of_o idel_n to_o trent_n bank_n man_n row_v also_o with_o lesser_a boat_n to_o look_v swan_n over_o all_o part_n of_o it_o betwixt_o lammas_n and_o michaelmas_n and_o in_o like_a sort_n over_o star_n carr_n and_o axholme_n carr_n insomuch_o as_o there_o be_v no_o less_o than_o sixty_o thousand_o acre_n of_o land_n thus_o overflow_v by_o the_o say_v fresh_a water_n the_o say_a king_n therefore_o be_v seize_v of_o this_o island_n and_o of_o divers_a land_n and_o waste_a ground_n belong_v to_o the_o same_o as_o also_o of_o and_o in_o the_o chase_n call_v hatfield_n chase_n with_o dikes_n mersh_fw-mi together_o with_o the_o lordship_n of_o wroote_n and_o finningley_n in_o the_o county_n of_o york_n all_o lie_v upon_o the_o same_o flat_a out_o of_o his_o royal_a and_o princely_a care_n for_o the_o public_a good_a in_o regain_n so_o great_a a_o proportion_n of_o surround_v land_n which_o at_o the_o best_a yield_v little_a or_o no_o profit_n to_o the_o common_a wealth_n but_o contrariwise_o nourish_v beggar_n and_o idle_a person_n and_o have_v a_o chase_n of_o red_a deer_n through_o a_o good_a part_n of_o this_o fen_n which_o much_o annoy_v and_o oppress_v the_o residue_n resolve_v by_o the_o advice_n of_o his_o counsel_n partly_o for_o the_o ease_n of_o his_o charge_n and_o increase_v of_o his_o revenue_n and_o partly_o for_o the_o improvement_n and_o reduce_v of_o so_o great_a a_o quantity_n of_o drown_a and_o boggy_a ground_n to_o be_v make_v good_a meadow_n arable_a and_o pasture_n for_o the_o general_a good_a do_v under_o the_o great_a seal_n of_o england_n contract_n with_o cornelius_n vermuden_n 1626._o then_o of_o the_o city_n of_o london_n esquire_n by_o article_n bear_v date_n the_o twenty_o four_o day_n of_o may_n in_o the_o second_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n the_o substance_n whereof_o be_v as_o follow_v first_o that_o the_o say_v cornelius_n shall_v at_o his_o own_o charge_n drain_v and_o lay_v the_o same_o dry_a begin_v the_o work_n within_o three_o month_n after_o the_o say_a king_n shall_v have_v agree_v with_o those_o person_n that_o have_v interest_n of_o common_a therein_o and_o finish_v it_o with_o all_o possible_a expedition_n that_o he_o the_o say_v cornelius_n in_o consideration_n thereof_o shall_v have_v to_o he_o and_o his_o heir_n for_o ever_o one_o full_a three_o part_n of_o the_o say_v surround_v ground_n to_o hold_v of_o the_o say_a king_n his_o heir_n and_o successor_n as_o of_o his_o manor_n of_o east_n geenwiche_n in_o free_a and_o common_a socage_n that_o he_o the_o say_v cornelius_n shall_v pay_v and_o satisfy_v to_o the_o owner_n of_o all_o land_n lie_v within_o the_o same_o level_n and_o so_o surround_v such_o sum_n of_o money_n as_o the_o say_a land_n shall_v be_v think_v worth_n by_o four_o commissioner_n whereof_o two_o to_o be_v name_v by_o the_o lord_n treasurer_n of_o england_n for_o the_o time_n be_v and_o the_o other_o two_o by_o he_o the_o say_v cornelius_n that_o the_o work_n be_v finish_v there_o shall_v be_v for_o the_o better_a preservation_n thereof_o a_o corporation_n make_v to_o make_v act_n and_o ordinance_n to_o that_o end_n as_o occasion_n shall_v require_v consist_v of_o such_o person_n as_o he_o the_o say_v cornelius_n and_o his_o heir_n do_v nominate_v that_o within_o three_o year_n after_o they_o shall_v be_v finish_v six_o commissioner_n to_o be_v appoint_v viz._n three_o by_o the_o lord_n treasurer_n of_o england_n for_o the_o time_n be_v and_o three_o by_o the_o same_o cornelius_n his_o heir_n etc._n etc._n to_o view_v they_o and_o estimate_n what_o the_o future_a yearly_a charge_n may_v amount_v unto_o for_o the_o perpetual_a maintain_n of_o they_o whereupon_o the_o say_v cornelius_n to_o convey_v and_o assure_v the_o inheritance_n of_o land_n to_o such_o a_o value_n as_o may_v be_v think_v sufficient_a to_o support_v that_o charge_n and_o that_o whereas_o divers_a do_v claim_v common_a of_o pasture_n in_o sundry_a of_o the_o say_a ground_n it_o be_v agree_v that_o the_o king_n shall_v issue_v out_o his_o commission_n under_o the_o great_a seal_n of_o england_n to_o certain_a person_n to_o treat_v and_o conclude_v with_o those_o commoner_n by_o way_n of_o composition_n in_o land_n or_o money_n concern_v the_o same_o whereupon_o commission_n be_v according_o direct_v 1656._o to_o several_a gentleman_n of_o those_o county_n to_o treat_v and_o agree_v with_o all_o such_o as_o pretend_v right_a of_o common_a within_o any_o of_o the_o manor_n abovementioned_a which_o take_v effect_n with_o each_o of_o they_o except_o those_o of_o the_o manor_n of_o epworth_n in_o this_o isle_n but_o sir_n robert_n heath_n be_v the_o then_o attorney_n general_n exhibit_v a_o information_n in_o the_o exchequer_n chamber_n against_o they_o three_o hundred_o and_o seventy_o who_o be_v all_o that_o at_o that_o time_n can_v be_v discover_v to_o have_v right_a of_o common_a there_o come_v and_o submit_v to_o such_o a_o award_n as_o sir_n john_n bank_n the_o then_o attorney_n general_a shall_v make_v therein_o who_o upon_o several_a hear_n of_o all_o party_n and_o their_o council_n make_v this_o award_n viz._n that_o of_o thirteen_o thousand_o and_o four_o hundred_o acre_n belong_v to_o that_o manor_n which_o be_v then_o to_o be_v drayn_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o level_n six_o thousand_o acre_n shall_v be_v allot_v to_o the_o commoner_n as_o their_o part_n or_o portion_n lie_v next_o to_o the_o town_n and_o so_o preserve_v for_o ever_o at_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o say_v cornelius_n vermuyden_n and_o the_o remain_v seven_o thousand_o and_o four_o hundred_o acre_n to_o be_v set_v out_o in_o the_o remote_a part_n of_o those_o waste_n to_o sir_n c._n vermuyden_n and_o his_o participant_n for_o their_o three_o part_n and_o for_o the_o say_v late_a king_n part_n in_o right_a of_o his_o interest_n as_o lord_n of_o the_o soil_n which_o by_o consent_n be_v decree_v in_o the_o exchequer_n chamber_n and_o possession_n thereupon_o establish_v with_o the_o say_v cornelius_n vermuyden_n and_o his_o participant_n and_o to_o their_o assign_v the_o agreement_n be_v therefore_o thus_o make_v this_o great_a work_n be_v according_o begin_v and_o have_v so_o successful_a a_o progress_n that_o with_o the_o charge_n of_o fifty_o five_o thousand_o eight_o hundred_o twenty_o five_o pound_n or_o thereabouts_o it_o become_v full_o finish_v within_o the_o space_n of_o five_o year_n the_o water_n which_o usual_o overflow_v the_o whole_a level_n be_v convey_v into_o the_o river_n of_o trent_n through_o snow_n sewer_n and_o althorpe_n river_n by_o a_o sluse_n which_o issue_v out_o the_o drayned_a water_n at_o every_o ebb_n and_o keep_v back_o the_o tide_n upon_o all_o come_n in_o thereof_o and_o now_o that_o the_o world_n may_v see_v what_o a_o advantage_n accrue_v to_o the_o public_a by_o this_o noble_a though_o chardgable_a work_n i_o shall_v here_o from_o the_o before-specified_n deposition_n observe_v first_o that_o since_o the_o drayn_n of_o haxey_n carr_n a_o great_a part_n thereof_o have_v be_v sow_v with_o rape_n and_o other_o corn_n for_o three_o year_n together_o and_o bear_v plentiful_a crop_n that_o some_o part_n of_o the_o say_v carr_n not_o worth_a above_o six_o penny_n a_o acre_n per_fw-la annum_fw-la be_v after_o the_o say_v drayn_v worth_a xs._o the_o acre_n that_o several_a house_n have_v be_v since_o build_v and_o inhabit_v in_o sundry_a place_n of_o the_o say_v carr_n which_o former_o be_v drown_v land_n so_o likewise_o in_o other_o part_n of_o the_o level_n that_o since_o the_o drayn_n the_o gound_n be_v better_a worth_a xiijs._o iiijd._o a_o acre_n than_o they_o be_v two_o shilling_n a_o acre_n before_o that_o of_o ten_o acre_n of_o drayned_a land_n fifty_o quarter_n of_o rape_n seed_n have_v be_v get_v in_o one_o year_n and_o sell_v at_o xxxs._o the_o quarter_n that_o of_o the_o say_v drayn_v ground_n thâ—y_v have_v usual_o have_v three_o quarter_n and_o a_o half_a of_o wheat_n upon_o one_o acre_n three_o quarter_n of_o rye_n upon_o one_o acre_n and_o eight_o quarter_n of_o oat_n upon_o one_o acre_n and_o for_o six_o year_n together_o seven_o quarter_n of_o oat_n on_o one_o acre_n that_o before_o this_o drayn_n the_o country_n thereabouts_o be_v full_a of_o wander_a beggar_n but_o very_o few_o afterward_o be_v set_v on_o work_n in_o weed_n of_o corn_n burn_v of_o ground_n thrash_a ditch_v harvest_n work_n and_o other_o husbandry_n all_o wage_n of_o labourer_n by_o reason_n of_o this_o great_a use_n of_o they_o be_v then_o double_v hereunto_o i_o shall_v add_v what_o i_o find_v in_o that_o print_a relation_n beforementioned_a viz._n the_o state_n of_o the_o case_n id_fw-la est_fw-la that_o the_o say_v cornelius_n vermuyden_n together_o with_o his_o participant_n and_o their_o assign_v be_v in_o quiet_a and_o peaceable_a possession_n of_o what_o belong_v to_o they_o by_o
and_o covenable_a law_n and_o statute_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o those_o bank_n and_o sewer_n according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o romeney_n marsh_n as_o also_o to_o take_v and_o employ_v so_o many_o digger_n and_o other_o labourer_n in_o that_o work_n upon_o convenient_a wage_n as_o shall_v be_v needful_a for_o the_o same_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o urgent_a necessity_n of_o expedition_n to_o be_v have_v therein_o howbeit_o after_o this_o time_n till_o the_o xith_o year_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o late_a king_n charles_n i_o have_v not_o observe_v any_o thing_n else_o of_o moment_n concern_v these_o marsh_n but_o then_o at_o a_o general_a session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o glamford_n brigge_n upon_o the_o last_o day_n of_o march_n car._n in_o the_o say_a year_n for_o drayn_v of_o the_o fen_n and_o car_n lie_v on_o both_o side_n of_o the_o before-specified_n river_n of_o ancholme_n in_o the_o lordship_n of_o glentham_n bishop_n norton_n atterby_n and_o several_a other_o it_o be_v then_o and_o there_o order_v 1659._o by_o will._n tirwhit_o will._n anderson_n marmaduke_n darell_n samuel_n owfield_n stephan_n anderson_n esquire_n and_o richard_n nelthorpe_n gentleman_n his_o majesty_n commissioner_n that_o a_o tax_n of_o s._n iiij_o xiijd._o shall_v be_v assess_v upon_o every_o acre_n of_o land_n find_v in_o a_o verdict_n of_o the_o say_a session_n in_o the_o town_n and_o place_n aforesaid_a for_o the_o drayn_n of_o those_o fen_n etc._n etc._n and_o make_v a_o sluse_n or_o clow_n near_o the_o out-fall_a of_o the_o say_a river_n which_o say_v sum_n be_v not_o pay_v according_o the_o before-specified_n fen_n can_v not_o be_v take_v in_o hand_n there_o be_v therefore_o another_o commission_n short_o after_o direct_v to_o sir_n robert_n bell_n knight_n sir_n edward_z ascogh_o knight_n sir_n william_n pelham_n knight_n will._n tirwhit_o will._n anderson_n edmund_n anderson_n george_n glapthorne_n and_o edward_n tourney_n esquire_n who_o by_o virtue_n thereof_o sit_v at_o glamford_n brigge_v aforesaid_a upon_o the_o xxiiijth_o day_n of_o august_n than_o next_o follow_v where_o they_o the_o say_v commissioner_n do_v decree_n ibid._n and_o ordain_v that_o those_o fen_n shall_v be_v forthwith_o take_v in_o hand_n and_o to_o that_o end_n treat_v with_o some_o foreign_a undertaker_n who_o demand_n be_v find_v too_o high_a and_o all_o other_o gentleman_n refuse_v sir_n john_n munson_n knight_n of_o the_o honourable_a order_n of_o the_o bath_n a_o person_n eminent_o qualify_v with_o learning_n and_o sundry_a other_o ample_a endowment_n have_v a_o fair_a estate_n in_o this_o county_n and_o no_o small_a proportion_n of_o these_o surround_v marsh_n out_o of_o a_o noble_a desire_n to_o serve_v his_o country_n declare_v that_o he_o will_v be_v the_o undertaker_n thereof_o himself_o upon_o the_o term_n that_o have_v be_v propose_v by_o the_o commissioner_n unto_o those_o foreiner_n and_o to_o lay_v the_o great_a obligation_n upon_o they_o leave_v every_o freeholder_n at_o liberty_n to_o adventure_v for_o his_o own_o share_n if_o they_o think_v fit_a upon_o the_o same_o rate_n and_o give_v they_o a_o month_n time_n to_o consider_v of_o it_o of_o which_o offer_v most_o of_o the_o great_a lord_n and_o owner_n of_o that_o level_n accept_v whereupon_o the_o say_v commissioner_n decree_v ibid._n first_o that_o he_o the_o say_a sir_n john_n monson_n shall_v and_o may_v forthwith_o set_v upon_o the_o work_n and_o accomplish_v it_o within_o the_o space_n of_o the_o six_o next_o ensue_v year_n second_o that_o all_o the_o say_a ground_n be_v so_o drayn_v shall_v for_o ever_o afterward_o continue_v for_o meadow_n and_o pasture_n except_v some_o quantity_n thereof_o not_o exceed_v cc_o acre_n which_o be_v to_o be_v leave_v for_o lake_n and_o sike_n for_o the_o reception_n of_o superfluous_a water_n within_o the_o same_o three_o that_o he_o the_o say_a sir_n john_n his_o heir_n and_o assign_v shall_v at_o their_o own_o cost_n repair_v and_o keep_v all_o drayn_n and_o sluice_n which_o be_v to_o be_v make_v conduce_v thereto_o and_o for_o the_o better_a preserve_n of_o the_o say_a work_n to_o make_v such_o new_a drayn_n and_o sluice_n with_o cart_n bridge_n over_o they_o where_o need_n shall_v be_v in_o such_o place_n as_o any_o six_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n for_o the_o time_n be_v shall_v think_v fit_a four_o that_o in_o consideration_n of_o this_o great_a work_n he_o the_o say_a sir_n john_n his_o heir_n and_o assign_v shall_v have_v and_o enjoy_v five_o thousand_o eight_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o seven_o acre_n of_o the_o say_a fen_n and_o marsh_n dischardged_a from_o all_o commons_o title_n charge_n interest_n and_o demand_n of_o all_o or_o any_o person_n whatsoever_o to_o be_v assign_v and_o allot_v to_o they_o out_o of_o the_o say_a lordship_n or_o any_o six_o of_o they_o before_o the_o feast-day_n of_o s._n michael_n the_o archangel_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 1636._o to_o be_v enjoy_v from_o the_o time_n that_o the_o say_v ground_n shall_v be_v adjudge_v to_o be_v drayn_v by_o the_o before-specified_n commissioner_n five_o that_o if_o through_o the_o neglect_n of_o the_o say_a sir_n john_n monson_n after_o the_o end_n of_o those_o six_o year_n the_o abovementioned_a ground_n shall_v happen_v to_o be_v again_o surround_v and_o so_o continue_v for_o the_o space_n of_o one_o whole_a year_n together_o and_o that_o by_o view_n and_o judgement_n of_o the_o commissioner_n the_o same_o shall_v be_v so_o certify_v into_o the_o chancery_n that_o then_o in_o case_n it_o be_v not_o again_o in_v and_o make_v fit_a for_o erable_a within_o six_o month_n after_o such_o certificate_n transmit_v into_o the_o chancery_n it_o shall_v be_v lawful_a for_o the_o owner_n of_o the_o say_a ground_n and_o their_o heir_n to_o enter_v into_o two_o thousand_o acre_n of_o the_o say_v five_o thousand_o eight_o hundred_o twenty_o and_o seven_o acre_n until_o the_o say_a ground_n so_o drown_v shall_v be_v again_o recover_v by_o the_o say_a sir_n john_n monson_n etc._n etc._n six_o that_o every_o person_n who_o have_v land_n adjoin_v to_o those_o drayned_a ground_n which_o shall_v happen_v to_o be_v better_v by_o this_o drayn_n shall_v pay_v unto_o the_o say_a sir_n john_n his_o heir_n or_o assign_v for_o every_o acre_n so_o improve_v so_o much_o as_o by_o six_o of_o the_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n for_o the_o time_n be_v shall_v be_v adjudge_v fit_a seven_o that_o in_o case_n the_o say_a river_n of_o ankolme_n shall_v in_o order_n to_o this_o drayn_n be_v divert_v by_o any_o new_a cut_n such_o lord_n of_o manor_n and_o other_o as_o have_v have_v liberty_n of_o fish_v in_o the_o old_a channel_n shall_v in_o lieu_n thereof_o have_v the_o like_a benefit_n and_o liberty_n in_o the_o new_a eight_o that_o where_o any_o man_n ground_n shall_v happen_v to_o be_v cast_v from_o his_o lordship_n to_o the_o other_o side_n of_o the_o river_n the_o same_o person_n his_o heir_n and_o assign_v to_o have_v free_a ingress_n and_o egress_n to_o and_o from_o the_o same_o through_o the_o lordship_n of_o he_o to_o which_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o cast_v which_o decree_n of_o the_o before-specified_n commissioner_n be_v exemplify_v under_o the_o great_a seal_n of_o england_n by_o the_o king_n letter_n patent_n bear_v date_n 27_o octobris_fw-la 14_o caroli_n after_o which_o at_o another_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v by_o adjournment_n at_o glamford_n brigge_v aforesaid_a the_o four_o day_n of_o may_n in_o the_o xiiijth_z year_n of_o the_o say_v k._n charles_n by_o and_o before_o william_n amcot_n john_n broxholme_n marmaduke_n darrell_n thomas_n nethercot_n roger_n gregory_n and_o mich._n mounckton_n esquire_n tho._n hely_n henry_a sandwith_n john_n barnard_n edw._n nelthorpe_n tho._n farmery_n and_o william_n darvin_n gentleman_n commissioner_n appoint_v for_o this_o level_n upon_o the_o river_n of_o ankolme_n extend_v from_o bishop_n brigg_n on_o the_o south_n to_o ferriby_n brigg_n on_o the_o north_n and_o from_o thence_o to_o the_o low_a water_n mark_n in_o humbre_fw-mi and_o into_o the_o manor_n of_o glentham_n bishop_n norton_n and_o divers_a other_o after_o recital_n of_o the_o decree_n and_o ordinance_n make_v in_o the_o two_o former_a session_n of_o 11_o caroli_n before_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o that_o at_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v likewise_o at_o glamford_n brigg_n aforesaid_a by_o and_o before_o william_n amcott_n marmaduke_n darrell_n john_n broxholme_n esquire_n and_o other_o it_o be_v adjudge_v and_o declare_v that_o the_o say_a sir_n john_n monson_n have_v with_o the_o expense_n of_o great_a â—umms_n of_o money_n well_o and_o sufficient_o drayn_v and_o recover_v those_o fen_n and_o surround_v ground_n according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o say_a law_n make_v the_o 24_o of_o august_n in_o the_o say_v 11_o year_n of_o king_n charles_n the_o say_v will._n amcott_n and_o
for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o the_o bank_n ditch_n and_o sewer_n throughout_o all_o this_o country_n of_o marshland_n and_o in_o 20_o e._n 3._o sir_n robert_n de_fw-fr causton_n and_o sir_n william_n de_fw-fr dunton_n knight_n edmund_n de_fw-fr gunevyle_n parson_n of_o the_o church_n of_o tyringtone_n john_n de_fw-fr brymmesley_n adam_n de_fw-fr walsokne_v and_o thomas_n de_fw-fr welverton_n have_v the_o like_a commission_n dorso_fw-la for_o those_o bank_n in_o tyringtone_n with_o direction_n to_o make_v new_a agistment_n for_o the_o better_a safeguard_n of_o they_o as_o often_o as_o need_n shall_v require_v so_o also_o the_o same_o year_n with_o the_o like_a direction_n and_o power_n for_o make_v new_a agistment_n have_v dorso_fw-la john_n de_fw-fr hedersete_n robert_n de_fw-fr hakeâ—eche_n roger_n de_fw-fr dersingham_n hugh_n de_fw-fr walton_n and_o adam_n de_fw-fr walsokne_v for_o all_o the_o sea-bank_n throughout_o this_o whole_a province_n in_o the_o same_o year_n the_o inhabitant_n of_o wigenhale_n walpole_n walsokne_v tylney_n tirington_n west_n walton_n and_o the_o hamlet_n of_o enemethe_o complain_v dorso_fw-la to_o the_o king_n that_o though_o the_o assessor_n of_o the_o fifteen_o grant_v to_o the_o king_n in_o parliament_n in_o the_o xith_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n of_o all_o their_o good_n movable_a for_o the_o term_n of_o three_o year_n do_v tax_v they_o the_o say_v inhabitant_n at_o less_o sum_n for_o the_o say_v fifteen_o than_o they_o have_v use_v to_o be_v rate_v at_o before_o their_o loss_n by_o the_o sea_n inundation_n as_o have_v be_v observe_v and_o that_o though_o the_o same_o person_n have_v often_o undergo_v the_o like_a since_o that_o time_n nevertheless_o the_o late_a assessor_n of_o another_o fifteen_o then_o grant_v to_o the_o king_n have_v exact_v from_o they_o the_o ancient_a sum_n wherewith_o their_o say_a town_n be_v chardged_a before_o they_o suffer_v such_o loss_n ☞_o and_o that_o the_o collector_n of_o wool_n do_v impose_v the_o like_a rate_n upon_o they_o and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o that_o the_o shireeve_n have_v endeavour_v by_o distress_n to_o levy_v the_o arrear_n of_o that_o old_a fifteen_o whereof_o by_o the_o say_a king_n special_a direction_n they_o be_v to_o have_v abatement_n he_o therefore_o appoint_v dorso_fw-la william_n de_fw-fr thorpe_n john_n de_fw-fr walton_n and_o roger_n petygard_n to_o make_v enquiry_n thereof_o and_o to_o certify_v the_o truth_n in_o the_o prâ—misses_n by_o virtue_n of_o which_o commission_n the_o say_a william_n john_n and_o roger_n sit_v n_o at_o tylney_n upon_o monday_n next_o after_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o nativity_n of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n in_o the_o year_n abovesaid_a before_o who_o the_o juror_n present_v that_o in_o and_o after_o the_o xith_o year_n of_o the_o then_o king_n there_o be_v destroy_v and_o drown_v by_o the_o rage_a of_o the_o sea_n ten_o message_n and_o c._n acre_n of_o land_n in_o uuigenhale_n wigenhale_n belong_v to_o divers_a person_n and_o that_o several_a other_o land_n be_v there_o daily_o overflow_v and_o in_o danger_n likewise_o of_o be_v lose_v and_o that_o the_o land_n and_o tenement_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o say_a town_n do_v lie_v on_o both_o side_n that_o arm_v of_o the_o sea_n which_o run_v through_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o say_a town_n and_o they_o say_v that_o the_o man_n of_o that_o town_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o beforementioned_a arm_n do_v yearly_o repair_v and_o maintain_v two_o bank_n the_o one_o contain_v six_o mile_n in_o length_n and_o the_o other_o three_o the_o charge_n whereof_o amount_v to_o cxxl._o per_fw-la annum_fw-la and_o more_o as_o by_o estimation_n they_o be_v give_v to_o understand_v and_o they_o likewise_o say_v that_o the_o before-specified_n inhabitant_n do_v yearly_o repair_v and_o maintain_v one_o bank_n call_v pokediche_n contain_v two_o mile_n in_o length_n for_o their_o defence_n against_o the_o fresh_a water_n the_o charge_n whereof_o come_v to_o cs._n per_fw-la annum_fw-la and_o more_o and_o they_o say_v walpole_n that_o in_o that_o same_o xith_o year_n and_o afterward_o there_o be_v by_o the_o say_a inundation_n cxl._n acre_n of_o land_n in_o walpole_n drown_v and_o for_o ever_o lose_v and_o that_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o that_o town_n do_v yearly_o repair_v and_o maintain_v a_o sea-bank_n contain_v three_o mile_n in_o length_n which_o extend_v itself_o northwest_o from_o the_o town_n of_o tyrington_n unto_o a_o certain_a floodgate_n of_o waltone_n call_v nobeche_v gote_v for_o the_o repair_n &_o maintenance_n whereof_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o same_o town_n do_v yearly_o expend_v cxijl._o and_o that_o hâ—y_o do_v repair_v and_o maintain_v a_o certain_a ditch_n call_v pokediche_n contain_v a_o mile_n in_o length_n for_o their_o defence_n from_o the_o fresh_a water_n the_o charge_n whereof_o come_v to_o more_o than_o xl._o per_fw-la annum_fw-la beside_o other_o new_a work_n about_o those_o bank_n which_o yearly_o rise_v to_o xll._o and_o they_o say_v walsokne_v that_o in_o the_o same_o xith_o year_n and_o afterward_o two_o gutter_n which_o have_v be_v then_o late_o make_v at_o walsokne_v for_o avoidance_n of_o the_o fresh_a water_n of_o that_o town_n towards_o the_o sea_n be_v whole_o fill_v up_o by_o the_o raise_n of_o silt_n and_o utter_o destroy_v by_o reason_n whereof_o cc._o acre_n of_o land_n belong_v to_o several_a man_n there_o be_v every_o year_n overflow_v in_o winter_n time_n to_o the_o damage_n of_o ten_o pound_n to_o the_o inhabitant_n and_o they_o say_v that_o the_o before-specified_n inhabitant_n of_o that_o town_n do_v repair_v and_o maintain_v for_o every_o acre_n of_o land_n within_o the_o same_o four_o foot_n of_o the_o sea-bank_n for_o defence_n of_o their_o land_n against_o the_o ocean_n and_o likewise_o for_o every_o acre_n of_o land_n in_o the_o same_o town_n one_o foot_n of_o the_o bank_n of_o pokedike_n for_o keep_v off_o the_o fresh_a water_n the_o charge_n of_o both_o which_o be_v more_o than_o thirty_o l._n per_fw-la annum_fw-la and_o that_o they_o do_v likewise_o yearly_o repair_v and_o maintain_v one_o sewer_n contain_v five_o mile_n in_o length_n viz._n from_o the_o town_n of_o walsokne_v to_o uuigenhale_n which_o stand_v they_o in_o more_o than_o ten_o pound_n per_fw-la annum_fw-la and_o they_o say_v tilneyâ—_n that_o in_o the_o same_o xith_o year_n and_o afterward_o seven_o message_n and_o ten_o acre_n of_o land_n belong_v to_o divers_a man_n in_o the_o town_n of_o tilney_n be_v by_o the_o like_a outrageousness_n of_o the_o sea_n drown_v and_o for_o ever_o lose_v and_o that_o divers_a land_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n there_o be_v daily_o overflow_v and_o they_o far_o say_v that_o the_o say_v inhabitant_n of_o that_o town_n do_v yearly_o repair_v certain_a sea-bank_n towards_o the_o river_n ☞_o call_v wigenhale_n i_fw-mi viz._n from_o catysbac-gole_n to_o king_n goal_n which_o contain_v twenty-four_o furlong_n in_o length_n whereof_o xviij_o do_v extend_v from_o a_o certain_a place_n call_v the_o hope_n to_o edeyenesgole_n and_o be_v often_o subvert_v by_o the_o sea-tide_n so_o that_o the_o man_n of_o that_o town_n do_v thereby_o lose_v a_o great_a part_n of_o their_o land_n yearly_o and_o they_o say_v that_o the_o before-specified_n inhabitant_n be_v at_o the_o yearly_a charge_n of_o three_o pound_n for_o repair_v of_o six_o furlong_n of_o the_o say_a ditch_n and_o for_o every_o furlong_n beside_o ten_o mark_n and_o they_o say_v moreover_o that_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a gutter_n call_v scales_n goal_n but_o late_o make_v for_o safeguard_n of_o the_o land_n of_o those_o inhabitant_n which_o be_v then_o destroy_v by_o the_o sea-tide_n by_o reason_n whereof_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o say_a town_n be_v drown_v and_o make_v yearly_o much_o worse_o to_o the_o annual_a damage_n of_o xxl._o so_o that_o for_o the_o better_a defence_n of_o their_o land_n and_o bank_n they_o be_v constrain_v to_o make_v two_o score_n the_o charge_n whereof_o come_v to_o c._n mark_n which_o score_n be_v also_o by_o the_o rage_a of_o the_o sea_n overthrow_v and_o spoil_v to_o the_o loss_n of_o that_o town_n cl._o and_o they_o likewise_o say_v that_o the_o before-specified_n inhabitant_n do_v every_o year_n expend_v xxl._o in_o the_o repair_n of_o two_o bank_n viz._n pokediche_n and_o blakediche_n for_o defâ—nce_n of_o their_o land_n against_o the_o fresh_a water_n and_o that_o they_o be_v at_o the_o yearly_a charge_n of_o xxl._o more_o for_o other_o common_a work_n and_o likewise_o xl._o for_o maintenance_n of_o their_o gutter_n and_o sewer_n tirington_n and_o they_o say_v that_o in_o the_o same_o xith_o year_n and_o afterward_o a_o thousand_o acre_n of_o land_n belong_v to_o the_o town_n of_o tirington_n be_v yearly_o overflow_v by_o inundation_n of_o the_o fresh_a water_n in_o regard_n that_o the_o sluse_n call_v scale_n goal_n be_v destroy_v and_o spoil_v by_o the_o sea-tide_n as_o abovesaid_a do_v occasion_n
etc._n whereupon_o complaint_n be_v make_v unto_o mr._n justice_n gawdy_n and_o other_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n sit_v at_o sechie_n in_o com._n norff._n xi_o of_o april_n last_o pass_v it_o be_v by_o they_o order_v 1._o that_o the_o say_a turk_n bank_n shall_v be_v present_o cut_v 2._o that_o small_a load_n london_n load_n and_o maid_n load_n be_v sufficient_o scour_v by_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o welle_v and_o the_o londoner_n 3._o that_o maid_n load_n be_v make_v thirty_o foot_n wide_a at_o the_o mouth_n twenty-five_o and_o xx_o foot_n at_o the_o sluâ—e_n with_o sluice_n to_o carry_v it_o and_o five_o foot_n in_o depth_n and_o so_o to_o be_v maintain_v by_o the_o londoner_n as_o need_n shall_v require_v whereupon_o on_o may_n day_n follow_v the_o say_a bank_n be_v cut_v in_o many_o place_n by_o reason_n whereof_o the_o water_n run_v so_o forcible_o through_o the_o say_a cut_n that_o for_o the_o space_n of_o x_o or_o twelve_o day_n after_o it_o suck_v in_o divers_a boat_n and_o vessel_n pass_v that_o way_n and_o it_o be_v far_o present_v that_o a_o little_a without_o the_o upper_a end_n of_o this_o bank_n there_o have_v be_v a_o crest_n for_o people_n to_o travel_v on_o from_o welney_n to_o welle_v in_o the_o summer_n time_n when_o the_o water_n be_v down_o for_o which_o cause_n the_o say_a church-path_n be_v about_o fifty_o year_n pass_v make_v of_o more_o strength_n and_o height_n than_o in_o former_a time_n by_o one_o mr._n beaupre_n the_o same_o be_v not_o long_o after_o cut_v down_o in_o many_o place_n by_o the_o express_a command_n of_o bishop_n goodrick_n than_o lord_n chancellor_n of_o england_n and_o bishop_n of_o ely_n in_o 44_o eliz._n there_o be_v a_o agreement_n bear_v date_n the_o xx_o of_o march_n make_v by_o indenture_n between_o sir_n john_n peyton_n kâ—_n dame_n dorothy_n his_o wife_n and_o edmund_z bell_n esquire_n than_o owner_n of_o the_o manor_n of_o upwell_n john_n richardson_n and_o divers_a other_o who_o be_v at_o that_o time_n the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o commoner_n and_o inhabitant_n of_o upwell_n aforesaid_a and_o john_n watts_n citizen_n and_o alderman_n of_o london_n sir_n william_n cokain_n of_o london_n skinner_n and_o other_o for_o the_o drayn_n of_o divers_a fenny_a waste_n and_o commons_n contain_v about_o three_o thousand_o acre_n lie_v in_o upwell_n between_o a_o certain_a drayn_n call_v london_n load_n towards_o the_o north_n maiden_n load_n and_o ship_n load_n towards_o the_o south_n and_o towards_o the_o west_n adjoin_v to_o and_o upon_o the_o causey-bank_n extend_v from_o london_n load_n to_o welney_n and_o towards_o the_o east_n upon_o denver_n common_a for_o drayn_v and_o maintain_v whereof_o they_o be_v to_o have_v convey_v unto_o they_o their_o heir_n and_o assign_v one_o full_a moiety_n of_o the_o say_a waste_n whereupon_o with_o the_o expense_n of_o great_a sum_n of_o money_n they_o do_v accomplish_v the_o work_n and_o according_o have_v the_o say_a moiety_n thereof_o set_v out_o for_o they_o which_o they_o enjoy_v for_o divers_a year_n till_o about_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o king_n james_n his_o reign_n that_o the_o fen-water_n break_v their_o bank_n and_o drown_v all_o again_o the_o country_n people_n then_o turn_v the_o adventurer_n out_o of_o their_o possession_n which_o they_o keep_v till_o francis_n late_a earl_n of_o bedford_n beâ—ame_v the_o principal_a undertaker_n for_o drain_n of_o the_o whole_a great_a level_n and_o do_v perform_v the_o work_n but_o afterward_o his_o say_a drayn_n meeting_n with_o some_o disaster_n the_o whole_a level_n become_v total_o surround_v again_o and_o so_o continue_v until_o william_n earl_n of_o bedford_n and_o his_o participant_n do_v in_o the_o year_n 1649._o undertake_v to_o drain_v it_o anew_o which_o in_o four_o year_n time_n he_o perfect_v as_o i_o have_v elsewhere_o more_o full_o show_v whereupon_o sir_n john_n watts_n knight_n and_o some_o other_o who_o claim_v under_o the_o first_o undertaker_n beforementioned_a be_v restore_v to_o the_o possession_n thereof_o at_o a_o session_n a._n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o king_n lynne_n 1._o octob._n 7_o jacobi_fw-la before_o sir_n ralph_n hare_n sir_n thomas_n hewar_n and_o sir_n henry_n spelman_n knight_n john_n reppe_n thomas_n oxburgh_n jacobi_fw-la thomas_n athow_n rob._n gawsell_n and_o richard_n bachcroft_n esquire_n and_o other_o it_o be_v ordain_v that_o the_o decree_n make_v for_o the_o drayn_n of_o needham_n fen_n and_o burial_n field_n the_o ten_o of_o october_n 31_o eliz._n shall_v be_v confirm_v in_o all_o point_n and_o a_o acreshot_v of_o xd._a the_o acre_n impose_v for_o the_o speedy_a redress_n of_o all_o default_n in_o the_o say_a drayn_n bank_n etc._n etc._n certain_a observance_n make_v upon_o the_o marsh_n below_o the_o 4_o cambridgshire_n goat_n of_o the_o outfall_n of_o wisbeche_n river_n and_o certain_a creek_n there_o with_o their_o sand_n and_o deep_n by_o richard_n atkins_n of_o utwell_n gent._n in_o june_n 1605._o jaâ—_n wisbeche_v chanel_n fall_v from_o the_o 4_o goat_n eastward_o down_o by_o walpole_n marsh_n on_o the_o east_n and_o south_n to_o crosse-key_n corner_n alias_o gates-end_n corner_n and_o from_o thence_o pass_v towards_o tirington_n bank_n leave_v to_o the_o southward_n a_o high_a score_n of_o clay_n the_o only_a preservative_n of_o the_o town_n and_o when_o it_o have_v run_v east_n as_o low_a as_o against_o the_o beacon_n then_o do_v it_o turn_v flat_a north_n under_o the_o sand_n call_v tirington_n breast_n lie_v on_o the_o east_n of_o the_o channel_n and_o so_o continue_v northwards_o by_o the_o say_a breast_n by_o the_o space_n of_o 5_o mile_n and_o there_o fall_v into_o blow_n deep_a it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o upon_o every_o flow_n there_o come_v from_o the_o north_n out_o of_o blow-deepe_a a_o tide_n which_o run_v along_o tirington_n breast_n on_o the_o east_n side_n and_o a_o sand_n call_v the_o thief_n on_o the_o west_n and_o out_o of_o the_o west_n from_o a_o channel_n call_v the_o maid_n eye_n come_v another_o tide_n and_o both_o these_o do_v meet_v within_o a_o mile_n of_o tirington_n bank_n and_o so_o meet_v do_v make_v great_a sea_n there_o and_o many_o time_n when_o the_o wind_n be_v at_o west_n or_o north_n the_o sea_n rise_v there_o high_o than_o they_o do_v ten_o mile_n off_o at_o sea_n these_o two_o tide_n thus_o unite_v with_o violence_n run_v right_a upon_o tirington_n bank_n and_o but_o that_o god_n of_o his_o mercy_n have_v there_o place_v a_o score_n of_o clay_n contain_v not_o above_o a_o furlong_n in_o breadth_n the_o bank_n can_v not_o in_o man_n reason_n stand_v the_o next_o 3_o tide_n this_o score_n of_o clay_n by_o the_o fret_a of_o the_o sea_n daily_o waste_v and_o the_o people_n of_o the_o place_n not_o understand_v what_o a_o defence_n it_o be_v to_o their_o bank_n continual_o bear_v away_o the_o same_o to_o the_o repair_n of_o those_o bank_n never_o foresee_v their_o destruction_n if_o that_o score_n of_o clay_n be_v once_o go_v and_o the_o sea_n at_o the_o ordinary_a depth_n of_o his_o channel_n suffer_v to_o come_v to_o the_o foot_n of_o the_o bank_n where_o maid_n eye_n meet_v with_o tirington_n deep_a at_o the_o very_a entrance_n thereof_o at_o a_o dead_a low_a water_n it_o exceed_v not_o 5_o or_o 6_o foot_n deep_a at_o this_o day_n and_o it_o have_v be_v observe_v that_o in_o a_o great_a drought_n the_o whole_a mouth_n thereof_o of_o have_v be_v stop_v with_o sand_n but_o upon_o the_o next_o great_a fresh_a that_o happen_v all_o those_o sand_n have_v be_v remove_v and_o the_o channel_n grow_v to_o the_o old_a course_n again_o here_o be_v a_o special_a observance_n to_o be_v make_v qui_fw-la habet_fw-la intellectum_fw-la attendat_fw-la decursus_fw-la namque_fw-la aquae_fw-la dulcis_fw-la viam_fw-la praebet_fw-la marinae_fw-la oceanus_n interim_n ex_fw-la duobus_fw-la his_fw-la canalibus_fw-la aestuans_fw-la fossata_fw-la marina_fw-la alatrandâ—_n alluendo_fw-la inundando_fw-la &_o lacerando_fw-la saepissimè_fw-la gravissimeque_fw-la ita_fw-la excercet_a ut_fw-la deficientibus_fw-la aggeribus_fw-la de_fw-la quibus_fw-la malè_fw-la sustentatis_fw-la multùm_fw-la doleo_fw-la de_fw-la finali_fw-la perditione_n &_o dissolutione_n partium_fw-la adjacentium_fw-la verisimiliter_fw-la quod_fw-la absit_fw-la formidatur_fw-la nisi_fw-la &_o hinc_fw-la nascitur_fw-la periculum_fw-la &_o onus_fw-la illico_fw-la acquirendum_fw-la est_fw-la remedium_fw-la &_o salus_fw-la homines_fw-la verò_fw-la patriae_fw-la cum_fw-la plerique_fw-la inertes_fw-la sint_fw-la &_o hebeti_fw-la ingenio_fw-la in_fw-la se_fw-la inuicem_fw-la nuper_fw-la pro_fw-la fossatorum_fw-la sustentandorum_fw-la oneribus_fw-la obruentes_fw-la de_fw-la remedio_fw-la ex_fw-la sublatâ_fw-la causâ_fw-la ne_fw-la somniare_fw-la quidem_fw-la possunt_fw-la sed_fw-la nec_fw-la ingenioso_n inertiamque_fw-la svam_fw-la desidiosam_fw-la exosos_fw-la inter_fw-la se_fw-la vivere_fw-la vix_fw-la sustinâ—re_fw-la possunt_fw-la the_o head_n of_o the_o 4_o lincolnshire_n silt_v goat_n be_v preserve_v especial_o in_o summer_n by_o two_o great_a finns_n bring_v
cloudy_a gross_a and_o full_a of_o rot_a harr_n the_o water_n putrid_a and_o muddy_a yea_o full_a of_o loathsome_a vermin_n the_o earth_n spongy_a and_o boggy_a and_o the_o fire_n noisome_a by_o the_o stink_n of_o smoky_a hassocks_n as_o for_o the_o decay_n of_o fish_n and_o fowl_n which_o have_v be_v no_o small_a objestion_n against_o this_o public_a work_n there_o be_v not_o much_o likelihood_n thereof_o for_o notwithstanding_o this_o general_a drayn_n there_o be_v so_o many_o great_a mere_a and_o lakes_n still_o continue_v which_o be_v indeed_o the_o principal_a harbour_n for_o they_o that_o there_o will_v be_v no_o want_n of_o either_o for_o in_o the_o vast_a spread_a water_n they_o seldom_o abide_v the_o river_n channel_n and_o mere_a be_v their_o principal_a receptacle_n which_o be_v now_o increase_v will_v rather_o augment_v than_o diminish_v their_o store_n and_o that_o both_o fish_n and_o fowl_n be_v with_o much_o more_o ease_v take_v by_o this_o restraint_n of_o the_o water_n within_o such_o bound_n we_o daily_o see_v forasmuch_o as_o all_o net_n for_o fish_v be_v better_o make_v use_n of_o in_o the_o river_n and_o meeres_n than_o when_o the_o water_n be_v out_o of_o those_o narrow_a limit_n and_o that_o decoy_n be_v now_o plant_v upon_o many_o drayned_a level_n whereby_o great_a number_n of_o fowl_n be_v catch_v than_o by_o any_o other_o engine_n former_o use_v which_o can_v not_o at_o all_o be_v make_v there_o do_v the_o water_n as_o former_o overspread_v the_o whole_a country_n the_o history_n of_o imbank_v and_o drayn_v cap_n i._n that_o work_v of_o drayn_v be_v most_o ancient_a and_o of_o divine_a institution_n we_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o holy_a scripture_n 1.9_o in_o the_o beginning_n god_n say_v let_v the_o water_n be_v gather_v together_o and_o let_v the_o dry_a land_n appear_v and_o it_o be_v so_o 12._o and_o the_o earth_n bring_v forth_o grass_n and_o herb_n yield_v seed_n &_o the_o fruit-tree_n yield_v fruit_n after_o his_o kind_n and_o god_n see_v that_o it_o be_v good_a again_o after_o the_o deluge_n it_o be_v through_o the_o divine_a goodness_n that_o 8.13_o the_o water_n be_v dry_v up_o from_o off_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o face_n of_o the_o ground_n be_v dry_a and_o that_o those_o nation_n which_o be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n and_o in_o chief_a renown_n for_o art_n and_o civility_n be_v also_o famous_a for_o their_o work_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v evident_a from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o egyptians_n the_o babylonian_n the_o grecian_n the_o roman_n and_o several_a other_o of_o which_o i_o shall_v give_v instance_n egypt_n first_o therefore_o of_o egypt_n because_o 35._o that_o country_n be_v more_o marvelous_a than_o any_o other_o and_o that_o the_o work_v there_o be_v more_o remarkable_a than_o the_o country_n this_o lie_v in_o a_o great_a length_n from_o south_n to_o north_n between_o arabia_n and_o lybia_n and_o be_v water_v with_o the_o river_n nilus_n a_o stream_n that_o all_o the_o winter_n keep_v 19_o within_o his_o bank_n but_o at_o the_o summer_n solstice_n begin_v to_o exceed_v and_o swell_v a_o hundred_o day_n be_v almost_o as_o long_o a_o time_n in_o retreat_v which_o constant_a inundation_n be_v so_o commodious_a that_o those_o surround_v part_n as_o a_o eminent_a historian_n d._n testify_v be_v only_o habitable_a and_o that_o whatsoever_o place_n on_o either_o side_n the_o river_n rise_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o it_o can_v receive_v the_o flood_n remain_v desert_n and_o uninhabited_a through_o want_n of_o water_n we_o may_v therefore_o esteem_v the_o egyptians_n to_o have_v be_v the_o first_o master_n in_o this_o art_n of_o drayn_v who_o necessity_n and_o profit_n induce_v to_o employ_v their_o wit_n and_o labour_n to_o the_o improvement_n of_o their_o country_n and_o make_v the_o best_a advantage_n of_o that_o exorbitant_a river_n wherein_o they_o become_v most_o excellent_a their_o workmanship_n about_o the_o river_n nilus_n be_v such_o as_o the_o same_o learned_a author_n d._n manifest_v that_o industry_n surpass_v nature_n for_o egypt_n say_v he_o though_o natural_o fruitful_a be_v water_v be_v more_o fruitful_a and_o though_o according_a to_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n the_o great_a increase_n of_o the_o river_n water_v the_o most_o land_n yet_o through_o industry_n it_o be_v so_o bring_v to_o pass_v that_o oftentimes_o when_o nature_n be_v defective_a there_o be_v by_o the_o help_n of_o trench_n and_o bank_n as_o much_o ground_n water_v with_o the_o small_a flood_n as_o with_o the_o great_a d_o so_o that_o at_o high_a flood_n the_o country_n be_v all_o a_o sea_n except_o the_o city_n and_o village_n which_o be_v situate_a either_o on_o natural_a hill_n or_o artificial_a bank_n at_o distance_n seem_v to_o be_v island_n the_o 5.9_o just_a increase_n of_o this_o flow_a appear_v to_o be_v xuj_o cubit_n less_o water_v not_o all_o more_o be_v too_o slow_a in_o retreat_v too_o much_o water_n keep_v the_o ground_n wet_v too_o long_o lose_v the_o season_n of_o sow_v too_o little_a afford_v no_o season_n through_o drought_n the_o country_n reckon_v upon_o both_o at_o twelve_o cubit_n they_o foresee_v famine_n at_o xiii_o hunger_n fourteen_o bring_v mirth_n xv_o security_n xuj_o plenty_n the_o egyptian_a trench_n therefore_o be_v of_o two_o sort_n either_o for_o avoidance_n of_o superfluous_a water_n or_o dispose_v of_o what_o may_v be_v useful_a there_o be_v notable_a example_n of_o both_o kind_n of_o the_o first_o sort_n be_v those_o many_o outlet_n make_v by_o hand_n for_o the_o river_n more_o current_a passage_n into_o the_o midland_n sea_n the_o natural_a mouth_n of_o nile_n be_v insufficient_a for_o the_o septem_fw-la ostia_fw-la be_v not_o all_o natural_a nilus_n 17._o have_v run_v through_o egypt_n in_o one_o stream_n to_o the_o city_n cercasorus_fw-la thence_o divide_v itself_o into_o three_o channel_n one_o run_v eastward_o towards_o pelusium_n thâ—_n other_o westward_n towards_o canobus_n from_o whence_o they_o be_v denominate_v the_o three_o divide_v delta_n run_v straight_o forward_a to_o sebennitus_fw-la from_o whence_o it_o have_v its_o name_n and_o there_o be_v divide_v into_o two_o other_o stream_n the_o one_o pass_v by_o sais_n the_o other_o by_o mendes_n receive_v their_o name_n from_o those_o city_n but_o the_o bolbitique_a &_o bucolique_a channel_n be_v not_o natural_a but_o make_v by_o dig_v this_o island_n of_o egypt_n towards_o the_o sea_n between_o the_o pelusiaque_fw-la and_o canobique_n channel_n be_v c._n call_v delta_n from_o the_o form_n of_o the_o letter_n δ._n between_o these_o two_o mouth_n beside_o the_o five_o before_o name_v there_o be_v many_o small_a for_o from_o the_o former_a there_o be_v divers_a subdivision_n throughout_o the_o whole_a island_n which_o make_v sundry_a watercourse_n and_o island_n so_o as_o one_o channel_n be_v cut_v into_o another_o it_o be_v navigable_a every_o way_n the_o reason_n why_o these_o low_a part_n be_v cut_v and_o drayn_v in_o such_o extraordinary_a manner_n may_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v beside_o the_o convenience_n of_o navigation_n for_o that_o they_o be_v more_o apt_a to_o silt_v whereof_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n have_v good_a experience_n for_o 13._o in_o the_o reign_n of_o king_n myris_n when_o the_o river_n rise_v not_o above_o eight_o cubit_n it_o water_v all_o egypt_n below_o memphis_n but_o now_o in_o herodotus_n his_o time_n unless_o it_o rise_v xuj_o or_o at_o least_o xv_o cubit_n it_o overflow_v not_o that_o part_n of_o the_o country_n flood_n nor_o be_v there_o nine_o hundred_o year_n pass_v from_o the_o death_n of_o king_n myris_n to_o the_o time_n that_o herodotus_n hear_v this_o from_o the_o priest_n among_o this_o sort_n of_o work_n against_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o the_o river_n may_v be_v reckon_v the_o inbank_v 137._o of_o city_n which_o sesostris_n first_o perform_v but_o those_o work_n especial_o at_o bubastis_n be_v after_o heighten_v by_o sabacon_n the_o aethiopian_a who_o employ_v therein_o all_o person_n condemn_v to_o death_n the_o other_o kind_n of_o trench_n extend_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o inundation_n beyond_o nature_n be_v more_o commendable_a have_v less_o of_o necessity_n but_o more_o for_o imitation_n the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v make_v by_o king_n maeris_n into_o a_o lake_n on_o the_o lybian_a side_n which_o bear_v his_o name_n which_o lake_n say_v herodotus_n 149._o be_v three_o thousand_o &_o six_o hundred_o furlong_n in_o compass_n be_v the_o measure_n of_o egypt_n along_o the_o sea_n coast_n and_o lie_v in_o length_n north_n and_o south_n the_o great_a depth_n be_v â—ifty_a pace_n almost_o in_o the_o middle_n thereof_o stand_v two_o pyramid_n each_o fifty_o pace_n above_o water_n and_o as_o much_o below_o in_o all_o a_o hundred_o pace_n there_o be_v upon_o each_o a_o colossus_n sit_v in_o a_o chair_n the_o water_n of_o this_o lake_n be_v not_o esteem_v to_o spring_v
earth_n dig_v out_o of_o it_o she_o bring_v to_o the_o bank_n of_o the_o riverâ—_n the_o brim_n whereof_o she_o strengthen_v with_o stone_n in_o such_o place_n where_o the_o weight_n of_o the_o say_a bank_n do_v oppress_v they_o these_o two_o work_n viz._n the_o turn_n of_o the_o river_n into_o that_o wind_a posture_n and_o the_o make_v that_o drayn_n she_o do_v first_o to_o the_o end_n that_o the_o say_a river_n by_o the_o many_o bend_n thereof_o may_v glide_v more_o gentle_o next_o that_o the_o passage_n of_o ship_n towards_o babylon_n may_v be_v crooked_a and_o last_o that_o by_o those_o navigation_n the_o long_a turn_n of_o the_o channel_n may_v be_v sustain_v cap._n ii_o greece_n greece_n i_o next_o come_v to_o those_o work_n of_o this_o kind_n as_o be_v perform_v by_o the_o grecian_n whereof_o i_o shall_v give_v instance_n in_o thessaly_n and_o acarnania_n the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v say_v 423._o to_o have_v be_v ancient_o a_o lake_n be_v on_o every_o side_n enclose_v with_o mountain_n for_o on_o the_o east_n it_o have_v the_o hill_n peleon_n and_o ossa_n mutual_o join_v at_o their_o descent_n to_o the_o north_n olympus_n to_o the_o west_n pindus_n and_o to_o the_o south_n othris_n the_o valley_n betwixt_o these_o hill_n be_v thessaly_n among_o other_o river_n that_o flow_v into_o it_o these_o five_o be_v the_o chief_a peneus_n apidanus_n onochonus_n enipeus_n and_o pamisus_n which_o run_v from_o the_o hill_n encompass_v this_o country_n meet_v in_o the_o plain_a and_o become_v one_o stream_n which_o at_o one_o passage_n and_o that_o but_o narrow_a issue_v into_o the_o sea_n from_o the_o confluence_n of_o these_o water_n peneus_n continue_v the_o name_n it_o be_v report_v ibid._n that_o in_o old_a time_n when_o as_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o outlet_a these_o river_n and_o the_o lake_n bebeis_n beside_o be_v not_o call_v as_o at_o present_a although_o they_o do_v run_v no_o less_o than_o now_o but_o run_v make_v all_o thessaly_n a_o sea_n the_o thessalian_n themselves_o say_v that_o neptune_n make_v that_o passage_n by_o which_o peneus_n flow_v into_o the_o sea_n for_o the_o greek_n ascribe_v all_o beneficial_a invention_n to_o their_o god_n and_o herodotus_n take_v it_o to_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o a_o earthquake_n but_o no_o man_n can_v deny_v it_o to_o be_v a_o very_a remarkable_a work_n of_o drayn_v and_o that_o it_o be_v now_o a_o place_n of_o extraordinary_a pleasantness_n i_o shall_v refer_v my_o reader_n to_o the_o map_n of_o tempe_n in_o ortelius_n his_o parergon_n of_o acarnania_n this_o be_v observable_a 2.10_o that_o where_o achelous_n a_o river_n of_o that_o country_n run_v into_o the_o sea_n it_o have_v already_o make_v continent_n one_o half_a of_o the_o island_n call_v echinades_n and_o that_o the_o fable_n go_v that_o 458._o hercules_n here_o encounter_v with_o achelous_n who_o be_v say_v to_o have_v transform_v himself_o into_o a_o bull_n because_o of_o the_o roar_a noise_n of_o the_o river_n break_v off_o one_o of_o his_o horn_n and_o give_v it_o to_o oeneus_n in_o pledge_n of_o his_o marriage_n with_o deianeira_n his_o daughter_n they_o which_o collect_v truth_n out_o of_o fable_n say_v that_o hercules_n who_o be_v general_o beneficial_a for_o oeneus_n his_o father_n in_o law_n be_v sake_n restrain_v the_o exorbitant_a overflowing_n of_o this_o river_n with_o bank_n and_o trench_n and_o drayn_v a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o adjacent_a country_n and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o cornucopia_n which_o the_o poet_n make_v to_o be_v the_o emblem_n of_o plenty_n cap._n v._o of_o the_o roman_n that_o the_o roman_a work_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v not_o a_o few_o and_o those_o very_a eminent_a i_o shall_v next_o make_v manifest_a by_o their_o drain_v in_o the_o pompeian_a marsh_n the_o fossa_n mariana_n the_o improvement_n about_o placentia_n and_o gallia_n cisalpina_n the_o restraint_n of_o the_o river_n tiber_n in_o its_o overflowing_n and_o the_o exsiccation_n of_o the_o great_a fucine_n lake_n in_o italy_n sect._n 1_o the_o pompein_a marsh_n in_o the_o year_n 593_o when_o l._n anicius_n gallus_n &_o m._n cornelius_n cethegus_n be_v consul_n the_o senate_n 43.915.922_o be_v in_o counsel_n concern_v the_o province_n because_o there_o seem_v not_o sufficient_a use_n against_o the_o enemy_n for_o the_o ordinary_a force_n of_o both_o the_o consul_n which_o be_v 4_o legion_n beside_o the_o auxiliary_n &_o socii_fw-la there_o be_v a_o motion_n make_v concern_v the_o improvement_n of_o a_o great_a level_n of_o waste_a land_n lie_v under_o water_n about_o xl_o mile_n from_o rome_n in_o latium_n which_o business_n be_v entertain_v with_o great_a approbation_n for_o cuâ—ne_n like_a as_o it_o be_v esteem_v a_o most_o high_a commondation_n for_o a_o private_a man_n to_o be_v call_v a_o good_a husbandman_n by_o the_o consul_n so_o do_v the_o senate_n now_o think_v that_o they_o shall_v deserve_v the_o praise_n of_o good_a husband_n for_o the_o commonwealth_n if_o in_o this_o opportunity_n of_o leisure_n they_o can_v gain_v such_o a_o quantity_n of_o rich_a land_n to_o italy_n which_o be_v the_o great_a part_n mountainous_a and_o barren_a neither_o be_v this_o employment_n think_v too_o mean_a for_o the_o legion_n though_o consist_v of_o free_a man_n for_o the_o roman_a and_o italian_a infantry_n as_o well_o accustom_v to_o the_o spade_n and_o basket_n as_o to_o the_o sword_n and_o buckler_n use_v to_o be_v their_o own_o pioner_n in_o their_o daily_a intrenchment_n neither_o work_v they_o for_o their_o own_o safety_n only_o in_o time_n of_o danger_n but_o for_o the_o common_a good_a also_o in_o time_n of_o security_n the_o 39_o consul_n ao._n 566._o have_v herein_o give_v a_o precedent_n who_o lest_o their_o soldier_n shall_v be_v idle_a employ_v they_o in_o make_v of_o highway_n hereupon_o it_o be_v decree_v that_o one_o consul_n shall_v attend_v the_o enemy_n in_o gallia_n and_o the_o other_o undertake_v the_o drayn_n of_o the_o pompeine_a marsh_n all_o 5._o the_o country_n which_o lie_v eastward_o of_o rome_n between_o the_o river_n tiber_n and_o campania_n be_v now_o unite_a under_o the_o name_n of_o latium_n and_o in_o it_o that_o place_n which_o lie_v towards_o the_o sea_n beneath_o the_o row_n of_o hill_n which_o reach_v from_o belitre_n to_o terracina_n be_v the_o large_a it_o be_v denominate_v from_o suessa_n pometia_n ancient_o a_o rich_a city_n and_o metropolitan_a of_o the_o volsi_fw-la but_o now_o scarce_o extant_a the_o maritime_a part_n of_o this_o vale_n for_o a_o great_a extent_n be_v drown_v not_o so_o much_o through_o any_o inundation_n of_o the_o sea_n who_o tide_n be_v here_o but_o small_a as_o by_o reason_n the_o water_n of_o amasenus_n and_o ufens_n the_o big_a river_n have_v not_o their_o passage_n sufficientt_o open_a into_o the_o sea_n diffuse_v themselves_o over_o those_o spacious_a low_a ground_n up_o towards_o sulmo_n &_o setia_n this_o tract_n be_v therefore_o call_v the_o pomentin_n or_o pomptin_a fen_n have_v be_v in_o such_o manner_n surround_v beyond_o all_o memory_n for_o homer_n 158._o describe_v the_o arrival_n of_o ulysses_n at_o the_o circean_a promontory_n call_v it_o a_o island_n in_o regard_n of_o these_o water_n on_o the_o one_o side_n and_o the_o sea_n on_o the_o other_o the_o which_o island_n say_v theophrastus_n 9_o have_v about_o ten_o mile_n of_o circuit_n but_o in_o his_o time_n he_o write_v 3.5_o about_o twenty_o year_n after_o appius_n have_v be_v censor_n the_o river_n by_o cast_v up_o earth_n have_v join_v it_o to_o the_o continent_n so_o as_o i_o do_v not_o perceive_v that_o hitherto_o either_o before_o the_o roman_n be_v lord_n of_o the_o soil_n or_o since_o there_o have_v be_v any_o order_n take_v for_o the_o win_n of_o this_o ground_n from_o the_o water_n but_o now_o by_o order_n of_o the_o senate_n the_o pomptin_a fen_n be_v lay_v dry_a 46._o by_o cornelius_n cethegus_n the_o consul_n to_o who_o that_o province_n fall_v and_o they_o be_v make_v good_a ground_n the_o country_n people_n allure_v therefore_o with_o the_o richness_n of_o the_o soil_n settle_v themselves_o here_o in_o such_o abundance_n that_o there_o be_v say_v aevi_fw-la to_o be_v not_o long_o after_o this_o time_n for_o i_o can_v understand_v it_o of_o any_o former_a three_o and_o twenty_o town_n in_o this_o place_n it_o be_v a_o land_n capable_a of_o many_o thousand_o husbandman_n but_o c._n in_o after_o time_n whilst_o the_o state_n distract_v with_o civil_a faction_n neglect_v the_o maintenance_n of_o the_o work_n the_o water_n again_o by_o degree_n gain_v upon_o the_o land_n so_o d._n as_o julius_n caesar_n have_v a_o intention_n not_o only_o to_o have_v drayn_v the_o fen_n anew_o but_o to_o have_v bring_v the_o appian_n way_n through_o they_o whether_o augusâ—us_n do_v any_o thing_n to_o they_o may_v be_v doubt_v for_o 26.4_o in_o vespasian_n time_n they_o
be_v come_v to_o that_o pass_n that_o it_o be_v esteem_v a_o miracle_n they_o shall_v ever_o have_v be_v so_o well_o inhabit_v at_o the_o same_o time_n i_o conjecture_v when_o the_o bed_n of_o the_o river_n be_v scour_v and_o the_o land_n trench_v be_v that_o great_a cut_n make_v through_o the_o midst_n of_o these_o fen_n which_o serve_v afterward_o not_o so_o much_o for_o a_o sewer_n as_o the_o more_o direct_a and_o easy_a passage_n of_o the_o traveller_n for_o whereas_o the_o appian_n way_n trace_v the_o upland_n turn_v eastward_o and_o go_v in_o compass_n about_o the_o fensâ—_n this_o be_v draw_v in_o a_o straight_a line_n cross_v over_o more_o direct_o and_o meet_v the_o highway_n again_o about_o three_o mile_n from_o terracina_n say_v b._n strabo_n as_o you_o go_v to_o rome_n this_o canal_n abut_v on_o the_o appian_n way_n and_o be_v replenish_v in_o many_o place_n with_o the_o fennish_a and_o river_n water_n the_o ordinary_a passage_n be_v in_o the_o night_n so_o as_o they_o who_o go_v aboard_o in_o the_o evening_n land_n in_o the_o morning_n and_o go_v on_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o journey_n in_o the_o appian_n way_n they_o pass_v also_o in_o the_o daytime_n the_o boat_n be_v tow_v with_o mule_n which_o water-passage_n be_v elegant_o describe_v by_o horace_n 5â—_n where_o the_o company_n part_v he_o mention_v the_o two_o way_n from_o forum_n appii_n to_o terracina_n the_o appian_n and_o this_o by_o boat_n this_o landing-place_n next_o to_o rome_n be_v in_o aftertime_n know_v by_o the_o name_n of_o forum_n appii_n a_o small_a town_n inhabit_v â—_o chief_o by_o watermen_n and_o victualler_n but_o it_o be_v not_o evident_a whether_o it_o be_v former_o build_v when_o the_o appian_n be_v first_o make_v or_o whether_o now_o upon_o this_o occasion_n it_o be_v erect_v for_o the_o convenience_n of_o they_o that_o here_o do_v take_v water_n &_o name_v from_o the_o road_n whereon_o it_o stand_v the_o use_n of_o this_o passage_n continue_v long_o after_o the_o restagnation_n of_o the_o fen_n which_o be_v not_o again_o drayn_v till_o trajan_n the_o emperor_n perform_v the_o work_n which_o julius_n caesar_n perhaps_o intend_v make_v a_o stone_n way_n through_o the_o pomptin_a fen_n build_v 777._o inn_n thereon_o &_o most_o magnificent_a bridge_n for_o the_o conveyance_n of_o such_o water_n as_o be_v on_o the_o upper_a part_n of_o the_o fen_n in_o memory_n whereof_o a_o monumental_a stone_n be_v erect_v with_o this_o inscription_n copy_v from_o the_o original_n at_o terracina_n by_o that_o learned_a gentleman_n mr._n john_n graves_n imp._n caesar_n divi_z nervae_fw-la filius_n nerva_n traianus_n aug._n germanicus_n dacicus_n pontif_n max._n trib_o pot_n xiiii_o imp._n vi_o cos._n v._o pp_n decennâ—vium_n xviiii_o silice_fw-la sva_fw-la pegunia_fw-la stravit_fw-la liii_o this_o work_n of_o trajan's_n have_v no_o peculiar_a name_n but_o because_o it_o shorten_v the_o appian_n way_n be_v esteem_v part_n of_o it_o yet_o about_o four_o hundred_o year_n after_o from_o the_o number_n of_o mile-stone_n it_o be_v call_v decennovium_fw-la the_o reckon_n be_v hierosoâ—ym_n from_o forum_n appii_n ad_fw-la medea_n the_o lodging_n of_o trajan_n rear_v on_o the_o way_n ix_o mile_n from_o thence_o to_o terracina_n x_o more_o and_o the_o canal_n or_o river_n so_o call_v because_o 1.182_o it_o be_v nineteeen_o mile_n long_o after_o this_o theodoricus_n king_n of_o italy_n authorize_v one_o decius_n to_o drain_v 33._o paludem_fw-la decennoviiâ—_n â—_z which_o he_o perform_v by_o cut_v many_o trench_n that_o be_v not_o before_o this_o be_v the_o three_o and_o last_o time_n that_o these_o marsh_n be_v lay_v dry_a and_o in_o memory_n thereof_o cause_v this_o inscription_n 152._o to_o be_v set_v up_o anxuri_n sive_fw-la terracinae_fw-la in_o caesarei_n templo_fw-la dn_n gloriosiss_n adq._n in_o clutus_n rex_fw-la the_o odoricus_n vict._n ac_fw-la trif_n semper_fw-la aug._n bono_n reip._n natus_n custos_fw-la libertatis_fw-la et_fw-la propagator_fw-la romani_fw-la nominis_fw-la domitor_n gentium_fw-la decennovii_n viae_fw-la appiae_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la a._n trip_v vsq_fw-la terracenam_fw-la iter_fw-la ad._n loca_fw-la quae_fw-la confluentibus_fw-la ab_fw-la utraq_n parte_fw-la paludum_fw-la per._n omnes._n retro-principium_a inundaverunt_fw-la vsvi._n publico_fw-la et_fw-la securitati_fw-la viantium_fw-la admiranda_fw-la propitio_fw-la deo_fw-la felicitate_a restitvit_fw-la operi_fw-la iniuncto_fw-la naviter_fw-la insudante_n adq._n clementissimi_fw-la principis_fw-la feliciter_fw-la deserviente_fw-it praeconiis_fw-la exit_fw-la prosapia_fw-la decio_n rum_fw-la caec_fw-la mav_n basilio_n decio_n vc_n inl_n expf_n vrb._n exppo_n exit_fw-la cons_n ord_n pat_n qvi_fw-fr ad_fw-la perpetuandam_fw-la tanti_fw-la domini_fw-la gloriam_fw-la per._n plurimos_fw-la qvi._n ante_fw-la erant_fw-la albeos_fw-la ....._o ............................._o deducta_fw-la in._n mare_n aqva_n ignoâ—ae_fw-la atavis_fw-la et_fw-la nimis_fw-la antiqvae_fw-la reddi_fw-la ......................._o sect._n 2._o fossa_n mariana_n this_o be_v make_v 414._o by_o the_o famous_a marius_n 65._o who_o be_v seven_o time_n consul_n near_o unto_o one_o of_o the_o outfall_n of_o the_o great_a river_n rhodanus_n in_o that_o fenny_a and_o marish_a country_n not_o far_o from_o aries_n and_o issue_v into_o the_o sea_n sect._n 3_o the_o fen_n about_o placentia_n these_o be_v occasion_v by_o the_o overflowing_n of_o the_o po_n be_v 217._o drayn_v by_o scaurus_n who_o cause_v navigable_a trench_n to_o be_v cut_v from_o they_o into_o parma_n the_o like_a be_v still_o observable_a in_o the_o territory_n of_o ferrara_n which_o though_o a_o low_a ground_n and_o receive_v the_o current_n of_o po_n with_o other_o river_n of_o lombardy_n be_v yet_o secure_v by_o bank_n and_o work_n which_o hinder_v their_o inundation_n particular_o by_o the_o help_n of_o the_o rotto_n di_fw-mi ficarollo_n and_o the_o ramo_n di_fw-it polistella_n sect._n 4._o gallia_n cis-alpina_a this_o 5._o country_n much_o abound_v with_o river_n especial_o that_o territory_n belong_v to_o the_o venetian_n which_o lie_v flat_a and_o towards_o the_o sea_n by_o the_o flow_a of_o the_o tide_n become_v a_o fenny_a marish_a but_o by_o the_o help_n of_o trench_n and_o bank_n in_o such_o manner_n as_o be_v long_o before_o experiment_v in_o the_o low_a egypt_n some_o part_n thereof_o have_v be_v 212._o drayn_v and_o make_v useful_a for_o tillage_n some_o navigable_a and_o some_o cut_n into_o island_n sect._n 5._o of_o the_o river_n tiber._n to_o restrain_v the_o exorbitant_a overflowing_n of_o this_o stream_n which_o be_v not_o a_o little_a choke_v with_o dung_n and_o several_a old_a building_n that_o have_v fall_v into_o it_o i_o find_v 30._o that_o augustus_n caesar_n bestow_v some_o cost_n in_o the_o clear_n and_o scour_v of_o it_o and_o that_o after_o this_o through_o 1._o abundance_n of_o rain_n the_o low_a ground_n about_o the_o city_n suffer_v much_o by_o great_a inundation_n thereof_o the_o remedy_n in_o prevent_v the_o like_a for_o the_o future_a be_v by_o the_o emperor_n tiberius_n commit_v to_o the_o care_n of_o ateius_n capito_n and_o l._n aruntius_n whereupon_o it_o be_v by_o they_o discuss_v in_o the_o senate_n whether_o for_o the_o moderate_v the_o flood_n of_o this_o river_n the_o stream_n and_o lake_n whereby_o it_o increase_v shall_v be_v turn_v another_o way_n but_o to_o that_o proposal_n there_o be_v several_a objection_n make_v from_o sundry_a city_n and_o colony_n the_o florentine_n desire_v that_o the_o clanis_n may_v not_o be_v put_v out_o of_o its_o accustom_a channel_n and_o turn_v into_o the_o river_n arnus_n in_o regard_n much_o prejudice_n will_v thereby_o befall_v they_o in_o like_a manner_n do_v the_o inhabitant_n of_o terano_n argue_v affirm_v that_o if_o the_o river_n nar_n shall_v but_o cut_v into_o small_a stream_n the_o overflowing_n thereof_o will_v surround_v the_o most_o fruitful_a ground_n of_o italy_n neither_o be_v those_o of_o reate_n a_o city_n in_o umbria_n silent_a who_o refuse_v to_o stop_v the_o passage_n of_o the_o lake_n uelinus_fw-la now_o call_v lago_n de_fw-fr terni_fw-la into_o the_o say_a river_n nar._n the_o business_n therefore_o find_v this_o opposition_n be_v let_v alone_o after_o which_o nerva_n or_o trajan_n attempt_v 27._o likewise_o by_o a_o trench_n to_o prevent_v the_o fatal_a inundation_n of_o this_o river_n but_o without_o success_n sect._n 6._o the_o fucine_n lake_n nor_o be_v it_o a_o little_a to_o be_v admire_v what_o labour_n and_o cost_v the_o roman_n bestow_v in_o endeavour_n of_o this_o kind_n it_o be_v testify_v 20._o of_o the_o emperor_n claudius_n that_o he_o employ_v no_o less_o than_o thirty_o thousand_o man_n for_o the_o space_n of_o eleven_o year_n without_o intermission_n for_o drayn_v of_o the_o great_a fucine_n câ—lanâ—_n lake_n in_o italy_n who_o dig_v for_o that_o purpose_n a_o channel_n of_o three_o mile_n in_o length_n whereof_o part_n be_v cut_v through_o a_o mountain_n yet_o do_v not_o accomplish_v the_o work_n which_o failingâ—_n no_o whit_n deter_v posterity_n for_o make_v father_n attempt_v therein_o
late_a year_n by_o this_o active_a and_o ingenious_a people_n in_o their_o great_a and_o beneficial_a improvement_n the_o number_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n so_o much_o increase_v as_o that_o urgent_a necessity_n enforce_v they_o to_o make_v use_n of_o their_o utmost_a skill_n for_o the_o accomplish_n somewhat_o as_o may_v be_v considerable_a in_o such_o a_o case_n this_o be_v by_o drayn_v of_o sundry_a lake_n whereof_o sixteen_o be_v most_o considerable_a all_o which_o be_v perform_v within_o the_o space_n of_o these_o last_o fifty_o year_n by_o certain_a windmill_n devise_v and_o erect_v for_o that_o purpose_n the_o chief_a of_o which_o lake_n call_v the_o beemster_n contain_v above_o eighteen_o hundred_o acre_n make_v dry_a by_o the_o help_n of_o lxx._n of_o those_o mill_n and_o wall_v about_o with_o a_o bank_n of_o great_a strength_n and_o substance_n be_v now_o become_v a_o place_n of_o such_o profit_n and_o pleasure_n through_o the_o abundance_n of_o cattle_n that_o be_v feed_v in_o it_o and_o the_o plantation_n therein_o otherwise_o make_v that_o it_o may_v not_o without_o desert_n be_v very_o just_o call_v the_o most_o famous_a garden_n of_o all_o that_o province_n the_o other_o lake_n so_o drayn_v as_o i_o have_v say_v do_v lie_n about_o the_o city_n of_o alcmare_n horn_n and_o purmerende_a and_o be_v vulgar_o call_v de_fw-fr schermere_n de_fw-fr whert_z de_fw-fr pucmer_n and_o de_fw-fr wormer_n which_o be_v drayn_v by_o the_o help_n of_o few_o mill_n be_v now_o become_v not_o only_o most_o fruitful_a pasture_n and_o little_a inferior_a to_o the_o beemster_n but_o have_v so_o enrich_v the_o adjoin_a village_n by_o the_o concourse_n of_o people_n to_o they_o that_o through_o the_o great_a emolument_fw-fr to_o the_o public_a treasury_n and_o the_o abundance_n of_o cheese_n and_o butter_n there_o make_v there_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o new_a holland_n within_o the_o old_a that_o the_o performance_n of_o these_o eminent_a work_n require_v extraordinary_a knowledge_n and_o skill_n which_o ancient_a time_n have_v not_o attain_v to_o and_o foreign_a nation_n now_o admire_v be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v the_o engine_n of_o several_a kind_n make_v use_n of_o in_o this_o business_n for_o raise_v up_o the_o water_n and_o cast_v it_o off_o be_v frame_v by_o man_n of_o singular_a judgement_n in_o mathematical_a learning_n and_o suitable_a to_o the_o depth_n of_o the_o water_n or_o opportune_a convey_n it_o away_o neither_o have_v the_o attempt_n of_o these_o people_n by_o the_o like_a commendable_a erterprise_n in_o south-holland_n about_o the_o city_n of_o leden_n dort_n and_o amsterdam_n have_v less_o success_n there_o have_v be_v divers_a thousand_o of_o acre_n former_o overwhelm_v with_o water_n make_v good_a and_o firm_a land_n within_o these_o few_o year_n by_o the_o help_n of_o these_o engine_n as_o i_o have_v be_v credible_o inform_v by_o that_o learned_a gentleman_n dr._n john_n de_fw-fr laet_n of_o leyden_n to_o who_o i_o have_v be_v behold_v for_o much_o that_o i_o have_v here_o say_v touch_v these_o improvement_n in_o holland_n in_o such_o sort_n as_o i_o have_v express_v cap._n vii_o friesland_n this_o country_n situate_v also_o very_o low_o and_o much_o subject_n to_o inundation_n from_o the_o sea_n want_v not_o the_o like_a advantage_n by_o wall_n and_o bank_n of_o earth_n for_o it_o be_v better_a safeguard_n as_o that_o of_o holland_n have_v nor_o of_o less_o antiquity_n i_o presume_v but_o those_o elder_a time_n i_o shall_v pass_v by_o and_o take_v notice_n of_o that_o remarkable_a and_o famous_a work_n of_o this_o kind_n do_v by_o 241._o gaspar_n roblesius_n a_o portugal_n governor_n of_o this_o province_n and_o groningen_n under_o philip_n the_o second_o k._n of_o spain_n about_o the_o year_n mdlxxvi_o this_o worthy_a person_n have_v drive_v out_o entenius_fw-la a_o rebel_n and_o disperse_v his_o force_n betake_v himself_o to_o work_n and_o study_n besit_v a_o time_n of_o peace_n perfect_v that_o famous_a sea-bank_n by_o which_o westergoos_n a_o part_n of_o that_o territory_n be_v defend_v from_o the_o overflow_n of_o the_o ocean_n which_o for_o many_o age_n have_v by_o its_o tide_n occasion_v infinite_a damage_n to_o the_o country_n thereby_o raise_v to_o his_o memory_n a_o last_a monument_n of_o his_o fame_n for_o by_o his_o contrivance_n it_o be_v that_o the_o work_n be_v set_v upon_o and_o by_o his_o power_n that_o the_o people_n of_o themselves_o averse_a and_o slow_a to_o so_o public_a and_o beneficial_a a_o work_n be_v compel_v to_o come_v in_o man_n by_o man_n to_o raise_v this_o strong_a bank_n as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v to_o quench_v a_o fire_n in_o this_o alone_a it_o be_v a_o work_n of_o security_n to_o the_o country_n and_o for_o his_o honour_n which_o exceed_v the_o renown_n of_o those_o that_o have_v be_v the_o precede_a governor_n of_o that_o country_n under_o the_o emâ—perour_n charles_n the_o uth_o and_o the_o say_a king_n philip_n to_o last_o say_v my_o author_n ibid._n quamdiu_fw-la natura_fw-la rerum_fw-la aut_fw-la mari_fw-fr limes_z sit_v i_o e._n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n for_o this_o famous_a sea-bank_n be_v perfect_v adrianus_n vastartius_fw-la and_o johannes_n carolus_n go_v to_o harling_n and_o erect_v a_o monumental_a pillar_n of_o stone_n upon_o the_o shore_n there_o which_o shall_v give_v bound_n to_o the_o maritime_a and_o mediterranean_a westergois_n and_o thenceforth_o avoid_v all_o future_a contention_n about_o the_o repair_n that_o sea-bank_n in_o the_o foundation_n of_o which_o pillar_n be_v lay_v twelve_o thousand_o brick_n the_o height_n of_o it_o be_v xx_o foot_n above_o the_o top_n of_o the_o say_a sea-bank_n and_o this_o inscription_n towards_o the_o west_n caspari_n à _fw-fr robles_n equiti_fw-la domino_fw-la de_fw-fr billi_n etc._n etc._n frisiae_n groâ—ingae_n ejusque_fw-la territorii_fw-la ac_fw-la adjacentium_fw-la gubernatori_fw-la quod_fw-la hanc_fw-la provinciam_fw-la praeter_fw-la arma_fw-la consiliis_fw-la &_o munimentis_fw-la juverit_fw-la ac_fw-la inter_fw-la cetera_fw-la aggere-ipsis_a kal._n nou._n mdlxx_o funditus_fw-la everso_fw-la amplissimi_fw-la d._n viglii_fw-la zuichemi_fw-it patris_fw-la patriae_fw-la auxiliaribus_fw-la operis_fw-la &_o adhibitis_fw-la igramo_n ab_fw-la achelen_n pr._n adriano_n vastaret_fw-la petro_n frittema_n &_o joanne_v carolo_n senatoribus_fw-la conciliorum_fw-la sociis_fw-la novum_fw-la maris_fw-la propugnaculum_fw-la summo_fw-la labour_v vigiliâ_fw-la &_o celeritate_fw-la decretis_fw-la quoque_fw-la &_o de_fw-fr svo_fw-la persolutis_fw-la diligentiae_fw-la praemiis_fw-la tribus_fw-la plus_fw-la minus_fw-la mensibus_fw-la à _fw-la fundamentis_fw-la erexerit_fw-la &_o ad_fw-la summam_fw-la manum_fw-la perduxerit_fw-la atque_fw-la hunc_fw-la lapidem_fw-la sublatis_fw-la controversiarum_fw-la litibus_fw-la terminum_fw-la esse_fw-la voluit_fw-la gratus_fw-la provincialium_fw-la ordo_fw-la ob_fw-la rem_fw-la prudenter_fw-la benè_fw-la &_o fideliter_fw-la gestam_fw-la de_fw-la se_fw-la ac_fw-la de_fw-fr republicâ_fw-la optimè_fw-la merito_fw-la in_o et_fw-fr this_o province_n likewise_o and_o in_o groningen_n which_o adjoin_v thereto_o divers_a lake_n have_v also_o be_v drayn_v of_o late_a year_n which_o be_v now_o become_v most_o fruitful_a pasture_n among_o which_o the_o most_o notable_a be_v a_o certain_a fenny_a tract_n which_o in_o the_o dutch_a language_n they_o call_v the_o wild_a weemh_o which_o at_o the_o cost_n of_o divers_a merchant_n of_o amsterdam_n be_v become_v such_o rich_a meadow_n ground_n that_o within_o these_o six_o or_o seven_o year_n last_o pass_v about_o the_o number_n of_o ten_o thousand_o people_n go_v thither_o to_o plant_v themselves_o who_o do_v now_o live_v there_o very_o happy_o cap._n viii_o zelandâ—_n in_o aº_n mdxxxvi_o 161._o the_o new_a haven_n of_o middleburg_n in_o the_o island_n of_o walcren_n pass_v in_o a_o straight_a line_n from_o the_o town_n unto_o the_o bank_n of_o the_o island_n where_o it_o fall_v into_o the_o sea_n be_v finish_v before_o this_o their_o haven_n be_v near_o unto_o the_o salt_n marsh_n to_o armuyden_n have_v a_o crooked_a course_n unto_o the_o town_n and_o there_o very_o discommodious_a and_o in_o 177._o aº_n mdxlvii_o adolph_n of_o burgundy_n signior_n of_o chapelle_n and_o wackene_n jerosme_n sandelin_n signior_n of_o herentont_n receiver_n of_o bewesterscheldt_n in_o zeeland_n and_o some_o private_a gentleman_n do_v recover_v and_o wall_n in_o about_o sheerenskerke_n and_o henkepsandt_n in_o the_o country_n of_o zuydbeveclandt_n otherwise_o call_v the_o isle_n of_o ter_n go_v the_o old_a enclosure_n or_o poidor_n which_o be_v a_o land_n win_v from_o the_o sea_n the_o which_o before_o the_o inundation_n be_v usual_o call_v zeeshuys_n so_o as_o it_o remain_v a_o long_a time_n unprofitable_a but_o since_o its_o recovery_n they_o call_v it_o cray_n at_o this_o present_a a_o most_o fertile_a country_n it_o will_v require_v a_o volume_n to_o give_v instance_n of_o the_o sundry_a work_n of_o this_o nature_n in_o these_o low_a country_n by_o bank_n ditch_n and_o sluice_n nor_o have_v they_o be_v less_o active_a in_o brabant_n as_o it_o shall_v seem_v for_o in_o the_o opinion_n
course_n of_o time_n when_o they_o issue_v out_o viz._n to_o dorso_o robert_n de_fw-fr setvans_n william_n de_fw-fr hastings_n and_o william_n maufe_n in_o 27_o e._n 1._o to_o dorso_fw-la henry_n de_fw-fr appletrefeld_n robert_n de_fw-fr setvans_n and_o other_o in_o 28_o e._n 1._o in_o 30_o e._n 1._o to_o dorso_o luâ—as_n atte_a gate_n robert_n de_fw-fr setvans_n will._n maufe_n and_o william_n colebrand_n in_o 31_o e._n 1._o to_o dorso_fw-la robert_n paulyn_n robert_n de_fw-fr septem_fw-la vannis_fw-la will._n de_fw-fr hastings_n and_o lucas_n atte_a gate_n in_o 32_o e._n 1._o to_o dorso_fw-la will._n de_fw-fr echingham_n robert_n the_o passeleye_a and_o henry_n wardeden_n as_o also_o to_o dorso_fw-la john_n de_fw-fr buran_n william_n maufe_n and_o lucas_n atte_a gate_n in_o 34_o e._n 1._o to_o 6._o john_n malemeyn_n lucas_n atte_a gate_n and_o robert_n paulyn_n for_o those_o bank_n ditch_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o marsh_n of_o pychardesbroke_n and_o kechenhammebroke_n and_o elsewhere_o in_o the_o say_a county_n in_o 35_o e._n 1._o to_o dorso_fw-la will._n pyrot_n john_n malemeyn_n john_n de_fw-fr gosehale_n and_o henry_n de_fw-fr bugthorpe_n in_o 1_o e._n 2._o to_o dorso_fw-la john_n malemeyn_n lucas_n atte_a gate_n and_o robert_n paulyn_n for_o the_o bank_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o marsh_n of_o mayhamme_n and_o losenhamme_n in_o 7_o e._n 2._o to_o doâ—sâ—_n john_n malemeyn_n of_o stoke_n robert_n de_fw-fr echynghamme_fw-fr and_o matthew_n de_fw-fr knelle_n for_o those_o on_o both_o side_n the_o river_n of_o newendene_n betwixt_o matthew_n and_o bodihamme_n bridge_n in_o 10_o e._n 2._o to_o dorso_fw-la robert_n de_fw-fr bardelby_n and_o edmund_n de_fw-fr passele_n for_o those_o in_o the_o marsh_n betwixt_o the_o redehulle_n and_o the_o town_n of_o robertsbrigge_a on_o each_o side_n the_o river_n lymene_n in_o 14_o e._n 2._o to_o dorso_fw-la john_n de_fw-fr ifeld_n john_n malemayne_v of_o hoo_n and_o richard_n de_fw-fr echiâ—ham_n for_o those_o in_o the_o marsh_n betwixt_o the_o town_n of_o apuldre_n and_o robertsbrigge_a on_o each_o side_n of_o the_o say_a river_n of_o lymene_n in_o 17_o e._n 2._o to_o dorso_fw-la stephan_n de_fw-fr cobham_n john_n filoll_n &_o will._n de_fw-fr robertsbrigge_n for_o the_o same_o so_o also_o to_o dorso_fw-la will._n de_fw-fr echyngham_n robert_n bataill_n and_o william_n de_fw-fr robertsbrigge_n about_o the_o begin_n of_o e._n 3._o time_n it_o be_v find_v by_o a_o inquisition_n 2d_o take_v before_o will._n truslell_n than_o the_o king_n eâ—caâ—tor_n on_o this_o side_n trent_n that_o the_o channel_n of_o a_o certain_a river_n run_v betwixt_o the_o land_n of_o geffrey_n de_fw-fr knelle_n and_o isabella_n aucher_n between_o a_o certain_a place_n call_v knellesflete_a in_o the_o confine_n of_o these_o county_n and_o the_o town_n of_o robertsbrigge_n in_o sussex_n be_v so_o much_o enlarge_v by_o the_o flow_a of_o the_o sea-tide_n into_o it_o that_o six_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o acre_n of_o land_n part_n belong_v to_o the_o say_v geffrey_n and_o part_n to_o other_o be_v thereby_o total_o drown_v and_o consume_v and_o that_o a_o certain_a causey_n which_o be_v the_o common_a high_a way_n lie_v betwixt_o the_o land_n of_o john_n de_fw-fr la_fw-fr gate_n in_o the_o say_a county_n of_o sussex_n and_o the_o bridge_n of_o newendon_n as_o also_o the_o say_a bridge_n be_v break_v and_o demolish_v by_o those_o tide_n and_o moreover_o that_o divers_a land_n in_o the_o say_a part_n will_v in_o a_o short_a time_n be_v drown_v and_o destroy_v except_o a_o speedy_a remedy_n be_v have_v and_o likewise_o that_o it_o will_v not_o be_v to_o the_o damage_n or_o prejudice_n of_o the_o say_a king_n or_o any_o other_o if_o he_o do_v grant_v licence_n to_o the_o say_v geffrey_n and_o isabella_n and_o to_o other_o person_n have_v land_n contiguous_a to_o those_o place_n to_o exclude_v the_o say_a tide_n and_o to_o raise_v a_o bank_n at_o knellesflete_a aforesaid_a betwixt_o the_o land_n of_o the_o say_v geff._n &_o isabella_n in_o that_o place_n to_o resist_v the_o say_v tide_n for_o preservation_n of_o the_o land_n way_n &_o bridge_n aforesaid_a to_o the_o end_n that_o the_o ancient_a course_n of_o that_o river_n may_v be_v preserve_v by_o sufficient_a gutter_n place_v in_o that_o bank_n and_o that_o unless_o it_o be_v by_o such_o a_o exclusion_n of_o the_o tide_n by_o make_v of_o such_o a_o bank_n that_o the_o say_v land_n way_n and_o bridge_n can_v not_o be_v in_o safeguard_n the_o king_n therefore_o be_v careful_a in_o all_o respect_n to_o provide_v for_o the_o defence_n of_o this_o his_o realm_n as_o be_v fit_a grant_v licence_n to_o the_o say_v geffrey_n and_o isabella_n as_o also_o to_o all_o those_o who_o be_v like_a to_o have_v advantage_n by_o that_o exclusion_n that_o they_o shall_v raise_v a_o certain_a bank_n at_o knellesflete_a beforementioned_a for_o that_o purpose_n and_o to_o make_v sufficient_a gutter_n therein_o for_o the_o issue_v out_o of_o the_o say_v fresh_a water_n and_o to_o repair_v the_o same_o bank_n and_o sluice_n be_v so_o make_v when_o and_o as_o often_o as_o neâ—d_n shall_v require_v in_o 10_o e._n 3._o will._n de_fw-fr robertsbrigge_n will._n de_fw-fr recolvere_fw-la joceline_n de_fw-fr gatele_n and_o robert_n bataille_n be_v constitute_v dorso_fw-la commissioner_n to_o oversee_v the_o make_n of_o certain_a sluice_n bank_n and_o guttâ—rs_n for_o the_o safeguard_n of_o the_o land_n of_o divers_a tenant_n in_o the_o town_n of_o wightresham_n idene_n and_o pesemershe_n and_o to_o assess_v all_o such_o as_o have_v land_n in_o those_o part_n which_o be_v to_o take_v benefit_n thereby_o for_o the_o performance_n of_o that_o work_n according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o what_o they_o hold_v about_o the_o same_o time_n upon_o another_o inquisition_n take_v it_o be_v certify_v that_o dorso_fw-la by_o the_o ebb_a and_o flow_v of_o the_o tide_n into_o a_o certain_a stream_n of_o fresh_a water_n run_v betwixt_o the_o land_n of_o the_o before-specified_n geffrey_n de_fw-fr knelle_n and_o isabella_n aucher_n between_o knelleflete_a abovementioned_a and_o the_o say_a town_n of_o robertsbrigge_n six_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o acre_n of_o land_n belong_v to_o the_o say_v geffrey_n and_o other_o be_v drown_v the_o king_n thereupon_o grant_v the_o like_a licence_n to_o the_o say_v geffrey_n and_o isabella_n to_o raise_v a_o certain_a bank_n at_o knellesflete_a to_o restrain_v those_o tide_n as_o also_o to_o make_v sluice_n and_o sufficient_a gutter_n for_o evacuation_n of_o the_o say_v fresh_a water_n so_o that_o the_o ancient_a course_n thereof_o may_v be_v preserve_v and_o afterward_o do_v appoint_v roger_n de_fw-fr bavent_n roger_n de_fw-fr hegham_n thomas_n de_fw-fr lincoln_n and_o will._n de_fw-fr northo_n to_o oversee_v the_o make_n of_o that_o sluice_n and_o raise_v of_o the_o say_a bank_n and_o â—o_o ordain_v assessment_n and_o to_o distrain_v all_o such_o as_o by_o the_o say_a inquisition_n shall_v be_v think_v needful_a to_o contribute_v to_o the_o charge_n of_o that_o work_n according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o their_o hold_n which_o bank_n gutter_n and_o sluice_n be_v according_o make_v and_o the_o say_a king_n inform_v that_o they_o be_v grow_v to_o decay_v do_v by_o his_o letter_n ibid._n patent_n bear_v date_n at_o the_o tower_n of_o london_n on_o the_o 8_o day_n of_o january_n in_o the_o say_v ten_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n constitute_v will._n de_fw-fr orlauston_n thomas_n de_fw-fr gillingham_n stephan_n de_fw-fr padiham_n and_o john_n de_fw-fr betenham_n to_o take_v view_n of_o they_o and_o to_o provide_v for_o their_o repair_n but_o in_o 22_o e._n 3._o there_o be_v dorso_fw-la a_o petition_n present_v to_o the_o king_n on_o the_o behalf_n of_o james_n de_fw-fr echingham_n and_o on_o the_o morrow_n after_o the_o feast_n of_o s._n hilary_n exhibit_v before_o the_o say_a king_n and_o his_o council_n in_o his_o parliament_n then_o hold_v at_o westminster_n import_v that_o those_o land_n may_v have_v be_v preserve_v by_o the_o repair_n of_o the_o old_a bank_n on_o the_o verge_n of_o that_o river_n and_o that_o the_o bank_n make_v by_o virtue_n of_o the_o say_v king_n letter_n patent_n before_o mention_v which_o thwart_v the_o say_a stream_n be_v raise_v aswell_o to_o the_o damage_n of_o the_o say_a king_n as_o of_o he_o the_o say_v james_n forasmuch_o as_o thereby_o such_o ship_n and_o boat_n which_o have_v use_v to_o pass_v with_o victual_n and_o other_o thing_n from_o divers_a place_n in_o these_o county_n of_o kent_n and_o sussex_n unto_o his_o manor_n of_o echingham_n through_o this_o channel_n be_v then_o hinder_v as_o also_o to_o the_o destruction_n of_o his_o market_n town_n of_o salehurst_n situate_v upon_o the_o say_a river_n and_o of_o his_o market_n there_o which_o by_o the_o course_n of_o that_o water_n have_v be_v support_v and_o out_o of_o which_o the_o say_v james_n and_o his_o ancestor_n have_v use_v to_o receive_v toll_n and_o many_o
in_o the_o wapentake_v of_o mauley_n and_o coryngham_n and_o in_o the_o soak_v of_o kirketone_n in_o the_o say_a county_n of_o lincoln_n and_o in_o the_o soak_v or_o hundred_o of_o basâ—tlawe_n in_o this_o county_n and_o to_o make_v statute_n and_o ordinance_n therein_o consonant_n to_o the_o law_n of_o this_o realm_n and_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o romeney_n marsh_n and_o to_o do_v all_o other_o thing_n touch_v the_o same_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o this_o realm_n and_o the_o say_a custom_n of_o romeney_n marsh_n as_o also_o to_o impress_v so_o many_o labourer_n upon_o competent_a wage_n to_o be_v employ_v in_o the_o say_a work_n as_o shall_v be_v needful_a consider_v the_o great_a and_o urgent_a necessity_n for_o the_o speedy_a accomplishment_n thereof_o the_o like_a commission_n dorso_fw-la in_o 14_o e._n 4._o have_v thomas_n bishop_n of_o lincoln_n will._n lord_n hastyng_n sir_n john_n scrope_n of_o bolton_n knight_n sir_n robert_n markham_n knight_n john_n stanhope_n gervase_n clifton_n robert_n willughby_n thomas_n molineux_n thomas_n nevil_n and_o john_n metheley_n for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o the_o bank_n and_o sewersâ—_n from_o broughton-sulny_a unto_o the_o river_n of_o devene_n in_o this_o county_n and_o from_o feldyke_n in_o bingham_n unto_o the_o say_a river_n of_o devene_n as_o also_o by_o and_o about_o the_o same_o river_n from_o the_o county_n of_o leicester_n beyond_o kilvyngton_n unto_o the_o river_n of_o trent_n in_o this_o county_n and_o to_o proceed_v therein_o as_o abovesaid_a so_o also_o in_o 22_o e._n 4._o have_v dorso_fw-la the_o same_o archbishop_n and_o most_o of_o the_o beforementioned_a person_n but_o far_o touch_v the_o fen_n in_o this_o county_n i_o have_v not_o see_v other_o than_o what_o a_o law_n pettibag_n of_o sewer_n make_v at_o stockwith_n 14_o aug._n 5_o caroli_n mention_v which_o be_v that_o whereas_o john_n lyens_n and_o other_o dutch_a man_n have_v undertake_v to_o the_o king_n and_o his_o privy_a council_n to_o drain_v the_o car_n and_o marsh_n in_o the_o lordship_n of_o hatfield_n in_o the_o county_n of_o york_n axholme_n in_o the_o county_n of_o lincoln_n and_o other_o great_a car_n in_o this_o county_n of_o nottingham_n and_o have_v make_v divers_a great_a river_n and_o drayn_n to_o that_o purpose_n it_o be_v decree_v that_o for_o the_o better_a convey_v away_o of_o the_o water_n one_o sluice_n shall_v be_v erect_v on_o bikersdyke_n within_o the_o parish_n of_o misterton_n at_o a_o place_n lie_v over_o the_o bridge_n call_v bleesford_n bridge_n and_o to_o make_v a_o cut_n over_o the_o common_a ground_n call_v bleesford_n to_o mifterton_n firm_a ground_n and_o that_o whereas_o the_o say_v john_n and_o his_o participant_n become_v undertaker_n for_o the_o drayn_n of_o certain_a carr_n ground_n in_o everton_n in_o this_o county_n of_o nottingham_n in_o consideration_n thereof_o they_o be_v to_o have_v to_o they_o and_o their_o heir_n and_o assign_n for_o ever_o five_o hundred_o acre_n of_o land_n lay_v out_o from_o everton_n enclosure_n all_o along_o by_o gryngeley_n bank_n side_n unto_o the_o tofte_n carr_n bank_n or_o new_a bank_n to_o be_v set_v out_o by_o surveyor_n choose_v on_o each_o part_n cap._n xxvii_o be_v now_o come_v into_o lincolnshire_n i_o shall_v first_o begin_v with_o the_o isle_n of_o arholme_n which_o for_o many_o age_n have_v be_v a_o fenny_a tract_n and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n cover_v with_o water_n but_o more_o ancient_o not_o so_o for_o original_o it_o be_v a_o woody_a country_n and_o not_o at_o all_o annoy_v with_o those_o inundation_n of_o the_o river_n that_o pass_v through_o it_o as_o be_v most_o evident_a by_o the_o great_a number_n of_o oak_n fir_n and_o other_o tree_n which_o have_v be_v of_o late_a frequent_o find_v in_o the_o moor_n upon_o make_v of_o sundry_a ditch_n and_o channel_n for_o the_o drayn_n thereof_o the_o oak_n tree_n lie_v somewhat_o above_o three_o foot_n in_o depth_n and_o near_o their_o root_n which_o do_v still_o stand_v as_o they_o grow_v viz._n in_o firm_a earth_n below_o the_o moor_n and_o the_o body_n for_o the_o most_o part_n north_n west_n from_o the_o root_n not_o cut_v down_o with_o axe_n but_o burn_v asunder_o somewhat_o near_o the_o ground_n as_o the_o end_n of_o they_o be_v coal_v do_v manifest_a of_o which_o sort_n there_o be_v multitude_n and_o of_o a_o extraordinary_a bigness_n viz._n five_o yard_n in_o compass_n and_o sixteen_o yard_n long_o and_o some_o small_a of_o a_o great_a length_n with_o good_a quantity_n of_o acorn_n near_o they_o and_o of_o small_a nut_n so_o many_o that_o there_o have_v be_v find_v no_o less_o than_o two_o peck_v together_o in_o some_o place_n but_o the_o fir_n tree_n do_v lie_v a_o foot_n or_o eighteen_o inch_n deep_o of_o which_o kind_n there_o be_v more_o than_o of_o any_o other_o many_o of_o they_o be_v above_o thirty_o yard_n in_o length_n nay_o in_o the_o year_n 1653._o there_o be_v a_o fir_n pole_n take_v up_o by_o one_o robert_n browne_n of_o haxey_n of_o xxxvi_o yard_n long_a beside_o the_o top_n lie_v near_o the_o root_n which_o stand_v likewise_o as_o it_o grow_v have_v be_v burn_v and_o not_o hew_v down_o which_o tree_n bear_v at_o the_o bottom_n ten_o inch_n square_a and_o at_o the_o top_n eight_o about_o xx_o year_n since_o also_o in_o the_o moor_n at_o thurne_n near_o five_o foot_n in_o depth_n be_v sound_v a_o ladder_n of_o fir_n of_o a_o large_a substance_n with_o about_o xl_o staff_n which_o be_v thirty_o three_o inch_n asunder_o but_o so_o rot_v that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v get_v up_o whole_a and_o in_o haxey_n carr_n at_o the_o like_a depth_n a_o hedge_n with_o stake_n and_o binding_n the_o truth_n be_v that_o there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o tree_n thus_o overgrow_v with_o the_o moor_n through_o a_o long_a time_n of_o stagnation_n by_o the_o fresh_a water_n in_o these_o part_n that_o the_o inhabitant_n have_v for_o the_o space_n of_o divers_a year_n last_o pass_v take_v up_o at_o least_o two_o thousand_o cart_n load_v in_o a_o yâ—ar_n as_o to_o the_o time_n when_o this_o woody_a level_n which_o extend_v itself_o into_o dikes_n mersh_fw-mi and_o hatfield_n chase_n in_o yorkshire_n become_v first_o thus_o overflow_v i_o can_v say_v nothing_o there_o be_v not_o any_o memorial_n thereof_o transmit_v to_o we_o from_o the_o light_n of_o history_n or_o record_n but_o that_o it_o have_v be_v so_o for_o divers_a hundred_o of_o year_n the_o depth_n of_o the_o moor_n do_v sufficient_o manifest_a which_o can_v not_o in_o a_o few_o age_n grow_v to_o that_o thickness_n it_o be_v of_o howbeit_o as_o to_o the_o occasion_n thereof_o i_o may_v rational_o conclude_v it_o to_o have_v be_v through_o the_o muddinesse_n of_o the_o constant_a tide_n which_o flow_v up_o humbre_v into_o trent_n do_v in_o time_n leave_v so_o much_o silt_v to_o obstruct_v the_o current_n of_o idle_a do_v and_o other_o river_n that_o have_v not_o their_o free_a passage_n as_o former_o they_o flow_v back_o and_o overwhelm_v that_o flat_a country_n with_o water_n insomuch_o as_o the_o high_a ground_n become_v a_o island_n as_o it_o be_v still_o we_o see_v call_v and_o a_o place_n so_o defencible_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o spaciousness_n and_o depth_n of_o the_o water_n environ_v it_o that_o roger_n lord_n mowbray_n a_o eminent_a baron_n of_o this_o realm_n in_o k._n henry_n the_o second_o be_v time_n and_o then_o lord_n thereof_o adhere_v to_o young_a henry_n upon_o his_o rebellion_n in_o those_o day_n repair_v hither_o and_o fortify_v a_o old_a castle_n which_o have_v be_v 1174._o long_o ruinous_a for_o reduce_v whereof_o to_o the_o king_n obedience_n the_o lincolnshire_n man_n have_v no_o other_o access_n thereto_o transport_v themselves_o by_o ship_v in_o the_o year_n 1174_o 20_o h._n 2._o so_o likewise_o in_o 50_o h._n 3._o after_o the_o battle_n of_o evesham_n wherein_o the_o rebellious_a baron_n be_v discomfit_v some_o of_o they_o flee_v similiter_n hither_o as_o to_o a_o place_n of_o security_n for_o the_o reason_n above_o express_v but_o after_o that_o time_n it_o be_v not_o long_o ere_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o these_o part_n imitate_v the_o good_a husbandry_n of_o those_o in_o other_o country_n who_o have_v by_o bank_v and_o drayn_v make_v good_a improvement_n in_o such_o fenny_a place_n do_v begin_v to_o do_v the_o like_a here_o for_o in_o 1_o e._n 3._o i_o find_v that_o robert_n de_fw-fr nottingham_n and_o roger_n de_fw-fr newmarch_n be_v constitute_v commissioner_n dorso_fw-la to_o view_v and_o repair_v those_o bank_n and_o ditch_n as_o have_v be_v make_v to_o that_o purpose_n which_o be_v then_o grow_v to_o some_o decay_n so_o also_o be_v dorso_fw-la john_n darcy_n of_o the_o park_n roger_n de_fw-fr newmarch_n and_o john_n de_fw-fr crosholme_n several_a other_o commission_n there_o be_v
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
sewer_n where_o it_o divide_v into_o two_o branch_n as_o before_o be_v mention_v and_o the_o one_o branch_n go_v south_n eastward_o in_o form_n aforesaid_a extend_v in_o distance_n and_o length_n from_o the_o say_v great_a cross_n unto_o shrewysn_a point_n and_o so_o by_o the_o say_a south_n branch_n unto_o the_o say_a north_n sea_n at_o k._n lynne_n aforesaid_a liiij_o mile_n and_o the_o same_o river_n descend_v from_o the_o say_v great_a cross_n unto_o shrewysn_a point_n aforesaid_a and_o from_o thence_o by_o the_o north_n branch_n unto_o outwell_n sholle_a and_o so_o to_o the_o say_a north_n sea_n be_v in_o distance_n xxxiij_o mile_n and_o from_o the_o say_a sewer_n call_v creeklode_n in_o march_n aforesaid_a unto_o the_o say_a north_n sea_n at_o k._n lynne_n aforesaid_a by_o the_o say_a south_n branch_n be_v xlviij_o mile_n and_o by_o the_o say_a north_n branch_n xxviij_o mile_n and_o from_o the_o say_a sewer_n called_z the_o leame_z in_o march_z aforesaid_a unto_o the_o north_n sea_n at_o k._n lynne_n aforesaid_a by_o the_o say_a south_n branch_n be_v xlvii_o mile_n and_o by_o the_o north_n branch_n aforesaid_a xxvii_o mile_n the_o decay_n of_o which_o say_v several_a sewer_n with_o the_o river_n load_v and_o drayn_n from_o they_o extend_v unto_o the_o say_a town_n of_o wisebeche_n they_o say_v be_v the_o chief_a and_o special_a occasion_n of_o the_o drown_n aswell_o of_o the_o say_v marish_a and_o pasture_n in_o upwell_n and_o outwell_n as_o of_o the_o whole_a country_n of_o marshland_n and_o wigenall_n adjoin_v and_o in_o continuance_n of_o time_n as_o they_o think_v in_o their_o conscience_n will_v utter_o drown_v the_o say_v parish_n and_o the_o say_a country_n of_o marshland_n unless_o the_o same_o decay_a sewer_n be_v scour_v according_a to_o the_o ancient_a ordinance_n so_o as_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o say_v fresh_a water_n of_o the_o same_o great_a i_fw-mi in_o march_n aforesaid_a may_v be_v convey_v unto_o the_o say_a north_n sea_n by_o the_o town_n of_o wisebeche_n in_o manner_n and_o form_n aforetime_o use_v and_o they_o say_v that_o there_o be_v another_o great_a occasion_n of_o the_o drown_n of_o the_o say_v marish_a ground_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o decay_n of_o the_o say_v old_a sewer_n in_o upwell_n aforesaid_a call_v maid_n load_n and_o a_o part_n thereof_o call_v ship_n load_n the_o which_o lode_n begin_v at_o welney_n water_n otherwise_o call_v the_o south_n branch_n come_v from_o shrewysn_a point_n aforesaid_a and_o extend_v from_o thence_o unto_o a_o certain_a fen_n of_o the_o say_v edmund_n beaupre_n call_v week_n fen_n and_o from_o thence_o into_o a_o certain_a place_n in_o helgay_n call_v shiplode_n helgay_n house_n and_o there_o into_o the_o say_a great_a river_n of_o ouse_n the_o which_o sewer_n they_o say_v have_v be_v most_o special_o decay_v by_o reason_n that_o there_o have_v not_o be_v keep_v a_o good_a sluice_n of_o stonework_n or_o timber_n with_o sufficient_a fall_n and_o hang_v door_n to_o the_o same_o to_o stop_v out_o the_o floudsilty_a water_n and_o also_o by_o reason_n that_o the_o same_o sewer_n fall_v not_o low_a towards_o the_o say_a north_n sea_n viz._n at_o and_o against_o a_o certain_a place_n in_o denver_n call_v denver_n hithe_a at_o the_o which_o place_n they_o think_v it_o most_o meet_a for_o to_o set_v and_o build_v the_o say_a sluice_n and_o they_o say_v that_o for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o say_a sluice_n there_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o substantial_a clouse_n of_o stone_n work_n and_o timber_n with_o two_o sufficient_a drawdore_n to_o the_o same_o to_o be_v set_v within_o half_a a_o furlong_n of_o the_o say_a sluice_n to_o stop_v the_o fresh_a water_n aswell_o in_o the_o time_n of_o repair_v the_o same_o sluice_n as_o to_o keep_v and_o preserve_v a_o sufficient_a portion_n of_o water_n within_o the_o say_v drayn_n in_o the_o time_n of_o extreme_a drought_n furthermore_o they_o say_v that_o forasmuch_o as_o there_o have_v not_o be_v a_o substantial_a bridge_n over_o the_o say_a sewer_n call_v maid_n load_n of_o the_o length_n of_o xx_o foot_n next_o unto_o welney_n water_n so_o as_o the_o same_o water_n at_o the_o entry_n thereof_o may_v have_v full_a passage_n have_v be_v in_o like_a manner_n a_o great_a decay_n of_o the_o say_a sewer_n and_o they_o say_v that_o the_o heir_n of_o richard_n cranford_n ought_v to_o scour_v the_o say_a maid_n load_n next_o from_o the_o say_v welney_n water_n call_v the_o south_n branch_n by_o the_o space_n of_o one_o furlong_n at_o the_o wideness_n of_o xx_o foot_n and_o of_o sufficient_a depth_n and_o next_o unto_o that_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o upwell_n and_o welney_n ought_v to_o dike_v the_o same_o by_o the_o space_n of_o one_o mile_n for_o certain_a land_n which_o they_o hold_v in_o common_a call_v dunthorn_n fen_n otherwise_o call_v our_o lady_n fen_n and_o one_o other_o mile_n for_o their_o common_a call_v blakmereshall_n and_o then_o the_o landholders_n belong_v to_o the_o prior_n of_o fakenham_n to_o scour_v the_o say_a lode_n call_v shiplode_n by_o the_o space_n of_o half_a a_o mile_n and_o then_o the_o say_v edmund_n beaupre_n for_o land_n belong_v to_o beaupre_n hall_n in_o outwell_n aforesaid_a half_o a_o mile_n and_o for_o his_o manor_n of_o upwell_n late_o belong_v to_o the_o dissolve_a house_n of_o ramsey_n half_o a_o mile_n and_o then_o richard_n fyncham_n gent._n for_o certain_a fen_n ground_n and_o marish_a half_n a_o mile_n and_o the_o landholders_n late_o belong_v to_o the_o monastery_n of_o walsingham_n three_o quarter_n of_o a_o mile_n then_o the_o dean_n of_o norwich_n for_o land_n belong_v to_o the_o late_a celle_n of_o monk_n in_o k._n lynne_n three_o furlong_n and_o from_o thence_o to_o the_o say_a place_n against_o denver_n hithe_n where_o the_o say_a sluice_n shall_v be_v set_v the_o township_n of_o denver_n helgay_n and_o fordham_n shall_v dyke_n etc._n etc._n the_o rest_n of_o say_a load_n for_o four_o furlong_n in_o consideration_n that_o they_o be_v not_o charge_v in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o say_a sewer_n call_v maid_n load_n and_o shiplode_v and_o yet_o the_o same_o township_n shall_v drain_v by_o the_o same_o sewer_n by_o estimation_n a_o thousand_o acre_n of_o common_a fen_n and_o more_o and_o forasmuch_o as_o great_a commodity_n shall_v grow_v aswell_o to_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o denver_n helgay_n and_o fordham_n as_o to_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o whole_a country_n of_o mershland_n and_o wygenhall_n by_o reason_n that_o the_o same_o sewer_n as_o well_o shall_v drain_v the_o fen_n of_o denver_n helgay_n and_o fordham_n as_o also_o shall_v receive_v the_o great_a abundance_n of_o fresh_a water_n the_o which_o before_o this_o time_n have_v descend_v against_o a_o certain_a bank_n in_o outwell_n and_o dounham_n aforesaid_a call_v the_o new_a powdich_n be_v the_o only_a defence_n and_o safeguard_n of_o the_o same_o country_n of_o marshland_n and_o wigenhall_n the_o which_o for_o lack_v of_o this_o provision_n at_o this_o present_a by_o they_o agree_v have_v be_v divers_a time_n of_o late_a year_n drown_v that_o in_o consideration_n thereof_o aswell_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o marshland_n and_o wigenhall_n as_o of_o the_o say_v 4._o infields_n in_o upwell_n and_o outwell_n call_v plawfield_n kirkfield_n budbeche_v field_n and_o landy_n field_n shall_v bear_v and_o sustain_v the_o cost_v in_o and_o about_o the_o sufficient_a make_n of_o the_o say_a sluice_n and_o clowes_n and_o that_o after_o the_o same_o sluice_n and_o clowes_n be_v well_o and_o sufficient_o make_v that_o then_o the_o same_o shall_v be_v repair_v at_o the_o cost_v of_o the_o say_a inhabitant_n and_o landholders_n of_o denver_n fordham_n and_o helgay_n aforesaid_a except_o when_o the_o yearly_a charge_n in_o amend_v the_o same_o shall_v come_v to_o above_o the_o sum_n of_o xxvis._o viijd._o also_o they_o say_v that_o there_o be_v another_o great_a destruction_n aswell_o to_o the_o say_a fen_n as_o to_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o low_a ground_n within_o the_o i_o will_v of_o ely_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o decay_n of_o the_o say_v drain_v call_v in_o part_n new_a dike_a in_o littilport_n aforesaid_a and_o in_o part_n thereof_o call_v crikelode_n in_o sothery_a aforesaid_a betwixt_o sothery_a pool_n and_o modney_n and_o there_o enter_v into_o the_o say_a great_a river_n of_o ouse_n and_o they_o say_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o ely_n ought_v to_o scour_v the_o say_a creeklode_n from_o the_o say_v great_a river_n of_o ouse_n unto_o a_o certain_a place_n call_v the_o willow_n by_o the_o space_n of_o two_o furlong_n and_o then_o the_o landholders_n of_o the_o land_n of_o late_a belong_v to_o the_o cellerer_n of_o bury_n aught_o to_o dyke_n from_o the_o say_v willough_n unto_o pulver_n lake_n the_o dean_n of_o norwich_n for_o his_o church_n of_o fordham_n the_o parson_n of_o helgay_n for_o his_o
the_o first_o presentment_n or_o judgement_n to_o charge_v every_o man_n in_o particular_a according_a to_o the_o quantity_n of_o his_o land_n 3._o that_o they_o have_v not_o power_n to_o commit_v to_o prison_n person_n refractory_a to_o their_o order_n and_o last_o that_o action_n of_o trespass_n false_a imprisonment_n and_o other_o process_n at_o the_o common_a law_n have_v bâ—en_o bring_v against_o some_o of_o their_o officer_n for_o execute_v their_o decree_n and_o warrant_n their_o lordship_n find_v in_o their_o wisdom_n that_o it_o can_v neither_o stand_v with_o law_n nor_o common_a reason_n that_o in_o case_n of_o such_o great_a consequence_n the_o law_n can_v be_v so_o void_a of_o providence_n as_o to_o restrain_v the_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n for_o make_v of_o new_a work_n to_o withstand_v the_o fury_n of_o the_o water_n aswell_o as_o to_o repair_v the_o old_a where_o necessity_n do_v require_v it_o for_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o country_n or_o to_o lay_v a_o charge_n upon_o the_o town_n or_o hundred_o in_o general_a that_o be_v interest_v in_o the_o benefit_n or_o loss_n without_o attend_v a_o particular_a survey_n and_o admeasurement_n of_o acre_n when_o the_o service_n be_v to_o have_v speedy_a and_o sudden_a execution_n or_o that_o a_o commission_n that_o be_v of_o so_o high_a a_o nature_n and_o of_o so_o great_a use_n to_o the_o common_a wealth_n and_o evident_a necessity_n and_o of_o so_o ancient_a jurisdiction_n both_o before_o the_o statute_n and_o since_o shall_v want_v mean_n of_o coercion_n for_o obedience_n to_o their_o order_n and_o decreesâ—_n whereas_o upon_o the_o performance_n of_o they_o the_o preservation_n of_o many_o thousand_o of_o his_o majesty_n subject_n life_n good_n and_o land_n do_v depend_v and_o it_o plain_o appear_v that_o there_o will_v be_v a_o direct_a frustrate_v and_o overthrow_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o say_a commission_n if_o the_o commissioner_n their_o officer_n and_o minister_n shall_v be_v subject_a to_o every_o suit_n at_o the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o delinquent_n in_o his_o majesty_n court_n of_o the_o common_a law_n and_o so_o to_o weary_a and_o discourage_v all_o man_n from_o do_v their_o duty_n in_o that_o behalf_n for_o the_o reason_n aforesaid_a and_o the_o supreme_a reason_n above_o all_o viz._n the_o salvation_n of_o the_o king_n and_o people_n do_v order_n that_o the_o person_n former_o commit_v by_o that_o board_n for_o theâ—r_a contempt_n concern_v that_o cause_n shall_v stand_v commit_v until_o they_o do_v release_v or_o sufficient_o discharge_v such_o action_n suit_n and_o demand_n as_o they_o do_v bring_v at_o the_o common_a law_n against_o the_o say_a commissioner_n of_o sewer_n or_o any_o their_o officer_n etc._n etc._n the_o opinion_n of_o sir_n henry_n hobart_n knight_n b._n attorney_n general_a to_o king_n james_n touch_v the_o make_n of_o new_a drayn_n the_o case_n of_o the_o new_a drayn_n make_v in_o the_o isle_n of_o ely_n and_o the_o taxation_n set_v for_o the_o same_o be_v thus_o 1_o that_o the_o ground_n now_o seek_v by_o these_o new_a sewer_n to_o be_v win_v and_o drain_v be_v such_o as_o natural_o and_o ancient_o be_v dry_a ground_n and_o not_o continual_o overflow_v so_o as_o they_o be_v true_o land_n and_o not_o water_n and_o be_v still_o to_o this_o day_n dry_a half_a the_o year_n and_o sometime_o in_o good_a year_n long_o 2._o next_o that_o there_o have_v be_v always_o notorious_a and_o common_a drayn_n maintain_v at_o public_a charge_n for_o the_o convey_n away_o of_o the_o water_n in_o time_n of_o downfall_n or_o other_o overflow_v 3._o three_o that_o the_o say_v ancient_a drayn_n can_v now_o possible_o be_v they_o never_o so_o well_o maintain_v drain_v the_o country_n because_o their_o conveyance_n whilst_o they_o be_v in_o use_n be_v into_o the_o sea_n run_v out_o at_o wisbeche_n from_o whence_o the_o sea_n be_v now_o depart_v so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n now_o to_o carry_v these_o water_n to_o the_o sea_n but_o by_o lynne_n haven_n to_o which_o therefore_o these_o work_n be_v make_v to_o carry_v they_o ¶_o the_o case_n i_o say_v stand_v thus_o in_o all_o these_o part_n i_o be_o of_o opinion_n that_o the_o law_n of_o sewer_n late_o make_v for_o these_o new_a work_n be_v warrant_v by_o the_o commission_n of_o sewer_n and_o that_o a_o tax_n may_v be_v set_v aswell_o for_o the_o make_n and_o maintain_v of_o it_o according_a to_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o statute_n and_o commission_n as_o it_o may_v have_v be_v for_o the_o old_a if_o they_o have_v remain_v still_o in_o use_n and_o therefore_o i_o be_o of_o mind_n plain_o that_o though_o it_o may_v seâ—m_v still_o within_o the_o power_n of_o the_o commission_n by_o the_o letter_n of_o it_o to_o maintain_v the_o old_a sewer_n yet_o the_o commissioner_n can_v now_o enforce_v the_o maintenance_n of_o they_o when_o they_o be_v no_o long_o indeed_o sewer_n nor_o benefit_n nor_o damage_n can_v arise_v by_o they_o for_o sewer_n be_v make_v and_o maintain_v for_o the_o land_n and_o not_o the_o land_n for_o the_o sewer_n on_o the_o contrary_a when_o they_o fail_v reason_n teach_v and_o necessity_n enforce_v some_o other_o remedy_n be_v find_v in_o supply_n of_o it_o and_o the_o word_n of_o the_o commission_n have_v it_o plain_o that_o give_v power_n in_o one_o clause_n to_o make_v necessary_a and_o behooveful_a law_n for_o the_o safeguard_n and_o preservation_n of_o the_o land_n lie_v to_o the_o premise_n which_o premise_n be_v restrain_v as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v to_o the_o sewer_n yet_o the_o land_n lie_v to_o they_o must_v be_v understand_v the_o landâ—_n about_o they_o or_o for_o which_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o serve_v so_o that_o the_o safeguard_n and_o preservation_n of_o the_o land_n be_v the_o principal_a end_n of_o the_o commission_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v preserve_v by_o the_o old_a sewer_n be_v by_o this_o clause_n to_o be_v preserve_v at_o largeâ—_n that_o be_v as_o best_a may_v be_v and_o by_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o commissioner_n shall_v be_v find_v necessary_a and_o behooveful_a which_o word_n and_o meaning_n be_v satisfy_v in_o this_o case_n henry_n hubbert_n nor_o do_v we_o want_v example_n of_o great_a antiquity_n for_o such_o new_a cut_n and_o drayn_n the_o name_n of_o divers_a which_o to_o this_o day_n continue_v manifest_v the_o same_o as_o 1._o new-ditch_n alias_o lent_n hirne_v in_o wisebeche_n 2._o newdike_n in_o burial_n field_n in_o welle_v 3._o newdike_n in_o witlesey_n a_o very_a fair_a sewer_n newdraine_n there_o also_o xx_o foot_n wide_o 4._o newdrayne_n from_o croyland_n to_o spalding_n 5._o newdike_n alias_o sandy_a dyke_n there_o also_o 6._o newdike_n in_o neatmore_n in_o upwell_n 7._o new-leame_a there_o fifty_o foot_n wide_o 8._o and_o new-leame_a in_o chateriz_n and_o march_n nay_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o even_o the_o great_a river_n themselves_o have_v for_o the_o like_a respect_n be_v divert_v from_o their_o ancient_a and_o natural_a channel_n for_o 1._o the_o river_n of_o ouse_n ouse_n its_o outfall_n by_o wisbeche_n decay_v be_v not_o only_o cut_v straight_o but_o by_o a_o new_a river_n make_v from_o littleport_n chair_n to_o rebbech_n be_v let_v fall_n into_o ouse_n parva_fw-la or_o brandon_n water_n and_o thence_o by_o salter_n load_n to_o lynne_n haven_n its_o former_a course_n from_o littleport_n be_v by_o wellenhee_o to_o welle_v and_o so_o to_o the_o north_n sea_n at_o wisbeche_n 2._o the_o west-water_n a_o part_n of_o ouse_n magna_fw-la have_v its_o course_n from_o erith_n bridge_n to_o chateriz_n ferry_n and_o thence_o to_o benwick_n and_o so_o to_o march_v be_v for_o the_o crookedness_n of_o the_o way_n convey_v by_o a_o new_a passage_n call_v the_o leame_z through_o chateriz_n dodington_n and_o march_v and_o thence_o by_o elm_n leame_z to_o wisbeche_v a_o course_n of_o xuj_o mile_n and_o so_o continue_v all_o this_o way_n 3._o moreton_n nene_n the_o worthy_a bishop_n of_o ely_n in_o the_o time_n of_o k._n h._n 7._o to_o avoid_v the_o many_o and_o crooked_a passage_n in_o the_o river_n of_o nene_n between_o peterburgh_n and_o the_o sea_n by_o the_o way_n drown_v many_o thousand_o of_o acre_n out_o of_o the_o whole_a ground_n make_v a_o new_a river_n now_o call_v morton_n leame_z or_o the_o new_a leame_z xl_o foot_n wide_o and_o 4_o foot_n or_o more_o deep_a viz._n from_o stanground_n steafe_n to_o guyhirne_n be_v a_o course_n of_o twelve_o mile_n long_o at_o the_o least_o and_o continue_v the_o same_o through_o wisbecheâ—_n â—_z for_o the_o more_o speedy_a delivery_n of_o the_o water_n attempt_v to_o cut_v through_o the_o sea-dike_a to_o wisbeche_v at_o bevys-crosse_n and_o again_o at_o eastfields_n end_n nigh_o the_o horse-shoe_n in_o leverington_n which_o bank_n be_v in_o less_o than_o thirty_o year_n before_o ordain_v by_o commission_n to_o be_v maintain_v id_fw-la
xxvi_o of_o september_n pâ—_n in_o a_o session_n â—_o hold_v at_o king_n linne_n in_o the_o county_n of_o norfolk_n there_o be_v another_o law_n of_o sewer_n make_v call_v low_a fen_n and_o uualsingham_n fen_n law_n the_o tenor_n whereof_o be_v as_o follow_v viz._n whereas_o there_o be_v about_o 1300_o acre_n of_o low_a ground_n lie_v together_o in_o the_o several_a parish_n of_o upwell_n and_o outwell_n in_o the_o county_n aforesaid_a between_o popham_n river_n on_o the_o south_n and_o the_o bank_n call_v bardyke_n and_o churchfield_n dike_v on_o the_o north_n and_o outwell_n crest_n towards_o the_o east_n which_o be_v preserve_v from_o overflow_a by_o the_o say_a crest_n and_o by_o the_o bank_n on_o the_o north_n side_n of_o popham_n river_n aforesaid_a which_o low_a ground_n may_v be_v drayn_v etc._n etc._n and_o that_o the_o repair_n of_o the_o say_a crest_n and_o of_o the_o north_n bank_n of_o popham_n river_n will_v be_v a_o defence_n to_o the_o new_a ☜_o powdich_n and_o a_o great_a preservation_n to_o the_o country_n of_o marshland_n and_o whereas_o the_o drain_v from_o plawfield_n in_o upwell_n to_o hodghyrne_n and_o there_o fall_v into_o rightforth_n load_n and_o thence_o by_o a_o sluse_n near_o stow_n bridge_n into_o the_o river_n of_o ouse_n be_v very_o defective_a etc._n etc._n which_o be_v repair_v will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o drain_v all_o those_o low_a ground_n we_o do_v ordain_v and_o decree_v etc._n etc._n that_o it_o shall_v be_v lawful_a â—or_a the_o landholders_n and_o commoner_n of_o and_o in_o the_o say_v low_a ground_n etc._n etc._n to_o drain_v they_o through_o the_o say_a sewer_n and_o we_o do_v far_o ordain_v that_o the_o say_a sewer_n from_o the_o say_a sluse_n to_o a_o place_n call_v west_n head_n shall_v be_v dike_v etc._n etc._n ten_o foot_n broad_a in_o the_o bottom_n at_o the_o least_o and_o in_o depth_n proportionable_a etc._n etc._n and_o from_o thence_o to_o uuelle_fw-fr river_n x_o foot_n broad_a and_o 5_o foot_n deep_a and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o menure_n to_o be_v cast_v on_o the_o south_n side_n of_o the_o say_v lode_n from_o uu_a head_n to_o the_o east_n end_n of_o hodge_n hirne_n for_o the_o make_n of_o a_o sufficient_a crest_n to_o hold_v the_o water_n within_o the_o brink_n thereof_o and_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v place_v in_o the_o north_n end_n of_o churchfield_n dike_v in_o outwell_n a_o sluse_n of_o brick_n with_o a_o tunnel_n of_o two_o foot_n broad_a and_o three_o foot_n high_a with_o a_o door_n to_o be_v pull_v up_o &_o shut_v etc._n etc._n and_o from_o the_o say_a sluse_n a_o drayn_n or_o sewer_n to_o be_v make_v under_o churchfield_n dike_v on_o the_o east_n part_v thereof_o to_o the_o north_n end_n of_o champney-corner_n and_o from_o thence_o to_o continue_v the_o same_o drayn_n in_o a_o ancient_a dike_n between_o outwell_n common_a on_o the_o north_n etc._n etc._n to_o north_n delft_n 1611._o upon_o a._n tuesday_n be_v the_o 8_o of_o october_n follow_v in_o the_o night_n tide_n the_o dam_n make_v by_o mr._n hunt_v for_o coldham_n a_o little_a below_o stow_n bridge_n break_v up_o and_o on_o wednesday_n be_v inward_o take_v with_o a_o little_a light_n moor_n break_v again_o so_o likewise_o on_o thursday_n be_v take_v with_o earth_n between_o plank_n set_v end-wise_a it_o break_v again_o and_o continue_v run_v till_o sunday_n oct._n 13._o at_o which_o place_n there_o assemble_v that_o day_n sir_n ralph_n hare_n and_o six_o other_o commissioner_n who_o lay_v the_o command_n of_o the_o work_n and_o order_n of_o it_o upon_o mr._n richard_n hunt_n he_o with_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o country_n take_v it_o in_o hand_n and_o make_v it_o firm_a before_o the_o return_n of_o the_o next_o tide_n but_o as_o we_o see_v by_o how_o little_a be_v do_v in_o this_o and_o most_o of_o the_o precedent_a year_n that_o the_o general_a drayn_n go_v but_o slow_o on_o notwithstanding_o the_o king_n himself_o as_o also_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o council_n and_o those_o gentleman_n who_o be_v constitute_v commissioner_n for_o that_o purpose_n have_v so_o earnest_o endeavour_v the_o speed_a thereof_o so_o be_v there_o now_o such_o a_o stop_n for_o the_o space_n of_o five_o year_n at_o the_o least_o that_o there_o nothing_o appear_v of_o consequence_n to_o have_v be_v far_o prosecute_v therein_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o opposition_n which_o divers_a perverse_a spirit_v people_n make_v thereto_o by_o bring_v of_o turbulent_a suit_n in_o law_n aswell_o against_o the_o say_a commissioner_n as_o those_o who_o they_o employ_v therein_o and_o make_v of_o libellous_a song_n to_o disparage_v the_o work_n of_o which_o kind_n i_o have_v here_o think_v fit_a to_o insert_v one_o call_v the_o powte_v complaint_n come_v brethren_n of_o the_o water_n and_o let_v we_o all_o assemble_v to_o treat_v upon_o this_o matter_n which_o make_v we_o quake_v and_o tremble_v for_o we_o shall_v rue_v it_o if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o fen_n be_v undertake_v and_o where_o we_o feed_v in_o fen_n and_o reed_n they_o will_v feed_v both_o beef_n and_o bacon_n they_o will_v sow_v both_o bean_n and_o oat_n where_o never_o man_n yet_o think_v it_o where_o man_n do_v row_v in_o boat_n ere_o undertaker_n buy_v it_o but_o ceres_n thou_o behold_v we_o let_v wild_a oat_n be_v their_o venture_n oh_o let_v the_o frog_n and_o miry_a bog_n destroy_v where_o they_o do_v enter_v behold_v the_o great_a design_n which_o they_o do_v now_o determine_v will_v make_v our_o body_n pine_v a_o prey_n to_o crow_n and_o vermin_n for_o they_o do_v mean_v all_o fen_n to_o drain_v and_o water_n overmaster_v all_o will_v be_v dry_a and_o we_o must_v die_v because_o essex-calve_n want_v pasture_n away_o with_o boat_n and_o rodder_n farewell_n both_o boötes_n and_o skatche_n no_o need_n of_o one_o nor_o tother_o man_n now_o make_v better_a match_n stiltmaker_n all_o and_o tanner_n shall_v complain_v of_o this_o disaster_n for_o they_o will_v make_v each_o muddy_a lake_n for_o essex_n calf_n a_o pasture_n the_o feather_a fowl_n have_v wing_n to_o fly_v to_o other_o nation_n but_o we_o have_v no_o such_o thing_n to_o help_v our_o transportation_n we_o must_v give_v place_n oh_o grievous_a case_n to_o horn_a beast_n and_o cattle_n except_o that_o we_o can_v all_o agree_v to_o drive_v they_o out_o by_o battle_n wherefore_o let_v we_o entreat_v our_o ancient_a water_n nurse_n to_o show_v their_o power_n so_o great_a as_o to_o help_v to_o drain_v their_o purse_n and_o send_v we_o good_a old_a captain_n flood_n to_o lead_v we_o out_o to_o battle_n then_o twopenny_a jack_n with_o skake_n on_o his_o back_n will_v drive_v out_o all_o the_o cattle_n this_o noble_a captain_n yet_o be_v never_o know_v to_o fail_v we_o but_o do_v the_o conquest_n get_v of_o all_o that_o do_v assail_v we_o his_o furious_a rage_n none_o can_v assuage_v but_o to_o the_o world_n great_a wonder_n he_o bear_v down_o bank_n and_o break_v their_o rank_n and_o whirly-gigg_n asunder_o god_n aeolus_n we_o do_v thou_o pray_v that_o thou_o will_v not_o be_v want_v thou_o never_o say_v we_o nay_o now_o listen_v to_o our_o cant_v do_v thou_o deride_v their_o hope_n and_o pride_n that_o purpose_n our_o confusion_n and_o send_v a_o blast_n that_o they_o in_o haste_n may_v work_v no_o good_a conclusion_n great_a neptune_n god_n of_o sea_n this_o work_n must_v needs_o provoke_v thou_o they_o mean_v thou_o to_o disease_n and_o with_o fen-water_n choke_v thou_o but_o with_o thy_o mace_n do_v thou_o deface_v and_o quite_o confound_v this_o matter_n and_o send_v thy_o sand_n to_o make_v dry_a land_n when_o they_o shall_v want_v fresh_a water_n and_o eke_o we_o pray_v thou_o moon_n that_o thou_o will_v be_v propitious_a to_o see_v that_o nought_o be_v do_v to_o prosper_v the_o malicious_a though_o summer_n heat_n have_v wrought_v a_o feat_n whereby_o themselves_o they_o flatter_v yet_o be_v so_o good_a as_o send_v a_o flood_n lest_o essex_n calf_n want_v water_n upon_o great_a complaint_n therefore_o of_o these_o their_o do_n make_v to_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o council_n i_o find_v this_o order_n 1616._o make_v by_o they_o bearing_z date_n at_o white_a hall_n upon_o the_o 8_o of_o november_n in_o the_o xiiijth_o year_n of_o the_o say_v king_n reign_n viz._n that_o whereas_o sundry_a vexatious_a suit_n have_v be_v bring_v against_o his_o majesty_n commissioner_n of_o sewer_n and_o their_o officer_n by_o divers_a obstinate_a person_n for_o execute_v the_o order_n etc._n etc._n of_o the_o say_a commission_n to_o the_o great_a hazard_n of_o the_o inundation_n of_o many_o large_a level_n in_o the_o county_n of_o northt_v hunt_n cambr._n and_o linc._n that_o the_o say_a lord_n well_o weigh_v these_o undue_a proceed_n and_o the_o ancient_a law_n of_o this_o realm_n evidence_v from_o divers_a notable_a record_n in_o
the_o very_a point_n question_v as_o also_o the_o continue_a practice_n of_o ancient_a and_o latter_a time_n and_o likewise_o the_o opinion_n in_o write_v of_o the_o lord_n chief_a justice_n popham_n upon_o the_o question_n touch_v the_o authority_n and_o power_n of_o the_o say_a commission_n viz._n first_o whether_o the_o say_v commissioner_n have_v authority_n to_o cause_v new_a bank_n draynsâ—_n or_o sluice_n to_o be_v make_v whâ—re_v none_o have_v be_v before_o second_o whether_o they_o may_v lay_v a_o tax_n upon_o any_o hundred_o town_n or_o the_o inhabitant_n thereof_o in_o general_n and_o not_o impose_v it_o upon_o every_o particular_a man_n according_a to_o the_o quantity_n of_o his_o land_n or_o common_a three_o whether_o they_o may_v commit_v to_o prison_n such_o as_o disobey_v their_o order_n etc._n etc._n and_o four_o whether_o that_o action_n of_o false_a imprisonment_n trespass_n and_o other_o process_n at_o the_o common_a law_n have_v be_v bring_v against_o the_o commissioner_n or_o their_o officer_n for_o execute_v their_o decree_n order_n etc._n etc._n their_o lordship_n find_v in_o their_o wisdom_n that_o it_o can_v neither_o stand_v with_o law_n nor_o common_a sense_n that_o in_o a_o case_n of_o so_o great_a consequence_n the_o law_n can_v be_v void_a of_o providence_n to_o restrain_v the_o commissioner_n in_o make_v new_a work_n aswell_o to_o stop_v the_o fury_n of_o the_o water_n as_o to_o repair_v the_o old_a where_o necessity_n require_v it_o for_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o country_n or_o to_o raise_v a_o charge_n upon_o the_o town_n or_o hundred_o in_o general_a which_o be_v interest_v in_o the_o benefit_n or_o loss_n with_o attend_v a_o particular_a admesurement_n of_o acre_n where_o the_o service_n be_v to_o be_v speedy_a etc._n etc._n or_o that_o a_o commission_n of_o so_o high_a consequence_n to_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o of_o so_o ancient_a jurisdiction_n both_o before_o the_o statute_n and_o since_o shall_v want_v mean_n of_o coercion_n for_o obedience_n to_o their_o order_n etc._n etc._n whereas_o upon_o the_o performance_n of_o they_o the_o preservation_n of_o thousand_o of_o his_o majesty_n subject_n their_o land_n good_n and_o life_n do_v depend_v and_o plain_o perceive_v that_o it_o will_v be_v a_o direct_a frustrate_v and_o overthrow_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o say_a commission_n if_o the_o commissioner_n etc._n etc._n shall_v be_v subject_a to_o every_o suit_n at_o the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o delinquent_n etc._n etc._n their_o lordship_n order_v that_o the_o person_n former_o commit_v by_o that_o board_n for_o their_o contempt_n concern_v this_o cause_n shall_v stand_v commit_v until_o they_o release_v or_o discharge_v such_o their_o action_n etc._n etc._n save_v nevertheless_o any_o complaint_n or_o suit_n for_o any_o oppression_n or_o grievance_n before_o the_o court_n of_o sewer_n or_o before_o the_o say_a council_n board_n if_o they_o receive_v not_o justice_n at_o the_o say_a commissioner_n hand_n and_o that_o letter_n be_v write_v to_o the_o commissioner_n to_o proceed_v in_o their_o several_a commission_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o pursuance_n of_o this_o general_a work_n the_o say_a lord_n of_o his_o majesty_n council_n sit_v at_o white_a hall_n the_o ixth_o of_o may_n 1617._o than_o next_o follow_v order_v 15â—â—_n 1._o that_o a_o sluse_n must_v necessary_o be_v make_v at_o the_o out-fall_a of_o wisbeche_n river_n into_o the_o sea_n at_o the_o charge_n aswell_o of_o the_o high-country_n as_o the_o low_a to_o be_v rate_v by_o the_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n 2._o that_o the_o river_n of_o wisbeche_n and_o all_o the_o branch_n of_o nene_n and_o westwaterâ—_n â—_z be_v cleanse_v and_o make_v in_o breadth_n and_o depth_n as_o much_o as_o by_o ancient_a record_n it_o shall_v appear_v they_o have_v be_v or_o where_o that_o can_v appear_v at_o the_o discretion_n of_o the_o commissioner_n 3._o that_o weland_n be_v also_o scour_v etc._n etc._n from_o the_o out-fall_a to_o waldram_n hall_n at_o the_o particular_a charge_n of_o the_o owner_n and_o their_o tenant_n as_o also_o the_o river_n of_o south_n ea_fw-la from_o crouland_n to_o guy_n hirne_n by_o those_o that_o of_o right_a aught_o to_o do_v it_o and_o that_o till_o that_o be_v do_v clow_n cross_a drain_v shall_v run_v 4._o and_o that_o thing_n to_o be_v far_o do_v therein_o be_v refer_v to_o a_o new_a commission_n of_o sewer_n to_o be_v procure_v at_o the_o indifferent_a charge_n of_o the_o country_n therein_o mention_v iâ—c_n after_o this_o viz._n upon_o the_o xth_o of_o september_n the_o â—ame_n year_n in_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o wisebeche_n before_o francis_n lord_n russell_n and_o other_o his_o majesty_n commissioner_n it_o be_v inter_fw-la alia_fw-la order_v 1_o that_o london_n load_n shall_v be_v damn_v up_o at_o welle-causey_n and_o that_o popham_n ea_fw-la be_v make_v a_o perfect_a sewer_n with_o bank_n on_o both_o side_n according_a to_o a_o former_a law_n for_o height_n breadth_n and_o strength_n and_o so_o continue_v for_o ever_o and_o that_o so_o much_o charge_n as_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o bank_n on_o both_o side_n of_o london_n load_n and_o of_o the_o load_n itself_o whereof_o they_o be_v dischardged_a by_o this_o order_n shall_v be_v employ_v upon_o the_o make_n and_o maintain_v of_o the_o bank_n and_o sewer_n of_o popham_n ea_fw-la the_o same_o to_o be_v rate_v by_o the_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n and_o that_o the_o say_v commissioner_n shall_v also_o consider_v what_o charge_n be_v to_o be_v impose_v on_o those_o who_o by_o the_o old_a law_n be_v chargeable_a towards_o small_a load_n and_o to_o allow_v the_o same_o upon_o popham_n ea_fw-la etc._n etc._n whereupon_o sir_n henry_n hobart_n knight_n jac._n then_z lord_n chief_z justice_z of_o the_o common_a plea_n be_v then_o advise_v with_o and_o likewise_o assist_v by_o divers_a of_o the_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n deliver_v his_o opinion_n a._n touch_v this_o drain_n call_v small_a load_n as_o follow_v viz._n 1._o that_o it_o be_v a_o old_a forsake_a sewer_n not_o know_v within_o the_o memory_n of_o man_n to_o have_v be_v in_o use_n and_o so_o grow_v up_o that_o the_o very_a tract_n thereof_o be_v not_o in_o many_o place_n discernible_a and_o that_o it_o be_v also_o uncertain_a whether_o the_o proper_a out-fall_a thereof_o shall_v be_v towards_o the_o ouse_n as_o a_o exemplyed_a law_n of_o 39_o eliz._n appoint_v it_o or_o to_o wisbeche_v river_n as_o some_o presentment_n much_o more_o ancient_a do_v declare_v it_o 2._o that_o the_o scour_n thereof_o have_v ancient_o belong_v to_o the_o owner_n of_o land_n adjoin_v now_o pertain_v to_o sinolphus_n bell_n esquire_n and_o other_o but_o for_o the_o reason_n aforesaid_a not_o put_v in_o charge_n till_o the_o say_a law_n of_o 39_o eliz._n ordain_v it_o to_o be_v open_v and_o to_o have_v its_o fall_n by_o the_o new_a powdich_n into_o ouse_n 3._o that_o by_o a_o law_n make_v ix_o jac._n ground_a upon_o a_o view_n and_o open_a debate_n in_o session_n it_o be_v ordain_v to_o be_v damn_v up_o as_o unnecessary_a 4._o that_o popham_n ea_fw-la though_o a_o new_a sewer_n be_v of_o such_o use_n in_o respect_n of_o its_o largeness_n and_o situation_n that_o it_o alone_o suffice_v as_o many_o think_v both_o to_o discharge_v the_o water_n descend_v thither_o from_o the_o high_a country_n and_o those_o also_o of_o the_o ground_n drayn_v by_o london_n load_n that_o there_o be_v no_o use_n of_o this_o small_a load_n 5._o that_o therefore_o those_o land_n adjoin_v which_o belong_v to_o the_o say_v sinolphus_n bell_n and_o other_o be_v discharge_v from_o its_o repair_n etc._n etc._n reason_n confirm_v this_o opinion_n so_o long_o as_o the_o outfall_n of_o wisbeche_n have_v its_o perfect_a be_v the_o whole_a river_n of_o ouse_n have_v there_o its_o perfect_a outfall_n from_o whence_o the_o town_n seem_v to_o have_v take_v the_o denomination_n viz._n ouse_n or_o wisebeche_n thither_o then_o come_v the_o first_o branch_n of_o ouse_n from_o erith_n by_o the_o course_n now_o callâ—d_a the_o west_n water_n to_o benwick_n where_o meet_v with_o a_o part_n of_o nene_n which_o then_o be_v very_o small_a the_o great_a passage_n be_v in_o those_o day_n by_o crouland_n south_n ea_fw-la wride_n stream_n and_o other_o course_n about_o thorney_n fall_v together_o by_o great_a cross_n or_o plantwater_n to_o the_o north_n sea_n at_o wisbeche_n the_o other_o part_n at_o ouse_n be_v the_o second_o branch_n fall_v down_o from_o eryth_n to_o harrymere_n and_o there_o meet_v with_o the_o river_n grant_v from_o cambridge_n pass_v so_o unite_v to_o ely_n thence_o to_o litleport_n chair_n and_o so_o by_o welney_n and_o welle_v to_o the_o say_a north_n sea_n at_o wisbeche_n where_o it_o meet_v with_o the_o former_a branch_n from_o benwick_n then_o as_o it_o seem_v there_o be_v no_o river_n between_o litleport_n chair_n and_o rebbech_n which_o be_v a_o
which_o may_v be_v perfect_v and_o that_o those_o work_n ensue_v mention_v in_o the_o say_a law_n shall_v proceed_v and_o be_v perfect_v viz._n the_o river_n of_o ouse_n sutton-lode_n london_n load_n and_o maid_n load_n and_o that_o the_o decree_n make_v at_o stilton_n 30_o martii_fw-la then_o last_v pass_v shall_v stand_v in_o force_n and_o upon_o the_o nineteeen_o of_o june_n than_o next_o also_o ensue_v in_o far_a prosecution_n of_o this_o great_a and_o necessary_a work_n the_o say_a commissioner_n exhibit_v a_o petition_n jac._n to_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o privy_a council_n show_v that_o whereas_o sundry_a session_n have_v be_v hold_v by_o they_o since_o his_o majesty_n commission_n for_o drayn_v etc._n etc._n be_v on_o foot_n and_o nothing_o effect_v through_o the_o variety_n in_o opinion_n of_o the_o say_a commissioner_n but_o instead_o thereof_o much_o charge_n lose_v and_o that_o many_o part_n do_v thereby_o suffer_v and_o undergo_v great_a danger_n and_o therefore_o desire_v that_o for_o the_o safety_n of_o those_o country_n so_o endanger_v and_o prevention_n of_o far_a delay_n their_o lordship_n will_v please_v to_o direct_v that_o at_o the_o session_n to_o be_v hold_v at_o peterborough_n on_o the_o last_o day_n of_o that_o instant_a june_n one_o of_o the_o clerk_n of_o the_o council_n may_v be_v there_o present_a with_o they_o to_o take_v a_o view_n of_o the_o outfall_n if_o need_n shall_v require_v who_o as_o a_o person_n indifferent_a may_v inform_v their_o lordship_n of_o the_o fecibleness_n of_o the_o work_n and_o of_o the_o fit_a mean_n to_o effect_v it_o without_o or_o with_o the_o least_o loss_n to_o any_o part_n and_o that_o a_o certain_a and_o constant_a course_n may_v be_v by_o their_o lordship_n direct_v whereunto_o they_o all_o express_v themselves_o willing_a to_o submit_v upon_o which_o petition_n it_o be_v then_o order_v by_o the_o say_a lord_n that_o sir_n clement_n edmund_n knight_n shall_v meet_v the_o say_v commissioner_n at_o huntingdon_n for_o accomplishment_n of_o their_o desire_n in_o the_o view_n of_o the_o outfalls_a etc._n etc._n jac._n and_o upon_o the_o xijth_o of_o august_n next_o ensue_v at_o a_o general_a session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o huntingdon_n aforesaid_a there_o be_v appoint_v three_o commissioner_n of_o every_o county_n to_o accompany_v the_o say_a sir_n clement_n edmunds_n in_o that_o service_n who_o according_o perform_v it_o b._n and_o give_v in_o this_o follow_a certificate_n to_o that_o honourable_a board_n viz._n 〈◊〉_d 1._o that_o the_o river_n of_o ouse_n in_o time_n of_o flood_n have_v in_o former_a time_n certain_a slaker_n or_o bi-sewer_n to_o receive_v part_n of_o the_o water_n wherewith_o it_o be_v overchardged_a whereof_o the_o west_n water_n at_o erith_n brigge_n be_v one_o which_o now_o for_o want_n of_o cleanse_v fall_v into_o the_o ouse_n whereas_o it_o shall_v pass_v from_o it_o 2._o that_o the_o say_a river_n be_v from_o huntingdon_n to_o the_o high_a bridge_n at_o ely_n much_o choke_v with_o weed_n and_o stop_v with_o wear_v and_o in_o divers_a place_n make_v shallow_a by_o gravels_n and_o ford_n which_o they_o call_v hards_n 3._o that_o the_o haven_n of_o lynne_n be_v through_o the_o violence_n of_o the_o tide_n and_o the_o great_a fall_n of_o fresh-water_n grow_v much_o wide_a than_o it_o have_v be_v to_o the_o endanger_n to_o marshland_n 4._o that_o the_o river_n of_o nene_n be_v also_o much_o stop_v and_o choke_v up_o so_o that_o it_o pass_v not_o out_o total_o at_o wisbeche_n which_o be_v its_o proper_a out-fall_a and_o that_o below_o wisbeche_v it_o be_v find_v near_o the_o out-fall_a six_o foot_n or_o more_o high_a in_o the_o bottom_n than_o it_o have_v be_v heretofore_o so_o that_o whereas_o the_o inland_a water_n at_o guyhirne_n which_o have_v former_o 5_o foot_n fall_v be_v not_o only_o stop_v but_o the_o river_n fall_v back_o upon_o they_o whereupon_o a_o law_n of_o sewer_n be_v make_v by_o the_o commissioner_n for_o the_o amendment_n thereof_o 5._o that_o a_o sluse_n make_v upon_o that_o river_n former_o to_o the_o great_a charge_n of_o the_o country_n stand_v not_o 7._o day_n but_o be_v blow_v up_o by_o the_o tide_n nevertheless_o that_o it_o be_v agree_v that_o after_o the_o river_n be_v again_o cleanse_v to_o a_o sufficient_a depth_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o new_a sluse_n there_o erect_v if_o need_v require_v but_o as_o to_o the_o performance_n of_o this_o work_n for_o matter_n of_o charge_n there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n between_o the_o town_n of_o wisbech_n and_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o upland_n country_n forasmuch_o as_o the_o say_a town_n insist_v upon_o a_o considerable_a help_n from_o they_o towards_o the_o charge_n thereof_o allege_v what_o benefit_n they_o will_v receive_v thereby_o 6._o that_o the_o say_a water_n of_o nene_n not_o have_v a_o free_a passage_n by_o wisbeche_n but_o divide_v itself_o into_o divers_a part_n do_v great_a hurt_n by_o overflow_a the_o country_n about_o thorney_n and_o crouland_n and_o that_o in_o 38._o eliz._n there_o be_v a_o drain_n agree_v on_o for_o the_o pass_v away_o part_v thereof_o at_o clow_n cross_v which_o sewer_n lie_v x._o or_o xij_o foot_n low_o than_o the_o level_n above_o be_v conceive_v to_o be_v the_o best_a drain_v to_o regain_v the_o surround_v ground_n on_o the_o north_n of_o wisbeche_n 7._o that_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o marshland_n complain_v much_o of_o their_o danger_n by_o the_o run_n of_o wisbeche_n river_n from_o the_o 4._o goat_n by_o the_o skirt_n of_o marshland_n and_o that_o if_o the_o out-fall_a beforementioned_a shall_v be_v open_v whereby_o a_o great_a proportion_n of_o water_n will_v pass_v that_o way_n it_o will_v be_v much_o worse_o for_o they_o it_o be_v therefore_o agree_v that_o if_o the_o say_a river_n together_o with_o the_o drayn_n of_o clow_n cross_a be_v carry_v from_o the_o say_v 4._o goat_n by_o a_o new_a cut_n to_o be_v make_v through_o the_o saltmarsh_n to_o a_o out-fall_a call_v king_n creek_n beside_o the_o benefit_n which_o will_v arise_v by_o drayn_v of_o their_o fen_n it_o will_v secure_v marshland_n from_o danger_n and_o no_o way_n prejudice_n holland_n 8._o that_o the_o river_n of_o weland_n also_o be_v from_o crouland_n to_o spalding_n very_o defective_a for_o want_v of_o cleanse_v and_o from_o spalding_n to_o its_o meeting_n with_o glen_n near_o to_o the_o sea_n almost_o silt_v up_o insomuch_o as_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o spalding_n complain_v that_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o shallows_o thereof_o which_o be_v less_o than_o half_a a_o foot_n deep_a 2._o mile_n below_o the_o town_n they_o have_v not_o wholesome_a water_n for_o their_o necessary_a use_n 9_o consider_v therefore_o these_o defect_n etc._n etc._n before_o express_v he_o propose_v to_o the_o say_a lord_n that_o some_o carâ—_n may_v be_v take_v to_o open_v those_o outfall_n and_o though_o there_o be_v many_o gentleman_n of_o good_a worth_n in_o those_o part_n who_o want_v neither_o zeal_n nor_o judgement_n to_o do_v service_n therein_o yet_o it_o be_v conceive_v that_o the_o work_n may_v be_v best_o effect_v by_o such_o as_o have_v no_o interest_n at_o all_o in_o the_o country_n but_o stand_v indifferent_a between_o all_o party_n and_o thereby_o levy_v the_o charge_n without_o partiality_n whereupon_o ensue_v certain_a order_n jac._n occasion_v by_o that_o view_n of_o the_o say_a sir_n clement_n edmunds_n and_o those_o commissioner_n viz._n 1._o that_o the_o sewer_n between_o overcote_n and_o the_o mere_a be_v open_v and_o scour_v before_o the_o last_o of_o may_v then_o next_o ensue_v sub_fw-la poena_fw-la 3s._o 4d._o per_fw-la vigam_fw-la 2._o that_o the_o west_n water_n with_o all_o the_o branch_n be_v open_v and_o scour_v by_o those_o who_o ought_v of_o right_a to_o do_v the_o same_o by_o michaelmass_n come_v twelvemonth_n than_o also_o next_o follow_v sub_fw-la eadem_fw-la poena_fw-la 3._o that_o the_o hill_n in_o humbert_n water_n be_v abate_v before_o the_o first_o of_o november_n sub_fw-la poena_fw-la 5._o libr._n 4._o that_o padnall_n lake_n from_o ouse_n to_o the_o clay_n way_n be_v scour_v xx_o foot_n wide_a and_o 4._o foot_n deep_a by_o the_o first_o of_o april_n than_o next_o ensue_v sub_fw-la poena_fw-la 5s._o per_fw-la virgam_fw-la 5._o that_o stretham_n and_o thetford_n do_v their_o drain_v by_o the_o first_o of_o may_n sub_fw-la eadem_fw-la poena_fw-la 6._o that_o popham_n ea_fw-la though_o it_o be_v respite_v be_v repute_v a_o excellent_a drain_v sir_n ralph_n hare_n and_o other_o of_o the_o commissioner_n be_v appoint_v to_o view_v its_o defect_n 7._o that_o the_o work_n in_o wisbeche_n river_n be_v perfect_v before_o the_o 20._o of_o august_n next_o 8._o that_o a_o new_a clow_n be_v set_v up_o at_o the_o charge_n of_o all_o that_o drain_v thereby_o 9_o that_o south_n ea_fw-la be_fw-mi cleanse_v after_o wisbech_n river_n and_o weland_n
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
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
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