leake_n thoma_n levelaunce_n and_o will._n de_fw-fr thorpe_n be_v constitute_v dorso_fw-la commissioner_n for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o those_o bank_n and_o sewer_n betwixt_o the_o cross_n of_o wolmersty_a and_o the_o bridge_n at_o tid_n and_o in_o 13_o e._n 3._o roger_n de_fw-fr cobledyk_n roger_n the_o parson_n of_o framton_n lambert_n de_fw-fr hiptoft_n and_o john_n de_fw-fr polincroft_n for_o dorso_o those_o in_o the_o wapentake_n of_o kirketon_n memorandum_n a._n that_o in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n mcccxlij_o 16_o e._n 3._o the_o abbot_n of_o swinâ—sheved_a and_o sir_n nicholas_n de_fw-fr ry_z knight_n do_v implead_v the_o abbot_n of_o peterborough_n for_o cccxl_o acre_n of_o marsh_n with_o the_o appurtâ—nances_n in_o gosberchirche_n viz._n the_o abbot_n of_o swinesheved_a for_o cc._o and_o sir_n nicholas_n for_o cxl._n by_o two_o writ_n and_o the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o assize_n at_o lincoln_n be_v on_o wednesday_n bâ—ing_v the_o morrow_n after_o the_o feast_n of_o s._n peter_n ad_fw-la vincula_fw-la at_o which_o time_n there_o camâ—_n thither_o gilbert_n de_fw-fr stanford_n then_o celerer_fw-la to_o the_o covent_n john_n de_fw-fr achirche_n bailiff_n of_o the_o say_v abbot_n manor_n together_o with_o sir_n john_n de_fw-fr wilughby_n lord_n of_o eresby_n sir_n john_n de_fw-fr kirketon_n and_o sir_n saier_n de_fw-fr rocheford_n knight_n john_n de_fw-fr multon_n parson_n of_o skirbek_n as_o also_o divers_a other_o of_o the_o say_v abbot_n counsel_n and_o because_o the_o defence_n of_o this_o suit_n seem_v difficult_a and_o costly_a to_o the_o abbot_n in_o regard_n that_o his_o adversaries_n have_v private_o and_o subtle_o make_v the_o whole_a country_n against_o he_o especial_o the_o wapentake_n of_o kirketon_n he_o submit_v to_o a_o amicable_a treaty_n of_o peace_n on_o the_o day_n precede_v the_o assize_n the_o place_n of_o their_o meeting_n be_v in_o the_o chapterhouse_n of_o lincoln_n at_o which_o treaty_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o sir_n nicholas_n de_fw-fr cantilupe_n who_o be_v the_o principal_a mediator_n betwixt_o they_o as_o a_o friend_n to_o both_o side_n and_o other_o knight_n and_o friend_n above-specified_n the_o say_a abbot_n of_o swynesheved_a and_o nicholas_n de_fw-fr ry_z do_v set_v forth_o their_o claim_n in_o that_o marsh_n affirm_v that_o it_o do_v belong_v to_o they_o of_o right_a by_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o country_n because_o that_o it_o be_v increase_v and_o grow_v to_o their_o own_o ancient_a marsh_n by_o addition_n of_o sand_n which_o the_o sea_n have_v by_o its_o flow_n cast_v up_o insomuch_o as_o by_o that_o mean_n come_v to_o be_v firm_a land_n they_o say_v that_o they_o ought_v to_o enjoy_v it_o as_o far_o as_o saltenee_n and_o in_o regard_n that_o the_o say_a abbot_n of_o peterborough_n have_v possess_v himself_o thereof_o contrary_a to_o right_n and_o against_o the_o say_a custom_n they_o have_v bring_v the_o assize_n of_o novel_a disseisin_n in_o form_n aforesaid_a whereunto_o the_o counsel_n for_o the_o abbot_n of_o peterborough_n answer_v that_o the_o custom_n of_o this_o province_n of_o holland_n so_o state_v by_o the_o plaintiff_n ought_v thus_o to_o be_v understand_v and_o qualify_v viz._n that_o when_o by_o such_o addition_n of_o any_o silt_n or_o sand_n there_o shall_v happen_v a_o increase_n of_o land_n and_o by_o the_o sea_n leave_v thereof_o become_v firm_a ground_n it_o ought_v to_o belong_v unto_o he_o to_o who_o firm_a and_o solid_a ground_n it_o first_o join_v itself_o without_o any_o respect_n whether_o it_o grow_v direct_o to_o it_o or_o at_o one_o side_n and_o they_o far_o say_v that_o the_o before-specified_n marsh_n do_v original_o join_v itself_o to_o the_o ancient_a marsh_n of_o the_o say_a abbot_n of_o peterborough_n whereof_o that_o monastery_n have_v be_v seize_v time_n beyond_o memory_n as_o it_o appear_v by_o domesday_n book_n where_o it_o be_v record_v that_o the_o abbot_n of_o peterborough_n have_v xuj_o salt_n pan_n in_o donington_n moreover_o in_o the_o charter_n of_o king_n richard_n the_o first_o there_o be_v confirm_v to_o the_o say_a abbot_n three_o caâ—ucates_n of_o land_n with_o the_o salt_n pan_n and_o pasture_n and_o all_o their_o appurtenance_n in_o holland_n so_o that_o the_o say_a soil_n increase_v by_o little_a and_o little_a ought_v not_o to_o belong_v unto_o the_o abbot_n of_o swinesheved_a and_o sir_n nicholas_n according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o country_n because_o that_o a_o certain_a part_n of_o salten_fw-mi i_fw-mi which_o be_v not_o then_o dry_a land_n do_v lie_v betwixt_o the_o old_a marsh_n belong_v to_o the_o say_a abbot_n of_o swinesheved_a and_o sir_n nicholas_n and_o the_o marsh_n whereof_o they_o pretend_v so_o to_o be_v disseise_v which_o part_n of_o salten_n i_o can_v not_o at_o all_o be_v drayn_v because_o that_o the_o fresh_a water_n have_v use_v to_o run_v through_o that_o place_n from_o the_o part_n of_o kesteven_n to_o the_o sea_n until_o geffrey_n abbot_n of_o peterborough_n predecessor_n to_o the_o then_o
be_v reform_v by_o the_o township_n and_o person_n who_o of_o right_a aught_o to_o do_v the_o same_o and_o to_o be_v of_o xij_o in_o breadth_n and_o of_o height_n sufficient_a for_o boat_n to_o pass_v under_o upon_o pain_n of_o 3l._o 6s._o 8._o for_o every_o bridge_n unfinished_a at_o michaelmas_n follow_v and_o that_o the_o waredyke_n beginning_n at_o colehousestile_n and_o so_o extend_v along_o the_o river_n of_o burne_n i_fw-mi to_o goodrams_n coote_n shall_v be_v continue_v from_o the_o say_v coote_n to_o do_v hurne_n and_o to_o be_v distant_a from_o the_o river_n c._n fooâ—_n and_o in_o breadth_n xij_o foot_n and_o depth_n iiij_o at_o the_o cost_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o pinchbeckâ—_n upon_o pain_n of_o xxd._o for_o every_o ride_v unfinished_a at_o michaelmas_n than_o next_o follow_v also_o that_o the_o sewer_n call_v newedyke_n in_o dykesen_n shall_v be_v perfect_v from_o eedyke_n bridge_n unto_o holland_n fendyke_n according_a to_o the_o law_n at_o sempringham_n as_o aforesaid_a upon_o pain_n also_o of_o iijs_fw-la iiijd._o for_o every_o ride_v unfinished_a at_o michaelmas_n than_o next_o follow_v likewise_o that_o the_o sewer_n extend_v direct_o against_o the_o east_n to_o northgraft_v shall_v be_v dyke_v and_o bank_v sufficient_o by_o the_o township_n of_o hakenby_n dunsby_n and_o pinchebeck_n and_o the_o manure_n to_o be_v cast_v on_o the_o north_n and_o that_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o pinchbeck_n limit_n to_o the_o graft_n and_o that_o the_o sewer_n of_o northgraft_n from_o the_o first_o fall_n of_o the_o water_n of_o the_o fen_n into_o the_o say_a sewer_n and_o thence_o to_o the_o sea_n aught_o to_o be_v xij_o foot_n broad_a and_o six_o foot_n deep_a and_o to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o pinchbeck_n before_o michaelmas_n than_o next_o ensue_v upon_o the_o penalty_n above-specified_n and_o that_o the_o sewer_n call_v the_o beech_n from_o wrightbold_a clowe_n to_o the_o sea_n shall_v be_v dyke_v rode_v and_o scour_v by_o the_o township_n of_o pynchbeck_n gosberkirk_n and_o surflet_n as_o have_v be_v accustom_v before_o michaelmas_n than_o next_o ensue_v upon_o like_a pain_n likewise_o that_o the_o sewer_n call_v marisbeek_v shall_v be_v scour_v by_o the_o landholders_n there_o according_a to_o their_o several_a part_n to_o be_v do_v before_o the_o say_a day_n etc._n etc._n also_o that_o the_o bank_n from_o colehouse_n stile_n to_o goodrams_n coote_n and_o thence_o to_o do_v hurne_n shall_v be_v make_v of_o xij_o foot_n thickness_n and_o three_o foot_n height_n where_o most_o need_v require_v by_o the_o land-holders_n of_o pinchbeck_n and_o burne_n according_a to_o their_o limit_n before_o the_o say_a day_n etc._n etc._n and_o last_o that_o the_o sewer_n call_v hawewell_n shall_v be_v scour_v to_o dykebarre_v by_o the_o fermour_n of_o the_o haw_n and_o tho._n gotherd_v thence_o to_o repingale_n south-dyke_n by_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o dyke_n morton_n hakenby_n and_o dunsby_n thence_o to_o berhomepole_n by_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o repingale_n ringstone_n and_o kirkby-underwood_n before_o michaelmas_n than_o next_o follow_v after_o this_o viz._n in_o 43_o and_o 44_o eliz._n there_o arise_v a_o great_a controversy_n sewer_n about_o the_o erect_n of_o two_o new_a goat_n at_o skirbek_n and_o langare_n for_o drayn_v the_o water_n out_o of_o south_n holland_n and_o the_o fen_n into_o boston_n haven_n which_o work_n sir_n edward_n dimock_n knight_n do_v by_o himself_o and_o his_o friend_n further_o what_o he_o can_v but_o it_o be_v oppose_v by_o the_o country_n of_o kesteven_n and_o the_o very_a exception_n take_v thereto_o be_v that_o the_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n can_v not_o by_o the_o power_n of_o their_o commission_n ☜_o make_v a_o law_n for_o the_o erect_n of_o those_o new_a goat_n whâ—re_v never_o any_o stand_v before_o whereupon_o the_o decision_n of_o this_o point_n come_v at_o length_n before_o the_o then_o two_o chief_a justice_n viz._n popham_n and_o anderson_n they_o deliver_v their_o opinion_n ibid._n that_o the_o say_v new_a goat_n if_o they_o be_v find_v to_o be_v good_a and_o profitable_a for_o the_o safety_n and_o advantage_n of_o the_o country_n they_o may_v be_v erect_v by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o statute_n of_o twenty-three_o of_o henry_n the_o eight_o of_o spalding_n and_o pinchbeck_n fen_n see_v far_o in_o my_o last_o chapter_n under_o the_o title_n of_o kesteven_n and_o holland_n cap._n xlvi_o from_o lincolnshire_n keep_v on_o my_o course_n eastward_n i_o come_v next_o into_o norfolk_n on_o the_o west_n side_n of_o which_o country_n very_o great_a advantage_n have_v be_v make_v by_o bank_v and_o drayn_v whereof_o the_o most_o ancient_a be_v in_o that_o part_n of_o it_o call_v marshland_n next_o adjoin_v to_o holland_n last_o speak_v of_o that_o this_o be_v original_o gain_v from_o the_o sea_n by_o the_o roman_n i_o have_v in_o the_o chapter_n of_o this_o discourse_n endeavour_v to_o make_v manifest_a which_o admit_v we_o may_v well_o conclude_v that_o our_o ancestor_n the_o saxon_n consider_v the_o extraordinary_a fertility_n of_o the_o soil_n have_v a_o fair_a invitation_n to_o seat_n themselves_o therein_o for_o that_o they_o do_v so_o be_v evident_a enough_o from_o that_o authentic_a survey_n scac._n take_v by_o the_o norman_a conqueror_n which_o show_v that_o the_o town_n now_o in_o be_v there_o be_v all_o extant_a in_o the_o day_n of_o king_n edward_n the_o confessor_n nor_o be_v it_o improbable_a but_o that_o they_o be_v so_o likewise_o for_o divers_a precede_a age_n forasmuch_o as_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o church_n of_o ely_n be_v possess_v 1._o of_o walpole_n long_v before_o a_o place_n of_o no_o small_a note_n by_o reason_n it_o give_v birth_n to_o s._n goderic_n the_o hermit_n of_o who_o m._n paris_n make_v ample_a 1170._o mention_n tâ—iâ—_n country_n on_o the_o east_n be_v bound_v by_o the_o stream_n of_o ouse_n on_o the_o west_n with_o wisbeche_n river_n on_o the_o north_n with_o the_o sea-bank_n and_o on_o the_o south_n with_o the_o new_a podike_a as_o the_o map_n show_v and_o contain_v no_o less_o than_o tâ—irty_o thousand_o acre_n whereof_o part_n be_v a_o â—amous_a plain_n call_v the_o smeeth_n which_o be_v common_a to_o all_o the_o town_n therein_o maintain_v at_o least_o thirty_o thousand_o sheep_n and_o yet_o be_v not_o of_o a_o large_a extâ—nt_n in_o the_o wide_a part_n of_o it_o than_o two_o english_a mile_n of_o this_o plain_a i_o may_v not_o omâ—â—_n a_o tradition_n which_o the_o common_a people_n thereabouts_o have_v viz._n that_o in_o old_a time_n the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o neighbour_a village_n have_v a_o fierce_a contest_v with_o one_o hickifric_n the_o then_o owner_n of_o it_o touch_v the_o bound_n thereof_o which_o grow_v so_o hot_a that_o at_o length_n it_o come_v to_o blow_n and_o that_o hickifric_n be_v a_o person_n of_o extraordinary_a stature_n and_o courage_n take_v a_o axletree_n from_o a_o cart_n instead_o of_o a_o sword_n and_o the_o wheâ—l_n for_o his_o buckler_n and_o be_v so_o arm_v most_o stout_o repel_v those_o bold_a invader_n for_o far_a testimony_n of_o which_o notable_a exploit_n they_o to_o this_o day_n show_v a_o large_a grave-stone_n near_o the_o east_n end_n of_o the_o chancel_n in_o tilney_n church-yard_n whereupon_o the_o form_n of_o a_o cross_n be_v so_o cut_v as_o that_o the_o upper_a part_n thereof_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o flourish_n wherewith_o the_o carver_n have_v adorn_v it_o show_v to_o be_v somewhat_o circular_a which_o they_o will_v therefore_o need_n have_v â—o_o be_v the_o wheel_n and_o the_o shaft_n the_o axletree_n it_o be_v observe_v that_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o this_o province_n there_o be_v neither_o mole_n nor_o rat_n and_o that_o such_o have_v be_v the_o care_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n for_o pervention_n of_o mischief_n which_o may_v happen_v by_o any_o breach_n of_o the_o public_a sea-bank_n that_o they_o have_v environ_v every_o town_n with_o a_o particular_a bank_n call_v the_o indike_n or_o ward-dikâ—â—_a â—_z which_o upon_o any_o such_o inundation_n do_v secure_v it_o from_o danger_n as_o for_o the_o several_a sewer_n and_o bridge_n which_o it_o have_v i_o shall_v reserve_v they_o to_o be_v speak_v of_o in_o the_o lâ—st_o place_n purpose_v now_o to_o go_v on_o in_o take_v notice_n of_o such_o improvement_n as_o have_v be_v make_v within_o the_o old_a precinct_n thereof_o as_o also_o how_o it_o have_v be_v preserve_v from_o the_o violence_n of_o the_o tide_n on_o the_o one_o part_n and_o fresh_a water_n on_o the_o other_o with_o the_o far_a enlargement_n of_o its_o particular_a bound_n by_o a_o ancient_a plead_v ........_o it_o appear_v that_o before_o the_o year_n mclxxxi_o 27_o h._n 2._o there_o be_v neither_o any_o habitation_n nor_o ground_n that_o yield_v profit_n within_o that_o part_n of_o wigenhale_n from_o busterdesdole_n unto_o the_o south_n side_n of_o the_o same_o town_n except_o the_o monastery_n
juror_n then_o impanel_v and_o swear_v viz._n that_o robert_n russel_n bailiff_n to_o the_o abbot_n of_o ramseye_n john_n mayner_z walter_z halleman_n and_o other_o have_v forcible_o break_v down_o that_o dam_n at_o small_a load_n or_o lytle_n load_n and_o that_o one_o richard_n curtey_n have_v do_v the_o like_a at_o wadyugstowe_n whereupon_o the_o shireeve_n have_v command_v to_o take_v they_o all_o and_o imprison_v they_o until_o he_o shall_v receive_v far_a direction_n therein_o in_o 8_o e._n 2._o the_o king_n be_v inform_v dorso_fw-la that_o the_o water_n whereby_o divers_a person_n of_o cambridge_n huntendon_n and_o northampton_n shire_n pass_v with_o ship_n and_o victual_n from_o the_o part_n of_o lenne_n to_o welle_v to_o the_o great_a benefit_n of_o all_o the_o country_n and_o especial_o of_o the_o town_n of_o holme_n situate_v thereupon_o be_v obstruct_v by_o certain_a man_n dwell_v thereabouts_o he_o therefore_o assign_v dorso_fw-la john_n the_o butetort_n robert_n de_fw-fr maddingle_n and_o walter_n de_fw-fr mollesworth_n to_o inquire_v thereof_o the_o next_o ensue_a year_n geffrey_n de_fw-fr colvile_n robert_n de_fw-fr maddyngle_n laurence_n de_fw-fr burewelle_n and_o john_n le_fw-fr corouner_n be_v appoint_v dorso_fw-la to_o view_v the_o bank_n and_o sewer_n upon_o the_o sea-coast_n lie_v in_o tide_n neuton_n leveryngton_n and_o wysebeche_v as_o also_o in_o some_o town_n of_o marshland_n and_o the_o part_n adjacent_a within_o the_o hundred_o of_o wisebeche_n which_o be_v then_o in_o decay_n and_o to_o take_v order_n for_o their_o repair_n the_o like_a commission_n dorso_fw-la have_v the_o say_a geffrey_n robert_n and_o john_n together_o with_o nich._n de_fw-fr houtone_n in_o 9_o e._n 2._o and_o in_o 17_o e._n 2._o the_o king_n receive_v far_a information_n dorso_fw-la concern_v the_o obstruction_n of_o the_o water_n of_o welstreme_a at_o the_o town_n of_o welle_v beforementioned_a whereby_o merchant_n and_o other_o be_v hinder_v from_o pass_v with_o their_o ship_n boat_n and_o other_o vessel_n from_o the_o town_n of_o lenne_n unto_o yakesle_n holme_n and_o other_o place_n lie_v in_o the_o county_n of_o huntendon_n and_o norfolk_n in_o such_o sort_n as_o they_o have_v former_o use_v to_o do_v and_o as_o the_o commission_n dorso_fw-la in_o 8_o e._n 2._o above-specified_n import_v constitute_v john_n de_fw-fr mutford_n walter_n de_fw-fr friskeney_n and_o will._n de_fw-fr gosefeld_n commissioner_n to_o inquire_v thereof_o what_o they_o do_v herein_o i_o have_v not_o see_v but_o in_o 3_o e._n 3._o which_o be_v not_o long_o after_o there_o be_v a_o presentment_n a._n exhibit_v to_o the_o justice_n itinerant_a sit_v at_o northampton_n by_o the_o juror_n for_o several_a hundred_o in_o that_o county_n import_v that_o whereas_o the_o course_n of_o the_o river_n nene_n have_v ancient_o be_v direct_o from_o peterborough_n 12._o unto_o the_o lenâ—e_n in_o norfolk_n by_o which_o corn_n woo_n and_o other_o commodity_n be_v carry_v to_o that_o haven_n and_o from_o thence_o victual_v and_o other_o necessary_n that_o about_o xxviii_o year_n then_o past_a walter_n de_fw-fr langetone_n bishop_n of_o coventre_n and_o lichfield_n and_o treasurer_n to_o king_n edward_n the_o first_o grandfather_n to_o the_o then_o king_n do_v for_o the_o drayn_n of_o his_o manor_n of_o coldham_n situate_v in_o a_o fenny_a soil_n by_o his_o power_n and_o greatness_n cause_n a_o dam_n to_o be_v make_v at_o utwell_n in_o the_o say_a county_n of_o norfolk_n with_o earth_n and_o sand_n so_o that_o no_o navigable_a vessel_n can_v afterward_o pass_v to_o and_o from_o lenne_n as_o they_o have_v wont_a to_o do_v to_o the_o great_a damage_n of_o the_o say_a king_n and_o his_o people_n aswell_o of_o that_o county_n as_o of_o norfolk_z cambridge_n huntendon_n and_o lincoln_n shire_n and_o that_o the_o same_o stop_n of_o those_o water_n from_o descend_v to_o lenne_n do_v cause_v the_o land_n meadow_n pasture_n and_o marsh_n of_o burrough_n fen_n and_o thorney_n fen_n with_o divers_a other_o adjoin_v to_o be_v overflow_v and_o drown_v to_o the_o damage_n of_o the_o man_n of_o that_o county_n cccl._o per_fw-la annum_fw-la and_o upward_o and_o that_o edmund_n peverell_n son_n and_o heir_n to_o robert_n peverell_n brother_n and_o heir_n of_o the_o say_a bishop_n then_o hold_v the_o say_a manor_n do_v maintain_v and_o continue_v the_o before-specified_n dam_n but_o by_o what_o authority_n they_o know_v not_o the_o shireeve_n of_o norfolk_n have_v command_v therefore_o to_o summon_v the_o say_a edmund_n to_o answer_v thereto_o who_o appear_v in_o person_n and_o be_v require_v to_o say_v what_o he_o can_v for_o the_o keep_n up_o of_o the_o say_a dam_n allege_v that_o the_o before-specified_n bishop_n die_v seize_v of_o the_o say_a manor_n robert_n peverell_n enter_v into_o it_o as_o his_o brother_n and_o heir_n and_o that_o after_o the_o say_v robert_n death_n he_o the_o say_v edmund_n enter_v as_o his_o son_n and_o heir_n find_v that_o water_n so_o damn_v as_o have_v be_v observe_v without_o that_o that_o the_o say_a dam_n be_v so_o make_v as_o aforesaid_a by_o the_o same_o bishop_n or_o that_o he_o the_o say_v edmund_n have_v continue_v and_o support_v the_o same_o to_o the_o common_a damage_n etc._n etc._n as_o have_v be_v present_v and_o thereupon_o do_v put_v himself_o upon_o the_o country_n and_o so_o likewise_o do_v richard_n adelburgh_n who_o prosecute_v for_o the_o king_n and_o therefore_o because_o it_o seem_v expedient_a to_o the_o court_n aswell_o for_o the_o king_n as_o for_o his_o people_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o verdict_n from_o the_o country_n on_o that_o behalf_n aswell_o by_o juror_n of_o those_o county_n wherein_o the_o damage_n be_v assign_v as_o by_o juror_n of_o norfolk_n in_o which_o county_n the_o say_a dam_n be_v allege_v to_o be_v make_v command_n be_v give_v to_o the_o shireeve_v of_o cambridge_n duntendon_n lincoln_n and_o northampton_n shire_n likewise_o that_o each_o of_o they_o shall_v bring_v xij_o honest_a and_o lawful_a man_n whereby_o the_o truth_n may_v be_v the_o better_o know_v to_o appear_v before_o the_o king_n three_o week_n after_o michaelmass_n at_o which_o time_n come_v adam_n de_fw-fr fyncham_n the_o king_n attorney_n but_o the_o say_v edmund_n though_o solemn_o call_v appear_v not_o whereupon_o a_o verdict_n be_v take_v against_o he_o by_o default_n nor_o do_v the_o shireeve_v of_o any_o of_o the_o beforementioned_a county_n make_v return_v of_o their_o say_a precept_n therefore_o new_a writ_n be_v issue_v out_o unto_o they_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n as_o abovesaid_a returnable_a upon_o the_o xuth_o of_o s._n hilary_n than_o next_o follow_v at_o which_o time_n come_v the_o say_v adam_n and_o the_o shireeve_v of_o norfolk_n and_o northampton_n who_o allege_v that_o the_o writ_n be_v so_o long_o in_o come_v to_o their_o hand_n that_o they_o can_v be_v nothing_o therein_o howbeit_o the_o shireeve_n of_o cambridge_n and_o huntendonshire_n return_v the_o name_n of_o juror_n but_o the_o shireeve_n of_o lincolnshire_n send_v no_o answer_n whereupon_o the_o king_n issue_v out_o a_o precept_n to_o geffrey_n le_fw-fr scrope_n and_o his_o fellow_n justice_n of_o the_o plea_n before_o himself_o to_o be_v hold_v whereby_o he_o signify_v to_o they_o that_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o marshland_n in_o norfolk_n have_v complain_v and_o the_o man_n of_o suffolk_n and_o cambridgshire_n who_o have_v land_n near_o unto_o those_o part_n have_v exhibit_v a_o petition_n to_o he_o the_o say_a king_n and_o his_o council_n show_v that_o whereas_o some_o part_n of_o marshland_n together_o with_o a_o great_a proportion_n of_o those_o county_n be_v lose_v and_o destroy_v by_o the_o inundation_n of_o the_o salt_n water_n as_o also_o of_o the_o fresh_a by_o reason_n that_o the_o say_v water_n and_o sewer_n have_v not_o their_o right_a course_n and_o that_o king_n edward_n the_o first_o pass_v that_o way_n and_o take_v notice_n thereof_o do_v by_o the_o advice_n of_o his_o council_n assign_v william_n howard_n and_o some_o other_o to_o make_v enquiry_n touch_v the_o premise_n who_o by_o inquisition_n take_v before_o they_o ☜_o find_v that_o those_o part_n can_v not_o be_v any_o other_o way_n preserve_v than_o by_o stop_v of_o a_o certain_a water_n call_v welle_v dam_n and_o whereas_o for_o that_o respect_n they_o do_v ordain_v the_o before-specified_n obstruction_n thereof_o to_o be_v make_v and_o that_o afterward_o it_o be_v present_v before_o he_o the_o say_v geffrey_n &_o his_o fellow_n justice_n itinerant_a in_o the_o county_n of_o northampton_n by_o the_o procurement_n of_o some_o person_n for_o their_o own_o particular_a advantage_n that_o the_o same_o obstruction_n be_v make_v to_o their_o damage_n whereupon_o they_o cause_v edmund_n peverell_n to_o be_v implead_v for_o it_o and_o proceed_v so_o far_o therein_o as_o that_o the_o say_v edmund_n submit_v to_o a_o inquisition_n thereof_o which_o inquisition_n be_v to_o be_v take_v before_o
make_v high_a by_o three_o foot_n 120._o and_o that_o guyhirne_n goal_n be_v bank_v with_o a_o bank_n of_o xuj_o foot_n and_o in_o height_n x_o foot_n by_o all_o the_o land_n lie_v in_o wisbeche_n between_o sorcel_n dike_a and_o the_o high_a fendike_n on_o the_o 12_o of_o july_n eliz._n in_o the_o same_o 13_o year_n of_o queen_n eliz._n reign_n it_o be_v thus_o order_v arm._n by_o robert_n bell_n jeffrey_n coleville_n william_n hunston_n robert_n balam_n william_n brian_n richard_n nicholas_n thomas_n hewar_n and_o henry_n hunston_n esquire_n justice_n of_o sewer_n for_o the_o country_n of_o marshland_n in_o the_o county_n of_o norffolf_n and_o for_o the_o border_n and_o confine_n of_o the_o same_o viz._n forasmuch_o as_o bishop_n dyke_n within_o the_o isle_n of_o ely_n be_v great_o decay_v by_o the_o abundance_n of_o fresh_a water_n which_o happen_v this_o last_o winter_n the_o like_a whereof_o be_v never_o see_v within_o the_o remembrance_n of_o man_n to_o the_o great_a decay_a and_o impair_n of_o break_a dyke_n be_v one_o of_o the_o defencâ—-dikes_a for_o salvation_n of_o the_o whole_a country_n of_o marshlande_n to_o the_o great_a peril_n of_o the_o drown_v the_o say_a country_n of_o marshland_n and_o to_o the_o utter_a undo_n of_o all_o the_o landholders_n of_o the_o east_n side_n of_o elm_n between_o the_o say_v bishop_n dike_a and_o break_v dike_a if_o the_o say_v bishop_n dike_n be_v not_o sufficient_o repair_v and_o amend_v in_o time_n the_o experience_n whereof_o be_v too_o manifest_a this_o last_o winter_n to_o the_o great_a loss_n of_o a_o number_n of_o the_o queen_n majesty_n subject_n the_o misery_n whereof_o be_v unspeakable_a it_o be_v therefore_o condescend_v and_o agree_v by_o the_o say_a justice_n that_o the_o landholders_n of_o elm_n within_o the_o isle_n of_o ely_n aforesaid_a between_o nedeham_n dyke_n and_o broken-dyke_n aswell_o for_o that_o the_o countty_a of_o marshland_n may_v the_o better_a repair_n and_o maintain_v the_o say_v break_v dike_a this_o last_o winter_n decay_v by_o the_o mean_n of_o the_o overflow_a of_o the_o say_v bishop_n dike_n as_o also_o to_o be_v without_o charge_n of_o make_v and_o defend_v of_o the_o say_v break_v dike_a the_o say_v break_v dyke_n be_v maintain_v which_o can_v be_v if_o the_o land_n there_o remain_v surround_v still_o and_o so_o thereby_o no_o profit_n to_o be_v reap_v by_o the_o owner_n of_o the_o same_o land_n shall_v have_v licence_n to_o issue_v out_o the_o water_n of_o oldfield_n between_o needham_n dike_v and_o break_a dyke_n at_o the_o goat_n or_o pipe_n already_o lay_v on_o break_a dike_n not_o far_o distant_a from_o blewick_n house_n and_o to_o issue_v into_o marshland_n by_o the_o direction_n of_o mr._n balam_n mr._n hewar_n and_o mr._n henry_n hunston_n through_o emneth_n and_o walsoken_n in_o the_o high_a part_n of_o marshland_n provide_v that_o when_o it_o shall_v be_v think_v by_o any_o two_o of_o the_o justice_n aforesaid_a or_o by_o any_o four_o of_o the_o chief_a landholders_n of_o the_o country_n of_o marshland_n then_o resiant_a within_o the_o say_a country_n that_o the_o same_o water_n run_v underneath_o break_a dike_n be_v hurtful_a to_o the_o country_n of_o marshland_n or_o to_o any_o part_n thereof_o or_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v perceive_v by_o any_o two_o of_o the_o say_a justice_n or_o by_o any_o four_o of_o the_o chief_a landholders_n of_o the_o country_n of_o mershland_n aforesaid_a that_o the_o charge_v bearer_n of_o bishop_n dike_n be_v negligent_a in_o the_o well_o defend_v the_o say_v bishop_n dyke_n or_o that_o the_o landholders_n of_o oldfield_n do_v not_o sufficient_o from_o time_n to_o time_n maintain_v and_o keep_v needham_n dike_a or_o lay_v any_o goat_n or_o pipe_n in_o any_o place_n of_o the_o say_v needham_n dike_a to_o issue_v any_o water_n from_o any_o part_n of_o the_o south_n side_n of_o the_o say_v needham_n dike_a or_o that_o any_o water_n be_v receive_v into_o oldfield_n by_o any_o way_n or_o device_n to_o the_o intent_n to_o utter_v the_o same_o at_o the_o goat_n in_o broken-dyke_n other_o than_o the_o downfall_n of_o the_o air_n fall_v into_o the_o aforesaid_a oldfield_n that_o then_o and_o at_o all_o time_n afterward_o it_o shall_v be_v lawful_a for_o any_o of_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o country_n of_o marshland_n so_o to_o cease_v the_o run_n of_o the_o water_n through_o the_o same_o any_o thing_n mention_v in_o this_o order_n or_o law_n to_o the_o contrary_a notwithstanding_o or_o if_o the_o owner_n of_o the_o land_n which_o do_v lie_v between_o needham_n dike_v and_o break_v dike_a or_o any_o of_o they_o do_v refuse_v to_o bear_v and_o pay_v all_o and_o every_o such_o charge_n to_o knight_n goole_n or_o to_o any_o sewer_n lead_v thereunto_o as_o the_o other_o land_n in_o marshland_n do_v according_a to_o the_o number_n of_o acre_n and_o the_o same_o to_o be_v pay_v to_o the_o dikereeve_v in_o emneth_n or_o if_o the_o owner_n and_o landholders_n of_o oldfield_n do_v not_o from_o time_n to_o time_n well_o and_o sufficient_o repair_v and_o maintain_v aswell_o the_o say_a goat_n or_o pipe_n lie_v underneath_o or_o through_o break_a dike_n as_o also_o as_o much_o of_o the_o bank_n or_o dike_n call_v break_v dike_a alias_o oldfield_n dike_v as_o the_o same_o goat_n or_o pipe_n be_v in_o length_n or_o breadth_n or_o if_o the_o same_o goat_n have_v not_o two_o strong_a door_n viz._n at_o each_o end_n one_o always_o in_o readiness_n to_o be_v shut_v or_o stop_v when_o occasion_n shall_v serve_v at_o or_o before_o the_o day_n of_o s._n michael_n the_o arch_a angel_n next_o ensue_v the_o date_n hereof_o and_o from_o time_n to_o time_n thenceforth_o to_o continue_v and_o keep_v the_o same_o in_o good_a reparation_n or_o else_o to_o cease_v as_o be_v aforesaid_a at_o a_o session_n a._n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o wisbeche_n 22_o aprâ—_n xuj_o eliz._n ordered_n that_o the_o causey_n call_v norwol_a dam_n shall_v be_v raise_v with_o gravel_n three_o foot_n high_o than_o it_o be_v at_o the_o cost_n of_o the_o hundred_o of_o wisbeche_n save_v a_o way_n to_o be_v leave_v of_o twelve_o foot_n in_o breadth_n eliz._n with_o a_o bridge_n over_o the_o same_o as_o heretofore_o have_v be_v accustom_v which_o bridge_n to_o be_v make_v at_o the_o cost_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o ely_n also_o that_o longe_n drove_n in_o elm_n shall_v be_v make_v sufficient_a to_o keep_v out_o say_v field_n water_n by_o the_o landholders_n of_o oldfield_n in_o a_o 1576_o xviii_o eliz._n be_v the_o first_o a._n improvement_n of_o needham_n &_o burial_n field_n lie_v within_o the_o precinct_n of_o upwelle_n by_o a_o agreement_n of_o the_o landholders_n there_o on_o the_o xxiiiith_o day_n of_o june_n eliz._n in_o the_o same_o year_n at_o which_o time_n they_o settle_v a_o acreshot_a of_o six_o penny_n the_o acre_n for_o defray_v the_o charge_n thereof_o and_o about_o two_o year_n after_o this_o at_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o erith_n brigge_n viz._n 4_o augusti_fw-la xx_o eliz._n it_o be_v order_v b._n by_o the_o justice_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o bank_n make_v from_o marysse_n dike_v unto_o bishop_n dike_a alias_o lovedays_n dike_v over_o the_o river_n of_o elm_n to_o be_v in_o height_n eight_o foot_n eliz._n in_o breadth_n twelve_o on_o the_o upper_a part_n and_o in_o the_o bottom_n xxxii_o foot_n as_o also_o a_o clouse_n at_o marisdam_n but_o so_o as_o boat_n may_v pass_v through_o the_o same_o and_o likewise_o that_o the_o bank_n beginning_n at_o keâ—ismill_n and_o extend_v to_o guy_n hirne_n and_o so_o by_o coldham_n to_o friday_n bridge_n in_o elm_n shall_v be_v repair_v so_o that_o the_o height_n thereof_o may_v be_v six_o foot_n the_o breadth_n in_o the_o bottom_n xxiiii_o foot_n and_o at_o the_o top_n 8_o foot_n at_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o wisebeche_n upon_o the_o 12_o of_o july_n in_o xxiii_o eliz._n it_o be_v thus_o order_v b._n that_o whereas_o the_o common_a call_v ladwer_n lie_v in_o elm_n be_v drown_v for_o want_n of_o a_o crest_n that_o there_o be_v a_o crest_n or_o bank_n make_v eliz._n begin_v at_o tylneyhirne_n and_o so_o lead_v to_o the_o new_a leame_z thence_o by_o the_o river_n of_o nene_n to_o the_o horse-shoe_n thence_o to_o marmond_n land_n thence_o to_o the_o west_n end_n of_o langbeche_n adjoin_v unto_o bishop_n dike_v which_o bank_n to_o be_v twelve_o foot_n in_o the_o bottom_n in_o breadth_n 4_o foot_n at_o the_o top_n and_o in_o height_n 5_o foot_n and_o that_o the_o sluse_n upon_o marys_n dam_n shall_v be_v take_v up_o and_o when_o the_o say_a bank_n be_v make_v then_o to_o be_v set_v at_o new_a leam_n end_n as_o also_o a_o convenient_a tenement_n build_v meet_v for_o a_o man_n to_o dwell_v in_o for_o the_o keep_n of_o the_o same_o and_o it_o be_v likewise_o
and_o maid_n load_n on_o the_o west_n head_n thereof_o and_o last_o that_o the_o dikereeve_v shall_v levy_v iid._o for_o id._o upon_o all_o that_o do_v make_v default_n in_o pay_v of_o their_o proportion_n according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o mershland_n and_o if_o the_o dikâ—reeves_v shall_v be_v remiss_a than_o the_o commissioner_n to_o levy_v the_o say_v iid._o for_o id._o and_o id._o upon_o the_o say_a dikereeve_v beside_o which_o acreshot_a being_n not_o pay_v by_o the_o say_a sir_n john_n payton_n and_o his_o lady_n and_o edmund_z bell_n esquire_n as_o it_o be_v decree_v by_o the_o before-specified_n commissioner_n there_o be_v a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o sechie_n in_o com._n norff._n upon_o the_o eight_o day_n of_o may_n the_o next_o ensue_a year_n eliz._n by_o francis_n gawdy_a esquire_n one_o of_o the_o queen_n justice_n of_o the_o plea_n before_o herself_o to_o be_v hold_v and_o in_o that_o session_n a_o demise_n 26._o for_o thirty_o nine_o year_n make_v unto_o will._n ingelbert_n and_o other_o of_o divers_a land_n belong_v to_o the_o say_a sir_n john_n dame_n dorothy_n his_o wife_n and_o edm._n bell_n to_o the_o end_n that_o the_o say_v will._n and_o his_o fellow_n lessee_n shall_v out_o of_o the_o profit_n of_o those_o their_o land_n make_v performance_n of_o what_o have_v be_v so_o decree_v by_o those_o commissioner_n and_o at_o another_o session_n 25._o of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o dounham_n in_o com._n norff._n upon_o the_o xx_o of_o sept._n in_o the_o same_o year_n by_o the_o say_v francis_n gawdye_o edmund_n bell_n clement_n spelman_n edmund_n moundeford_n john_n reppe_n thomas_n hewar_n thomas_n oxburgh_n esquire_n and_o other_o recital_n be_v make_v of_o the_o law_n and_o ordinance_n for_o drayn_v the_o fen_n and_o marsh_n before-specified_n the_o say_v commissioner_n decree_v that_o will._n engelbert_n john_n watts_n and_o other_o and_o their_o heir_n and_o assign_v be_v undertaker_n for_o the_o say_v drayn_v and_o to_o keep_v and_o maintain_v the_o same_o be_v perfect_v shall_v have_v the_o full_a moiety_n of_o the_o say_a fen_n so_o drayn_v which_o lie_n and_o adjoyn_v to_o the_o say_v lode_n call_v maid_n load_n and_o likewise_o the_o moiety_n of_o all_o the_o several_a ground_n wherein_o no_o common_a be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v enjoy_v within_o the_o say_a limit_n between_o london_n load_n and_o maid_n load_n and_o other_o the_o precinct_n aforesaid_a except_o of_o the_o several_a ground_n of_o sir_n john_n payton_n kt._n dame_n dorothy_n his_o wife_n and_o edm._n bell_n esquire_n or_o any_o of_o they_o within_o those_o limit_n after_o this_o at_o another_o session_n 19_o of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o sechie_n aforesaid_a upon_o wednesday_n in_o easter_n week_n be_v the_o xi_o of_o april_n in_o the_o xli_o year_n of_o the_o say_a queen_n by_o the_o say_v francis_n gawdy_n clement_n spelman_n and_o other_o recital_n be_v make_v of_o those_o ordinance_n establish_v in_o the_o former_a session_n before_o note_v hold_v the_o 29_o of_o sept._n 39_o eliz._n for_o drayn_v the_o marsh-ground_n in_o upwell_n before-specified_n by_o a_o load_n call_v london_n load_n provide_v for_o the_o drayn_n of_o neatmore_n and_o certain_a ground_n adjoin_v on_o the_o north_n part_n and_o the_o drayn_n call_v maid_n load_n and_o ship_n load_n on_o the_o south_n whereby_o the_o bank_n be_v appoint_v to_o be_v xuj_o foot_n broad_a at_o the_o bottom_n in_o height_n five_o foot_n and_o in_o breadth_n at_o the_o top_n four_o foot_n as_o also_o the_o dikes_n five_o foot_n deep_a and_o in_o wideness_n at_o the_o top_n thirty_o foot_n for_o the_o first_o two_o miles_n and_o for_o the_o next_o two_o mile_n twenty-five_o foot_n and_o for_o the_o residue_n of_o the_o same_o and_o shiplode_v xx_o foot_n with_o a_o level_n bottom_n unto_o the_o sluse_n for_o the_o same_o at_o the_o river_n of_o ouse_n which_o sluse_n to_o be_v twelve_o foot_n wide_a the_o one_o moiety_n to_o be_v do_v at_o the_o charge_n of_o all_o those_o as_o have_v interest_n of_o common_a in_o the_o same_o and_o the_o other_o moiety_n to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o upwell_n for_o the_o residue_n of_o their_o common_a call_v neatmore_n lie_v without_o the_o limit_n aforesaid_a imbank_v and_o that_o aswell_o every_o acre_n of_o several_a ground_n as_o that_o wherein_o any_o have_v interest_n of_o common_a lie_v within_o the_o precinct_n abovementioned_a be_v assess_v at_o ten_o shilling_n the_o acre_n towards_o the_o erect_n of_o the_o say_a sluse_n heighten_v of_o the_o say_a bank_n and_o make_v of_o the_o drayn_n or_o load_v call_v maid_n load_n or_o ship_n load_n and_o the_o say_a moiety_n of_o the_o say_v drayn_n call_v london_n load_n and_o that_o the_o land_n of_o such_o as_o be_v so_o tax_v and_o in_o default_n to_o be_v sell_v the_o say_v commissioner_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o before-specified_n ordinance_n do_v decree_n divers_a land_n to_o be_v according_o sell_v for_o such_o their_o default_n in_o payment_n of_o what_o the_o owner_n of_o they_o have_v be_v so_o assess_v and_o tax_v eliz._n extract_v out_o of_o a_o certificate_n 20._o of_o certain_a commissioner_n assemle_v at_o upwell_n 24_o sept._n 41_o eliz._n 1._o that_o the_o bank_n sometime_o call_v the_o crest_n but_o now_o turk-banke_n late_o re-edify_v for_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o water_n out_o of_o the_o fen_n â—in_a upwell_n lie_v betwixt_o maid_n load_n and_o london_n load_n will_v be_v of_o great_a advantage_n to_o many_o of_o her_o majesty_n subject_n for_o beside_o the_o improvement_n of_o the_o whole_a ground_n imbank_v which_o be_v esteem_v 4000_o acre_n at_o the_o least_o from_o id._o the_o acre_n to_o 3s._o 4d._o or_o more_o there_o arise_v a_o improvement_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o acre_n in_o denver_n and_o likewise_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o bank_n of_o plawfield_n and_o churchfield_n in_o welle_v which_o be_v heretofore_o much_o oppress_v with_o water_n as_o also_o of_o the_o new_a podike_n against_o the_o fresh_a water_n 2._o that_o this_o bankâ—_n call_v turk_n bank_n be_v erect_v about_o two_o year_n since_o but_o there_o be_v long_o before_o and_o yet_o be_v a_o ancient_a bank_n or_o causey_n near_o the_o say_v new_a bank_n call_v turk_n bank_n and_o on_o the_o west_n side_n thereof_o towards_o the_o isle_n of_o ely_n which_o bank_n be_v original_o make_v for_o defence_n of_o the_o water_n come_v out_o of_o the_o say_a isle_n from_o overflow_a the_o ground_n now_o imbank_v and_o other_o adjoin_a ground_n and_o for_o a_o way_n and_o passage_n for_o footman_n between_o welle_v and_o welneye_n 3._o that_o there_o have_v be_v of_o ancient_a time_n another_o old_a bank_n or_o crest_n call_v the_o common_a drove_n on_o the_o west_n part_n of_o the_o say_v old_a bank_n towards_o the_o say_a isle_n adjoin_v unto_o the_o river_n of_o wellenhe_n be_v the_o division_n between_o the_o say_a isle_n of_o ely_n and_o norff._n which_o say_v bank_n be_v make_v for_o keep_v those_o water_n of_o the_o say_a isle_n in_o their_o ancient_a and_o right_a course_n 4._o that_o it_o appear_v by_o certain_a court_n roll_n and_o record_n that_o divers_a person_n have_v be_v amerce_v and_o fine_v in_o the_o time_n of_o k._n edw._n 1._o and_o since_o for_o cut_v of_o the_o say_a bank_n whereby_o the_o say_a river_n of_o welneye_n be_v turn_v out_o of_o his_o right_a course_n and_o whereby_o the_o ground_n on_o norff._n side_n confine_v upon_o the_o say_a river_n of_o wellnye_o part_n whereof_o be_v now_o in_v be_v surround_v 5._o that_o after_o the_o drayn_n call_v maid_n load_n and_o ship_n load_n be_v perfect_v as_o by_o a_o law_n of_o sewer_n be_v provide_v the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o say_a isle_n and_o other_o the_o country_n confine_v shall_v receive_v much_o more_o benefit_n and_o be_v better_o drayn_v than_o before_o the_o inning_n of_o the_o say_a ground_n and_o erection_n of_o the_o say_a turk_n bank_n they_o have_v be_v eâ—iz_n the_o presentment_n 23._o of_o the_o jury_n for_o the_o isle_n of_o ely_n make_v 25_o sept._n 41_o eliz._n 1._o that_o the_o bank_n call_v turk_n bank_n contain_v in_o compass_n about_o xv_o mile_n will_v be_v a_o great_a hindrance_n to_o the_o fall_n of_o many_o water_n flow_v towards_o the_o sea_n through_o the_o isle_n of_o ely_n it_o be_v plant_v between_o the_o two_o most_o natural_a drayn_n on_o that_o side_n the_o isle_n at_o the_o meeting_n of_o many_o water_n flow_v out_o of_o neene_n ouse_n and_o other_o stream_n fall_v by_o dodington_n and_o march_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o turn_v they_o unto_o the_o other_o side_n of_o the_o say_a isle_n towards_o litleport_n and_o the_o country_n thereabouts_o where_o fall_v into_o the_o ouse_n they_o stop_v the_o water_n natural_o flow_v into_o those_o quarter_n from_o that_o ordinary_a drayn_n etc._n
xxvi_o of_o september_n pâ—_n in_o a_o session_n â—_o hold_v at_o king_n linne_n in_o the_o county_n of_o norfolk_n there_o be_v another_o law_n of_o sewer_n make_v call_v low_a fen_n and_o uualsingham_n fen_n law_n the_o tenor_n whereof_o be_v as_o follow_v viz._n whereas_o there_o be_v about_o 1300_o acre_n of_o low_a ground_n lie_v together_o in_o the_o several_a parish_n of_o upwell_n and_o outwell_n in_o the_o county_n aforesaid_a between_o popham_n river_n on_o the_o south_n and_o the_o bank_n call_v bardyke_n and_o churchfield_n dike_v on_o the_o north_n and_o outwell_n crest_n towards_o the_o east_n which_o be_v preserve_v from_o overflow_a by_o the_o say_a crest_n and_o by_o the_o bank_n on_o the_o north_n side_n of_o popham_n river_n aforesaid_a which_o low_a ground_n may_v be_v drayn_v etc._n etc._n and_o that_o the_o repair_n of_o the_o say_a crest_n and_o of_o the_o north_n bank_n of_o popham_n river_n will_v be_v a_o defence_n to_o the_o new_a ☜_o powdich_n and_o a_o great_a preservation_n to_o the_o country_n of_o marshland_n and_o whereas_o the_o drain_v from_o plawfield_n in_o upwell_n to_o hodghyrne_n and_o there_o fall_v into_o rightforth_n load_n and_o thence_o by_o a_o sluse_n near_o stow_n bridge_n into_o the_o river_n of_o ouse_n be_v very_o defective_a etc._n etc._n which_o be_v repair_v will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o drain_v all_o those_o low_a ground_n we_o do_v ordain_v and_o decree_v etc._n etc._n that_o it_o shall_v be_v lawful_a â—or_a the_o landholders_n and_o commoner_n of_o and_o in_o the_o say_v low_a ground_n etc._n etc._n to_o drain_v they_o through_o the_o say_a sewer_n and_o we_o do_v far_o ordain_v that_o the_o say_a sewer_n from_o the_o say_a sluse_n to_o a_o place_n call_v west_n head_n shall_v be_v dike_v etc._n etc._n ten_o foot_n broad_a in_o the_o bottom_n at_o the_o least_o and_o in_o depth_n proportionable_a etc._n etc._n and_o from_o thence_o to_o uuelle_fw-fr river_n x_o foot_n broad_a and_o 5_o foot_n deep_a and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o menure_n to_o be_v cast_v on_o the_o south_n side_n of_o the_o say_v lode_n from_o uu_a head_n to_o the_o east_n end_n of_o hodge_n hirne_n for_o the_o make_n of_o a_o sufficient_a crest_n to_o hold_v the_o water_n within_o the_o brink_n thereof_o and_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v place_v in_o the_o north_n end_n of_o churchfield_n dike_v in_o outwell_n a_o sluse_n of_o brick_n with_o a_o tunnel_n of_o two_o foot_n broad_a and_o three_o foot_n high_a with_o a_o door_n to_o be_v pull_v up_o &_o shut_v etc._n etc._n and_o from_o the_o say_a sluse_n a_o drayn_n or_o sewer_n to_o be_v make_v under_o churchfield_n dike_v on_o the_o east_n part_v thereof_o to_o the_o north_n end_n of_o champney-corner_n and_o from_o thence_o to_o continue_v the_o same_o drayn_n in_o a_o ancient_a dike_n between_o outwell_n common_a on_o the_o north_n etc._n etc._n to_o north_n delft_n 1611._o upon_o a._n tuesday_n be_v the_o 8_o of_o october_n follow_v in_o the_o night_n tide_n the_o dam_n make_v by_o mr._n hunt_v for_o coldham_n a_o little_a below_o stow_n bridge_n break_v up_o and_o on_o wednesday_n be_v inward_o take_v with_o a_o little_a light_n moor_n break_v again_o so_o likewise_o on_o thursday_n be_v take_v with_o earth_n between_o plank_n set_v end-wise_a it_o break_v again_o and_o continue_v run_v till_o sunday_n oct._n 13._o at_o which_o place_n there_o assemble_v that_o day_n sir_n ralph_n hare_n and_o six_o other_o commissioner_n who_o lay_v the_o command_n of_o the_o work_n and_o order_n of_o it_o upon_o mr._n richard_n hunt_n he_o with_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o country_n take_v it_o in_o hand_n and_o make_v it_o firm_a before_o the_o return_n of_o the_o next_o tide_n but_o as_o we_o see_v by_o how_o little_a be_v do_v in_o this_o and_o most_o of_o the_o precedent_a year_n that_o the_o general_a drayn_n go_v but_o slow_o on_o notwithstanding_o the_o king_n himself_o as_o also_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o council_n and_o those_o gentleman_n who_o be_v constitute_v commissioner_n for_o that_o purpose_n have_v so_o earnest_o endeavour_v the_o speed_a thereof_o so_o be_v there_o now_o such_o a_o stop_n for_o the_o space_n of_o five_o year_n at_o the_o least_o that_o there_o nothing_o appear_v of_o consequence_n to_o have_v be_v far_o prosecute_v therein_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o opposition_n which_o divers_a perverse_a spirit_v people_n make_v thereto_o by_o bring_v of_o turbulent_a suit_n in_o law_n aswell_o against_o the_o say_a commissioner_n as_o those_o who_o they_o employ_v therein_o and_o make_v of_o libellous_a song_n to_o disparage_v the_o work_n of_o which_o kind_n i_o have_v here_o think_v fit_a to_o insert_v one_o call_v the_o powte_v complaint_n come_v brethren_n of_o the_o water_n and_o let_v we_o all_o assemble_v to_o treat_v upon_o this_o matter_n which_o make_v we_o quake_v and_o tremble_v for_o we_o shall_v rue_v it_o if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o fen_n be_v undertake_v and_o where_o we_o feed_v in_o fen_n and_o reed_n they_o will_v feed_v both_o beef_n and_o bacon_n they_o will_v sow_v both_o bean_n and_o oat_n where_o never_o man_n yet_o think_v it_o where_o man_n do_v row_v in_o boat_n ere_o undertaker_n buy_v it_o but_o ceres_n thou_o behold_v we_o let_v wild_a oat_n be_v their_o venture_n oh_o let_v the_o frog_n and_o miry_a bog_n destroy_v where_o they_o do_v enter_v behold_v the_o great_a design_n which_o they_o do_v now_o determine_v will_v make_v our_o body_n pine_v a_o prey_n to_o crow_n and_o vermin_n for_o they_o do_v mean_v all_o fen_n to_o drain_v and_o water_n overmaster_v all_o will_v be_v dry_a and_o we_o must_v die_v because_o essex-calve_n want_v pasture_n away_o with_o boat_n and_o rodder_n farewell_n both_o boötes_n and_o skatche_n no_o need_n of_o one_o nor_o tother_o man_n now_o make_v better_a match_n stiltmaker_n all_o and_o tanner_n shall_v complain_v of_o this_o disaster_n for_o they_o will_v make_v each_o muddy_a lake_n for_o essex_n calf_n a_o pasture_n the_o feather_a fowl_n have_v wing_n to_o fly_v to_o other_o nation_n but_o we_o have_v no_o such_o thing_n to_o help_v our_o transportation_n we_o must_v give_v place_n oh_o grievous_a case_n to_o horn_a beast_n and_o cattle_n except_o that_o we_o can_v all_o agree_v to_o drive_v they_o out_o by_o battle_n wherefore_o let_v we_o entreat_v our_o ancient_a water_n nurse_n to_o show_v their_o power_n so_o great_a as_o to_o help_v to_o drain_v their_o purse_n and_o send_v we_o good_a old_a captain_n flood_n to_o lead_v we_o out_o to_o battle_n then_o twopenny_a jack_n with_o skake_n on_o his_o back_n will_v drive_v out_o all_o the_o cattle_n this_o noble_a captain_n yet_o be_v never_o know_v to_o fail_v we_o but_o do_v the_o conquest_n get_v of_o all_o that_o do_v assail_v we_o his_o furious_a rage_n none_o can_v assuage_v but_o to_o the_o world_n great_a wonder_n he_o bear_v down_o bank_n and_o break_v their_o rank_n and_o whirly-gigg_n asunder_o god_n aeolus_n we_o do_v thou_o pray_v that_o thou_o will_v not_o be_v want_v thou_o never_o say_v we_o nay_o now_o listen_v to_o our_o cant_v do_v thou_o deride_v their_o hope_n and_o pride_n that_o purpose_n our_o confusion_n and_o send_v a_o blast_n that_o they_o in_o haste_n may_v work_v no_o good_a conclusion_n great_a neptune_n god_n of_o sea_n this_o work_n must_v needs_o provoke_v thou_o they_o mean_v thou_o to_o disease_n and_o with_o fen-water_n choke_v thou_o but_o with_o thy_o mace_n do_v thou_o deface_v and_o quite_o confound_v this_o matter_n and_o send_v thy_o sand_n to_o make_v dry_a land_n when_o they_o shall_v want_v fresh_a water_n and_o eke_o we_o pray_v thou_o moon_n that_o thou_o will_v be_v propitious_a to_o see_v that_o nought_o be_v do_v to_o prosper_v the_o malicious_a though_o summer_n heat_n have_v wrought_v a_o feat_n whereby_o themselves_o they_o flatter_v yet_o be_v so_o good_a as_o send_v a_o flood_n lest_o essex_n calf_n want_v water_n upon_o great_a complaint_n therefore_o of_o these_o their_o do_n make_v to_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o council_n i_o find_v this_o order_n 1616._o make_v by_o they_o bearing_z date_n at_o white_a hall_n upon_o the_o 8_o of_o november_n in_o the_o xiiijth_o year_n of_o the_o say_v king_n reign_n viz._n that_o whereas_o sundry_a vexatious_a suit_n have_v be_v bring_v against_o his_o majesty_n commissioner_n of_o sewer_n and_o their_o officer_n by_o divers_a obstinate_a person_n for_o execute_v the_o order_n etc._n etc._n of_o the_o say_a commission_n to_o the_o great_a hazard_n of_o the_o inundation_n of_o many_o large_a level_n in_o the_o county_n of_o northt_v hunt_n cambr._n and_o linc._n that_o the_o say_a lord_n well_o weigh_v these_o undue_a proceed_n and_o the_o ancient_a law_n of_o this_o realm_n evidence_v from_o divers_a notable_a record_n in_o