of_o the_o fish_n have_v set_v up_o and_o that_o henry_n earl_n of_o northumberland_n of_o right_a aught_o to_o repair_v the_o same_o sewer_n from_o the_o clowes_n to_o the_o southdykehyrne_n by_o reason_n that_o he_o hold_v the_o fish_n there_o in_o severalty_n as_o belong_v to_o his_o manor_n of_o thorpe_n and_o that_o the_o lord_n of_o bullingbroke_n and_o dalby_n or_o their_o fermour_n aught_o to_o cleanse_v the_o say_a sewer_n from_o southdike_n hirne_n unto_o the_o eas_fw-la end_n because_o they_o have_v the_o fish_n there_o in_o severalty_n and_o they_o likewise_o present_v that_o there_o be_v a_o four_o sewer_n sewer_n call_v theviscrik_n beginning_n in_o the_o mosses_n of_o friskenay_n at_o william_n barnagate_n and_o extend_v itself_o to_o the_o eas_fw-la end_n where_o the_o four_o stream_n do_v meet_v and_o that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o breadth_n ten_o foot_n and_o dept_z five_z but_o be_v then_o also_o obstruct_v by_o a_o certain_a be_v which_o the_o fermour_n of_o the_o fish_n have_v make_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v repair_v by_o the_o say_a town_n of_o friskenay_n and_o that_o the_o sewer_n sewer_n call_v eas_fw-la end_n where_o the_o four_o stream_n meet_v aught_o to_o be_v in_o breadth_n forty_o foot_n and_o in_o depth_n fourteen_o to_o the_o sea_n and_o repair_v by_o the_o soak_v of_o bullingbroke_n as_o often_o as_o need_n shall_v require_v and_o they_o far_o present_v that_o it_o will_v be_v requisite_a that_o a_o new_a pair_n of_o floodgate_n shall_v be_v make_v at_o the_o dam_n in_o breadth_n xij_o foot_n and_o depth_n according_a to_o the_o discretion_n of_o skilful_a person_n and_o that_o all_o the_o town_n within_o the_o soak_v of_o wapentake_n of_o bolingbroke_n as_o also_o the_o town_n of_o wrangle_n leake_n leverton_n benington_n butterwick_n freston_n and_o tofte_n aught_o of_o right_a to_o repair_v maintain_v open_a and_o shut_v those_o floodgate_n at_o proper_a time_n on_o their_o own_o cost_n and_o charge_n for_o ever_o except_v in_o timber_n iron_n work_n and_o also_o wage_n of_o carpenter_n and_o to_o the_o end_n that_o all_o discord_n betwixt_o those_o town_n touch_v the_o repair_n of_o the_o say_a floodgate_n may_v for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v be_v prevent_v it_o be_v then_o accord_v by_o and_o between_o they_o with_o the_o common_a assent_n aswell_o of_o the_o say_a duke_n of_o lancaster_n counsel_n the_o lord_n of_o willughby_n and_o abbot_n of_o revesby_n as_o of_o all_o other_o lord_n and_o inhabitant_n or_o their_o freeholders_n dwell_v in_o those_o town_n in_o form_n follow_v viz._n that_o every_o of_o the_o say_a townsman_n shall_v then_o at_o the_o first_o levy_n and_o collect_v for_o the_o say_v repair_v the_o four_o part_n of_o such_o a_o sum_n as_o the_o same_o town_n have_v ancient_o be_v assess_v at_o to_o a_o fifteen_o grant_v and_o payable_a to_o the_o king_n by_o the_o commons_o of_o england_n which_o say_v sum_n so_o levy_v to_o be_v deliver_v unto_o two_o discreet_a man_n to_o be_v choose_v by_o four_o throughout_o all_o those_o town_n who_o shall_v be_v oblige_v from_o year_n to_o year_n as_o follow_v first_o two_o of_o the_o soak_v of_o bullingbroke_n at_o the_o next_o court_n of_o the_o duke_n of_o lancasteâ—_n at_o bullingbroke_n before_o michaelmas_n yearly_o to_o be_v hold_v before_o the_o steward_n or_o his_o deputy_n there_o and_o two_o other_o of_o the_o town_n within_o the_o wapentake_n of_o skirbeck_n above_o name_v to_o be_v choose_v from_o year_n to_o year_n at_o the_o say_v duke_n court_n next_o before_o michaelmas_n at_o wrangle_n before_o the_o steward_n thereof_o or_o his_o deputy_n which_o four_z so_o to_o be_v elect_v to_o be_v aswell_o of_o the_o tenant_n of_o the_o say_a lord_n as_o of_o the_o tenant_n of_o any_o other_o lord_n according_a to_o discretion_n and_o they_o to_o meet_v at_o waynflete_a twice_o every_o year_n viz._n once_o within_o a_o month_n after_o easter_n and_o michaelmas_n and_o then_o to_o oversee_v those_o floodgate_n and_o all_o the_o sewer_n aforesaid_a and_o if_o any_o defect_n shall_v be_v find_v in_o they_o then_o to_o cause_v they_o to_o be_v repair_v and_o amend_v with_o all_o speed_n according_a as_o in_o their_o discretion_n they_o shall_v think_v most_o meet_a and_o that_o at_o such_o their_o meeting_n after_o easter_n the_o say_v two_o so_o elect_v for_o those_o disbursement_n as_o aforesaid_a to_o render_v their_o account_n before_o the_o say_v four_o touch_v those_o common_a repair_n and_o expense_n and_o in_o 17_o r._n 2._o to_o dorso_fw-la sir_n philip_n tilney_n knight_n john_n de_fw-fr crosby_n john_n de_fw-fr rocheford_n of_o boston_n john_n land_n of_o pynchebek_n thomas_n de_fw-fr tofte_n and_o john_n waleys_n for_o those_o betwixt_o hildyke_n and_o bolyngbroke_n and_o to_o hear_v and_o determine_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 ☜_o and_o the_o custom_n of_o romeney_n marsh_n as_o also_o to_o take_v up_o so_o many_o labourer_n upon_o competent_a wage_n as_o they_o shall_v think_v needful_a for_o that_o work_n consider_v the_o necessity_n of_o expedition_n therein_o in_o 19_o r._n 2._o there_o be_v a_o presentment_n lâ—nc_fw-la make_v in_o the_o king_n bench_n in_o easter_n term_n which_o be_v then_o hold_v at_o lincoln_n by_o the_o juror_n of_o divers_a wapeâ—takes_n in_o this_o county_n that_o the_o marsh_n of_o est_fw-la fen_n and_o westfenne_n as_o also_o divers_a land_n meadow_n and_o pasture_n lie_v in_o the_o town_n of_o leek_n wrangel_n frâ—fkeneye_n and_o waynflete_a betwixt_o the_o water_n of_o wythom_n and_o waynflete_a be_v drown_v by_o a_o great_a mundation_n of_o water_n so_o that_o all_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o those_o town_n and_o of_o the_o soak_v and_o wapentake_n of_o bolingbroke_n do_v whole_o lose_v the_o benefit_n of_o their_o land_n and_o marsh_n there_o through_o the_o defect_n of_o a_o certain_a floodgate_n at_o waynflete_a which_o be_v so_o narrow_a that_o the_o course_n of_o the_o water_n pass_v that_o way_n can_v not_o go_v to_o the_o sea_n and_o that_o the_o town_n of_o waynflete_a aught_o to_o repair_v that_o floodgate_n as_o ancient_o they_o have_v wont_a to_o do_v and_o the_o say_a juror_n far_o allege_v that_o the_o same_o floodgate_n be_v not_o of_o breadth_n and_o depth_n sufficient_a to_o convey_v the_o say_a water_n to_o the_o sea_n and_o that_o it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o have_v another_o floodgate_n new_o erect_v near_o unto_o the_o same_o of_o xviij_o foot_n in_o breadth_n and_o that_o the_o town_n of_o leek_n wranghill_n friskeney_n and_o waynflete_a together_o with_o the_o soak_v and_o wapentake_n of_o bolingbroke_n as_o also_o all_o thâ—se_a which_o have_v common_a of_o pasture_n in_o the_o say_a marsh_n aught_o to_o contribute_v to_o the_o make_v thereof_o and_o that_o when_o be_v shall_v be_v make_v than_o the_o say_a town_n of_o waynflete_a to_o repair_v and_o maintain_v it_o at_o their_o own_o proper_a cost_n until_o it_o shall_v be_v necessary_a to_o make_v it_o anew_o except_v timber_n and_o iron_n and_o they_o say_v moreover_o that_o except_o this_o be_v do_v both_o the_o marsh_n land_n meadow_n and_o pasture_n aforesaid_a and_o commons_o in_o those_o town_n soak_v and_o wapentake_n before-specified_n will_v whole_o be_v lose_v and_o they_o also_o say_v that_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a sewer_n from_o hasend_n at_o uuaynflete_a unto_o the_o say_a floodgate_n wherein_o the_o duke_n of_o lancaster_n and_o the_o lord_n of_o dalby_n have_v fish_v who_o in_o respect_n thereof_o aught_o to_o repair_v and_o cleanse_v the_o same_o the_o shireeve_n thereof_o have_v command_v to_o summon_v all_o those_o town_n to_o answer_v this_o their_o neglect_n the_o next_o year_n follow_v the_o town_n of_o dunham_n scothorne_n reresâ—y_n and_o staynton_n be_v present_v lincâ—_n for_o neglect_v to_o repair_v the_o sewer_n call_v fen_n dyke_n which_o extend_v itself_o from_o the_o town_n of_o uuelton_n to_o langwath_n and_o not_o deny_v but_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o maintain_v the_o same_o be_v each_o of_o they_o amerce_v at_o xld._o in_o the_o same_o year_n the_o inhabitant_n of_o wytherin_n scrubby_n uuodethorpe_n malteby_n besby_n hamby_n markeby_n billesby_n alford_n uuelle_n salby_n thoresthorpe_n riggesby_n and_o aby_v be_v present_v linc._n for_o not_o repair_v the_o sewer_n call_v the_o south_n gâ—ist_v lie_v betwixt_o malberthorpe_n and_o trusthorpe_n which_o extend_v itself_o from_o a_o place_n call_v axiltrehirne_n to_o the_o sea_n and_o by_o which_o all_o the_o course_n of_o the_o water_n of_o those_o town_n have_v use_v of_o right_a to_o run_v to_o the_o sea_n for_o the_o safeguard_n of_o the_o say_a town_n which_o say_v sewer_n together_o with_o the_o goat_n call_v uuall-gote_n be_v then_o stop_v up_o do_v put_v themselves_o upon_o the_o country_n the_o shireeve_n therefore_o have_v command_v to_o summon_v a_o jury_n
thereupon_o in_o the_o same_o year_n also_o will._n lord_n wilughby_n ralph_n crumwell_n philip_n spenser_n robert_n tirwhit_n and_o robert_n cumberworth_n be_v appoint_v dorso_o to_o view_v and_o repair_v the_o bank_n and_o sewer_n betwixt_o grymesby_n and_o waynflete_a 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 and_o the_o custom_n of_o romney_n marsh_n ☞_o the_o like_a appointment_n dorso_fw-la the_o next_o year_n follow_v have_v the_o say_v william_n ralph_n and_o philip_n with_o richard_n muriell_n and_o albine_n de_fw-fr endirby_n for_o the_o same_o bank_n and_o sewer_n and_o direction_n to_o proceed_v therein_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o marsh._n in_o which_o year_n i_o find_v it_o present_v that_o lindsey_n the_o sewer_n called_z the_o ea_z aught_o to_o be_v repair_v from_o the_o west_n end_v thereof_o unto_o the_o sea_n by_o walter_n athall_o fermour_n of_o the_o duke_n of_o lancaster'sâ—ishing_v â—ishing_z and_o walter_n ranson_n fermour_n of_o the_o lord_n of_o dalbye_n fish_n and_o that_o the_o south-west_n bank_n of_o lusdyke_n aught_o to_o be_v repair_v by_o the_o village_n of_o all_o saint_n in_o uuaynflete_a as_o also_o that_o the_o channel_n of_o lusdyke_n from_o stordyke_n unto_o the_o eas_fw-la end_n aught_o to_o be_v repair_v by_o the_o same_o village_n and_o that_o the_o ea_fw-la from_o the_o west_n end_v thereof_o unto_o normandeepe_a aught_o to_o be_v repair_v by_o the_o fermour_n of_o the_o fish_n belong_v to_o the_o say_a duke_n and_o to_o the_o lord_n of_o dalby_n in_o 1_o h._n 4._o henry_n earl_n of_o northumberland_n sir_n will._n de_fw-fr wilughby_n sir_n walter_n pedwardyn_n and_o sir_n john_n rochefort_n king_n robert_n tirwhit_o will._n michael_n and_o albine_n de_fw-fr enderby_n have_v commission_n dorso_fw-la for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o those_o bank_n and_o sewer_n betwixt_o boston_n and_o friskeney_n with_o power_n to_o hear_v and_o determine_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 ☜_o and_o the_o custom_n of_o romeney_n marsh_n and_o to_o take_v so_o many_o digger_n and_o other_o labourer_n upon_o competent_a wage_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o great_a and_o instant_a necessity_n as_o they_o shall_v think_v requisite_a to_o be_v employ_v in_o the_o say_a work_n other_o commission_n of_o the_o like_a kind_n be_v short_o after_o direct_v to_o sundry_a person_n viz._n in_o 6_o h._n 4._o to_o 14._o will._n de_fw-fr wylughby_n john_n de_fw-fr rocheford_n rob._n elkyngton_n will._n de_fw-fr ludington_n thomas_n somercotes_n thomas_n de_fw-fr enderby_n john_n symons_n and_o robert_n white_a for_o those_o within_o the_o precinct_n of_o uurangle_n to_o barton_n upon_o humbre_fw-mi with_o appointment_n to_o proceed_v therein_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n and_o so_o likewise_o in_o 7_o h._n 4._o to_o dorso_fw-la the_o same_o william_n john_n albine_n de_fw-fr enderby_n will._n de_fw-fr ludington_n and_o other_o in_o 9_o h._n 4._o to_o â—orso_fw-la will._n lord_n wylughby_n sir_n walter_n talboys_n and_o sir_n richard_n haunserde_v knight_n robert_z tirwhit_o will._n de_fw-fr lodyngton_n will._n michael_n and_o thomas_n enderby_n for_o those_o betwixt_o boston_n and_o trent_n in_o 10_o h._n 4._o to_o dorso_fw-la sir_n will._n de_fw-fr wylughby_n and_o sir_n john_n de_fw-fr rocheford_n knight_n will._n lodyngton_n thomas_n wace_n richard_n de_fw-fr bradlay_n and_o will._n boleyne_v for_o those_o betwixt_o boston_n and_o skegeney_n and_o in_o divers_a town_n and_o place_n within_o the_o soak_v of_o bolyngbroke_n and_o horncastre_n with_o direction_n to_o proceed_v therein_o according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o marsh_n and_o the_o law_n and_o ancient_a custom_n of_o this_o realm_n in_o 11_o h._n 4._o to_o dorso_fw-la robert_n tirwhit_o sir_n john_n rocheford_n knight_n robert_n warerton_n john_n warerton_n john_n skipwyth_n will._n lodyngton_n richard_n tournay_n richard_n bradley_n and_o thomas_n wace_n for_o those_o betwixt_o boston_n and_o friskeney_n and_o to_o act_v therein_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n and_o the_o custom_n ancient_o use_v in_o that_o place_n in_o 12_o h._n 4_o to_o 41._o robert_n lord_n wylughby_n sir_n thomas_n wylughby_n kt._n robert_n tirwhit_o robert_n warerton_n and_o other_o for_o those_o betwixt_o boston_n and_o uuaynflete_a with_o appointment_n 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 the_o like_a commission_n dorso_fw-la the_o same_o year_n have_v rob._n tirwhit_o sir_n richard_n haunsard_n knight_n will._n lodyngton_n nich._n tournay_n thomas_n claymond_n henry_n morley_n john_n skipwith_n and_o robert_n feriby_n for_o those_o bank_n and_o sewer_n from_o littulburgh_n all_o along_o the_o river_n of_o trent_n to_o humbre_v and_o from_o bishop_n brigge_n on_o the_o river_n of_o ancolme_n to_o humbre_v so_o also_o have_v lindsey_n thomas_n wace_n richard_n bradley_n and_o other_o for_o all_o the_o bank_n and_o sewer_n throughout_o this_o whole_a province_n of_o lindsey_n as_o also_o for_o those_o betwixt_o boston_n and_o friskeney_n before_o who_o sit_v at_o bullingbrooke_n on_o friday_n be_v the_o feast_n day_n of_o s._n ambrose_n the_o juror_n present_v upon_o oath_n that_o it_o will_v be_v fit_a for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o eastfenne_n that_o the_o dam_n of_o waynflete_a be_v shut_v throughout_o the_o whole_a year_n that_o the_o salt_n water_n be_v keep_v out_o of_o the_o wash_n the_o grass_n and_o weed_n grow_v therein_o may_v be_v total_o destroy_v and_o to_o be_v thus_o stop_v up_o by_o the_o town_n of_o the_o wapentake_n of_o bullingbroke_n and_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o uurangle_n leake_n leverton_n benington_n butterwik_n freston_n and_o tofte_n in_o such_o sort_n that_o the_o water_n descend_v from_o the_o mountainous_a part_n of_o lindsey_n and_o run_v into_o a_o certain_a sewer_n call_v lusdyke_n in_o lindsey_n viz._n in_o thorpe_n uuainflete_a and_o stepinge_v shall_v be_v so_o keep_v within_o the_o bound_n of_o a_o certain_a trench_n that_o it_o may_v not_o enter_v into_o the_o say_a wash_n of_o the_o est_fw-fr fen_n but_o keep_v it_o course_n to_o the_o haven_n of_o uuaynflete_a and_o thence_o to_o the_o main_a sea_n in_o 13_o h._n 4._o the_o king_n by_o his_o attorney_n implead_v linc._n will._n leveryk_n of_o irby_n and_o isabella_n his_o wife_n for_o make_v of_o a_o ditch_n in_o a_o certain_a place_n in_o uuaynflet_n call_v hall_n dale_n by_o mean_n whereof_o four_o sewer_n which_o pass_v the_o fresh_a water_n from_o bullingbroke_n and_o other_o town_n adjacent_a in_o est_fw-la fen_n and_o uuest_n fen_n become_v obstruct_v to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o the_o say_a king_n fish_v there_o and_o the_o overflow_a of_o four_o acre_n of_o his_o say_a land_n in_o 1_o h._n 5._o robert_n tirwhit_o sir_n richard_n haunsard_n and_o sir_n william_n frank_n knight_n thomas_n enderby_n richard_n haw_o and_o simon_n louthe_n be_v constitute_v dorso_o commissioner_n for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o the_o bank_n sewer_n and_o ditch_n from_o wytherne_n to_o the_o sea_n and_o betwixt_o saltfletby_n and_o trusthorpe_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 the_o marsh_n divers_a other_o commission_n to_o the_o like_a purpose_n be_v short_o after_o direct_v to_o sundry_a other_o person_n viz._n in_o 6_o h._n 5._o to_o dorso_o the_o same_o rob._n tirwhit_o will._n lodyngton_n tho._n cumberworth_n roger_n flore_n thomas_n enderby_n thomas_n somercotes_n john_n kyme_n and_o john_n langholme_n for_o all_o the_o bank_n and_o sewer_n in_o this_o province_n of_o lindsey_n in_o which_o commission_n they_o have_v direction_n to_o proceed_v according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n in_o 1_o h._n 6._o to_o dorso_fw-la the_o same_o robert_n tirwhit_o thomas_n santone_n robert_n feryby_n robert_n wasselyn_n henry_n morlay_n and_o thomas_n belwode_n for_o those_o betwixt_o the_o river_n of_o trent_n and_o ankholme_n wherein_o they_o be_v to_o act_v according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o marsh_n and_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o realm_n in_o 4_o h._n 6._o to_o dorso_fw-la sir_n robert_n wylughby_n sir_n ralph_n crumwell_n sir_n william_n crumwell_n and_o sir_n ralph_n rochfort_n knight_n walter_n talboys_n robert_n tirwhyt_n john_n kyme_n richard_n haw_o and_o john_n veer_v for_o all_o the_o bank_n ditch_n and_o sewer_n throughout_o this_o coast_n of_o lindsey_n in_o 6_o h._n 6._o to_o dorso_fw-la john_n beaumond_n sir_n will._n tirwhit_o knight_n john_n ellerker_n robert_n feryby_n john_n tourney_n and_o other_o for_o those_o betwixt_o grymesby_n and_o burton_n stather_n in_o 9_o h._n 6._o to_o dorso_fw-la sir_n robert_n wylughby_n sir_n ralph_n crumwell_n and_o sir_n ralph_n rocheford_n knight_n john_n ellerker_n walter_n talboys_n and_o other_o for_o all_o within_o this_o whole_a province_n of_o lindsey_n
other_o commodity_n the_o king_n therefore_o take_v the_o same_o into_o consideration_n and_o that_o the_o say_v james_n be_v no_o party_n to_o the_o before-specified_n inquisition_n nor_o at_o all_o call_v at_o the_o take_v thereof_o do_v revoke_v his_o say_a letter_n patent_n and_o command_v that_o the_o say_a bank_n shall_v be_v demolish_v and_o desire_v to_o be_v certify_v whether_o the_o say_v land_n may_v be_v preserve_v by_o the_o repair_n of_o those_o old_a bank_n on_o the_o verge_n of_o that_o stream_n or_o not_o and_o whether_o the_o say_a bank_n so_o raise_v athwart_o that_o stream_n be_v to_o his_o damage_n or_o the_o damage_n of_o any_o other_o person_n do_v by_o his_o letter_n ibid._n patent_n bear_v date_n the_o 8_o of_o april_n in_o the_o year_n abovesaid_a assign_v john_n de_fw-fr strode_n john_n de_fw-fr ore_n robert_n de_fw-fr sharnedene_n and_o philip_n en_fw-fr la_fw-fr wyke_n to_o inquire_v and_o certify_v the_o truth_n thereof_o and_o after_o this_o about_o two_o year_n tho._n de_fw-fr passele_n thomas_n de_fw-fr pympe_n stephan_n scappe_n will._n de_fw-fr haldene_n and_o will._n de_fw-fr wystresham_n be_v also_o appoint_v dorso_o to_o take_v a_o new_a view_n of_o these_o bank_n in_o 25_o e._n 3._o stephan_n scappe_n will._n de_fw-fr wightresham_n will._n de_fw-fr pageham_n and_o stephan_n donet_fw-la be_v assign_v dorso_o to_o view_v and_o take_v order_n for_o the_o repair_n of_o the_o bank_n etc._n etc._n in_o promhell_n marsh_n betwixt_o long_a shotteswall_n and_o west-hevedeswall_a newlandeswall_n uetereswall_n and_o scalloteswall_n in_o the_o confine_n of_o these_o county_n in_o 27_o e._n 3._o will._n de_fw-fr clinton_n earl_n of_o huntingdon_n will._n fifhide_v reginald_n del_fw-it dik_n john_n de_fw-fr ore_n stephan_n scappe_n and_o john_n de_fw-fr hodlegh_n have_v dorso_o the_o like_a assignation_n for_o the_o bank_n betwixt_o apuldre_n and_o robertshrigge_n so_o also_o the_o year_n follow_v have_v stephan_n de_fw-fr valoignes_n will._n waver_n john_n brode_n stephan_n scappe_n and_o william_n de_fw-fr wightresham_n for_o those_o in_o promhell_n marsh_n before_o mention_v in_o 30_o e._n 3._o upon_o the_o complaint_n dorso_o of_o divers_a person_n in_o the_o marsh_n on_o the_o sea_n coast_n betwixt_o hethe_n near_o saltwood_n in_o kent_n and_o lewes_n in_o sussex_n and_o the_o part_n adjacent_a that_o many_o man_n of_o those_o county_n who_o have_v levy_v and_o collect_v great_a sum_n of_o money_n of_o the_o land-holders_n in_o the_o say_a marsh_n for_o repair_v of_o the_o bank_n ditch_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o same_o in_o the_o twenty_o year_n of_o the_o say_v king_n reign_n and_o at_o other_o time_n and_o have_v so_o do_v keep_v the_o money_n to_o themselves_o so_o that_o the_o bank_n for_o default_n of_o that_o timely_a repair_n which_o they_o shall_v thereby_o have_v have_v be_v grow_v ruinous_a expose_v the_o say_v marsh_n and_o land_n to_o overflow_a and_o drown_v the_o king_n therefore_o by_o his_o letter_n dorso_o patent_n bear_v date_n at_o newcastle_n upon_o tine_n the_o 30_o of_o january_n in_o the_o year_n abovesaid_a assign_v geffrey_n de_fw-fr say_n ralph_n de_fw-fr frenyngham_n will._n de_fw-fr fifhide_n and_o other_o to_o inquire_v thereof_o in_o 37_o e._n 3._o rob._n belknap_n will._n haldene_n will._n topâ—live_a henry_n gosebourne_n and_o john_n lyvet_n be_v make_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 in_o promhell_n marsh_n so_o also_o the_o same_o year_n be_v dorso_o will._n de_fw-fr wightresham_n stephan_n donet_fw-la and_o other_o and_o the_o next_o year_n follow_v sir_n andrew_z sakevill_n knight_n will._n haldene_n â—nd_v will._n batesford_n have_v the_o like_a commission_n â—orso_fw-la for_o those_o betwixt_o hastyng_n and_o newendon_n so_o also_o in_o 40_o e._n 3._o have_v dorso_o rob._n bealknap_n will._n haldene_n and_o will._n horn_n robert_n de_fw-fr ore_n and_o john_n lyvet_n for_o those_o in_o the_o parish_n of_o wightrisham_n ebâ—ene_n stone_n in_o oxene_n and_o idenne_n in_o 42_o e._n 3._o thomas_n de_fw-fr lodelowe_n robert_n bealknap_n will._n batesford_n and_o other_o dorso_fw-la for_o those_o in_o promhell_n marsh_n in_o 44_o e._n 3._o thomas_n de_fw-fr lodelowe_n rob._n bealknap_n john_n colepepere_fw-la will._n horn_n roger_n ashburnham_n and_o john_n edward_n have_v dorso_o the_o like_a for_o those_o betwixt_o knellesflete_a beforementioned_a and_o the_o town_n of_o robertsâ—rigge_n so_o also_o in_o 5_o r._n 2._o have_v dorso_fw-la robert_n bealknap_n edward_n dalingrugg_n roger_n ashburnham_n robert_n echyngham_n john_n edward_n and_o john_n break_v the_o like_a in_o 7_o r._n 2._o have_v dorso_o robert_n bealknap_n will._n riâ—hill_n will._n batesford_n and_o other_o for_o those_o betwixt_o newendon_n and_o echingham_n so_o also_o the_o same_o year_n have_v doâ—sâ—_n the_o say_v rob._n bealknap_n will._n de_fw-fr halden_n will._n the_o horn_n will._n makenade_n john_n lynot_v and_o john_n franceys_n for_o those_o in_o the_o marsh_n of_o lyde_n promhill_n middele_n and_o old_a romeney_n with_o direction_n to_o act_v according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n and_o the_o custom_n of_o romney_n marsh_n and_o likewise_o dorso_o the_o same_o robert_n bealknap_n will._n horn_n will._n betesford_n stephan_n batenham_n will._n makenade_n will._n brenchesle_n and_o john_n fraunceys_n for_o those_o bank_n etc._n etc._n betwixt_o robertsbrigge_n and_o smallyde_a in_o 31_o r._n 2._o john_n devereux_n constable_n of_o dovor_n castle_n and_o warden_n of_o the_o cinque_fw-fr port_n thomas_n de_fw-fr hungerford_n will._n rikhill_n will._n the_o horn_n and_o other_o be_v constitute_v dorso_o commissioner_n for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o those_o bank_n etc._n etc._n between_o bourne_n in_o sussex_n and_o apuldre_n in_o kent_n and_o empowered_a to_o proceed_v therein_o according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o marsh_n and_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n in_o 1_o h._n 4._o william_n de_fw-fr makenade_n and_o his_o fellow_n commissioner_n sit_v at_o apledoure_n on_o the_o thursday_n next_o after_o the_o feast_n of_o s._n valentine_n to_o inquire_v of_o the_o defect_n in_o the_o bank_n &_o sewer_n within_o the_o precinct_n of_o small_a lyde_n &_o promhelle_n it_o be_v then_o and_o there_o find_v 1659._o that_o six_o hundred_o twenty_o and_o eight_o acre_n of_o marish_a lie_v in_o a_o place_n call_v the_o becard_n which_o have_v long_o lie_v in_o danger_n of_o the_o sea_n and_o at_o that_o time_n be_v often_o overflow_v aught_o to_o be_v preserve_v and_o defend_v by_o a_o certain_a bank_n begin_v at_o fayrefeld_n hole_n in_o the_o say_a place_n call_v becard_n and_o so_o extend_v itself_o by_o the_o seaside_n unto_o the_o bank_n of_o the_o prior_n and_o covent_n of_o christs-church_n in_o canterbury_n towards_o the_o north_n which_o bank_n ought_v to_o be_v make_v on_o that_o sea-coast_n at_o the_o common_a charge_n of_o all_o person_n receive_v advantage_n and_o benefit_n thereby_o and_o that_o the_o abbot_n and_o covent_n of_o robertsbrigge_n be_v then_o possess_v of_o cclxxi_o acre_n and_o a_o half_a of_o the_o say_a marsh_n for_o which_o they_o ought_v to_o contribute_v to_o the_o say_a charge_n of_o make_v that_o bank_n and_o that_o thomas_n then_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n with_o the_o say_a prior_n and_o covent_n of_o christs-church_n and_o certain_a other_o person_n be_v possessor_n of_o the_o residue_n thereof_o for_o the_o which_o every_o one_o of_o they_o according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o what_o he_o so_o hold_v be_v to_o contribute_v upon_o which_o verdict_n there_o grow_v a_o dispute_n betwixt_o the_o say_a prior_n and_o the_o abbot_n of_o robertsbrigge_n the_o abbot_n and_o his_o covent_n allege_v that_o their_o proportion_n of_o the_o say_a marsh_n so_o to_o be_v defend_v be_v much_o great_a than_o by_o that_o inquisition_n the_o juror_n have_v find_v it_o to_o be_v for_o they_o say_v that_o henry_n sometime_o earl_n of_o augi_n by_o a_o certain_a grant_n of_o he_o give_v to_o the_o then_o abbot_n of_o robertsbrigge_n predecessor_n to_o the_o present_a abbot_n and_o the_o covent_n of_o that_o house_n seven_o hundred_o acre_n of_o marish_a in_o the_o town_n of_o snergate_n aswell_o within_o the_o bank_n as_o without_o of_o which_o they_o say_v that_o the_o marish_a then_o to_o be_v take_v in_o be_v parcel_n and_o to_o make_v good_a this_o their_o claim_n do_v exhibit_v the_o charter_n of_o the_o say_a earl_n make_v time_n out_o of_o mind_n as_o also_o the_o letter_n patent_n of_o king_n richard_n the_o first_o and_o king_n henry_n the_o three_o with_o other_o king_n ratify_v the_o say_v grant_v whereunto_o the_o prior_n of_o canterbury_n answer_v that_o upon_o the_o make_n of_o that_o charter_n by_o the_o say_a earl_n of_o augi_n there_o arise_v a_o controversy_n betwixt_o alan_n then_o prior_n of_o christs-church_n and_o his_o covent_n as_o lord_n of_o the_o manor_n of_o apuldre_n within_o the_o precinct_n
pasture_n and_o moreover_o that_o if_o the_o same_o water_n shall_v be_v bring_v to_o milnewel_n cryke_v as_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o grimâ—sâ—y_n desire_v it_o will_v be_v force_v back_o by_o the_o sea-rides_a and_o overflow_v the_o land_n at_o great_a cotes_n little_a cotes_n and_o lysceby_n to_o the_o damage_n of_o those_o town_n xll._o per_fw-la annum_fw-la except_o the_o channel_n of_o mylnewelcryke_n be_v sufficient_o dig_v and_o strong_a sluice_n make_v to_o keep_v back_o the_o tide_n and_o they_o moreover_o find_v that_o the_o say_a water_n be_v near_o to_o the_o same_o town_n of_o grimesby_n and_o that_o the_o channel_n so_o make_v aught_o to_o contain_v in_o length_n cxl_o perch_n and_o every_o perch_n to_o be_v xx_o foot_n in_o length_n and_o in_o breadth_n xij_o perch_n and_o that_o the_o burgess_n of_o that_o town_n may_v have_v benefit_n by_o the_o say_a current_n of_o water_n for_o the_o cleanse_n of_o their_o haven_n and_o that_o it_o may_v be_v yearly_a worth_n vis._o viijd._o upon_o a_o plead_n linc._n in_o 18_o e._n 1._o touch_v the_o repair_n of_o a_o sea-bank_n at_o thedelthorpe_n in_o a_o certain_a place_n there_o call_v â—othun_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o king_n assign_v will._n de_fw-fr carleton_n and_o will._n de_fw-fr candelesby_n to_o view_v the_o same_o and_o to_o take_v order_n for_o the_o repair_n thereof_o who_o thereupon_o ordain_v that_o every_o acre_n shall_v be_v tax_v alike_o for_o support_v the_o charge_n thereof_o notwithstanding_o any_o custom_n to_o the_o contrary_a but_o the_o business_n be_v not_o full_o determine_v at_o that_o time_n 14._o because_o the_o juror_n appear_v not_o till_o the_o octave_n of_o s._n martin_n in_o 26_o e._n 1._o upon_o a_o suit_n linc._n concern_v the_o repair_n of_o the_o ditch_n and_o sewer_n at_o waynflete_a the_o juror_n find_v that_o the_o custom_n of_o that_o town_n be_v such_o that_o the_o ditch_n there_o ought_v to_o be_v cleanse_v every_o year_n for_o the_o drayn_n the_o land_n belong_v to_o that_o place_n and_o that_o every_o inhabitant_n thereof_o have_v land_n there_o aught_o to_o be_v assess_v and_o tax_v according_a to_o the_o quantity_n of_o his_o land_n to_o contribute_v to_o the_o charge_n of_o such_o cleanse_n and_o scour_v of_o they_o and_o they_o also_o find_v that_o one_o roger_n the_o son_n of_o walter_n de_fw-fr waynflet_n be_v then_o assess_v at_o two_o shilling_n for_o twenty-four_o acre_n of_o land_n which_o he_o hold_v there_o deny_v not_o the_o say_a custom_n but_o allege_v that_o the_o money_n tax_v for_o those_o repair_v aught_o according_a to_o the_o say_a custom_n to_o be_v levy_v and_o collect_v by_o certain_a of_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o say_a town_n call_v dyke-rieves_a and_o not_o by_o any_o other_o the_o next_o year_n follow_v upon_o a_o suit_n linc._n commence_v by_o alan_n the_o son_n of_o peter_n le_fw-fr toller_n of_o north_n weynflete_a against_o william_n le_fw-fr toller_n for_o the_o distrain_n of_o his_o cattle_n at_o south_n weynflete_a in_o a_o certain_a place_n call_v the_o sale_n ham_n the_o say_v william_n justify_v the_o take_n of_o that_o distress_n and_o say_v that_o such_o be_v the_o custom_n in_o that_o townâ—_n of_o north_n waynflete_a that_o as_o oft_o as_o the_o sewer_n there_o make_v for_o drayn_v of_o their_o land_n do_v want_n repair_v they_o ought_v to_o be_v view_v by_o the_o commonalty_n of_o that_o place_n and_o that_o thereupon_o every_o person_n have_v land_n and_o tenement_n there_o aught_o to_o be_v assess_v for_o the_o repair_n of_o those_o sewer_n according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o his_o say_a land_n and_o the_o say_v william_n far_a affirm_v that_o the_o say_v alan_n be_v assess_v by_o the_o before-specified_n commonalty_n for_o the_o repair_n of_o seven_o perch_n of_o a_o certain_a ditch_n opposite_a to_o a_o place_n call_v cannon_n dayle_v by_o reason_n of_o seven_o acre_n of_o land_n which_o he_o hold_v that_o in_o former_a time_n belong_v to_o the_o ancestor_n of_o one_o john_n de_fw-fr bardne_n and_o lay_v abut_a upon_o that_o ditch_n where_o the_o say_v seven_o perch_n want_v repair_v and_o that_o he_o the_o say_v alan_n neglect_v to_o repair_v the_o same_o be_v distrain_v as_o abovesaid_a whereunto_o the_o say_v alan_n make_v answer_v that_o he_o do_v acknowledge_v the_o before-specified_n custom_n yet_o say_v that_o he_o be_v not_o to_o perform_v those_o repair_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o seven_o acre_n abovementioned_a but_o for_o other_o tenement_n viz._n xl_o acre_n of_o land_n with_o the_o appurtenance_n lie_v in_o waynflete_a aforesaid_a and_o in_o the_o same_o year_n upon_o another_o suit_n linc._n betwixt_o the_o say_a parâ—ies_n upon_o the_o take_n of_o the_o like_a distress_n the_o before-specified_n william_n avow_v that_o such_o be_v the_o custom_n in_o that_o town_n of_o north_n waynflete_a that_o certain_a of_o the_o inhabitant_n thereof_o be_v assign_v to_o view_v the_o marsh-ditche_n therein_o every_o year_n on_o the_o feast_n day_n of_o s._n andrew_n and_o to_o present_v the_o default_n which_o they_o shall_v find_v in_o they_o at_o the_o next_o court_n of_o henry_n de_fw-fr lacie_n earl_n of_o lincoln_n than_o lord_n of_o that_o town_n and_o that_o every_o tenant_n of_o that_o lordship_n who_o ought_v to_o make_v any_o repair_v there_o to_o be_v amerce_v in_o xvid._o at_o the_o say_v court_n whereunto_o the_o say_v alan_n answer_v that_o there_o may_v have_v be_v a_o sufficient_a distress_n find_v by_o the_o same_o william_n and_o not_o to_o have_v take_v his_o cattle_n which_o be_v for_o the_o blow_n in_o 28._o e._n 1._o thomas_n de_fw-fr burnham_n and_o ralph_n the_o friskeneye_n be_v constitute_v dorsâ—_n commissioner_n to_o view_v and_o repair_v the_o bank_n and_o sewer_n in_o the_o marsh_n of_o mersâ—e_n and_o lindeseye_n and_o chief_o the_o obstruction_n of_o a_o sewer_n in_o those_o marsh_n call_v the_o flete_n so_o also_o be_v dorso_fw-la thomas_n de_fw-fr burnham_n and_o gilbert_n de_fw-fr toutheby_n for_o those_o ditch_n and_o gutter_n in_o north_n weynflet_n divers_a other_o commission_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n do_v i_o find_v viz._n in_o 32_o e._n 1._o to_o dâ—rso_fw-la william_n howard_n thomas_n de_fw-fr burnham_n and_o ralph_n the_o freskeneye_n for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o all_o the_o bank_n and_o ditch_n upon_o the_o sea-coast_n in_o these_o part_n of_o lindeseye_n in_o 33_o e._n 1._o to_o dorso_fw-la the_o say_v thomas_n de_fw-fr burnham_n and_o thomas_n de_fw-fr gunneys_n for_o those_o in_o the_o part_n of_o malberthorp_n thedilthorpe_n and_o saltfletby_n in_o 34_o e._n 1._o to_o dorso_fw-la the_o same_o thomas_n de_fw-fr burnham_n henry_n de_fw-fr bayeux_n and_o roger_n de_fw-fr cubbledike_n for_o those_o at_o little_a coat_n upon_o humbre_fw-mi in_o 35_o e._n 1._o to_o dorso_fw-la ralph_n de_fw-fr friskenay_n henry_n de_fw-fr bayeux_n gilbert_n de_fw-fr toutheby_n and_o robert_n de_fw-fr malborthorp_n for_o all_o the_o bank_n and_o sewer_n in_o this_o province_n of_o lindsey_n in_o 2_o e._n 2._o to_o dorso_fw-la the_o say_v henry_n de_fw-fr bayeux_n nich._n de_fw-fr bolyngbrok_n and_o walter_n de_fw-fr stalynburgh_n for_o those_o at_o northcote_n tetenay_n humberstan_n thernesco_n itterby_n hole_n grymesby_n little_a cotes_n and_o great_a coat_n upon_o hombre_fw-es as_o also_o to_o ibid._n rog._n the_o scotere_n walt._n the_o freskeneye_n and_o alan_n de_fw-fr reytheby_n for_o those_o at_o malberthorp_n and_o thedilthorpe_n in_o 4_o e._n 2._o to_o dorso_fw-la john_n de_fw-fr kyme_n adam_n de_fw-fr de_fw-fr welle_v will._n de_fw-fr malberthorp_n and_o other_o for_o those_o betwixt_o mumby_n and_o saltfletby_n in_o 6_o e._n 2._o to_o dorso_fw-la the_o say_v henry_n de_fw-fr bayeux_n nicholas_n de_fw-fr bolingbrok_n and_o walter_n de_fw-fr stalingburgh_n for_o those_o betwixt_o grimesby_n and_o hotoft_n and_o upon_o trent_n betwixt_o burton-stath_a and_o torkesey_n in_o 7_o e._n 2._o to_o dorso_fw-la philip_n de_fw-fr kime_n roger_n de_fw-fr cubbeldyk_n walter_n de_fw-fr friskenay_n and_o rob._n de_fw-fr malberthorp_n for_o those_o bank_n ditch_n and_o sewer_n throughout_o this_o whole_a province_n of_o lindsey_n the_o like_a commission_n have_v dorso_fw-la thomas_n willoughby_n walter_n friskenay_n robert_n de_fw-fr malberthorpe_n and_o robert_n the_o rig_n in_o 11_o e._n 2._o so_o also_o in_o 12_o e._n 2._o have_v dorso_fw-la simon_n de_fw-fr chamberlain_n gilbert_n de_fw-fr toutheby_n and_o robert_n de_fw-fr malberthorpe_n in_o the_o same_o 12_o year_n of_o e._n 2._o to_o dorso_fw-la roger_n the_o â—ubbeldyke_a simon_n le_fw-fr chamberleyn_n and_o walt_n de_fw-fr friskenay_n for_o those_o bank_n and_o sewer_n upon_o the_o sea-coast_n betwixt_o friskenaye_v and_o thorpe_n near_o waynflâ—te_a in_o 14_o e._n 2._o to_o dorso_fw-la robert_n de_fw-fr malberthorp_n simon_n chamberleyn_n and_o thomas_n willâ—ghby_n for_o those_o betwixt_o cokhill_n and_o north_n coat_n in_o 18_o e._n 2._o to_o dorso_fw-la walter_n de_fw-fr friskeney_n robert_n de_fw-fr malberthorp_n
may_v the_o better_o accomplish_v this_o so_o great_a a_o undertatake_n as_o also_o maintain_v and_o preserve_v the_o work_n after_o they_o shall_v be_v complete_v the_o say_v francis_n earl_n of_o bedford_n and_o his_o participant_n do_v in_o the_o x_o year_n of_o the_o say_v king_n reign_n obtain_v lettee_n patent_n of_o incorporation_n bear_v date_n 13_o martii_fw-la caroli_n whereby_o the_o say_a king_n make_v some_o recital_n of_o the_o before-specified_n law_n of_o sewer_n make_v at_o king_n lynne_n 13_o jan._n 6_o car._n with_o his_o royal_a assent_n thereunto_o do_v incorporate_v he_o the_o say_a earl_n and_o certain_a other_o person_n viz._n oliver_n earl_n of_o bullingbroke_n henry_n lord_n maltrevers_n edward_n lord_n gorges_n sir_n francis_n crane_n knight_n chancellor_z of_o the_o most_o noble_a order_n of_o the_o garter_n sir_n miles_n sandis_n knight_n and_o baronet_n sir_n thomes_n teringham_n knight_n sir_n robert_z lovell_z knight_z sir_n filbert_n vernat_fw-la knight_n sir_n miles_n sandis_n knight_n william_n sam_n doctor_n of_o law_n oliver_n s._n john_n esquire_n anthony_n hamond_n esquire_n and_o samuel_n spalding_n gentleman_n into_o a_o body_n politic_a to_o be_v guardian_n and_o conserver_n of_o the_o fen_n land_n in_o the_o county_n of_o cambridge_n huntingdon_n northampton_n lincoln_n norfolk_n suffolk_n and_o isle_n of_o ely_n by_o the_o name_n of_o a_o governor_n deputy_n governor_n two_o bailiff_n and_o commonalty_n of_o the_o society_n aforesaid_a and_o that_o they_o and_o other_o to_o be_v elect_v into_o that_o fellowship_n to_o have_v a_o perpetual_a succession_n by_o those_o name_n and_o title_n with_o power_n to_o purchase_v land_n plead_v and_o be_v implead_v and_o to_o have_v a_o common_a seal_n and_o moreover_o that_o out_o of_o this_o their_o society_n be_v yearly_o choose_v upon_o the_o xxix_o of_o september_n one_o who_o shall_v bear_v the_o name_n of_o governor_n another_o to_o be_v deputy_n governor_n and_o two_o other_o to_o be_v bailiff_n of_o the_o same_o society_n to_o continue_v for_o one_o complete_a year_n each_o of_o the_o say_a commonalty_n have_v of_o inheritance_n five_o hundred_o acre_n at_o the_o least_o in_o the_o say_a fen_n land_n that_o upon_o death_n or_o removal_n the_o survivor_n to_o elect_v other_o in_o their_o room_n and_o that_o six_o shall_v have_v power_n to_o make_v law_n for_o the_o public_a benefit_n of_o the_o society_n whereof_o the_o governor_n or_o deputy_n governor_n to_o be_v one_o also_o that_o the_o governor_n deputy_n governor_n and_o bailiff_n shall_v make_v oath_n for_o the_o due_a execution_n of_o their_o office_n so_o likewise_o their_o servant_n and_o minister_n by_o this_o charter_n of_o incorporation_n the_o say_a governor_n bailiff_n and_o commonalty_n of_o this_o society_n and_o their_o successor_n be_v likewise_o constitute_v guardian_n of_o all_o the_o water_n river_n and_o fen_n within_o the_o precinct_n aforesaid_a with_o power_n to_o seize_v and_o take_v all_o net_n and_o other_o engine_n make_v and_o use_v therein_o for_o destroy_v of_o fish_n contrary_n to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n and_o they_o be_v thereby_o empower_v to_o inquire_v by_o oath_n of_o all_o trespass_n and_o offence_n commit_v contrary_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o to_o punish_v the_o offender_n by_o fine_n and_o amerciament_n which_o fine_n and_o amerciament_n to_o be_v levy_v by_o their_o officer_n and_o to_o be_v to_o the_o use_n and_o benefit_n of_o the_o society_n without_o any_o estreit_n thereof_o make_v into_o the_o exchequer_n likewise_o to_o build_v church_n or_o chapel_n and_o make_v churchyard_n in_o such_o fit_a place_n of_o the_o say_a fen_n as_o they_o shall_v judge_v meet_a and_o to_o cause_v they_o to_o be_v consecrate_v by_o the_o bishop_n and_o to_o take_v reasonable_a toll_n of_o all_o carriage_n and_o commodity_n at_o such_o bridge_n as_o they_o shall_v erect_v and_o maintain_v so_o also_o for_o jade_a boat_n pass_v under_o the_o same_o bridge_n and_o last_o to_o register_n all_o conveyance_n of_o these_o their_o land_n within_o three_o month_n after_o the_o make_v thereof_o in_o certain_a book_n to_o be_v keep_v for_o that_o purpose_n by_o the_o say_a governor_n and_o bailiff_n all_o which_o be_v accomplish_v about_o three_o year_n after_o in_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o peterborough_n twelve_o oct._n 13_o car._n the_o whole_a level_n be_v adjudge_v drayn_v 1657._o and_o the_o ninety_o five_o thousand_o acre_n be_v set_v out_o by_o six_o or_o more_o of_o the_o say_a commissioner_n by_o mete_n and_o bound_n unto_o the_o say_v francis_n late_a earl_n of_o bedford_n his_o heir_n and_o assign_n the_o charge_n 2._o of_o these_o work_n to_o the_o say_a earl_n and_o his_o participant_n have_v be_v no_o less_o than_o a_o hundred_o thousand_o pound_n but_o notwithstanding_o this_o great_a expense_n it_o be_v at_o length_n evident_o discern_v ibid._n that_o though_o the_o land_n be_v very_o much_o improve_v by_o those_o work_n yet_o be_v they_o subject_a to_o inundation_n especial_o in_o the_o winter_n season_n and_o therefore_o in_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o huntendon_n 12_o aprilis_n 1638._o the_o year_n ensue_v the_o say_a earl_n of_o bedford_n undertake_n be_v adjudge_v defective_a and_o on_o the_o xxiii_o of_o may_n follow_v mâ—â—i_fw-la in_o another_o session_n hold_v at_o wisbeche_n the_o particular_a defect_n therein_o be_v consider_v by_o the_o commissioner_n there_o be_v a_o new_a tax_n of_o xv_o s._n the_o acre_n impose_v by_o they_o but_o upon_o dupe_v fâ—n_o thirty_o s._n the_o acre_n waldersey_n and_o coldham_n xx_o s._n the_o acre_n needham_n fen_n vis_fw-la viijd_o the_o acre_n for_o the_o marsh_n within_o the_o precinct_n of_o walton_n wallokne_v and_o walpole_n in_o the_o county_n of_o norfolk_n tide_n s._n mary_n sutton_n in_o holland_n lutton_n gedney_n fleâ—te_n holbeche_o ouaplode_n moulton_n and_o weston_n in_o the_o county_n of_o lincoln_n wisbeche_n leverington_n newton_n and_o tide_n s._n giles_n in_o the_o county_n of_o cambridge_n xls._n the_o acre_n marshlandâ—en_o â—en_z xxs._n the_o acre_n and_o other_o the_o fen_n and_o low_a ground_n in_o marshland_n x_o s._n the_o acre_n the_o common_a and_o several_a fen-ground_n lie_v within_o the_o north_n side_n oâ—_n wisebeche_n between_o south_n ea_fw-la bank_n wisebeche_v river_n the_o old_a sea-bank_n and_o the_o shire_n drain_v viz._n the_o common_a fen-ground_n lie_v in_o neuton_n and_o tide_n within_o the_o say_a north_n side_n of_o wisebeche_n xx_o s._n the_o acre_n and_o the_o several_a fen-ground_n in_o neuton_n and_o tide_n aforesaid_a x_o s._n the_o acre_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o common_a fen-ground_n lie_v within_o the_o north_n side_n of_o wisebeche_n vi_o s._n viij_o d._n the_o acre_n the_o common_a and_o several_a fen-ground_n in_o holland_n in_o the_o county_n of_o lincoln_n viz._n the_o common_a at_o xx_o s._n the_o acre_n and_o the_o several_a at_o x_o s._n and_o it_o be_v then_o decree_v that_o the_o say_a tax_n shall_v be_v pay_v in_o to_o the_o treasurer_n appoint_v to_o receive_v the_o same_o before_o the_o xviijth_o of_o july_n than_o next_o ensue_v that_o present_a session_n to_o the_o end_n that_o it_o may_v be_v speedy_o employ_v in_o the_o work_n that_o so_o the_o say_a fen_n may_v by_o sufficient_a drayn_n be_v make_v aswell_o winter-ground_n as_o summer-ground_n in_o all_o the_o part_n thereof_o save_v convenient_a forelands_n and_o receptacle_n for_o winter_n flood_n hereupon_o his_o late_a majesty_n king_n charles_n the_o first_o of_o bless_a memory_n take_v this_o great_a business_n into_o his_o princely_a consideration_n and_o foresee_v that_o these_o land_n be_v 3._o a_o continent_n of_o about_o four_o hundred_o thousand_o acre_n in_o case_n they_o be_v make_v winter-ground_n will_v be_v a_o extraordinary_a benefit_n to_o the_o commonwealth_n viz._n of_o six_o hundred_o thousand_o pound_n per_fw-la annum_fw-la value_n as_o also_o a_o great_a and_o certain_a revenue_n to_o all_o party_n interest_v and_o likewise_o because_o the_o owner_n who_o be_v very_o many_o can_v not_o agree_v to_o do_v so_o great_a a_o work_n one_o being_z willing_a and_o another_o not_o one_o able_a to_o contribute_v another_o not_o be_v therefore_o please_v to_o undertake_v the_o make_n of_o those_o land_n winter-ground_n at_o his_o own_o charge_n whereby_o the_o say_v four_o hundred_o thousand_o acre_n may_v be_v profitable_a firm_a and_o good_a and_o for_o the_o better_a performance_n thereof_o do_v command_v divers_a gentleman_n expert_a in_o such_o adventure_n to_o give_v their_o advice_n how_o these_o land_n may_v be_v recover_v in_o such_o manner_n as_o that_o they_o may_v be_v make_v winter-ground_n to_o the_o end_n the_o say_a work_n may_v be_v complete_v among_o which_o the_o before-specified_n sir_n cornelius_n vermuden_n be_v one_o who_o after_o view_v take_v thereof_o return_v their_o
at_o least_o which_o be_v a_o very_a great_a work_n 2._o the_o middle_a level_n also_o they_o defend_v from_o peterborough_n water_n by_o a_o large_a bank_n make_v from_o peterborough_n to_o wisebeche_v this_o be_v raise_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o that_o which_o the_o king_n begin_v except_v a_o little_a turn_n in_o waldersey_n bank_n from_o the_o river_n ouse_n they_o likewise_o defend_v it_o by_o a_o great_a bank_n extend_v from_o erith_n to_o salter_n load_n on_o the_o north_n west_n side_n of_o bedford_n river_n and_o make_v another_o new_a river_n parallel_n to_o the_o say_v bedford_n river_n from_o erith_n to_o salter_n load_n aforesaid_a contain_v a_o hundred_o foot_n in_o breadth_n and_o imbank_v it_o with_o bank_n on_o borh_fw-mi side_n of_o threescore_o foot_n wide_a at_o the_o bottom_n ten_o at_o the_o top_n and_o eight_o foot_n in_o height_n the_o other_o new_a drayn_n which_o he_o and_o his_o participant_n make_v or_o repair_v within_o this_o level_n be_v these_o viz._n uermudens_n ea_fw-la hamond_n ea_fw-la stony_a draine_n nene_n old_a channel_n pophams_n ea_fw-la marshland_n cut_v moor_n drayne_n witlesey_n dikes_n and_o some_o other_o small_a one_o and_o the_o sluice_n those_o at_o salter_n load_n pophams_n ea_fw-la and_o marshland_n cutts_n 3._o for_o scouâ—ing_v the_o south_n level_v from_o the_o overflowing_n of_o ouse_n they_o raise_v also_o a_o great_a bank_n from_o over_n to_o salter_n load_n the_o lesser_a river_n viz._n of_o grant_v mildenhall_n brandon_n and_o stoke_n be_v defend_v by_o small_a bank_n from_o salter_n load_n to_o stow_n bridge_n they_o likewise_o cause_v a_o large_a river_n of_o one_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o foot_n wide_a and_o ten_o foot_n deep_a to_o be_v cut_v for_o the_o more_o speedy_a convey_n away_o of_o the_o water_n which_o river_n be_v now_o call_v downham_n ea_fw-la as_o also_o two_o great_a sass_n at_o salter_n load_n for_o the_o passage_n of_o boat_n and_o other_o great_a vessel_n with_o three_o sluice_n at_o the_o end_n of_o downham_n ea_fw-la and_o divers_a small_a drayn_n viz._n grunty_n fen_n drayn_n the_o in-drayn_a to_o the_o bank_n of_o the_o hundred_o foot_n river_n reach_v load_n and_o many_o other_o so_o that_o have_v accomplish_v the_o whole_a work_n within_o the_o compass_n of_o five_o year_n the_o say_a level_n be_v by_o a_o decree_n of_o sewer_n make_v at_o ely_n on_o the_o 25_o 1653._o of_o march_n anno_fw-la 1653._o adjudge_v to_o be_v full_o drayn_v whereupon_o the_o say_a earl_n and_o his_o participant_n have_v possession_n of_o those_o ninety_o five_o thousand_o acre_n award_v to_o they_o chap._n lv._o lindsey_n thereof_o level_v extend_v from_o bourne_n to_o lincoln_n of_o this_o though_o i_o may_v have_v not_o incongruous_o discourse_v under_o my_o title_n of_o kesteven_n and_o holland_n yet_o forasmuch_o as_o it_o be_v in_o truth_n a_o part_n of_o the_o great_a level_n beforementioned_a however_o not_o so_o now_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o common_a reputation_n i_o have_v think_v it_o more_o proper_a to_o speak_v of_o it_o here_o the_o first_o etc._n general_a attempt_n towards_o the_o drayn_n of_o this_o part_n of_o the_o country_n whereof_o i_o have_v take_v notice_n be_v upon_o a_o complaint_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n at_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o sempringham_n in_o the_o 8_o year_n of_o the_o late_a queen_n elizabeth_n reign_n the_o earl_n of_o lincoln_n high_a admiral_n of_o england_n with_o several_a other_o person_n of_o quality_n be_v then_o commissioner_n whereupon_o a_o general_a tax_n be_v lay_v for_o repair_v and_o enlarge_n the_o drayn_n and_o sewer_n to_o carry_v off_o the_o water_n which_o then_o annoy_v these_o part_n but_o little_o be_v do_v to_o any_o purpose_n herein_o as_o it_o seem_v for_o it_o appear_v that_o at_o another_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o swinstede_n in_o the_o 17_o year_n of_o that_o queen_n reign_n the_o country_n complain_v that_o they_o be_v drown_v more_o than_o former_o so_o that_o the_o commissioner_n than_o decreee_v that_o those_o drayn_n which_o the_o duke_n of_o suffolk_n and_o other_o have_v ordain_v to_o be_v begin_v about_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o king_n henry_n the_o 8_o time_n as_o also_o some_o other_o shall_v forthwith_o be_v set_v upon_o and_o lay_v a_o tax_n according_o but_o no_o payment_n of_o that_o tax_n be_v make_v the_o work_n proceed_v not_o nor_o be_v there_o any_o far_a considerable_a attempt_n therein_o whereof_o i_o have_v hear_v till_o caroli_n the_o 5_o year_n of_o the_o late_a king_n charles_n of_o bless_a memory_n that_o sir_n anthony_n ireby_n knight_n sergeant_n calais_n and_o other_o commissioner_n find_v all_o former_a essay_n fruitless_a by_o reason_n that_o the_o inhabitant_n will_v never_o pay_v the_o tax_n and_o that_o the_o land_n be_v surround_v have_v no_o cattle_n upon_o they_o for_o distress_n and_o consider_v that_o the_o king_n as_o it_o be_v observable_a in_o all_o the_o statute_n of_o sewer_n be_v to_o give_v direction_n in_o work_n of_o this_o nature_n they_o do_v by_o their_o letter_n represent_v to_o his_o majesty_n the_o necessity_n of_o drayn_v these_o land_n and_o the_o commodity_n which_o may_v accrue_v thereby_o humble_o beseech_v he_o to_o recommend_v some_o person_n of_o honour_n to_o contract_v with_o they_o as_o undertaker_n for_o performance_n of_o that_o work_n the_o king_n therefore_o understand_v pettâ—-bag_n their_o design_n to_o be_v for_o the_o drayn_n of_o all_o the_o surround_v fen_n on_o the_o north_n side_n of_o the_o river_n of_o glen_n in_o this_o county_n of_o lincoln_n refer_v the_o view_n of_o those_o lie_v on_o both_o side_n the_o river_n of_o fosse_n and_o wythom_n from_o beyond_o the_o city_n of_o lincoln_n to_o kyme_v ea_z unto_o sir_n henry_n vane_n knight_n sir_n robert_n carr_n baronet_n and_o other_o who_o in_o order_n to_o that_o good_a work_n do_v in_o a_o session_n car._n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o sleford_n 26_o febr._n 8_o car._n where_o be_v also_o present_a and_o commissioner_n robert_n earl_n of_o lindsey_n theophilus_n earl_n of_o lincoln_n the_o lord_n willoughby_n sir_n henry_n fines_n and_o other_o lay_v a_o tax_n of_o xiij_o s._n iiij_o d._n the_o acre_n for_o the_o scour_n and_o cleanse_v of_o the_o say_a river_n and_o all_o goat_n and_o drayn_n etc._n etc._n within_o those_o precinct_n to_o be_v impose_v upon_o all_o the_o landholders_n in_o the_o say_v low_a ground_n and_o to_o be_v pay_v before_o the_o ix_o of_o april_n than_o next_o follow_v and_o for_o the_o better_a further_a and_o complete_n thereof_o the_o say_a commissioner_n praedicto_fw-la meet_v again_o at_o boston_n upon_o the_o second_o of_o march_n than_o next_o ensue_v recite_v their_o decree_n so_o make_v at_o sleford_n do_v extend_v their_o say_a tax_n of_o xiijs_fw-la iiijd_n the_o acre_n to_o the_o other_o part_n of_o that_o level_n nevertheless_o little_o be_v do_v therein_o as_o it_o seem_v till_o about_o three_o year_n afterward_o but_o then_o the_o say_a king_n by_o his_o letter_n ibid._n patent_n bear_v date_n at_o westminster_n 2_o aprilis_n in_o the_o xi_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n direct_v unto_o george_n earl_n of_o rutland_n and_o other_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n for_o the_o say_a level_n recommend_v unto_o they_o robert_n earl_n of_o lindsey_n lord_n high_a chamberlain_n of_o england_n a_o person_n of_o very_a great_a honour_n to_o be_v the_o sole_a undertaker_n for_o the_o drayn_n of_o the_o whole_a whereupon_o the_o say_v commissioner_n at_o another_o session_n ibid._n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o sleford_n upon_o the_o second_o of_o june_n than_o next_o follow_v car._n proceed_v to_o a_o treaty_n with_o his_o lordship_n for_o that_o purpose_n and_o agree_v with_o he_o to_o accept_v of_o twenty_o four_o thousand_o acre_n in_o recompense_n of_o his_o charge_n therein_o which_o be_v then_o according_o decree_v ibid._n the_o work_n be_v to_o be_v perfect_v within_o the_o space_n of_o six_o year_n next_o ensue_v the_o feast_n of_o st._n michael_n th'archangel_n then_o follow_v and_o after_o this_o viz._n in_o a_o session_n ibid._n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o boston_n the_o 29._o of_o march_n the_o next_o year_n ensue_v câ—r_n recital_n be_v make_v of_o that_o decree_n make_v at_o sleford_n whereby_o the_o say_a earl_n of_o lindsey_n for_o the_o consideration_n therein_o express_v be_v to_o have_v those_o twenty_o four_o thousand_o acre_n of_o land_n to_o be_v indifferent_o allot_v out_o of_o the_o several_a fen_n etc._n etc._n to_o enjoy_v to_o himself_o and_o his_o heir_n for_o ever_o viz._n as_o soon_o as_o ten_o thousand_o acre_n or_o more_o shall_v be_v drayn_v to_o have_v his_o portion_n thereof_o forthwith_o assign_v as_o also_o the_o like_a recital_n that_o upon_o consideration_n of_o the_o same_o decree_n and_o other_o former_a precede_a decree_n and_o ordinance_n make_v at_o a_o â—ession_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o
thornburgh_n and_o other_o for_o those_o bank_n and_o sewer_n from_o skegnes_fw-la and_o dodyngton-pygot_a to_o tyddegote_n in_o 7_o e._n 4._o thomas_n kyme_n of_o friskeney_n and_o other_o have_v the_o lindsey_n port_n of_o waynflâ—te_a to_o ferm_v with_o market_n and_o windmill_n as_o also_o the_o court_n of_o the_o say_a market_n and_o haven_n and_o fish_v within_o the_o same_o pay_v xxl._o yearly_a and_o support_v all_o charge_n belong_v to_o the_o say_a haven_n mill_n and_o fish_n in_o 49_o h._n 6._o dorso_fw-la john_n bishop_n of_o lincoln_n george_n duke_n of_o clarence_n richard_n earl_n of_o warwick_z and_o salisbury_n sir_n humphrey_n bourchier_n lord_n cromwell_n sir_n gervase_n clyfton_n and_o sir_n will._n skipwith_n knight_n robert_n taylboys_n esquire_n and_o other_o have_v commission_n for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o all_o the_o bank_n and_o sewer_n throughout_o this_o whole_a province_n the_o like_a commission_n dorso_o in_o 12_o e._n 4._o have_v sir_n richard_n hastyng_n sir_n thomas_n burgh_n and_o sir_n will._n skipwith_n knight_n robert_n taylboys_n robert_n ratclyf_n and_o other_o so_o also_o the_o same_o year_n have_v ibid._n thomas_n prior_n of_o spald_v richard_n welby_n leonard_n thornburgh_n richard_n pynchebeck_n john_n bolles_n robert_n dok_v and_o other_o for_o those_o from_o dodyngtone-pygot_a to_o tydgote_n and_o thence_o to_o skegnesse_n by_o all_o which_o commission_n since_o 6_o h._n 6._o power_n be_v give_v to_o the_o person_n beforementioned_a and_o their_o associate_n to_o act_v therein_o according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o romeney_n marsh_n as_o abovesaid_a in_o lindsey_n 4_o e._n 6._o william_n lord_n willoughby_n of_o parham_n sâ—r_n edward_n dymok_n and_o sir_n john_n copeldyk_n knight_n george_n s._n poll_n and_o other_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n by_o a_o decree_n make_v at_o wrangle_n on_o the_o first_o day_n of_o september_n ordain_v that_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o soak_v of_o bullingbroke_n together_o with_o sir_n william_n brereton_n knight_n the_o lord_n of_o dalby_n and_o the_o king_n fermour_n of_o his_o fish_n at_o waynflete_a and_o all_o other_o drayn_v thereby_o shall_v cleanse_v scour_v and_o dyke_n the_o haven_n of_o waynfleâ—e_n from_o the_o ae_n end_n unto_o the_o sea_n in_o breadth_n xxij_o foot_n at_o the_o top_n and_o in_o the_o bottom_n xiij_o and_o in_o depth_n from_o the_o channel_n downward_o three_o foot_n to_o be_v do_v before_o the_o feast_n of_o s._n peter_n ad_fw-la vincula_fw-la than_o next_o follow_v and_o that_o a_o sufficient_a goat_n or_o clown_n set_v up_o at_o the_o outer_a end_n of_o the_o same_o haven_n for_o stop_v of_o the_o salt_n water_n out_o of_o the_o north_n part_v thereof_o shall_v be_v make_v there_o at_o the_o cost_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o say_v soak_v the_o lord_n of_o dalby_n and_o the_o king_n fermour_n of_o his_o fish_n there_o and_o moreover_o that_o a_o old_a goat_n anâ—_n dreyner_n call_v symond_n goat_n extend_v in_o length_n from_o the_o deep_a of_o the_o east_n fen_n unto_o the_o fen_n bank_n and_o from_o that_o fen_n bank_n to_o the_o sea_n which_o be_v then_o decay_v for_o lack_v of_o scouriug_n shall_v be_v sufficient_o cleanse_v so_o likewise_o the_o dyke_n and_o sewer_n extend_v from_o the_o deep_a of_o the_o fen_n unto_o the_o fen_n bank_n also_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v two_o goat_n make_v of_o the_o say_a drayner_n and_o sewer_n the_o one_o at_o the_o fen_n bank_n and_o the_o other_o at_o the_o out_o end_n of_o the_o sea_n at_o the_o cost_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o say_v soak_v and_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o such_o town_n and_o the_o landlord_n therein_o who_o have_v before_o that_o time_n be_v chardged_a betwixt_o the_o fen_n bank_n and_o the_o deep_a of_o the_o say_a fen_n and_o all_o to_o be_v do_v before_o martinmasse_n then_o next_o ensue_v and_o far_o than_o this_o wherein_o i_o have_v give_v instance_n i_o shall_v not_o descend_v to_o any_o more_o particular_n till_o the_o time_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n that_o thomas_n quadring_n hamond_n upton_n thomas_n marsyngberd_n and_o other_o than_o commissioner_n 66._o of_o sewer_n sit_v at_o partenay_n on_o the_o 22_o day_n of_o july_n in_o 2_o of_o her_o reign_n for_o the_o settle_n of_o all_o thing_n touch_v the_o repair_n of_o the_o bank_n and_o ditch_n in_o this_o provicne_n before_o who_o the_o juror_n then_o present_v that_o there_o be_v one_o sea-bank_n new_o make_v in_o skegnes_fw-la to_o begin_v at_o a_o place_n call_v ranson_n hyrne_v and_o to_o be_v xl_o fall_n in_o length_n from_o the_o north_n end_n of_o the_o say_v ranson_n hyrne_v towards_o the_o south_n and_o so_o to_o be_v join_v and_o close_v unto_o the_o old_a bank_n which_o say_v sea-bank_n to_o be_v fifty_o foot_n in_o the_o skirt_n fourteen_o foot_n broad_a on_o the_o top_n and_o xij_o foot_n in_o height_n and_o to_o be_v make_v by_o the_o land-holders_n in_o skegnes_fw-la aforesaid_a and_o they_o likewise_o at_o that_o time_n present_v that_o the_o old_a sea-bank_n ought_v then_o to_o be_v repair_v for_o its_o better_a withstand_v the_o rage_n of_o the_o sea_n also_o that_o another_o new_a sea-bank_n shall_v be_v new_o make_v within_o the_o limit_n of_o skegnes_fw-la aforesaid_a from_o one_o slaver_v there_o wâ—ich_a go_v up_o the_o land_n late_o belong_v to_o charles_n duke_n of_o suffolk_n unto_o the_o south_n end_n of_o the_o gilled_a hall_n which_o new_a bank_n to_o be_v xx_o fall_n in_o length_n and_o to_o stretch_v from_o the_o say_a gildhall_n to_o the_o old_a bank_n and_o be_v make_v by_o the_o say_v land-holders_n likewise_o that_o the_o old_a sea_n bank_n in_o skegnes_fw-la call_v the_o haven_n bank_n shall_v be_v repair_v where_o defect_n be_v also_o that_o wainflet_n haven_n be_v defective_a for_o want_v of_o scour_v from_o the_o cross_n at_o the_o eye_n end_v into_o the_o sea_n that_o be_v a_o necessary_a drain_v for_o the_o soak_v of_o bullingbroke_n and_o heretofore_o dike_v and_o scour_v by_o the_o inhabitant_n thereof_o and_o to_o be_v do_v before_o the_o feast_n of_o s._n john_n baptist_n next_o follow_v moreover_o that_o a_o place_n there_o call_v guddyke_n which_o lead_v from_o the_o eye_n end_v to_o the_o fen_n be_v also_o scour_v viz._n two_o part_n thereof_o by_o the_o say_a queen_n or_o her_o fermour_n for_o the_o fish_n there_o and_o the_o three_o by_o the_o lord_n of_o dalby_n as_o have_v be_v accustom_v and_o that_o a_o new_a goat_n or_o clow_n be_v set_v in_o waynflet_n haven_n within_o ten_o fall_n of_o thorpe_n and_o waynflet_n sea-gote_n and_o a_o bank_n on_o the_o south_n side_n of_o the_o say_a haven_n from_o the_o say_v new_a goat_n unto_o the_o .........._o and_o that_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o seven_o town_n in_o holland_n shall_v be_v at_o the_o charge_n of_o set_v up_o the_o say_a new_a goat_n in_o respect_n of_o their_o benefit_n of_o common_a in_o the_o east_n and_o west_n fen_n also_o that_o the_o bank_n to_o be_v then_o make_v between_o the_o new_a goat_n and_o thorpe_n be_v do_v viz._n three_o part_n thereof_o at_o the_o charge_n of_o hamond_n upton_n esquire_n one_o of_o the_o commissioner_n abovementioned_a and_o the_o four_o at_o the_o charge_n of_o john_n whiteing_n &_o rob._n whiteing_n and_o the_o bank_n on_o the_o south_n side_n of_o the_o haven_n to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o soak_v of_o bullingbroke_n likewise_o that_o a_o new_a goat_n be_v set_v at_o the_o fen_n dyke_n bank_n to_o take_v in_o fresh_a water_n by_o it_o to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o waynflete_a s._n marry_o and_o another_o goat_n call_v dayle_n gote_v and_o another_o to_o be_v set_v fourscore_o fall_n beneath_o the_o old_a sea_n goat_n both_o to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o land-holders_n in_o waynflet_n s._n marry_o aforesaid_a and_o that_o a_o new_a cryke_n of_o thirty_o foot_n wide_a and_o six_o foot_n deep_a be_v make_v from_o the_o say_v new_a goat_n unto_o the_o old_a goat_n and_o beneath_o the_o say_v new_a goat_n another_o new_a cryke_n make_v from_o the_o say_v new_a goat_n unto_o the_o old_a cryke_n to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o lord_n and_o land-holders_n in_o waynflet_n s._n marry_o and_o on_o either_o side_n the_o say_v cryke_v a_o sufficient_a sea-bank_n to_o keep_v out_o the_o flood_n of_o water_n and_o they_o also_o present_v that_o one_o petty_a goat_n shall_v be_v make_v in_o cross_a gate_n against_o nine_o acre_n of_o mr_n dyghtons_n and_o another_o in_o westgate_n against_o thomas_n harryson_n acre_n as_o also_o a_o spout_n in_o hall_n gate_n another_o in_o somergate_n and_o another_o in_o acregate_n likewise_o that_o a_o spout_v be_v make_v in_o waynflete_a all_o saint_n over_o the_o gate_n on_o the_o north_n side_n of_o burflet_n at_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o holder_n of_o the_o land_n which_o do_v drain_v it_o and_o that_o another_o
here_o at_o ely_n with_o high_a solemnity_n as_o the_o custom_n than_o be_v the_o abbot_n of_o ely_n in_o their_o turn_n perform_v the_o service_n in_o the_o king_n court_n as_o they_o have_v use_v to_o do_v there_o be_v no_o other_o access_n to_o it_o consider_v the_o breadth_n and_o depth_n of_o the_o fenn_n but_o by_o ship_v he_o set_v sail_v thitherward_o and_o when_o he_o come_v near_o to_o the_o land_n raise_v up_o himself_o command_v the_o mariner_n to_o make_v what_o have_v they_o can_v to_o a_o little_a port_n but_o to_o go_v stedy_o and_o fix_v his_o eye_n towards_o the_o church_n which_o stand_v on_o high_a on_o the_o top_n of_o the_o rock_n he_o hear_v a_o pleasant_a voice_n on_o every_o side_n where_o listen_v far_o the_o near_o he_o approach_v to_o landâ—_n the_o more_o sensible_a he_o be_v of_o the_o melody_n and_o at_o length_n perceive_v that_o it_o be_v the_o monk_n then_o sing_v in_o the_o quiâ—e_n and_o with_o shrill_a voice_n perform_v their_o divine_a office_n he_o command_v all_o the_o rest_n that_o be_v in_o the_o next_o ship_n to_o come_v near_o to_o he_o and_o exhort_v they_o to_o sing_v with_o he_o become_v so_o transport_v that_o express_v the_o joy_n of_o his_o heart_n he_o present_o compose_v and_o sing_v this_o hymn_n merry_a singende_n moneke_v be_v in_o ely_z than_z chut_v singende_v thereby_o royal_a chites_n noer_n the_o land_n and_o here_o yve_v thes_n moneks_n sing_v which_o in_o latin_a be_v thus_o dulcè_fw-la câ—ntaverunt_fw-la monachi_fw-la in_o ely_n dumi_n canutus_n rex_fw-la navigate_fw-la propè_fw-la ibis_n and_o now_o my_o knight_n quoth_v he_o sail_v you_o near_o and_o let_v we_o joint_o hear_v the_o harmony_n of_o these_o monk_n all_o which_o be_v long_o afterward_o public_o sing_v in_o the_o choir_n in_o memory_n of_o that_o devout_a king_n and_o keep_v in_o mind_n as_o proverb_n the_o king_n thereupon_o cease_v not_o thus_o to_o sing_v with_o his_o venerable_a college_n till_o he_o come_v to_o land_n where_o be_v receive_v with_o solemn_a procession_n as_o the_o custom_n have_v be_v to_o the_o prìnce_n or_o any_o eminent_a person_n and_o bring_v into_o the_o church_n he_o ratify_v all_o the_o donation_n confer_v thereto_o by_o his_o royal_a predecessor_n king_n of_o england_n and_o establish_v they_o with_o their_o immunity_n and_o privilege_n in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o church_n where_o the_o body_n of_o the_o holy_a virgin_n s._n audrey_n lie_v entomb_v upon_o the_o high_a altar_n before_o all_o the_o person_n there_o present_a not_o long_o afterward_o it_o so_o happen_v ibid._n that_o at_o the_o solempnity_n of_o this_o feast_n the_o fen_n be_v so_o much_o freeze_v that_o the_o say_a king_n can_v not_o repair_v thither_o as_o he_o desire_v nevertheless_o it_o do_v not_o alter_v his_o purpose_n though_o he_o be_v sorrowful_a and_o much_o trouble_v howbeit_o put_v his_o trust_n in_o god_n be_v then_o upon_o soham_n mere_a he_o contrive_v to_o be_v draw_v upon_o a_o slead_v over_o the_o ice_n and_o for_o his_o better_a security_n consider_v the_o danger_n of_o the_o passage_n that_o one_o shall_v go_v before_o he_o to_o try_v the_o way_n but_o it_o so_o fall_v out_o that_o as_o he_o stand_v thus_o consult_v a_o lusty_a and_o big_a man_n and_o a_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o isle_n who_o for_o his_o corpulency_n be_v call_v brithmer_n bud_n come_v before_o he_o and_o offer_v to_o lead_v the_o way_n whereupon_o the_o king_n follow_v on_o the_o slead_v all_o that_o behold_v he_o admire_v his_o boldness_n and_o come_v safe_a thither_o celebrate_v that_o solempnity_n according_a as_o he_o have_v wont_a with_o great_a joy_n and_o in_o gratitude_n to_o the_o say_a brithmer_n make_v he_o with_o all_o his_o posterity_n â—ree_a mâ—n_z for_o ever_o in_o further_a testimony_n likewise_o of_o the_o security_n of_o this_o place_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o vast_a and_o deep_a water_n wherein_o it_o be_v situate_a i_o find_v 40._o that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o king_n edward_n the_o confessor_n the_o english_a have_v advertisement_n of_o great_a preparation_n then_o make_v by_o the_o daâ—es_n for_o another_o invasion_n of_o this_o realm_n bestir_v themselves_o in_o fortify_v their_o city_n and_o castle_n hide_v their_o treasure_n and_o muster_v of_o soldier_n for_o their_o defence_n and_o that_o alfric_n the_o abbot_n of_o s._n alban_n much_o fear_v the_o danger_n do_v not_o only_o take_v care_n to_o convey_v the_o shrine_n of_o that_o glorious_a protomartyr_n s._n alban_n into_o a_o secret_a corner_n where_o he_o immure_v it_o but_o the_o better_a to_o disguise_v the_o business_n write_v letter_n to_o the_o abbot_n of_o this_o place_n humble_o request_v he_o that_o he_o will_v take_v charge_n thereof_o till_o all_o thing_n shall_v be_v in_o a_o quiet_a condition_n again_o â—or_a say_v my_o author_n erat_fw-la eorum_fw-la insula_fw-la intransmeabilibus_fw-la circundata_fw-la paludibus_fw-la &_o arundinetis_fw-la unde_fw-la hostium_fw-la incursus_fw-la nequaquam_fw-la timuerunt_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la this_o isle_n of_o ely_n be_v environ_v with_o fen_n and_o reed-plecks_a unpassible_a so_o that_o they_o fear_v not_o the_o invasion_n of_o the_o enemy_n whereunto_o the_o say_a abbot_n assent_v alfric_n like_o a_o politic_a and_o wary_a man_n fear_v that_o these_o of_o ely_n have_v get_v such_o a_o treasure_n into_o their_o hand_n may_v deny_v to_o restore_v it_o when_o it_o shall_v be_v again_o require_v send_v instead_o of_o s._n alban_n shrine_n the_o relic_n of_o a_o old_a monk_n put_v up_o in_o a_o rich_a chest_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v s._n alban_n bone_n and_o keep_v the_o before-specified_n shrine_n wall_v up_o in_o their_o own_o abbey_n as_o have_v be_v say_v but_o the_o most_o signal_n testimony_n of_o the_o strength_n of_o this_o place_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o say_a water_n encompass_v it_o be_v that_o recourse_n which_o divers_a of_o the_o principal_a nobility_n of_o the_o english_a nation_n have_v unto_o it_o as_o their_o great_a refuge_n against_o the_o strength_n and_o power_n of_o the_o norman_a conqueror_n as_o also_o the_o defence_n that_o they_o then_o and_o there_o make_v against_o a_o powerful_a army_n bring_v by_o that_o king_n for_o the_o subdue_a of_o it_o the_o substance_n of_o which_o story_n because_o it_o be_v but_o brief_o point_v at_o by_o our_o public_a writer_n i_o suppose_v it_o will_v not_o seem_v tedious_a if_o i_o here_o succinct_o deliver_v after_o that_o william_n duke_n of_o normandy_n invade_v this_o realm_n with_o a_o puissant_a army_n in_o the_o year_n mlxvi_o have_v subdue_v the_o force_n of_o k._n harold_n in_o open_a batail_n wherein_o that_o king_n lose_v his_o life_n stigand_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n who_o the_o conqueror_n affect_v not_o flee_v a._n into_o this_o isle_n for_o safety_n so_o likewise_o do_v ibid._n egfrid_n then_o abbot_n of_o s._n alban_n with_o the_o relic_n of_o that_o saint_n and_o treasure_n of_o his_o church_n as_o also_o 20._o edwine_n and_o morkere_o two_o great_a and_o potent_a earl_n of_o this_o nation_n with_o 20._o egelwine_n bishop_n of_o durham_n beside_o many_o thousand_o 20._o of_o the_o clergy_n and_o laity_n and_o understanding_n that_o hereward_n lord_n 20._o of_o brunne_a in_o lincolnshire_n a_o young_a son_n to_o the_o famous_a leofrike_a earl_n of_o mercia_n be_v a_o person_n much_o renown_v 50â—_n for_o his_o valour_n and_o military_a skill_n for_o 1653._o at_o the_o age_n of_o xviij_o year_n be_v banish_v the_o land_n by_o king_n edw._n the_o confessor_n for_o his_o extraordinary_a dissoluteness_n towards_o his_o parent_n and_o other_o he_o go_v into_o flanders_n and_o other_o foreign_a part_n where_o he_o gain_v most_o high_a repute_n of_o his_o prowess_n and_o noble_a exploit_n be_v return_v from_o beyond_o sea_n they_o forthwith_o send_v â—_o for_o he_o desire_v that_o he_o will_v repair_v thither_o with_o all_o his_o power_n and_o join_v with_o they_o in_o the_o defence_n of_o their_o native_a country_n and_o redeem_v their_o just_a liberty_n and_o in_o particular_a they_o importune_v he_o in_o behalf_n of_o thurstane_n then_o abbot_n of_o that_o place_n and_o his_o monk_n who_o the_o say_a island_n whole_o be_v and_o on_o who_o behalf_n the_o same_o be_v then_o fortify_v against_o the_o king_n that_o he_o will_v make_v no_o delay_n because_o the_o say_a king_n bring_v in_o a_o foreign_a monk_n out_o of_o france_n to_o obtrude_v upon_o they_o as_o abbot_n there_o and_o that_o he_o purpose_v to_o do_v the_o like_a in_o all_o other_o church_n throughout_o england_n to_o which_o request_n of_o they_o he_o willing_o condescend_v and_o forthwith_o begin_v his_o journey_n towards_o they_o according_o whereof_o the_o earl_n warren_n have_v notice_n who_o brother_n long_o before_o the_o say_a hereward_n have_v kill_v he_o lay_v ambush_n for_o he_o on_o the_o outside_n of_o the_o fen_n belong_v to_o
be_v make_v the_o first_o bishop_n here_o at_o that_o time_n for_o aught_o i_o can_v find_v there_o be_v not_o any_o other_o access_n into_o this_o isle_n than_o by_o ship_n or_o boat_n this_o bishop_n therefore_o be_v desirous_a to_o have_v a_o causey_n through_o the_o fenn_n as_o it_o shall_v seem_v but_o doubt_v whether_o the_o monk_n will_v think_v the_o work_n fesible_a at_o all_o or_o if_o so_o with_o any_o indifferent_a charge_n so_o contrive_v the_o business_n that_o it_o be_v set_v upon_o without_o any_o fear_n of_o either_o and_o become_v accomplish_v according_o the_o story_n may_v perhaps_o to_o some_o seem_v fabulous_a but_o take_v it_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o leaguer_n a._n book_n of_o that_o monastery_n there_o appear_v in_o a_o vision_n unto_o a_o certain_a countryman_n who_o dwell_v at_o exning_n in_o suffolk_n s._n edmund_n the_o king_n and_o martyr_n in_o honour_n of_o whole_a memory_n that_o famous_a abbey_n of_o s._n edmundsbury_n have_v be_v long_o before_o found_v and_o awaken_n the_o man_n say_v thus_o to_o he_o good_a man_n listen_v well_o unto_o what_o i_o shall_v say_v unto_o thou_o and_o what_o i_o appoint_v thou_o to_o do_v fail_v not_o with_o effect_n to_o accomplish_v arise_v and_o go_v present_o to_o the_o bishop_n of_o ely_n and_o tell_v he_o in_o my_o name_n that_o he_o must_v make_v a_o way_n whereby_o i_o may_v visit_v s._n audrey_n who_o according_o make_v haste_n to_o the_o bishop_n and_o acquaint_v he_o with_o this_o his_o vision_n and_o command_n the_o good_a bishop_n therefore_o weep_v for_o joy_n delay_v not_o to_o make_v enquiry_n how_o this_o business_n may_v be_v do_v and_o find_v that_o no_o man_n dare_v for_o what_o charge_n soever_o undertake_v to_o accomplish_v it_o there_o step_v out_o a_o certain_a monk_n of_o that_o abbey_n call_v john_n a_o soft_a man_n to_o all_o outward_a appearance_n who_o tell_v the_o bishop_n that_o he_o will_v by_o god_n help_n perform_v the_o work_n whereupon_o set_v in_o hand_n therewith_o he_o begin_v to_o measure_v the_o distance_n from_o soham_n to_o ely_n and_o to_o cut_v down_o the_o reed_n which_o stand_v in_o his_o way_n as_o also_o to_o make_v bridge_n over_o the_o river_n and_o so_o go_v on_o in_o raise_v of_o the_o say_a causey_n which_o he_o perfect_v in_o a_o very_a short_a time_n to_o the_o wonder_n of_o all_o man_n that_o then_o see_v it_o that_o causey_n be_v still_o call_v soham_n causey_n which_o place_n viz._n soham_n be_v also_o famous_a 30._o for_o two_o other_o thing_n first_o for_o the_o great_a mere_a that_o heretofore_o make_v the_o passage_n by_o ship_n and_o boat_n very_o dangerous_a to_o those_o who_o come_v into_o the_o isle_n that_o way_n before_o the_o say_a causey_n be_v make_v and_o next_o for_o that_o the_o body_n of_o faelix_fw-la bishop_n of_o the_o east-angle_n be_v translate_v from_o domuc_n hither_o which_o bishop_n die_v almost_o a_o thousand_o year_n since_o to_o hervaeus_n succeed_v nigel_n in_o that_o bishopric_n of_o who_o i_o may_v not_o omit_v to_o observe_v 9th_n that_o he_o discern_v this_o isle_n to_o be_v a_o place_n of_o such_o great_a security_n through_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o fen_n wherewith_o it_o be_v encompass_v that_o join_v with_o baldwine_n de_fw-fr rivers_n in_o the_o rebellion_n against_o king_n stephan_n he_o make_v a_o strong_a fort_n of_o lime_n and_o stone_n within_o the_o precinct_n thereof_o but_o that_o fort_n be_v by_o the_o power_n of_o s._n audrey_n as_o my_o author_n say_v often_o destroy_v he_o build_v one_o of_o timber_n near_o to_o his_o engine_n of_o war_n and_o wall_v in_o the_o round_a hill_n call_v the_o keep_v which_o be_v commit_v to_o his_o custody_n by_o geffrey_n de_fw-fr magnavill_n earl_n of_o essex_n and_o richard_n de_fw-fr clare_n earl_n of_o hertford_n whereof_o knowledge_n be_v give_v to_o certain_a great_a man_n of_o that_o country_n they_o make_v a_o confederacy_n with_o he_o but_o the_o king_n have_v intelligence_n thereof_o send_v his_o army_n to_o assault_v it_o yet_o prevail_v little_a therein_o till_o he_o himself_o come_v with_o his_o ship_n and_o then_o 8â—4_n have_v prepare_v a_o multitude_n of_o hurdle_n make_v with_o they_o a_o passage_n for_o his_o horse_n which_o when_o they_o within_o discern_v they_o throw_v down_o their_o arm_n and_o run_v away_o but_o the_o bishop_n escape_v and_o get_v to_o maud_n the_o empress_n and_o as_o for_o the_o reason_n before_o express_v this_o isle_n have_v be_v in_o those_o former_a time_n of_o trouble_n esteem_v a_o place_n of_o such_o great_a security_n so_o be_v it_o afterward_o upon_o the_o like_a occasion_n for_o after_o the_o death_n of_o eustace_n bishop_n of_o ely_n which_o happen_v about_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o king_n john_n time_n the_o monk_n praesul_fw-la have_v elect_v one_o robert_n a_o yorkshire_n man_n who_o not_o only_o take_v the_o profit_n of_o the_o bishopric_n for_o five_o year_n without_o any_o consecration_n but_o adhere_v unto_o lewes_n son_n to_o the_o king_n of_o france_n at_o that_o time_n in_o this_o realm_n and_o the_o king_n enemy_n as_o our_o historian_n do_v at_o large_a set_v forth_o king_n henry_n the_o three_o fear_v leave_v he_o shall_v receive_v the_o say_a lewes_n into_o this_o isle_n make_v a_o very_a great_a complaint_n 13._o thereof_o to_o the_o pope_n whereby_o represent_v that_o danger_n he_o call_v it_o optima_fw-la munitio_fw-la regni_fw-la the_o best_a fort_n in_o all_o his_o kingdom_n and_o therefore_o humble_o beseech_v the_o pope_n that_o he_o will_v provide_v a_o better_a pastor_n for_o this_o church_n which_o he_o according_o do_v nor_o have_v it_o less_o account_n as_o it_o seem_v in_o 49o._o of_o that_o king_n reign_n for_o after_o the_o battle_n of_o evesham_n wherein_o the_o army_n of_o the_o rebellious_a baron_n be_v vanquish_v divers_a of_o those_o that_o flee_v betake_v themselves_o to_o this_o place_n among_o which_o john_n the_o eyvile_a and_o robert_n de_fw-fr wileby_n be_v 379._o the_o chief_a commander_n against_o who_o i_o find_v that_o the_o king_n about_o two_o year_n after_o prepare_v a_o army_n appoint_v 24._o his_o faithful_a subject_n will._n charles_n to_o bring_v barge_n and_o soldier_n from_o the_o sea_n coast_v of_o norff._n and_o suffolk_n for_o the_o assault_a thereof_o this_o be_v the_o time_n that_o the_o king_n himself_o with_o some_o force_n come_v 345._o private_o to_o ramsey_n near_o which_o place_n he_o slay_v and_o take_v prisoner_n divers_a of_o those_o his_o rebel_n who_o have_v issue_v out_o of_o the_o say_a isle_n and_o plunder_v the_o part_n thereabouts_o but_o notwithstanding_o this_o they_o be_v not_o yet_o subdue_v for_o the_o next_o year_n after_o it_o appear_v 379._o that_o henry_n de_fw-fr hastings_n be_v the_o principal_a officer_n and_o governor_n of_o this_o isle_n on_o the_o behalf_n of_o those_o rebel_n and_o now_o have_v by_o these_o sundry_a remarkable_a instance_n show_v how_o vast_a and_o deep_a a_o fenn_n this_o great_a level_n ancient_o be_v my_o next_o endeavour_n shall_v be_v to_o declare_v what_o i_o have_v observe_v to_o have_v be_v do_v in_o order_n to_o the_o drayn_n and_o improvement_n thereof_o or_o any_o part_n of_o the_o same_o beginning_n where_o i_o leave_v viz._n on_o the_o northside_n of_o it_o cap._n xlii_o kesteven_n on_o the_o southern_a part_n of_o this_o province_n lie_v depe_v fenn_n which_o be_v now_o at_o least_o ten_o mile_n in_o breadth_n whereof_o the_o most_o ancient_a mention_n that_o i_o have_v meet_v be_v about_o the_o begin_n of_o king_n edward_n the_o confessor_n reign_n egelric_n who_o have_v be_v 30._o a_o monk_n of_o peterborough_n but_o at_o that_o time_n bishop_n of_o durham_n then_o make_v 30._o a_o firm_a causey_n of_o wood_n &_o gravel_n over_o it_o from_o depe_v to_o spalding_n for_o the_o advantage_n of_o passenger_n opus_fw-la sumptuosum_fw-la valdè_fw-la primâ—que_fw-la necessarium_fw-la quod_fw-la usque_fw-la nunc_fw-la &_o semper_fw-la in_o futurum_fw-la quamdiu_fw-la duraverit_fw-la de_fw-la factore_fw-la egelrico_fw-la cognomen_fw-la habet_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la elriche_fw-it road_n say_v 30._o ingulphus_n a_o most_o costly_a work_n but_o of_o extraordinary_a necessity_n which_o now_o do_v and_o as_o long_o as_o it_o shall_v last_v will_v bear_v his_o name_n at_o that_o time_n part_n of_o this_o province_n be_v a_o forest_n ibid._n as_o well_o as_o a_o fen_n and_o possess_v by_o leofrike_a earl_n of_o mercia_n for_o he_o be_v then_o lord_n 30._o of_o brune_n and_o the_o marsh_n adjoin_v from_o which_o leofrike_n it_o come_v to_o hereward_n his_o young_a son_n of_o who_o i_o have_v make_v ample_a mention_n in_o my_o discourse_n touch_v the_o isle_n of_o ely_n and_o by_o his_o daughter_n and_o heir_n turfrida_n unto_o 10._o hugh_n de_fw-fr evermiâ—eâ—_n â—_z then_o lord_n of_o depe_v so_o also_o by_o the_o sole_a daughter_n and_o
they_o but_o within_o the_o sâ—ace_n of_o two_o year_n follow_v they_o be_v all_o throw_v down_o again_o and_o the_o stone_n carry_v away_o by_o the_o man_n of_o kesteven_n whereupon_o a_o commission_n dorso_fw-la be_v grant_v and_o sit_v at_o donington_n on_o thursday_n next_o after_o s._n matthew_n day_n in_o 17_o r._n 2._o by_o robert_n lord_n willughby_n and_o other_o to_o make_v enquiry_n and_o to_o punish_v the_o offender_n sundry_a whereof_o be_v therefore_o hang_v some_o banish_v and_o some_o fine_v in_o great_a sum_n and_o command_v give_v for_o erect_v new_a crossâ—s_n of_o stone_n at_o the_o charge_n of_o these_o man_n of_o kesteven_n in_o 10_o h._n 4._o john_n earl_n of_o somerset_n brother_n to_o the_o king_n will._n lord_n roos_n robert_n the_o tame_n john_n de_fw-fr holland_n de_fw-fr welysthorpe_n with_o other_o be_v constitute_v dorso_o commissioner_n for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o all_o the_o bank_n ditch_n etc._n etc._n both_o upon_o the_o seacoast_n and_o elsewhere_o within_o this_o province_n of_o kesteven_n and_o to_o proceed_v therein_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o marsh_n there_o before_o that_o time_n use_v and_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n in_o 7_o h._n 5._o there_o be_v a_o presentment_n exhibit_v against_o the_o town_n of_o brunne_a 10._o with_o the_o hamlet_n of_o dyke_n and_o calthorp_n and_o against_o the_o town_n of_o morton_n and_o hermethorpe_n for_o turn_v the_o fresh_a water_n towards_o the_o north_n which_o ought_v to_o run_v eastward_n into_o the_o sea_n but_o notwithstanding_o the_o boundary_n betwixt_o these_o province_n of_o kesteven_n and_o holland_n so_o set_v forth_o as_o have_v be_v say_v i_o find_v that_o margaret_n countess_n of_o richmund_n and_o derby_n be_v lady_n of_o depe_v in_o 16_o h._n 7._o do_v then_o procure_v a_o new_a commission_n direct_v unto_o robert_n lord_n willoughby_n thomas_n lord_n rosse_n thomas_n lord_n fitzwalter_n george_n lord_n hastings_n john_n lord_n fitz_n warren_n sir_n robert_n dimock_n sir_n george_n taylboys_n edward_n stanley_n christopher_z willoughby_z and_o reginald_n bury_v knight_n to_o hear_v and_o determine_v the_o controversy_n between_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o part_n abovesaid_a which_o be_v according_o do_v by_o these_o juror_n viz._n sir_n robert_n hussey_n knight_n sir_n john_n digby_n knight_n sir_n john_n thimelby_n knight_n thomas_n dimock_n richard_n thimelby_n richard_n harington_n will._n ermine_n will._n mounson_n john_n bâ—ssy_n george_n asâ—â—â—y_n robert_n tirwhit_o richard_n cecil_n john_n bâ—llâ—_n william_n fitzwilliam_n john_n folâ—ingham_n will._n leigh_n thomas_n desney_n richard_n grantham_n edward_n askew_n george_n mackwoâ—th_n thomas_n billesby_n will._n thorold_n will._n enderby_n and_o john_n walcot_n esquire_n cap._n xliii_o have_v now_o do_v with_o what_o concern_v the_o province_n of_o kesteven_n alone_o i_o come_v to_o it_o and_o holland_n joint_o whereof_o the_o first_o mention_n that_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o be_v of_o the_o 33._o afforestation_n make_v by_o king_n henry_n the_o first_o in_o these_o part_n 33._o which_o continue_v not_o long_o for_o it_o appear_v that_o king_n richard_n the_o first_o about_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o reign_n by_o his_o charter_n to_o the_o monastery_n of_o spald_v of_o the_o town_n of_o spalding_n and_o hinchebec_n with_o the_o land_n water_n and_o marsh_n to_o they_o belong_v do_v acquit_v the_o inhabitant_n of_o those_o place_n from_o all_o duty_n belong_v to_o the_o forest_n as_o also_o of_o heart_n and_o hind_n with_o all_o other_o wild_a beast_n and_o of_o all_o forest_n custom_n and_o exaction_n which_o have_v use_v to_o be_v there_o do_v â—e_n or_o require_v so_o that_o no_o forester_n or_o any_o other_o may_v thereupon_o vex_v or_o disquiet_v they_o ☞_o and_o moreover_o give_v they_o licence_n 33._o to_o make_v bank_n and_o ditch_n to_o enclose_v their_o land_n and_o marsh_n as_o also_o to_o build_v house_n and_o exercise_n tillage_n as_o they_o themselves_o shall_v think_v fit_a within_o these_o particular_a mete_n and_o bound_n viz._n betwixt_o the_o river_n of_o wailand_n and_o chelebeche_n in_o length_n and_o from_o midfen_n dic_fw-la which_o be_v the_o division_n betwixt_o these_o two_o province_n of_o kesteven_n and_o holland_n and_o gudramesend_n which_o be_v the_o boundary_a as_o far_o as_o saltene_n in_o breadth_n and_o hasmanespade_n as_o the_o say_a river_n of_o wailand_n come_v from_o crouland_n descend_v to_o the_o sea_n from_o this_o deafforestation_n abovemention_v i_o shall_v descend_v to_o king_n henry_n the_o three_o reign_n in_o who_o time_n i_o find_v dorso_fw-la that_o there_o be_v a_o precept_n direct_v to_o the_o shireeve_n touch_v the_o partition_n of_o hauthuntre-fen_n by_o the_o consent_n of_o those_o that_o have_v right_o therein_o whereby_o the_o say_a king_n give_v special_a command_n that_o each_o town_n may_v have_v their_o due_a proportion_n thereof_o assign_v to_o they_o but_o in_o the_o first_o place_n that_o a_o perambulation_n shall_v be_v make_v by_o the_o oath_n of_o xij_o lawful_a and_o discreet_a knight_n betwixt_o it_o and_o the_o fen_n call_v fent_v fen_n viz._n in_o length_n from_o the_o town_n of_o swinefheved_a to_o a_o little_a rivulet_n call_v barkesmere_n and_o so_o from_o the_o marsh_n of_o stevening_n as_o barkesmere_n go_v betwixt_o the_o say_a fen_n call_v hauthundrefen_n and_o the_o marsh_n of_o hale_n unto_o the_o river_n of_o kime_n and_o so_o in_o length_n by_o the_o say_a river_n of_o kime_n to_o dockesdike_n and_o from_o thence_o by_o the_o water_n wuna_n to_o certain_a land_n of_o boston_n and_o that_o so_o soon_o as_o the_o say_a petambulation_n shall_v be_v thâ—s_o accomplish_v then_o to_o make_v partition_n of_o the_o before_o mention_v fen_n by_o the_o oath_n of_o those_o knight_n in_o such_o sort_n as_o each_o town_n may_v have_v a_o assignation_n of_o their_o particular_a share_n to_o dispose_v and_o make_v improvement_n of_o the_o same_o according_a to_o their_o own_o best_a like_n after_o this_o viz._n in_o 44_o h._n 3._o the_o king_n then_o direct_v his_o precept_n 16._o to_o the_o shireeve_n of_o this_o county_n whereby_o take_v notice_n that_o not_o only_o the_o landholders_n in_o those_o part_n but_o himself_o have_v suffer_v inestimable_a damage_n by_o the_o overflow_a of_o the_o sea_n and_o likewise_o of_o the_o fresh_a water_n through_o the_o default_n in_o repair_n of_o the_o bank_n ditch_n gutter_n bridge_n and_o sewer_n in_o the_o land_n which_o late_o belong_v to_o william_n longespe_fw-fr in_o these_o part_n of_o kesteven_n and_o holland_n he_o command_v the_o say_a shireeve_n forthwith_o to_o distrain_v all_o such_o landholders_n who_o have_v safeguard_n by_o those_o bank_n and_o ditch_n and_o aught_o to_o repair_v they_o according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o their_o land_n to_o the_o end_n that_o they_o may_v be_v speedy_o repair_v in_o such_o sort_n as_o they_o ought_v and_o have_v use_v to_o be_v and_o in_o 23_o e._n 1._o adam_n de_fw-fr crokedayk_n and_o w._n inge_n be_v constitute_v dorso_fw-la commissioner_n to_o view_v the_o bank_n ditch_n and_o sewer_n in_o these_o province_n and_o to_o see_v that_o the_o current_n of_o fresh_a water_n in_o the_o marsh_n thereof_o may_v have_v their_o due_a and_o ancient_a passage_n as_o they_o have_v wont_a to_o have_v in_o 9_o e._n 2._o lambert_n de_fw-fr trekyngham_n roger_n de_fw-fr coppeldyk_n and_o robert_n de_fw-fr malberthorp_n be_v then_o constitute_v a._n the_o king_n justice_n of_o sewer_n for_o these_o part_n sit_v at_o boston_n upon_o the_o tuesday_n next_o after_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o exaltation_n of_o the_o holy_a cross_n there_o to_o make_v enquiry_n by_o the_o oath_n of_o good_a and_o lawful_a man_n what_o person_n of_o this_o county_n of_o lincoln_n have_v use_v to_o repair_v and_o maintain_v the_o bank_n ditch_n gutter_n and_o sewer_n within_o the_o fen_n of_o kesteven_n and_o holland_n and_o other_o place_n thereabouts_o as_o also_o the_o floudgate_n by_o which_o the_o fresh_a water_n that_o have_v use_v to_o run_v from_o the_o part_n of_o kesteven_n into_o the_o say_a fen_n be_v hinder_v from_o so_o do_v and_o by_o who_o the_o say_v water_n be_v turn_v out_o of_o their_o right_n and_o due_a course_n as_o also_o in_o what_o sort_n whereupon_o sir_n will._n d'_fw-fr autre_fw-fr knight_n john_n de_fw-fr holland_n and_o several_a other_o person_n of_o quality_n be_v swear_v do_v a._n upon_o their_o oath_n present_a that_o the_o town_n of_o danington_n ought_v and_o have_v use_v to_o repair_v the_o causey_n of_o holland_n with_o little_a bridge_n and_o ditch_n on_o each_o part_n of_o the_o same_o from_o the_o say_a town_n of_o donington_n to_o the_o new_a ditch_n and_o from_o the_o say_a ditch_n unto_o the_o chapel_n of_o s._n saviour_n the_o prior_n of_o s._n saviour_n to_z perform_v the_o like_a repair_n there_o be_v at_o that_o time_n great_a defect_n
ought_v to_o cleanse_v and_o scour_v the_o sewer_n of_o stakesgraft_n swynman_n dam_n and_o swanelond_n so_o that_o the_o current_n of_o the_o water_n may_v not_o be_v hinder_v from_o the_o fen_n to_o the_o channel_n which_o carry_v it_o to_o the_o sea_n and_o they_o say_v that_o there_o be_v great_a necessity_n of_o a_o good_a bank_n for_o preservation_n of_o the_o fen_n betwixt_o depe_v and_o spalding_n from_o the_o house_n of_o john_n the_o son_n of_o simon_n of_o spalding_n to_o wodelode_n to_o be_v make_v at_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o prior_n and_o town_n of_o spalding_n so_o that_o each_o aâ—re_n may_v be_v tax_v alike_o and_o that_o no_o hog_n may_v come_v near_o that_o bank_n nor_o any_o defensible_a bank_n in_o any_o place_n of_o holland_n nor_o the_o sewer_n therein_o by_o the_o space_n of_o half_a a_o mile_n and_o they_o last_o say_v that_o all_o the_o beforespecify_v ordinance_n be_v for_o the_o common_a benefit_n of_o the_o say_a town_n in_o kesteven_n and_o holland_n and_o that_o every_o acre_n ought_v to_o be_v assess_v alike_o in_o all_o tax_n and_o cost_n for_o the_o necessary_a repair_n of_o the_o say_a gutter_n sewer_n bank_n and_o bridge_n in_o 25_o e._n 3._o there_o be_v a_o petition_n dorso_fw-la exhibit_v to_o the_o king_n and_o his_o counsel_n in_o parliament_n by_o those_o of_o these_o province_n of_o kesteven_n and_o holland_n who_o reside_v in_o the_o fen_n show_v that_o whereas_o the_o ancient_a boundary_a call_v midfen_n dike_a and_o other_o mete_n which_o go_v through_o the_o say_a fen_n from_o the_o river_n of_o weland_n to_o the_o stream_n of_o withum_fw-la which_o have_v wont_a to_o be_v the_o old_a limit_n betwixt_o these_o two_o province_n as_o by_o certain_a cross_n of_o stone_n then_o continue_v be_v very_o evident_a be_v at_o that_o time_n by_o reason_n of_o flood_n and_o other_o impediment_n so_o obscure_v that_o no_o certain_a knowledge_n can_v be_v thereof_o insomuch_o as_o great_a controversy_n and_o debate_n be_v occasion_v betwixt_o the_o inhabitant_n in_o those_o part_n upon_o execution_n of_o the_o king_n writ_n and_o otherwise_o the_o say_a king_n do_v therefore_o assign_v dorso_fw-la saier_n de_fw-fr rocheford_n alexander_n aunsell_n simon_n simeon_n will._n de_fw-fr skipwith_n thomas_n de_fw-fr sibthorpe_n and_o thomas_n the_o levelance_n to_o take_v view_n of_o the_o say_a boundary_n and_o to_o distrain_v all_o such_o person_n for_o the_o scour_n and_o cleanse_v the_o same_o who_o ought_v to_o have_v perform_v that_o work_n after_o this_o divers_a year_n viz._n in_o 41_o e._n 3._o godfrey_n fuljaumbe_a simon_n simeon_n walter_n de_fw-fr campeden_n and_o other_o be_v appoint_v to_o view_v and_o repair_v the_o bank_n sewer_n and_o ditch_n from_o bardney_n ferry_n to_o catebrig_n within_o the_o province_n of_o kesteven_n and_o within_o the_o wapentak_v of_o ellowe_n in_o the_o part_n of_o holland_n upon_o a_o plead_n linc._n in_o 3._o h._n 4._o i_o find_v that_o on_o will._n wyte_v of_o depe_v be_v pardon_v for_o the_o break_n down_o of_o two_o cross_n which_o have_v be_v set_v up_o betwixt_o these_o province_n of_o kesteven_n and_o holland_n by_o five_o of_o the_o king_n justice_n upon_o the_o say_v king_n appointment_n in_o 3_o h._n 5._o thomas_n le_fw-fr war_n robert_n de_fw-fr wylughby_n will._n lodingtone_n robert_n hagbecche_n geffrey_n lutterell_n john_n belle_fw-fr john_n henege_v and_o other_o 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 ditch_n and_o sewer_n in_o these_o part_n of_o kesteven_n and_o holland_n then_o in_o decay_n with_o direction_n to_o proceed_v therein_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n ☜_o and_o the_o custom_n of_o romeney_n marsh_n as_o also_o to_o take_v such_o and_o so_o many_o workman_n and_o artificer_n upon_o competent_a wage_n as_o they_o shall_v think_v fit_a to_o be_v employ_v in_o that_o work_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o great_a necessity_n for_o expedition_n therein_o the_o like_a commission_n in_o 5_o h._n 5._o have_v thomas_n duke_n of_o clarence_n gilbert_n umframvill_n william_n lodyngton_n john_n cokayn_n james_n strangways_o thomas_n de_fw-fr la_fw-fr launde_n and_o other_o and_o to_o act_v therein_o according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o marsh_n and_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o this_o realm_n so_o also_o in_o 26_o h._n 6._o have_v dorso_fw-la john_n viscount_n beaumond_n sir_n robert_n wylughby_n knight_n sir_n ralph_n cromwell_n knight_n sir_n leo._n welles_n knight_n nich._n dixon_n clerk_n thomas_n mery_n and_o other_o with_o direction_n to_o make_v law_n and_o ordinance_n therein_o consonant_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o romeney_n marsh_n and_o to_o hear_v and_o determine_v of_o all_o thing_n touch_v the_o same_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o say_a marsh_n as_o also_o to_o impress_v ditcher_n and_o other_o labourer_n upon_o competent_a salary_n and_o to_o employ_v they_o in_o the_o say_a work_n as_o long_o as_o there_o shall_v be_v occasion_n so_o to_o do_v in_o regard_n of_o the_o great_a and_o imminent_a danger_n which_o may_v by_o delay_n accrue_v in_o 7_o e._n 4._o richard_n earl_n of_o warwick_n humphrey_n bourchier_n lord_n cromwell_n sir_n henry_n stafford_z knight_n sir_n thomas_n burgh_n knight_n oliver_n s._n john_n esquire_n will._n husee_fw-fr will._n coote_n and_o divers_a other_o have_v the_o like_a commission_n dorso_fw-la for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o all_o the_o bank_n and_o sewer_n etc._n etc._n from_o staunford_n in_o this_o county_n to_o dodyngton_n pigot_n and_o from_o thence_o throughout_o these_o two_o province_n to_o the_o sea_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o 34_o h._n 8._o charles_n d._n of_o suff._n rob._n dymmoke_n tho._n heneage_n john_n copledyk_n john_n hussey_n and_o rob._n tirwhit_o knight_n edw._n dymoke_n ric._n themolby_n and_o other_o esâ—uires_v then_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n in_o these_o part_n sit_v at_o donington_n decree_v 1660._o that_o the_o floudgate_n or_o sluse_n under_o boston_n bridge_n shall_v be_v repair_v at_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o wapentake_v of_o kyrton_n and_o skirbek_n in_o holland_n for_o the_o one_o half_a and_o the_o wapentake_n of_o ellow_n and_o town_n of_o boston_n 8._o for_o the_o other_o half_a to_o be_v perform_v before_o the_o feast_n of_o all_o saint_n than_o next_o come_n in_o as_o complete_a a_o manner_n as_o it_o have_v be_v former_o do_v by_o margaret_n countess_n of_o richmund_n and_o derby_n moreover_o that_o two_o great_a sewer_n xx_o foot_n wide_a and_o 5._o foot_n deep_a shall_v be_v make_v and_o dig_v in_o the_o division_n betwixt_o kesteven_n and_o holland_n from_o the_o most_o western_a point_n at_o gotheram_n coat_n corner_n near_o the_o river_n of_o glen_n unto_o wragmere_n stake_n thence_o to_o the_o river_n of_o wythom_n at_o langrake_n where_o then_o lie_v a_o certain_a sluse_n in_o the_o say_a river_n so_o as_o the_o say_a sewer_n and_o watercourse_n be_v noâ—_n above_o xxxvi_o foot_n one_o from_o the_o other_o until_o they_o come_v to_o wragmere_n stake_n and_o that_o the_o menure_n shall_v be_v cast_v betwixt_o the_o say_a sewer_n to_o raise_v a_o firm_a bank_n and_o from_o wragmere_n stake_n both_o sewer_n to_o run_v in_o one_o channel_n of_o thirty_o foot_n broad_a in_o a_o direct_a line_n leave_v the_o division_n of_o those_o country_n to_o gilsyke_n to_o go_v whole_o in_o the_o eight_o hundred_o fen_n of_o holland_n and_o that_o the_o say_v sewer_n from_o the_o river_n of_o glen_n to_o wytham_n so_o intend_v from_o the_o south_n to_o the_o north_n shall_v â—all_n into_o enter_v and_o go_v through_o all_o the_o load_n and_o drayne_n in_o the_o fen_n aforesaid_a which_o come_v out_o of_o the_o part_n of_o kesteven_n to_o hamond_n beck_n alias_o holland_n fen_n dyke_n to_o the_o end_n that_o all_o the_o water_n go_v together_o may_v the_o better_o run_v within_o its_o own_o brink_n and_o channel_n and_o the_o soon_o come_v to_o the_o sluse_n at_o skirbek_n goat_n and_o the_o new_a goat_n by_o that_o decree_n intend_v and_o that_o those_o sewer_n shall_v be_v make_v in_o manner_n follow_v and_o in_o place_n hereafter_o name_v viz._n first_o from_o the_o say_a place_n call_v gotheramscote_n unto_o nestilholm_n corner_n by_o a_o right_a line_n on_o the_o outside_n of_o nestilholme_n aforesaid_a where_o the_o hearth_n stead_n be_v and_o the_o limit_n divyde_v holland_n and_o kesteven_n and_o that_o the_o say_a sewer_n shall_v come_v as_o near_o to_o the_o corner_n aforesaid_a as_o may_v be_v so_o that_o it_o enter_v not_o into_o the_o dyke_n of_o nestilholm_n aforesaid_a and_o that_o the_o say_v sewer_n shall_v be_v make_v from_o the_o place_n to_o the_o place_n aforesaid_a on_o the_o westside_n within_o the_o several_a township_n by_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o burne_n cum_fw-la membris_fw-la moreton_n cum_fw-la membris_fw-la haconby_n cum_fw-la membris_fw-la
be_v there_o before_o the_o say_a stop_n be_v so_o make_v and_o the_o water_n likewise_o common_a for_o fish_v to_o all_o the_o neighbourhood_n and_o they_o also_o say_v that_o the_o borderer_n on_o each_o part_n thereof_o be_v either_o tenant_n to_o the_o abbot_n of_o ramsey_n the_o earl_n warren_n or_o of_o john_n de_fw-fr bardolf_n and_o other_o lord_n and_o be_v far_o ask_v whether_o the_o say_v edmund_n or_o elizabeth_n do_v in_o their_o time_n do_v any_o thing_n for_o the_o maintenance_n and_o keep_v up_o of_o that_o dam_n they_o say_v that_o after_o the_o before-specified_n bishop_n have_v first_o make_v it_o it_o do_v not_o need_v any_o repair_n or_o amendment_n and_o that_o the_o say_v robert_n peverell_n edmund_n or_o elizabeth_n do_v not_o in_o their_o time_n meddle_v at_o all_o therewith_o and_o the_o juror_n for_o the_o county_n of_o lincoln_n impanel_v and_o swear_v say_v upon_o their_o oath_n that_o the_o channel_n call_v south_n edyke_n begin_v at_o crouland_n and_o extend_v itself_o to_o tide_n in_o that_o county_n through_o which_o the_o fresh_a water_n descend_v from_o the_o fen_n and_o up-country_n use_v to_o pass_v unto_o the_o sea_n by_o raise_v the_o crest_n thereof_o no_o more_o than_o two_o foot_n be_v then_o scarce_o sufficient_a to_o carry_v away_o those_o water_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o beforementioned_a obstruction_n though_o the_o bank_n be_v in_o height_n no_o less_o than_o xv_o foot_n on_o each_o side_n and_o that_o before_o this_o obstruction_n be_v so_o make_v whensoever_o there_o be_v any_o occasion_n for_o the_o repair_n of_o the_o say_a bank_n or_o raise_v it_o high_o the_o agistment_n of_o every_o acre_n of_o land_n in_o those_o part_n at_o a_o halfpenny_n be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o same_o but_o that_o then_o through_o the_o overflow_a of_o those_o water_n every_o acre_n be_v agi_v at_o iiiid._o and_o that_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o say_a obstruction_n no_o less_o than_o xl_o thousand_o acre_n of_o moor_n and_o marish_a ground_n in_o holland_n fen_n be_v overflow_v and_o drown_v and_o they_o far_o say_v that_o the_o abbey_n of_o crouland_n be_v found_v by_o the_o progenitor_n of_o the_o king_n be_v of_o england_n and_o that_o two_o thousand_o acre_n of_o land_n meadow_n moor_n and_o fen_n belong_v thereto_o be_v by_o mean_n of_o this_o obstruction_n overflow_v and_o drown_v so_o that_o the_o possession_n of_o that_o monastery_n will_v not_o suffice_v to_o maintain_v the_o house_n except_o the_o number_n of_o monk_n be_v lessen_v and_o that_o by_o mean_n thereof_o the_o king_n in_o the_o time_n of_o vacancy_n of_o the_o say_a abbey_n do_v lose_v the_o benefit_n which_o may_v accrue_v to_o he_o thereby_o and_o they_o say_v moreover_o that_o by_o reason_n of_o this_o obstruction_n the_o land_n meadow_n moor_n marsh_n and_o pasture_n of_o depe_a fen_n burgh_n fen_n and_o spalding_n fen_n which_o contain_v seven_o thousand_o acre_n as_o also_o the_o moor_n and_o marsh_n to_o the_o moor_n of_o kestevene_n be_v so_o overflow_v and_o drown_v that_o the_o lord_n and_o commoner_n of_o all_o the_o town_n adjacent_a on_o every_o part_n have_v by_o reason_n of_o that_o obstruction_n lose_v the_o profit_n belong_v to_o they_o and_o they_o far_o say_v that_o the_o common_a passage_n for_o ship_n and_o boat_n from_o crouland_n to_o the_o haven_n of_o lenne_n with_o corn_n and_o other_o commodity_n have_v wont_a to_o be_v by_o the_o say_a town_n of_o outwell_n where_o the_o before-specified_n obstruction_n be_v and_o that_o then_o they_o be_v constrain_v by_o reason_n of_o that_o stop_n to_o go_v about_o by_z old_z wellenhee_o and_o little_o port_n which_o be_v fifty_o mile_n far_o than_o the_o other_o way_n to_o the_o damage_n of_o the_o king_n and_o his_o liege_n people_n of_o those_o part_n a_o thousand_o mark_n yearly_a and_o the_o juror_n for_o cambridgshire_n impanel_v and_o swear_v do_v say_v upon_o their_o oath_n that_o the_o river_n of_o ouse_n descend_v from_o huntendon_n be_v the_o bound_n betwixt_o cambridge_n and_o huntendon_n shire_n and_o the_o river_n of_o nene_n ☞_o descend_v from_o peterborough_n and_o other_o part_n above_o do_v meet_v at_o benwick_n in_o cambridgshire_n and_o have_v use_v to_o run_v direct_o from_o thence_o to_o the_o say_a port_n of_o lenne_n by_o the_o before-specified_n town_n of_o outwell_n until_o xxxi_o year_n than_o last_o pass_v that_o the_o say_a bishop_n make_v that_o stop_n as_o aforesaid_a by_o reason_n whereof_o the_o land_n meadow_n fen_n turbary_n and_o a_o great_a proportion_n of_o arable_a belong_v to_o all_o the_o town_n betwixt_o fen_n drayton_n and_o benwick_n beforementioned_a unto_o the_o say_a town_n of_o utwell_n in_o cambridgshire_n and_o which_o be_v adjacent_a thereto_o and_o for_o the_o length_n and_o breadth_n of_o about_o thirty_o mile_n be_v common_o overflow_v and_o drown_v every_o year_n so_o that_o neither_o the_o owner_n of_o the_o say_a land_n etc._n etc._n nor_o the_o commoner_n have_v any_o yearly_a profit_n by_o they_o to_o the_o damage_n of_o the_o say_a king_n and_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o those_o part_n and_o such_o as_o will_v pass_v that_o way_n ccl_o and_o upward_o every_o year_n and_o they_o say_v moreover_o that_o for_o the_o reason_n abovesaid_a there_o be_v not_o that_o passage_n for_o vessel_n with_o corn_n and_o merchandise_n towards_o the_o beforementioned_a port_n as_o have_v use_v to_o be_v neither_o in_o go_v nor_o return_v except_o by_o old_a wellen_v he_o and_o lytle_n port_n which_o be_v xxxvi_o mile_n about_o and_o the_o say_a juror_n be_v ask_v how_o much_o the_o say_a manor_n of_o coldham_n be_v then_o more_o worth_a annual_o than_o it_o have_v be_v before_o that_o stop_n be_v so_o make_v they_o answer_v xll._n by_o the_o year_n and_o the_o juror_n for_o huntendonshire_n empanel_v and_o swear_v for_o the_o same_o purpose_n say_v upon_o their_o oath_n that_o whereas_o man_n will_v pass_v from_o the_o town_n of_o jakele_n holme_n glatton_n and_o ramsey_n by_o the_o river_n of_o nene_n direct_o towards_o the_o haven_n of_o lenne_n aforesaid_a with_o navigable_a vessel_n lade_v with_o corn_n and_o other_o vendible_a commodity_n by_o the_o say_a town_n of_o outwell_n they_o be_v then_o hinder_v by_o the_o say_a dam_n that_o they_o be_v constrain_v to_o go_v about_o more_o than_o fifty_o mile_n and_o they_o far_o say_v that_o all_o the_o meadow_n land_n pasture_n fen_n and_o turbary_n from_o the_o town_n of_o s._n neot_n in_o huntendonshire_n lie_v adjacent_a or_o near_o to_o the_o river_n ouse_n in_o length_n thirty_o mile_n and_o in_o breadth_n x._o mile_n more_o or_o less_o unto_o the_o town_n of_o benwike_n where_o the_o river_n of_o ouse_n and_o nene_n have_v their_o confluence_n and_o likewise_o the_o land_n meadow_n pasture_n and_o fen_n of_o all_o the_o town_n betwixt_o aylington_n in_o that_o county_n unto_o a_o place_n call_v musâ—cote_n in_o the_o fen_n which_o be_v xuj_o mile_n in_o flood_n time_n be_v overflow_v and_o drown_v by_o reason_n that_o they_o can_v not_o pass_v away_o as_o they_o have_v use_v to_o do_v so_o that_o the_o lord_n of_o those_o fen_n and_o their_o tenant_n as_o also_o the_o commoner_n in_o they_o do_v total_o lose_v the_o benefit_n which_o belong_v to_o they_o thereby_o to_o the_o damage_n of_o the_o say_a king_n and_o inhabitant_n of_o those_o part_n six_o hundred_o mark_n by_o the_o year_n and_o they_o say_v moreover_o that_o the_o say_a king_n be_v lord_n of_o the_o manor_n of_o glatton_n whereunto_o the_o hamlet_n of_o holme_n belong_v to_o which_o market_n man_n from_o the_o part_n of_o lenne_n and_o elsewhere_o in_o norfolk_n and_o suffolk_n can_v not_o pass_v with_o their_o victual_n and_o merchandise_n by_o ship_n and_o boat_n nor_o return_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o say_a obstruction_n insomuch_o as_o that_o manor_n of_o the_o king_n whereunto_o the_o say_a market_n belong_v be_v less_o worth_a by_o ten_o pound_n per_fw-la annum_fw-la than_o former_o and_o the_o juror_n for_o the_o county_n of_o northampton_n empanel_v likewise_o and_o swear_v say_v upon_o their_o oath_n that_o the_o river_n of_o neene_n have_v wont_a to_o pass_v direct_o from_o peterborough_n to_o the_o port_n of_o bishop_n lenne_n whereby_o the_o man_n of_o that_o county_n usual_o carry_v merchandise_n corn_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o victual_n with_o ship_n and_o boat_n by_o outwell_n in_o norfolk_n until_o within_o xxxi_o year_n then_o past_a that_o the_o say_v walter_n langtone_n late_a bishop_n of_o cou._n and_o lich._n obstruct_v the_o course_n of_o the_o before-specified_n water_n insomuch_o as_o all_o person_n who_o have_v a_o desire_n to_o go_v from_o peterborough_n unto_o that_o haven_n be_v constrain_v to_o go_v by_o old_a wellenhee_o and_o litil_o port_n which_o in_o go_v and_o come_v be_v a_o far_a journey_n by_o fifty_o mile_n and_o
one_o half_a and_o the_o abbot_n of_o thorney_n the_o other_o and_o they_o say_v that_o the_o other_o part_n of_o nene_n which_o pass_v from_o peterborough_n bridge_n aforesaid_a unto_o wodesh_v in_o wytlesey_n thence_o to_o wittleseybrigge_n thence_o by_o wittlesey_n to_o wardiscote_n in_o wittlesey_n and_o thence_o into_o the_o great_a river_n of_o wisebeche_n aught_o to_o be_v scour_v from_o the_o say_v wodesh_v to_o wardysgote_n aforesaid_a by_o the_o town_n of_o uuittlesey_n and_o the_o landholders_n late_a pavy_n in_o march_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o then_o cleanse_v and_o they_o say_v that_o the_o town_n of_o uuittlesey_n ought_v to_o cleanse_v one_o sewer_n begin_v at_o goose_n uuillow_n drive_v in_o uuitlesey_n unto_o the_o north_n part_n of_o adernale_a in_o the_o same_o town_n and_o thence_o to_o brodreche_n in_o uuisebeche_n call_v upstanlake_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o cleanse_v and_o that_o the_o bishop_n of_o ely_n ought_v to_o cleanse_v the_o say_a upstavinlake_n unto_o the_o great_a river_n of_o uuisebeche_n which_o be_v not_o then_o do_v in_o 9_o e._n 4._o w._n bishop_n of_o ely_n george_n duke_n of_o clarence_n richard_n earl_n of_o uuarwick_n and_o salisbury_n john_n earl_n of_o northumberland_n john_n earl_n of_o oxford_n humphrey_n bourchier_n lord_n cromwell_n john_n catesby_n will._n jenny_n thomas_n grey_n roger_n tounsende_v henry_n spilman_n thomas_n daniel_n and_o other_o be_v constitute_v dorso_fw-la commissioner_n for_o to_o view_v the_o bank_n ditch_n sewer_n etc._n etc._n of_o marshland_n upwelle_n and_o outwelle_n and_o of_o other_o town_n and_o fen_n by_o the_o water_n which_o go_v from_o erith_n brigge_v direct_o to_o benwyke_v thence_o to_o paddok_v mere_a thence_o to_o farset_n brigge_n thence_o to_o standground_n and_o so_o to_o muscote_n and_o from_o muscote_n to_o thorney_n mille_fw-la and_o godelakcrosse_n by_o noman_n land_n and_o thence_o to_o dowysdale_n and_o so_o to_o clowecrosse_n thence_o to_o wylowedyke_n thence_o to_o edgreyne_n thence_o to_o tydegote_n and_o thence_o to_o the_o sea_n and_o to_o make_v statute_n and_o ordinance_n for_o the_o repair_n of_o they_o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o constitution_n of_o this_o realm_n and_o the_o statute_n of_o romeney_n marsh_n as_o also_o to_o impress_v such_o and_o so_o many_o digger_n and_o other_o labourer_n to_o be_v employ_v in_o those_o work_n as_o they_o shall_v deem_v necessary_a for_o the_o expedition_n thereof_o the_o like_a commission_n w_o have_v they_o for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o those_o in_o the_o marsh_n betwixt_o the_o water_n run_v from_o erith_n brigge_v aforesaid_a by_o ely_n to_o salterslode_v and_o wigenall_n to_o bishop_n lenne_n and_o the_o water_n pass_v from_o the_o same_o bridge_n at_o erith_n by_o benwick_n gretecrosse_n and_o wyssebeche_v to_o the_o sea_n about_o this_o time_n i_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v for_o it_o be_v without_o date_n that_o the_o landholders_n of_o pokediche_n field_n in_o welle_v exhibit_v a_o petition_n b._n to_o the_o lord_n and_o commoner_n of_o marshland_n show_v that_o the_o say_a field_n be_v agi_v for_o its_o number_n of_o acre_n in_o as_o high_a a_o measure_n towards_o the_o repair_n of_o the_o bank_n call_v pokediche_n for_o the_o safeguard_n of_o that_o country_n as_o any_o part_n thereof_o which_o lie_v within_o the_o precinct_n of_o that_o bank_n and_o that_o the_o water_n of_o pokediche_n do_v so_o overflow_v the_o same_o field_n that_o they_o can_v not_o dig_v earth_n upon_o occasion_n for_o repair_v of_o the_o before-specified_n bank_n and_o therefore_o desire_v that_o they_o may_v drain_v the_o same_o by_o a_o sewer_n through_o the_o say_a bank_n into_o marshland_n in_o such_o a_o place_n where_o it_o will_v be_v of_o least_o damage_n thereto_o whereupon_o they_o be_v allow_v to_o have_v a_o certain_a clow_n near_o thwart_v meadow_n for_o that_o purpose_n in_o 20_o h._n 8._o at_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o stuntney_n in_o the_o isle_n of_o ely_n by_o sir_n thomas_n knight_n tho._n dereham_n john_n fincham_n and_o other_o there_o be_v a_o presentment_n â—_o then_o make_v by_o the_o juror_n of_o all_o the_o sewer_n at_o that_o time_n in_o be_v within_o this_o part_n of_o the_o country_n instance_v to_o who_o the_o repair_n of_o each_o belong_v the_o tenor_n whereof_o i_o shall_v here_o insert_v the_o bishop_n of_o ely_n ought_v to_o scour_v crekelode_n extend_v from_o the_o great_a stream_n towards_o sotherey_n unto_o the_o willough_n by_o the_o space_n of_o two_o furlong_n and_o from_o the_o say_v willough_n to_o pulverlake_n the_o cellerar_n of_o bury_n have_v a_o half_a part_n against_o all_o other_o for_o the_o space_n of_o a_o mile_n and_o more_o from_o the_o say_a willough_n also_o to_o pulverlake_n the_o prior_n of_o modney_n have_v a_o share_n so_o likewise_o the_o prior_n of_o norwich_n for_o the_o church_n of_o fordham_n and_o the_o parson_n of_o helgay_n for_o the_o church_n of_o helgay_n and_o the_o landholders_n late_a massingham_n and_o bekeswell_n ought_v to_o cleanse_v the_o same_o against_o the_o cellerar_n of_o bury_n from_o the_o say_v willough_n to_o pulverlake_n which_o cellerar_n of_o bury_n have_v also_o a_o half_a part_n in_o the_o middle_n of_o this_o load_n against_o all_o other_o for_o two_o mile_n the_o abbot_n of_o ramsey_n ought_v to_o scour_v the_o sewer_n called_z balkwere_fw-mi abut_a upon_o gnat_n load_n for_o one_o quarter_n of_o a_o mile_n and_o the_o prior_n of_o norwich_n the_o rector_n of_o helgay_n with_o the_o tenant_n of_o the_o land_n late_a massingham_n and_o bekeswell_n aught_o to_o repair_v the_o same_o unto_o the_o four_o load_v end_n in_o crekelode_n also_o thomas_n boteler_n of_o helgay_n ought_v to_o scour_v a_o place_n call_v hog_n middle_a for_o the_o length_n of_o one_o furlong_n and_o the_o duke_n of_o gloucester_n one_o part_n in_o gretwere_n a_o part_n of_o the_o say_v crekelode_n for_o the_o length_n of_o a_o mile_n against_o all_o other_o and_o another_o part_n there_o for_o half_a a_o mile_n the_o prior_n of_o castelacre_n abbot_n of_o wendling_n and_o the_o tenant_n of_o those_o land_n late_a bekeswell_n sheet_z middil_n in_o crekelode_n aught_o to_o be_v cleanse_v by_o the_o say_a cellerar_n of_o bury_n for_o the_o space_n of_o one_o mile_n and_o more_o chut_v in_o crekelode_n by_o the_o duke_n of_o glouc._n for_o half_a a_o furlong_n and_o more_o strem_n middil_n by_o the_o cellerar_n of_o bury_n for_o one_o mile_n in_o ung_n medil_n the_o prior_n of_o modney_n hold_v one_o part_n by_o the_o space_n of_o two_o furlong_n against_o the_o prior_n of_o chetford_n john_n ashfield_n and_o the_o abbor_n of_o ramsey_n for_o the_o land_n late_o nich._n gun_n the_o same_o john_n ashfield_n hold_v one_o part_n in_o lodwere_n in_o creklode_n aforesaid_a for_o two_o furlong_n in_o bullinger_n the_o prior_n of_o modney_n hold_v half_o a_o part_n for_o two_o furlong_n and_o more_o against_o the_o abbot_n of_o ramsey_n the_o say_a prior_n of_o modney_n and_o the_o tenant_n of_o the_o land_n late_a massingham_n aught_o to_o cleanse_v all_o greedy_a middil_n for_o one_o mile_n the_o prior_n of_o chetford_n ought_v to_o scour_v jellis_n middil_n for_o the_o space_n of_o one_o mile_n the_o town_n of_o lyttilport_n the_o widow_n of_o nich._n orme_n and_o the_o earl_n of_o worcester_n aught_o to_o cleanse_v newdike_n unto_o welney_n court_n for_o one_o mile_n criklode_n in_o march_n begin_v at_o the_o great_a i_fw-mi betwixt_o march_n and_o welle_v and_o go_v on_o direct_o to_o elm_n contain_v by_o estimation_n six_o mile_n and_o aught_o to_o be_v scour_v by_o the_o bishop_n of_o ely_n and_o abbot_n of_o bury_n equal_o gnat_n load_n begin_v at_o hawkyns_n bytte_n and_o continue_v to_o four_o load_n end_v contain_v by_o estimation_n three_o mile_n and_o aught_o to_o be_v scour_v by_o the_o town_n of_o elm_n and_o littilport_n small_a load_n betwixt_o welle_v and_o outwelle_v aught_o to_o be_v cleanse_v by_o the_o abbot_n of_o dereham_n from_o the_o great_a river_n in_o welle_v to_o ingram_n hirne_v by_o the_o space_n of_o three_o quarter_n of_o a_o mile_n another_o part_n in_o the_o say_v small_a load_n from_o ingram_n hirne_v to_o seman_n goal_n contain_v one_o mile_n the_o abbot_n of_o ramsey_n and_o john_n aylesham_n ought_v joint_o to_o cleanse_v maidlode_n begin_v at_o welneywater_n and_o continue_v to_o sheppe_v load_n and_o thence_o to_o sheppeslodes_n end_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v cleanse_v by_o richard_n cranford_n and_o clarice_n late_a wife_n of_o john_n cranforth_n by_o the_o space_n of_o one_o furlong_n and_o by_o the_o town_n of_o upwell_n for_o the_o land_n of_o mr._n will._n dunthorne_n by_o the_o space_n of_o one_o mile_n and_o for_o another_o mile_n and_o more_o by_o the_o town_n of_o welle_v shiplode_v aught_o to_o be_v cleanse_v by_o john_n sambroke_n for_o half_a a_o mile_n by_o
dike_v and_o upon_o report_n make_v to_o the_o say_a lord_n of_o the_o council_n by_o the_o before-specified_n sir_n clement_n edmunds_n it_o be_v order_v 1618._o by_o their_o lordship_n that_o the_o earl_n of_o arundel_n the_o bishop_n of_o winchester_n the_o lord_n carew_n mr._n treasurer_n and_o mr._n comptroller_n of_o his_o majesty_n household_n mr._n chancellor_n of_o the_o exchequer_n the_o mr._n of_o the_o roll_n and_o sir_n edw._n coke_n or_o any_o 4._o of_o they_o shall_v take_v consideration_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o business_n etc._n etc._n and_o prepare_v some_o opinion_n to_o be_v deliver_v to_o the_o board_n of_o what_o present_a course_n may_v be_v fit_a to_o be_v take_v therein_o in_o pursuance_n of_o which_o order_n the_o say_a earl_n of_o arundel_n make_v a_o journey_n into_o these_o part_n where_o have_v treaty_n with_o sir_n william_n ayloff_n knight_n and_o baronet_n anthony_n thomas_n esquire_n and_o other_o they_o the_o say_a sir_n william_n anthony_n and_o the_o rest_n as_o undertaker_n in_o this_o great_a adventure_n do_v in_o consideration_n of_o the_o pain_n and_o cost_n which_o they_o be_v like_a to_o bestow_v therein_o make_v these_o â—ollowing_a proposal_n b._n viz._n 1._o to_o have_v all_o the_o king_n land_n drown_v with_o fresh_a or_o salt_a water_n which_o shall_v be_v so_o recover_v at_o the_o free_a rent_n of_o iiijd_n the_o acre_n over_o and_o above_o all_o rent_n or_o revenue_n then_o in_o be_v or_o come_v to_o his_o majesty_n 2._o to_o have_v all_o the_o prince_n his_o land_n upon_o the_o like_a condition_n 3._o to_o have_v of_o all_o subject_n land_n so_o drown_v all_o the_o year_n two_o three_o to_o they_o the_o say_v undertaker_n and_o their_o heir_n to_o hold_v in_o severalty_n for_o ever_o 4._o and_o of_o all_o such_o land_n of_o subject_n which_o lie_v drown_v half_o the_o year_n to_o have_v the_o one_o half_a to_o they_o the_o say_v undertaker_n and_o their_o heir_n of_o which_o proposal_n the_o king_n like_v well_o he_o do_v by_o his_o letter_n 1619._o to_o the_o say_a commissioner_n of_o sewer_n bear_v date_n the_o 4._o of_o september_n in_o the_o xvij_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n signify_v unto_o they_o that_o the_o say_a sir_n william_n and_o anthony_n with_o other_o have_v undertake_v to_o drain_v all_o the_o fen_n in_o the_o county_n of_o cambr._n and_o isle_n of_o ely_n norff._n suff._n linc._n northt_v and_o hunt_n with_o the_o good_a like_n of_o his_o say_a majesty_n and_o his_o acceptance_n of_o their_o proposition_n and_o recommend_v they_o and_o their_o design_n to_o the_o say_a commissioner_n to_o the_o end_n they_o may_v be_v aid_v to_o they_o in_o expedit_v such_o contract_n as_o they_o shall_v make_v and_o to_o further_o they_o therein_o with_o their_o authority_n in_o all_o lawful_a thing_n etc._n etc._n and_o on_o the_o morrow_n follow_v the_o lord_n of_o the_o council_n by_o their_o letter_n 1619._o to_o the_o say_a commissioner_n of_o sewer_n signify_v to_o they_o that_o the_o say_v undertaker_n do_v purpose_n to_o begin_v their_o work_n at_o the_o sea_n by_o open_v the_o outfall_n of_o nene_n and_o weland_n and_o to_o make_v the_o same_o navigable_a to_o spalding_n and_o wisbeche_n which_o will_v take_v away_o all_o fear_n of_o turn_v the_o water_n upon_o any_o neighbour_n country_n and_o draw_v the_o same_o into_o their_o true_a and_o natural_a channel_n and_o that_o whatever_o commission_n or_o assistance_n they_o shall_v desire_v to_o further_a this_o work_n order_n shall_v be_v take_v for_o the_o same_o desire_v they_o to_o observe_v the_o king_n direction_n therein_o whereupon_o within_o three_o day_n after_o the_o say_a commissioner_n meet_v 1619._o at_o peterborough_n and_o in_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n then_o and_o there_o hold_v forthwith_o order_v that_o in_o obedience_n to_o the_o instruction_n by_o they_o receive_v from_o the_o king_n majesty_n and_o the_o lord_n of_o his_o council_n the_o undertaker_n before-specified_n shall_v have_v the_o free_a consent_n and_o approbation_n of_o that_o court_n to_o proceed_v with_o their_o enterprise_n so_o soon_o as_o they_o shall_v think_v meet_a and_o likewise_o their_o furtherance_n in_o such_o contract_n as_o they_o shall_v make_v with_o the_o lord_n owner_n and_o commoner_n interest_v in_o the_o say_a fen_n and_o moreover_o that_o further_a time_n and_o long_a day_n shall_v be_v give_v to_o they_o for_o perfect_v their_o work_n in_o the_o river_n of_o ouse_n nene_n and_o weland_n and_o all_o the_o branch_n of_o they_o viz._n until_o the_o first_o day_n of_o august_n than_o next_o ensue_v and_o no_o advantage_n take_v of_o the_o penalty_n in_o the_o law_n former_o make_v for_o effect_v the_o business_n before_o that_o time_n and_o in_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o ely_n the_o 20_o and_o 23_o of_o the_o same_o month_n of_o september_n 1619._o have_v receive_v these_o follow_a proposition_n from_o the_o undertaker_n viz._n 1._o that_o their_o intent_n be_v so_o to_o drain_v the_o say_a fen_n and_o ground_n as_o that_o by_o their_o say_a work_n no_o person_n shall_v receive_v any_o hurt_n 2._o that_o they_o will_v from_o time_n to_o time_n maintain_v and_o scour_v the_o same_o so_o drayn_v 3._o that_o they_o will_v not_o receive_v any_o recompense_n but_o where_o through_o their_o industry_n a_o increase_n of_o benefit_n shall_v be_v raise_v to_o the_o owner_n thereof_o and_o that_o after_o their_o work_n shall_v be_v perfect_v 4._o that_o if_o question_n shall_v arise_v whether_o any_o benefit_n be_v receive_v in_o any_o particular_a by_o their_o industry_n it_o shall_v be_v decide_v by_o a_o sufficient_a and_o able_a jury_n to_o be_v name_v by_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o county_n and_o such_o juror_n so_o nominate_v and_o no_o other_o to_o be_v reture_v by_o the_o sheriff_n 5._o so_o likewise_o in_o the_o isle_n of_o ely_n by_o a_o jury_n of_o that_o isle_n 6._o and_o that_o they_o will_v give_v such_o recompense_n to_o those_o that_o shall_v receive_v hurt_v or_o damage_n by_o any_o of_o their_o say_a work_n as_o the_o commissioner_n or_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o shall_v think_v fit_a 7._o that_o at_o their_o own_o charge_n they_o will_v make_v provision_n that_o water_n shall_v be_v convey_v to_o stay_v at_o those_o town_n where_o water_n have_v before_o come_v and_o stay_v for_o navigation_n and_o transportation_n and_o the_o township_n afterward_o to_o maintain_v it_o 8._o and_o that_o they_o will_v better_v and_o not_o hurt_v or_o impair_v the_o navigation_n in_o the_o river_n of_o grant_n and_o ouse_n and_o do_v therefore_o order_n and_o decree_n that_o the_o say_v undertaker_n shall_v have_v their_o free_a consent_n and_o the_o approbation_n of_o that_o court_n to_o proceed_v etc._n etc._n and_o that_o they_o will_v assist_v they_o etc._n etc._n in_o their_o contract_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v not_o the_o purpose_n of_o the_o say_a undertaker_n to_o alter_v or_o change_v the_o state_n of_o any_o commons_o but_o only_o to_o have_v such_o competent_a part_n thereof_o to_o be_v set_v out_o in_o severalty_n to_o they_o and_o their_o heir_n as_o shall_v content_v they_o for_o their_o work_n of_o drayn_v the_o same_o and_o the_o residue_n of_o every_o common_a to_o remain_v in_o the_o same_o condition_n to_o all_o intent_n and_o purpose_n as_o than_o it_o do_v and_o at_o a_o session_n 1619._o of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o s._n ives_n on_o the_o morrow_n follow_v they_o decree_v that_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o order_n make_v at_o peterborough_n 8_o sept._n and_o that_o present_a order_n shall_v be_v publish_v at_o every_o town_n village_n etc._n etc._n which_o the_o premise_n shall_v concern_v in_o all_o the_o say_v several_a county_n etc._n etc._n before_o the_o with_o of_o oct._n next_o then_o come_v to_o the_o end_n that_o all_o owner_n commoner_n etc._n etc._n interest_v in_o any_o surround_v ground_n within_o the_o place_n aforesaid_a may_v apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o say_a undertaker_n etc._n etc._n for_o conclude_v their_o contract_n etc._n etc._n on_o the_o 4_o of_o october_n ensue_v the_o say_a undertaker_n send_v their_o letter_n 1619._o to_o the_o commissioner_n for_o norfolk_n sit_v at_o a_o session_n at_o ilsington_n excuse_v their_o not_o wait_v on_o they_o soon_o and_o enclose_v the_o copy_n of_o those_o letter_n of_o the_o king_n and_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o council_n to_o they_o desire_z that_o the_o same_o may_v be_v communicate_v to_o their_o neighbour_n together_o with_o their_o proposal_n to_o the_o end_n that_o they_o may_v be_v the_o better_o prepare_v for_o contract_v with_o they_o as_o also_o that_o they_o may_v have_v a_o meeting_n with_o the_o say_a commissioner_n of_o norff._n at_o cambridge_n on_o wednesday_n the_o xiijth_o of_o october_n than_o next_o ensue_v and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n that_o they_o will_v cause_v
these_o letter_n of_o the_o king_n and_o council_n to_o be_v publish_v in_o their_o church_n etc._n etc._n and_o upon_o the_o xv_o of_o october_n follow_v in_o a_o session_n ja._n of_o sewer_n at_o huntingdon_n the_o â—aid_a commissioner_n recite_v their_o proceed_n at_o several_a session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v before_o that_o time_n in_o pursuance_n of_o the_o king_n direction_n and_o for_o the_o better_a expedit_v of_o the_o work_n decree_v that_o for_o and_o towards_o the_o open_n of_o the_o ancient_a outfall_n of_o nene_n and_o welland_n and_o all_o other_o necessary_a work_n for_o drayn_v of_o the_o say_a ground_n etc._n etc._n every_o acre_n of_o the_o say_v drown_v ground_n in_o those_o county_n of_o northt_v hunt_n linc._n and_o norff._n shall_v be_v tax_v at_o xxs._n the_o acre_n to_o be_v pay_v by_o the_o owner_n thereof_o before_o the_o 7._o of_o dec._n then_o next_o come_n unto_o thomas_n bishop_n of_o peterborough_n sir_n francis_n fane_n sir_n rob._n bevill_n &c._n &c._n and_o other_o by_o this_o decree_n name_v to_o remain_v in_o their_o hand_n to_o be_v ratable_o pay_v over_o to_o the_o say_a undertaker_n their_o heir_n and_o assign_n after_o their_o work_n of_o drayn_v shall_v be_v do_v whole_a or_o in_o part_n and_o that_o for_o want_n of_o payment_n thereof_o at_o the_o day_n and_o time_n appoint_v the_o say_a commissioner_n shall_v in_o a_o full_a session_n of_o sewer_n to_o be_v hold_v the_o 21._o day_n of_o dec._n follow_v at_o peterborough_n allow_v and_o set_v forth_o such_o portion_n of_o the_o say_v surround_v ground_n for_o which_o the_o sum_n aforesaid_a be_v not_o pay_v unto_o the_o same_o undertaker_n their_o heir_n and_o assign_n in_o recompense_n of_o the_o say_v drayn_v as_o shall_v seem_v just_a etc._n etc._n unto_o they_o which_o shall_v be_v enjoy_v &c._n &c._n according_o and_o that_o after_o the_o say_a work_n of_o drayn_v shall_v be_v perfect_v and_o adjudge_v sufficient_o do_v by_o the_o say_a commissioner_n at_o a_o general_a session_n for_o that_o purpose_n a_o competent_a proportion_n of_o land_n to_o be_v reassure_v by_o the_o say_a undertaker_n and_o their_o heir_n or_o assign_v for_o the_o perpetual_a maintain_n of_o the_o say_a work_n and_o last_o that_o copy_n of_o this_o order_n shall_v be_v publish_v by_o the_o sheriff_n in_o the_o several_a county_n etc._n etc._n where_o the_o say_a drain_n be_v but_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o the_o work_n do_v not_o go_v on_o so_o effectual_o as_o the_o king_n desire_v which_o occasion_v a_o letter_n 1619._o from_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o council_n to_o the_o say_a commissioner_n of_o sewer_n bear_v date_n the_o 5._o of_o december_n ensue_v whereby_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o many_o attendance_n upon_o they_o by_o the_o undertaker_n in_o several_a session_n of_o sewer_n and_o yet_o that_o little_a progress_n have_v be_v make_v therein_o they_o desire_v they_o again_o to_o afford_v their_o effectual_a assistance_n for_o remove_v of_o such_o difficulty_n as_o may_v hinder_v a_o undertake_n of_o so_o great_a a_o hope_n nothing_o now_o rest_v but_o the_o put_n of_o their_o own_o order_n in_o execution_n for_o advancement_n of_o the_o same_o whereupon_o the_o commissioner_n siâ—ting_v at_o spalding_n jac._n upon_o the_o xvith_o day_n of_o the_o same_o month_n of_o december_n recite_v the_o decree_n make_v at_o huntendon_n in_o the_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v there_o upon_o the_o xv_o and_o xuj_o of_o october_n precede_v and_o take_v notice_n that_o no_o money_n of_o the_o say_a tax_n of_o xxs._n the_o acre_n have_v be_v pay_v as_o be_v then_o order_v do_v judge_n pâ—â—tibag_n and_o decree_n that_o from_o and_o after_o the_o say_v worthy_a work_n of_o drayn_v the_o say_a fen_n and_o surround_v ground_n in_o general_a beforementioned_a or_o those_o particular_n hereafter_o mention_v or_o any_o of_o they_o respective_o in_o that_o county_n of_o lincoln_n shall_v by_o god_n help_v be_v well_o and_o true_o accomplish_v by_o the_o say_a undertaker_n their_o heir_n or_o assign_v at_o their_o own_o proper_a charge_n and_o expense_n and_o so_o adjudge_v and_o approve_v by_o six_o or_o more_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n commorant_n and_o reside_v within_o the_o part_n of_o holland_n for_o those_o work_n that_o shall_v be_v do_v in_o those_o part_n of_o holland_n and_o six_o or_o more_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n commorant_n and_o reside_v within_o the_o part_n of_o kesteven_n for_o those_o which_o shall_v be_v do_v in_o the_o say_a part_n of_o kesteven_n then_o and_o from_o thenceforth_o they_o the_o say_v sir_n william_n ayloffe_n and_o sir_n anthony_n thomas_n be_v the_o undertaker_n beforementioned_a thâ—ir_a heir_n and_o assign_v shall_v have_v hold_v and_o enjoy_v the_o part_n and_o portion_n of_o the_o fen_n and_o ground_n usual_o and_o hurtful_o surround_v and_o by_o they_o undertake_v to_o be_v drayn_v respective_o as_o follow_v viz._n whereas_o the_o earl_n of_o exeter_n then_o have_v a_o three_o part_n of_o the_o fen_n call_v depe_v spalding_n and_o pinchbeck_n south_n fen_n and_o of_o goggisland_n belong_v to_o crowland_n by_o contract_n heretofore_o make_v with_o captain_n thomas_n lovel_n for_o the_o drayn_n of_o the_o say_a fen_n which_o notwithstanding_o be_v not_o perform_v the_o same_o fen_n than_o remain_v drown_v that_o therefore_o the_o say_v several_a fen_n call_v spalding_n and_o pinchbeck_n south_n fen_n and_o depe_a fen_n and_o goggisland_n together_o with_o that_o part_n of_o the_o say_a fen_n and_o ground_n in_o the_o occupation_n and_o tenure_n of_o the_o say_a earl_n or_o his_o tenant_n shall_v be_v all_o entire_o and_o whole_o survay_v and_o measure_v by_o two_o several_a surveyor_n whereof_o one_o to_o be_v name_v by_o the_o say_a sir_n william_n ayloff_n and_o sir_n anthony_n thomas_n the_o say_a undertaker_n their_o heir_n or_o assign_n and_o the_o other_o by_o some_o six_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n of_o holland_n and_o kesteven_n and_o the_o whole_a content_n and_o number_n of_o acre_n to_o be_v exact_o take_v and_o cast_v up_o and_o thereof_o the_o say_a sir_n william_n and_o sir_n anthony_n their_o heir_n or_o assign_v to_o have_v so_o much_o of_o the_o say_a fen_n then_o lie_v open_a and_o in_o common_a as_o together_o with_o the_o say_v several_a ground_n in_o the_o tenure_n and_o occupation_n of_o the_o say_a earl_n shall_v amount_v unto_o and_o extend_v to_o a_o moiety_n or_o half_a part_n of_o the_o whole_a content_n of_o all_o together_o to_o be_v proportionable_o take_v out_o of_o the_o say_v several_a fen_n viz._n one_o part_n out_o of_o spalding_n and_o pinchbeck_n south_n fen_n another_o part_n out_o of_o depe_a fen_n and_o a_o three_o part_n out_o of_o goggisland_n according_a to_o the_o number_n of_o acre_n then_o in_o they_o lie_v in_o common_a to_o be_v set_v out_o by_o the_o say_v six_o or_o more_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n in_o either_o of_o the_o say_a part_n of_o holland_n and_o kesteven_n within_o their_o say_a several_a part_n respective_o and_o of_o the_o whole_a content_n of_o the_o marish_a and_o drown_a ground_n call_v bellesmore_n lie_v in_o spalding_n and_o wesson_n in_o the_o say_a county_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o sir_n francis_n jones_n knight_n two_o three_o part_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a content_n of_o the_o marish_a ground_n call_v turpitt_v lie_v in_o weston_n aforesaid_a be_v the_o ground_n of_o william_n coulson_n of_o the_o same_o yeoman_n two_o three_o part_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a content_n of_o the_o marish_a ground_n call_v the_o east_n fen_n lie_v in_o moulton_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o sir_n john_n payton_n knight_n and_o other_o one_o four_o part_n and_o of_o whaplode_n and_o holbeche_n common_a marish_a or_o fen_n ground_n one_o half_a part_n and_o of_o sutton_n fen_n lie_v on_o the_o south_n side_n of_o south_n ea_fw-la two_o three_o part_n and_o it_o be_v far_o order_v and_o decree_v that_o till_o the_o say_a fen_n and_o ground_n shall_v be_v adjudge_v drayn_v and_o approve_v to_o be_v drayn_v as_o aforesaid_a the_o two_o river_n of_o glene_n and_o weland_n and_o the_o bank_n environ_v the_o say_a south_n fen_n shall_v be_v keep_v and_o maintain_v for_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o country_n at_o the_o charge_n and_o cost_n of_o the_o say_a earl_n of_o exeter_n or_o his_o assign_v according_a to_o the_o contract_n make_v with_o the_o say_v thomas_n lovel_n that_o this_o decree_n also_o have_v little_a effect_n i_o be_o much_o incline_v to_o believe_v for_o upon_o the_o last_o of_o february_n follow_v the_o say_a lord_n of_o the_o council_n write_v 16â—â—_n again_o to_o those_o commissioner_n require_v they_o to_o attend_v the_o king_n in_o person_n at_o his_o council_n board_n in_o the_o three_o week_n of_o lent_n ensue_v there_o to_o clear_v such_o doubt_n as_o his_o malesty_n shall_v desire_v to_o be_v satisfy_v
present_o begin_v the_o same_o and_o finish_v it_o so_o as_o to_o make_v the_o ground_n fit_a for_o meadow_n pasture_n or_o â—arable_a within_o the_o compass_n of_o six_o year_n from_o 1_o oct._n follow_v unless_o the_o commissioner_n shall_v approve_v the_o cause_n of_o defer_v it_o any_o long_o 2._o that_o sudden_a overflowing_n in_o place_n remote_a from_o the_o outfalls_a shall_v not_o be_v adjudge_v he_o not_o drayn_v nor_o meers_n lakes_n pool_n and_o forelands_n leave_v by_o art_n and_o approbation_n for_o receptacle_n nor_o any_o part_n of_o the_o ground_n out_o of_o which_o he_o be_v to_o have_v his_o proportion_n 3._o that_o there_o shall_v be_v 95000._o acre_n set_v out_o by_o six_o commissioner_n respect_n be_v have_v to_o commoner_n accommodation_n before_o michaelmass_n than_o next_o follow_v 4._o that_o the_o earl_n and_o his_o associate_n may_v be_v incorporate_v for_o ever_o to_o make_v law_n ordinance_n and_o order_n and_o to_o have_v power_n over_o the_o land_n assign_v but_o no_o other_o towards_o the_o maintain_n of_o the_o work_n 5._o that_o the_o whole_a 95000._o acre_n shall_v be_v liable_a to_o the_o first_o finish_v of_o the_o work_n and_o 40000._o towards_o the_o maintain_n and_o the_o 40000._o to_o be_v subject_n in_o case_n of_o neglect_n to_o the_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n 6._o that_o when_o 30000._o acre_n shall_v be_v finish_v the_o earl_n to_o have_v his_o proportion_n out_o of_o it_o 7._o that_o the_o private_a indikes_n for_o partition_n be_v make_v by_o advice_n of_o the_o earl_n and_o by_o direction_n of_o the_o commissioner_n 8._o that_o the_o commissioner_n shall_v set_v out_o convenient_a highway_n and_o passage_n by_o land_n throughout_o the_o level_n 9_o provide_v that_o the_o port_n and_o haven_n of_o king_n lynne_z be_v preserve_v and_o the_o navigation_n passage_n and_o highway_n in_o upon_z or_o about_o all_o the_o navigable_a river_n namely_o ouse_n grant_v neene_n welland_n and_o glene_n to_o be_v preserve_v and_o no_o prejudice_n annoyance_n hurt_n or_o hindrance_n to_o be_v do_v to_o they_o and_o if_o any_o such_o prejudice_n annoyance_n hurt_n or_o hindrance_n upon_o complaint_n thereof_o and_o of_o the_o commissioner_n whereof_o the_o vicechancellor_n of_o the_o university_n of_o cambridge_n ......._o shall_v be_v 3._o if_o they_o will_v be_v present_a to_o return_v abate_v ......._o and_o amove_v all_o such_o prejudice_n annoyance_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o the_o ancient_a navigation_n passage_n and_o highway_n may_v be_v preserve_v 10._o for_o the_o safety_n of_o holland_n and_o hundred_o of_o wisbeche_n clow_n across_o drayn_n to_o be_v keep_v within_o soil_n or_o bank_n and_o in_o case_n of_o any_o prejudice_n than_o six_o commissioner_n to_o reform_v the_o excess_n and_o the_o earl_n to_o make_v recompense_n 11._o that_o the_o new_a river_n cutts_n and_o dreyn_n the_o bank_n forelands_n and_o inside_n of_o the_o bank_n not_o exceed_v 50._o or_o 60._o foot_n to_o be_v the_o earl_n pay_v such_o recompense_n as_o the_o commissioner_n shall_v think_v fit_a the_o old_a one_o to_o remain_v as_o they_o be_v 12._o no_o passage_n upon_o the_o bank_n but_o for_o the_o tow_n of_o bo_n 13._o that_o the_o earl_n may_v take_v earth_n dig_v drayn_n and_o cutts_n upon_o the_o land_n next_o adjoin_v make_v recompense_n 14._o that_o the_o commissioner_n shall_v assist_v the_o earl_n to_o suppress_v riot_n insolence_n and_o disturbance_n 15._o such_o as_o shall_v receive_v benefit_n by_o the_o work_n and_o yet_o no_o party_n to_o it_o if_o their_o land_n be_v take_v within_o the_o allotment_n of_o the_o 95000._o acre_n to_o pay_v to_o the_o earl_n as_o the_o commissioner_n shall_v assess_v upon_o pain_n to_o forfeit_v double_a 16._o that_o the_o earl_n may_v hold_v the_o 95000._o acre_n in_o free_a socage_n at_o xl_o per_fw-la annum_fw-la fee_n ferm_n and_o if_o any_o other_o rent_n be_v issue_v that_o pay_v be_v charge_v upon_o other_o land_n 17._o that_o the_o king_n shall_v release_v any_o benefit_n which_o by_o the_o law_n of_o sewer_n make_v 19_o jac._n or_o by_o any_o other_o law_n may_v accrue_v to_o he_o and_o approve_v of_o this_o law_n and_o that_o it_o may_v be_v confirm_v by_o decree_n in_o chancery_n and_o council_n of_o state_n and_o by_o act_n of_o the_o next_o parliament_n 18._o that_o 12000_o of_o the_o 95000_o acre_n be_v assure_v to_o the_o king_n for_o his_o royal_a assent_n and_o lay_v out_o upon_o the_o land_n belong_v to_o the_o manor_n of_o whittlesey_n and_o the_o marsh_n there_o adjoin_v 19_o and_o that_o for_o allotment_n out_o of_o small_a parcel_n less_o than_o 30_o acre_n there_o the_o earl_n to_o divide_v and_o accept_v what_o 6_o commissioner_n shall_v assess_v these_o thing_n be_v thus_o settle_v the_o say_a earl_n take_v in_o divers_a adventurer_n as_o participant_n with_o he_o therein_o they_o cast_v the_o whole_a so_o allow_v for_o their_o recompense_n into_o twenty_o part_n or_o lot_n each_o lot_n consist_v of_o four_o thousand_o acre_n whereof_o himself_o be_v to_o have_v three_o share_n or_o lot_n oliver_n earl_n of_o bullingbroke_n one_o edward_z lord_n gorges_n one_o sir_n robert_z heath_n knight_n one_o sir_n miles_n sandys_n knight_n and_o baronet_n two_o sir_n william_n russel_n knight_n and_o baronet_n two_o sir_n robert_n bevyll_v knight_n one_o sir_n thomas_n terringham_n knight_n two_o sir_n philibert_n vernat_fw-la one_o william_n sam_n doctor_n of_o law_n one_o anthony_n hamond_n esquire_n two_o samuel_n spalding_n gent._n one_o andrew_n burwell_n gent._n one_o and_o sir_n robert_n lovet_n knight_n one_o and_o thereupon_o he_o the_o say_a earl_n and_o those_o his_o participant_n do_v by_o indenture_n of_o fourteen_o part_n covenant_n with_o each_o other_o that_o if_o any_o one_o of_o they_o or_o their_o assignee_n after_o notice_n shall_v fail_v in_o the_o payment_n of_o such_o money_n as_o from_o time_n to_o time_n shall_v be_v impose_v on_o they_o in_o pursuance_n of_o that_o agreement_n for_o carry_v on_o the_o say_a work_n that_o then_o it_o shall_v be_v lawful_a to_o and_o for_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o say_a party_n or_o their_o assign_n to_o supply_v the_o same_o or_o to_o admit_v some_o other_o person_n or_o person_n to_o have_v the_o share_n of_o such_o defalture_n pay_v the_o sum_n impose_v on_o the_o say_a share_n and_o that_o all_o such_o party_n as_o aforesaid_a by_o himself_o or_o his_o assign_n so_o fail_v shall_v be_v whole_o exclude_v and_o for_o ever_o debar_v from_o demand_v or_o receive_v all_o or_o any_o such_o sum_n or_o sum_n of_o money_n as_o any_o such_o person_n or_o person_n have_v former_o disburse_v for_o and_o towards_o the_o say_v undertake_v which_o agreement_n so_o make_v the_o say_a earl_n and_o his_o participant_n or_o such_o unto_o who_o several_a proportion_n of_o those_o lot_n or_o share_n be_v by_o they_o assign_v begin_v the_o work_n and_o in_o order_n to_o the_o carry_v off_o the_o superfluous_a water_n wherewith_o the_o level_n be_v so_o much_o annoy_v cause_v these_o several_a channel_n to_o be_v make_v viz._n 1._o bedford_z river_n extend_v from_o erith_n to_o salter_n load_n lxx_o foot_n wide_a and_o xxi_o mile_n in_o length_n this_o be_v intend_v for_o take_v off_o the_o high_a flood_n from_o the_o river_n of_o ouse_n have_v at_o each_o end_n thereof_o a_o sluse_n of_o great_a strength_n 2._o sam_n be_v cut_v from_o feltwell_n to_o ouse_n be_v about_o six_o mile_n in_o length_n and_o twenty_o foot_n in_o breadth_n 3._o a_o cut_a to_o drain_v the_o river_n of_o mildenhall_n in_o burntfen_n near_o litleport_n two_o mile_n long_o and_o forty_o foot_n wide_o 4._o bevill_n leame_z be_v a_o cut_n from_o witlesey_n mere_a to_o guyhirne_n about_o ten_o mile_n in_o length_n and_o xl_o foot_n in_o breadth_n 5._o morton_n leame_z beforementioned_a new_a make_v 6._o peakirk_n drayn_n ten_o mile_n in_o length_n and_o 17_o foot_n in_o breadth_n 7._o new_a south_n ea_fw-la from_o crowland_n to_o clow_n cross_v 8._o hill_n cut_n near_a peterborough_n about_o two_o mile_n in_o length_n and_o 50_o foot_n in_o breadth_n 9_o shire_n drayne_n from_o clow_n cross_a to_o tide_n and_o so_o unto_o the_o sea_n moreover_o beside_o these_o cut_n and_o drayn_n he_o cause_v two_o sluice_n to_o be_v make_v at_o tide_n upon_o shire_n drayne_n to_o keep_v out_o the_o tide_n as_o also_o a_o clown_n at_o clow_n cross_a for_o the_o fresh_a water_n and_o likewise_o a_o great_a sasse_n on_o welle_v creek_n with_o a_o stone_n sluse_n at_o salter_n load_n upon_o bedford_n river_n to_o keep_v out_o the_o tide_n and_o sluice_n at_o erith_n for_o the_o fresh_a but_o above_o all_o that_o great_a stone_n sluse_n below_o wisbeche_n at_o the_o horseshoe_n to_o hold_v the_o tide_n out_o of_o morton_n leame_z which_o cost_v about_o eight_o thousand_o pound_n and_o to_o the_o end_n they_o
opinion_n all_o conclude_a it_o fesible_a but_o differ_v much_o in_o the_o way_n to_o accomplish_v the_o same_o to_o give_v instance_n of_o the_o various_a conceit_n of_o such_o who_o his_o say_a majesty_n employ_v to_o inform_v he_o therein_o it_o will_v be_v needless_a howbeit_o of_o those_o that_o 1642._o exhibit_v by_o the_o say_a sir_n cornelius_n vermuden_n a_o person_n of_o great_a experience_n in_o drayn_v than_o most_o other_o be_v be_v not_o the_o least_o considerable_a and_o therefore_o it_o be_v publish_v in_o print_n i_o shall_v refer_v my_o reader_n thereto_o but_o such_o speed_n there_o be_v make_v in_o the_o far_a prosecution_n of_o this_o great_a and_o noble_a adventure_n that_o at_o a_o general_a session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o huntendon_n on_o the_o xviijth_o 1638._o day_n of_o july_n than_o next_o ensue_v the_o say_a king_n himself_o be_v declare_v the_o undertaker_n and_o to_o have_v not_o only_o those_o ninety_o five_o thousand_o acre_n which_o have_v be_v former_o set_v out_o for_o the_o say_a earl_n but_o also_o fifty_o seven_o thousand_o acre_n more_o from_o the_o country_n his_o design_n be_v as_o by_o the_o decree_n then_o make_v at_o huntendon_n appear_v to_o make_v the_o say_a fen_n as_o well_o winter-ground_n as_o summer-ground_n as_o have_v before_o be_v express_v viz._n out_o of_o depe_v pinchbeck_n spalding_n south_n fen_n and_o croyland_n fen_n alias_o gogsland_n fen_n twelve_o thousand_o acre_n and_o out_o of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o land_n out_o of_o which_o the_o ninety_o five_o thousand_o acre_n have_v be_v former_o assign_v to_o and_o for_o the_o say_a earl_n of_o bedford_n and_o his_o participant_n first_o the_o number_n of_o twelve_o thousand_o acre_n parcel_n of_o the_o say_v ninety_o five_o thousand_o which_o twelve_o thousand_o be_v then_o in_o the_o possession_n of_o his_o say_a majesty_n his_o fermour_n or_o under-tenant_n and_o the_o quantity_n of_o one_o hundred_o and_o forty_o thousand_o acre_n more_o whereof_o eighty_o three_o thousand_o residue_n of_o the_o say_v ninety_o five_o thousand_o to_o be_v take_v in_o part_n and_o fifty_o seven_o thousand_o in_o full_a of_o the_o say_v hundred_o and_o forty_o thousand_o acre_n to_o be_v indifferent_o take_v and_o set_v out_o of_o the_o residue_n of_o the_o say_a fen_n where_o or_o out_o of_o which_o the_o say_v ninety_o five_o thousand_o acre_n be_v so_o decree_v or_o assign_v to_o the_o say_a earl_n of_o bedford_n viz._n out_o of_o such_o of_o the_o say_a fen_n as_o do_v lie_n on_o the_o north-west_n side_n of_o the_o say_v new_a river_n call_v bedford_n river_n 29_o thousand_o acre_n in_o part_n of_o the_o say_v 57_o thousand_o acre_n and_o out_o of_o those_o on_o the_o southeast_n side_n of_o the_o say_v new_a river_n 28_o thousand_o acre_n in_o full_a for_o the_o say_v 57_o thousand_o acre_n and_o for_o the_o drayn_n of_o the_o say_v common_a and_o several_a low_a ground_n lie_v in_o holland_n com._n linc._n within_o the_o river_n weland_n porson_n bank_n the_o south_n ea_fw-la bank_n the_o shire_n drayne_n and_o the_o several_a high_a marsh_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o town_n or_o parish_n of_o tide_n s._n mary_n sutton_n lutton_n gedney_n flete_n holbeche_n quaplode_n moulton_n weston_n and_o spalding_n 19_o thousand_o eight_o hundred_o 33_o acre_n and_o for_o drayn_v the_o common_a and_o several_a fen-ground_n lie_v between_o the_o south_n ea_fw-la bank_n wisbeche_v river_n the_o old_a sea-bank_n and_o the_o shire_n drayne_n in_o wisbeche_n leverington_n newton_n s._n giles_n tide_n s._n mary_n and_o porson_n drive_v the_o quantity_n of_o 4000_o acre_n and_o for_o drayn_v the_o common_a fen-ground_n of_o the_o town_n of_o marshland_n call_v marshland_n fen_n contain_v by_o estimation_n 4000_o acre_n the_o quantity_n of_o two_o three_o part_n divide_v into_o three_o and_o for_o drayn_v the_o marsh_n land_n lie_v open_a to_o the_o sea_n in_o or_o near_a walton_n walsoken_n and_o walpole_n in_o come_v norff._n between_o the_o old_a sea_n bank_n of_o marshland_n and_o the_o old_a course_n of_o wisbeche_n river_n contain_v by_o estimation_n 3000_o acre_n and_o of_o the_o marsh_n land_n and_o marsh_n ground_n lie_v in_o or_o near_a wisbeche_n leverington_n neuton_n and_o tid_n s._n giles_n in_o come_v cantab._n and_o the_o course_n of_o wisbeche_n river_n and_o the_o shire_n drayne_v there_o together_o with_o one_o piece_n thereof_o late_o imbank_v next_o the_o say_a shire_n drayne_n contain_v by_o estimation_n 1000_o acre_n and_o of_o the_o marsh_n &c._n &c._n lie_v in_o or_o near_o tid_v s._n mary_n sutton_n in_o holland_n lutton_n gedney_n flete_n holbeche_n quaplode_n moulton_n and_o weston_n in_o come_v linc._n between_o the_o marsh-ground_n there_o former_o imbank_v and_o the_o sea_n extend_v along_o the_o sea_n coast_n there_o contain_v by_o estimation_n 5000_o acre_n the_o quantity_n of_o two_o full_a three_o part_n and_o for_o drayn_v of_o stretham_n mere_a and_o the_o meer-ground_n thereof_o contain_v by_o estimation_n 300_o acre_n the_o one_o half_a thereof_o or_o of_o so_o much_o thereof_o as_o shall_v be_v drayn_v and_o for_o the_o drayn_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o meers_n meer-ground_n lake_n and_o pool_n the_o quantity_n of_o 3_o four_o part_n of_o they_o or_o so_o much_o of_o they_o as_o shall_v be_v drayn_v divide_v equal_o into_o four_o part_n and_o that_o though_o the_o say_a earl_n of_o bedford_n have_v not_o perform_v his_o undertake_n he_o shall_v in_o recompense_n of_o his_o great_a charge_n in_o those_o river_n cut_n and_o drayn_n by_o he_o and_o his_o participant_n make_v have_v 40_o thousand_o acre_n to_o be_v assign_v he_o out_o of_o the_o beforementioned_a 83_o thousand_o acre_n residue_n of_o the_o say_a proportion_n of_o 95_o thousand_o acre_n assign_v to_o the_o say_a earl_n as_o aforesaid_a about_o three_o day_n follow_v for_o it_o be_v upon_o the_o xxith_o 1638._o of_o the_o same_o month_n of_o july_n the_o say_a commissioner_n still_o fit_v at_o huntendon_n dispatch_v away_o letter_n lindsey_n of_o that_o date_n to_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o council_n concern_v their_o transaction_n then_o in_o hand_n the_o tenor_n whereof_o be_v as_o follow_v touch_v the_o great_a level_n we_o have_v receive_v many_o and_o several_a complaint_n from_o divers_a township_n therein_o that_o their_o land_n be_v take_v from_o they_o and_o they_o have_v receive_v no_o benefit_n by_o the_o drayn_n upon_o hear_v whereof_o and_o of_o the_o proof_n by_o they_o make_v and_o declaration_n of_o divers_a commissioner_n in_o court_n we_o find_v many_o of_o they_o true_a and_o according_a to_o his_o majesty_n instruction_n to_o some_o of_o we_o his_o commissioner_n we_o have_v make_v a_o order_n to_o permit_v they_o to_o take_v the_o profit_n of_o their_o land_n and_o common_a of_o pasture_n until_o the_o drayn_n be_v adjudge_v so_o as_o they_o shall_v not_o pull_v down_o or_o deface_v any_o mound_n fence_n or_o drayn_v without_o due_a proof_n make_v and_o a_o special_a order_n of_o the_o court_n in_o that_o behalf_n wherein_o the_o country_n have_v receive_v and_o express_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o contentment_n and_o satisfaction_n we_o have_v also_o two_o several_a day_n hear_v mr._n holborn_n and_o mr._n st._n john_n be_v of_o council_n with_o the_o earl_n of_o bedford_n and_o his_o participant_n in_o the_o great_a level_n and_o they_o have_v take_v divers_a exception_n and_o argue_v at_o large_a against_o the_o law_n of_o tax_n and_o proceed_n upon_o this_o commission_n and_o their_o main_a objection_n tend_v to_o destroy_v not_o only_o these_o tax_n decree_n and_o proceed_n of_o this_o kind_n and_o the_o same_o reason_n if_o admit_v will_v plain_o overthrow_v all_o the_o presentment_n tax_n decree_n and_o proceed_n for_o the_o earl_n of_o bedford_n and_o his_o participant_n we_o be_v now_o take_v into_o consideration_n the_o force_n and_o weight_n of_o what_o have_v be_v allege_v and_o shall_v therein_o give_v a_o just_a and_o speedy_a resolution_n and_o with_o all_o care_n and_o diligence_n proceed_v to_o the_o further_a execution_n of_o this_o commission_n and_o settle_v of_o this_o great_a work_n i_o have_v not_o see_v any_o direct_a answer_n make_v by_o the_o say_a lord_n unto_o this_o letter_n but_o on_o the_o xxiijth_o of_o the_o same_o month_n there_o be_v a_o letter_n date_v at_o theobalds_n the_o court_n be_v then_o there_o from_o william_n lord_n bishop_n of_o london_n and_o send_v to_o the_o say_a commissioner_n in_o answer_n to_o a_o letter_n of_o they_o to_o he_o date_v the_o xxith_o the_o tenor_n whereof_o for_o so_o much_o as_o relate_v to_o this_o great_a level_n i_o have_v here_o likewise_o insert_v and_o because_o his_o majesty_n intend_v to_o see_v this_o great_a work_n of_o the_o level_n prosecute_v according_a to_o his_o first_o princely_a design_n be_v for_o the_o country_n good_a and_o his_o
swinsh_v upon_o the_o xi_o of_o august_n than_o last_o pass_v upon_o full_a debate_n and_o consideration_n of_o the_o former_a decree_n and_o consideration_n of_o a_o true_a and_o perfect_a schedule_n of_o all_o the_o fen_n &c._n &c._n comprise_v in_o a_o decree_n of_o tax_n bear_v date_n at_o boston_n upon_o the_o second_o of_o march_n in_o the_o eight_o year_n of_o the_o say_a king_n charles_n from_o kyme_n ea_fw-la southward_o aswell_o within_o the_o part_n of_o kesteven_n as_o holland_n to_o the_o river_n of_o glen_n be_v part_n of_o the_o say_v level_n mention_v in_o that_o decree_n make_v at_o sleford_n etc._n etc._n it_o do_v at_o that_o time_n appear_v to_o the_o say_a commissioner_n and_o then_o to_o those_o present_a commissioner_n at_o boston_n that_o that_o part_n of_o the_o level_n amount_v to_o thirty_o six_o thousand_o acre_n or_o thereabouts_o and_o recital_n be_v likewise_o make_v that_o whereas_o at_o the_o say_a session_n of_o swinesh_v it_o be_v propose_v that_o the_o several_n within_o the_o say_v level_n lie_v from_o kyme_n ea_fw-la to_o the_o river_n of_o glen_n may_v not_o contribute_v any_o part_n of_o land_n to_o the_o make_v up_o of_o the_o say_a quantity_n of_o fourteen_o thousand_o acre_n but_o that_o the_o whole_a proportion_n shall_v be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o fen_n and_o commons_o and_o in_o a_o session_n ibid._n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o bourne_n upon_o the_o xith_o câ—r_n of_o august_n the_o next_o year_n follow_v there_o be_v a_o special_a assignation_n in_o what_o particular_a place_n in_o each_o of_o the_o fen_n before-specified_n the_o quantity_n so_o decree_v as_o aforesaid_a shall_v be_v set_v out_o and_o a_o certain_a mistake_n concern_v poynton_n fen_n rectify_v which_o say_v several_a decree_n viz._n that_o at_o sleford_n 2_o junii_fw-la 11_o caroli_n that_o at_o boston_n 29_o martii_fw-la 12_o car._n and_o this_o at_o bourne_n 11_o aug._n 13_o car._n be_v afterward_o in_o a_o session_n ibid._n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o sleford_n 25_o sept._n 14_o car._n ratify_v and_o confirm_v car._n and_o in_o another_o session_n ibid._n hold_v likewise_o at_o sleford_n upon_o the_o xiiijth_o car._n of_o march_n than_o next_o ensue_v the_o commissioner_n receive_v information_n by_o the_o say_a earl_n that_o he_o have_v then_o effectual_o drayn_v all_o the_o land_n between_o the_o river_n of_o glen_n and_o kyme_n ea_fw-la contain_v more_o than_o thirty_o five_o thousand_o acre_n and_o take_v view_n of_o they_o with_o all_o the_o sluice_n bank_n sewer_n etc._n etc._n therein_o do_v so_o adjudge_v thereof_o and_o that_o he_o have_v make_v a_o full_a performance_n of_o his_o say_a undertake_v and_o last_o in_o another_o session_n ibid._n hold_v at_o sleford_n also_o upon_o the_o 14_o of_o june_n next_o follow_v recite_v and_o confirm_v all_o the_o former_a decree_n and_o that_o whereas_o but_o three_o thousand_o acre_n be_v â—â—r_n by_o the_o say_a law_n of_o sleford_n make_v 2_o junii_fw-la 11_o caroli_n decree_v for_o the_o perpetual_a maintenance_n of_o the_o work_n within_o the_o say_v whole_a level_n and_o that_o the_o say_a earl_n have_v nevertheless_o at_o the_o instance_n of_o the_o commissioner_n condescend_v to_o tie_v the_o say_v fourteen_o thâ—usand_o acre_n for_o the_o perpetual_a maintenance_n of_o the_o say_a work_n make_v between_o the_o river_n of_o glene_n and_o kyme_n ea_fw-la over_z and_o above_o the_o rent_n of_o iiijd_n the_o acre_n thereupon_o reserve_v to_o be_v pay_v out_o of_o the_o say_v fourteen_o thousand_o acre_n in_o case_n the_o say_v iiijd._o the_o acre_n shall_v not_o be_v sufficient_a they_o decree_v and_o ratify_v the_o same_o according_o after_o which_o the_o say_a earl_n and_o his_o participant_n have_v be_v at_o no_o less_o than_o forty_o five_o thousand_o pound_n charge_v therein_o do_v enclose_v build_v inhabit_v plant_v plough_n sow_n and_o reap_v two_o year_n without_o disturbance_n but_o the_o three_o year_n divers_a clamorous_a petition_n be_v exhibit_v to_o the_o parliament_n then_o sit_v by_o the_o country_n people_n whereupon_o after_o examination_n of_o witness_n order_n be_v grant_v from_o both_o house_n to_o quiet_a the_o possession_n of_o the_o say_a earl_n and_o his_o participant_n and_o to_o secure_v their_o crop_n then_o upon_o the_o land_n nevertheless_o the_o petitioner_n in_o contempt_n of_o all_o enter_v and_o destroy_v the_o drain_v and_o building_n as_o also_o the_o crop_n then_o ready_a to_o be_v reap_v to_o a_o very_a great_a value_n and_o have_v ever_o since_o hold_v the_o possession_n to_o the_o great_a decay_n and_o ruin_n of_o those_o costly_a work_n and_o exceed_a discommodity_n to_o all_o that_o part_n of_o the_o country_n chap._n lvi_o the_o east_n and_o west_n fen_n northwards_o of_o this_o fenny_a part_n of_o the_o country_n call_v lindsey_n level_v be_v divers_a other_o marsh_n lie_v towards_o waynflete_a the_o great_a whereof_o be_v call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o east_n and_o west_n fen_n upon_o a_o writ_n of_o ad_fw-la quod_fw-la dampnum_fw-la in_o 41_o eliz._n concern_v the_o drayn_n of_o these_o fen_n it_o appear_v desuncti_fw-la that_o the_o east_n fen_n lie_v betwixt_o the_o part_n of_o holland_n and_o lindsey_n be_v find_v to_o contain_v five_o thousand_o acre_n or_o thereabouts_o and_o that_o the_o one_o half_a thereof_o be_v the_o skirt_n hill_n and_o out-rings_a may_v convenient_o be_v drayn_v but_o the_o other_o half_a consist_v of_o deep_n for_o the_o most_o part_n can_v not_o be_v recover_v and_o moreover_o that_o the_o commons_o and_o several_n pertain_v to_o the_o town_n confine_v on_o the_o say_a fen_n do_v then_o amount_v to_o the_o number_n of_o three_o thousand_o and_o four_o hundred_o acre_n or_o thereabouts_o all_o which_o be_v at_o that_o time_n surround_v whether_o any_o thing_n be_v do_v at_o that_o time_n towards_o the_o drayn_n of_o those_o fen_n i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o say_v câ—roli_n but_o in_o 6_o caroli_n 15_o maii_n there_o be_v a_o decree_n petti-baâ—_a make_v in_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o boston_n by_o robert_n earl_n of_o lindsey_n lord_n great_a chamberlain_n of_o england_n edward_z earl_n of_o dorset_z lord_n chamberlain_z to_o the_o queen_n john_n shorey_n mayor_n of_o boston_n sir_n robert_n killigrew_n vice-chamberlain_n to_o the_o queen_n sir_n robert_z bell_n sir_n john_n browne_n knight_n robert_n calais_n sergeant_n at_o law_n and_o other_o which_o decree_n make_v this_o follow_a recital_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v a_o law_n of_o sewer_n make_v at_o boston_n 7_o &_o 9_o apr._n than_o last_o pass_v by_o the_o say_a sir_n robert_n bell_n and_o other_o whereby_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o ground_n hereafter_o name_v be_v overflow_v with_o fresh_a water_n viz._n dockdike_n hurne_n from_o armitage_n causey_n and_o howbriggs_n east_n to_o the_o river_n of_o witham_n west_n and_o from_o the_o say_a river_n of_o wytham_n south_n to_o hawthorne_n north_n from_o the_o east_n end_n of_o hundell_n house_n ground_n and_o so_o along_o by_o raydyke_n to_o the_o north_n side_n of_o moorhouse_n ground_n from_o thence_o by_o marcham_n revesby_n east_n kirkby_n and_o hagnaby_n to_o hagnaby_n gate_n from_o thence_o along_o by_o bar_n load_n bank_n and_o the_o west_n end_n of_o stickney_n several_n to_o stickney_n graunge_a from_o thence_o on_o the_o north_n side_n of_o westhouse_n ground_n along_o to_o blacksyke_n from_o thence_o on_o the_o north_n side_n of_o medlam_n to_o gamock_n stake_n from_o thence_o direct_o to_o the_o east_n end_n of_o hundel_n house_n ground_n from_o stickney_n graunge_a southwards_o on_o the_o west_n side_n of_o the_o several_n of_o stickney_n and_o nordyke_n gate_n east_n to_o nordyke_n stream_n south_n and_o the_o west_n fen_n west_n wherein_o be_v include_v westhouse_n ground_n the_o low_a ground_n belong_v to_o stickney_n grange_n and_o thornedales_n from_o norlands_n lane_n along_o between_o sibsey_n several_n aâ—d_v the_o new_a drayn_n to_o hale_n causey_n from_o thence_o along_o to_o the_o shottell_n and_o that_o all_o these_o ground_n as_o also_o the_o ground_n mention_v in_o a_o verdict_n heretofore_o give_v up_o at_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o boston_n aforesaid_a 16_o jan._n an._n 1629._o viz._n the_o east_n fen_n extend_v in_o length_n from_o the_o several_n of_o wainflet_n on_o the_o east_n to_o the_o several_n of_o stickney_n on_o the_o west_n and_o in_o breadth_n from_o the_o several_n of_o waynflet_n friskeney_n wrangle_n leake_n and_o stickney_n on_o the_o south_n and_o the_o several_n of_o stichford_n keales_n toynton_n halton_n stâ—ping_v and_o thorpe_n on_o the_o north_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n surround_v ground_n and_o likewise_o that_o certain_a several_n and_o commons_o of_o divers_a lord_n and_o owner_n belong_v to_o waynflet_n and_o friskeney_n lie_v between_o a_o bank_n call_v fendyke_n bank_n on_o the_o east_n and_o east_n fen_n on_o the_o west_n and_o abut_a