The history of imbanking and drayning of divers fenns and marshes, both in forein parts and in this kingdom, and of the improvements thereby extracted from records, manuscripts, and other authentick testimonies / by William Dugdale.

CHAP. XLIX.

HOlding on my course more Westwards,* 1.1 I come to that part of this County, which is called the Isle of Ely; the bounds whereof I shall next take notice; and then of what else is most memorable touching the Fens, which do belong thereto.

The circuit of this Isle, saith the Re∣gister a 1.2 of Ramsey, beginneth at Erith brigge, and from thence extends to Sutton grove; so to Mepehale; thence to Wichhome brigg; thence to Ely Dounhom; thence to Litisport; thence to the Town of Ely; thence to Haveringmere; thence to Stratam lode; thence to Anglongwesche, on the South side of the Isle; thence to Aldirhethe brigge, and so to Erith brigge.

The entrances into it are these; the first at Litisport; the second at Stunt∣mere brigge; the third at Alderhethe brigge; and the fourth at Erith brigge.

Moreover it is to be noted, * 1.3 that the Commons in the Fens of this Isle,* 1.4 are divided from those of Chateriz, at Snarissode: whence the Commons of Chateriz go on to Mepehale hee; and so to Andelong bihee. Howbeit the Commons of Chateriz fen, to mow, cut and dig, beginneth at Drye∣byresfen, and so goeth on, betwixt Ar∣nyatesmere, and thence to Blakwell; and from Blakwell to By Ee; and from thence compassing Hunn Eye, unto Langereche; thence to the Ri∣ver of Dodyngton; then to Bil∣••ynge; thence to Algaris-fen, and so over the fen, to Achinwerdore. But the pasture belonging to Chateriz go∣eth first to Dounham; thence to UUycheham; thence to Sutton, and so to Dodyngtone and Marche; within which Precincts the Monks of Ramsey had enter Commom with Chateriz.

Belonging likewise to Chateriz are these Meadows; scil. Crow lode, be∣ginning neer Suth fen muthe, and ex∣tending to Hol lode; which Meadow

is compassed with waters on every side. And on the other side the water, from Park hale to Fenton, is UUelagh; beside one piece which the Abbess hath.

The demesne Fen of Crow lode, belonging to the Abbot of Ramsey's Mannour in Chateriz, beginneth at Wolvey were, which standeth in the great River, neer to the place where Fenton lode descendeth thereinto, hard by Horshithe; and so goeth on, in length, by the said great River, Southwards, unto Croslode•• which Cros••lode is by some called Parkhale lode, but by others, the Draught: and farther extends it self, thwarting the Fen, to the West, by the Southside of the said Fen, called Crow lode, unto Wolvey lode (which by some is called Fenton lode) and thence to Wolvey welagh, which standeth neer the said River, on the North part of Wolvey lode, and opposite to Wolvey were aforesaid: within which precinct the Abbess of Chateriz holdeth one part of a Meadow, which Hugh Folyot, somtime Abbot of Ramesey gave unto her.

It is also to be noted, that the Soke of Somersham ought to Common, aswell in grazing as mowing, in that Fen, which extendeth from Erith brigge unto Parkhale lode; by the Ri∣ver; and thence to Fenton welugh, to graze and mow; and for Housebote and firebote: and from Fenton welughe, they ought to Common in grazing•• un∣to Weremere; and from Weremere likewise to Thornbrigge. And it is likewise to be noted, that within those Precincts Sir Will. le Moigne hath one Field, which is gained land, and a grove of Alders with two meres at Roweye.

The bounds b 1.5 of Higgen Eye fen, recovered by Simon Abbot of Ramsey, were these; viz. from Calverwode∣yate, and so directly to Munke lade; thence to Hokeslade, descending to∣wards Glatton; and so by Hokeslade unto Byrchmere poolys; thence to Walton elde lode, directly to Byrch holt; and thence to the dry land of Higgen Eye, at the corner of Byrch holt: and there, by the dry land to North welne; and thence unto Cal∣verwodeyate: which Fen containeth a thousand Acres.

Within the precincts of the waters, belonging unto this Isle of Ely, there is a little Island, called Eh••eneie, c 1.6 wherein the Monks of Ely had a Cell; which, by reason of those obstructions, that hindred the fresh waters in their passage through this great Levell, from evacuating themselves, as I have before observed, became, by the swelling of those waters, almost drowned: upon a great complaint, d 1.7 therefore, made by the said Monkes unto Alberic Picot, he gave e 1.8 them four Acres and an half of ground in the Isle of Denney, which lay without the reach of the Fen; to the end, that they might translate their House thither, and make Orchards and Gardens there for their use.

The next thing of note, in reference to this Isle (wherewith I have met) is the repair of the Causey leading thereto, in 5 H 3. the King then giving f 1.9 unto Peter de Valentiniis (a Monk of Ely) four Oakes to be taken out of his Forest of Wauberge (in Huntendonshire) for that purpose; the Record terming it Calcetum de Ely; which makes me think, that it was the Causey leading from Soham to Ely, considering the antiquity g 1.10 thereof: for whether there were any other at that time, I make a question; because many years after this, the Barons, who took up Armes against K. Henry the third, made this Isle their last refuge (as in the xli. Chapt. is observed) which could not have afforded such security to them, had there been many accesses to it by land.

But what deserveth more observati∣on, is the commodious and flourishing condition of some of the Fens pertain∣ing antiently to this Isle; which occa∣sioned no small dispute betwixt the bor∣derers thereon, touching the extent of their several bounds: for in K. Henry the first's dayes, I find; † 1.11 that after a long contest between the Church of Ely (Nigell being than Bishop) and Abby of Thorney, about the limits of Wysebeche fen, and Thorney fen; as also of Thorney fen and Wytlesey fen; there were chosen divers prudent men, aswell of the Clergy as Laity, by the consent of all parts, who thus subscribed

and setled the same, viz. from Tid∣brithwic, above the old stream, by Scepelac unto Toft, and thence by Schepelak unto Cnor; thence to Ringmere; thence (betwixt Thorney and Wytlesey) from Cnor to Mid∣fentre; and from Midfentre unto the stream called Must.

Notwithstanding which conclusion, some of the succeeding Abbots were not satisfied (as as it should seem) for it appears, * 1.12 that in 19 H. 3. upon claim made, by Robert the then Abbot, unto a thousand Acres of Wysebeche fen, Hugh ........ at that time Bishop of Ely, by a Fine levied at Huntendon, on the Octaves of S. Iohn Baptist, before Robert de Lexinton and his fellow Justi∣ces Itinerant, did grant and confirm un∣to the before-mentioned Abbot and the Church of Thorney, a full mile within that Fen; viz. betwixt the Abbot of Thorney's wood and Wyse∣beche towards the East, North, and South (according to the perch of xx. foot:) and where the said wood deter∣mineth, the Abbot to have the said mile, by a line directly extended unto the division of the Counties of Lin∣colne and Cambridge; and unto other boundaries, which divide their own Fen, betwixt Wytlesey and Thorney; to enjoy to himself and his successors for ever.

About this time, also, the extent of a large Fen, called Heye fen, belong∣ing to the Mannour of Wysebeche, and to the Towns of Leverington, Neu∣ton, Tid, Elme, and Welle, within the liberties of Ely, was thus set h 1.13 forth; viz. from the Shof to the Horshoo, by the old stream; and from the Horse shoo to the Bank of Robert of the Marshe; and from thence to Wride, by the Abbot of Thorney's Bank, unto two furlongs beyond Knor; and so to Orchardstede; thence to Stodpathe; thence to Wype: from Wype, by the Ded hee, to Nymeres, and so to Westfencote, by the same stream; and thence to Wysemouthe: thence to Suerdesdelfe to Grete cros; thence by Iden hee to Quedale; so to Merch∣forde: thence by the Kirke, and the Heyeront unto Echinghee: and so lineally, by Heyront to Tharmerecote: thence to Stanymeres; thence di∣rectly to Freileswere; and so, by Oldwellen hee to Millestede, and from Millestede to Shrewediche, where all the said Towns ought to eat in Common Horn under Horn, with their Cattell.

Touching the Fen, called Kingsdelfe, belonging to the Abby of Ramsey, it likewise appears, i 1.14 that the bounds thereof began at Hindelake, and thence extended to Gangstede; thence to Southea; thence to South South Ea; so to Pokelode; thence to the head of Gresemere; hence to Pakke∣lode; and so by the Marshes and stream ••alled Cnoutesdelfe and Middelmor, to Hindeslake. But the whole territory of Ramsey, with the Hundred of Hir∣stington, were much more large; viz. k 1.15 from the Stone neer the House of Iohn Freman (Son to Thomas of great Ranele) unto Walton barwe; thence to Hokessede; and so to Toroldescote; thence to Halteshers, and so to Hinde∣slake: Thence by the stream called Cnoutesdelfe, dividing Middilmore and Kyngesdelf, unto Steylinghale: thence to Schelwpol, and so to Cromestal: thence to Wetinges, and so to Etinges: thence to Athel∣stonesdelf, so to Depelake: thence to Hokewerebiht: thence to Wolfeye lode, so to Colputteslode, through the midst of Huniberdale; thence through the midst of Wystowe, unto the stone before-specified.

But the Abbot of Ramsey had it not totally to himself (as it seems:) for, af∣ter much dispute betwixt Robert Abbot of Thorney, and Hugh Abbot of Ram∣sey (about the beginning of H. 3. Reign) touching the Common of pa∣sture in this Fen, unto which the Monkes of Thorney then laid claim [the Abbot of Ramsey withstanding the same, and alleging, that it was an unjust challenge, forasmuch as he the said Abbot of Ramesey, had no Com∣mon in the said Abbot of Thorney's fen of Iakele, nor that he the said Ab∣bot of Thorney, did any service to the Abby of Ramsey in consideration whereof he ought to have such Com∣mon] they came to this Agreement, by a Fine l 1.16 levied in the Kings Court at Westminster, mense Pasch. 8 H. 3. viz. that the whole part of the said Fen,

from Kingesdelfe, through new Hynd••lake, unto the new Falt upon Witlesmare, being the part towards Ramsey, should remain to the said Abbot of Ramesey and his successors, peaceably for ever, without any claim, that the said Abbot of Thorney or his successors should make therein: And that the other part thereof, from the said Kingsdelf, through new Hynde∣lak••, unto the new Falt upon Witles∣mare, being the part towards Ia••ele and Farresheved, the said Abbot of Thorney and his successors should en∣joy, for ever, without any claim of Common therein by the said Abbot of Ramsey or his successors. And it was agreed, that the Ditch to be made for distinguishing and severing these Com∣mons, should be xvi. foot in bredth; whereof the one half, all along, to be taken out of the Abbot of Thorney's part, and the other out of the Abbot of Ramsey's side: and to be made di∣rectly, by a straight line from Kinges∣delfe, before-mentioned, unto the said new Falt upon Witlesmare: And lastly, that it being the boundary be∣twixt both their Fens, it should be common to each of them and their successors to fish therein, and carry any thing through it for their ease and Commodity.

Which Ditch was set m 1.17 forth by twelve Knights, upon the King's speci∣all Precept to that purpose; and, by consent of all parties, made and per∣fected accordingly.

But after this, there grew farther dis∣pute betwixt the Bishop of Ely, and Abbot of Ramsey, concerning the li∣mits of their Fen-land; which were not setled, till about the year MCCLvi. (40 H. 3.) Howbeit, then did W. de ....... Bishop of Ely, and Hugh Ab∣bot of Ramsey come to a full conclusi∣on therein; the relation thereof, foras∣much as it so amply manifesteth how dismall a tract all those parts had long before been, and unto what an height of improvement they were at that time grown; I shall here, from an eminent Historian n 1.18 of that time, ex∣hibit.

A. MCCLvi. (40. H. 3.) facta est pax inter Episcopum Eliensem W, & Hugo∣nem Abbatem Ramesiae, super lite mot••, de terminis in Marisco statuendis: De quo marisco hoc mirum nostris accidit tem∣poribus; ut, ubi quondam, annis antiquis∣simis, quorum non extat memoria, loca in∣via ac inaccessibilia, ubi nullus hominum vel pecudum gressus fuit, vel habitatio; sed carecta, luta profunda, & arundineta palustria, solis avibus (nedum dicam Dae∣monibus inhabitata, prout legitur in vitâ beati Guthlaci; qui ibidem, utpote in loco horroris & vastae solitudinis coepit habi∣tare) nunc in prata delectabilia, ac etiam terram arabilem convertuntur: & quae ibidem pars segetem vel foena non produci••, gladiolum, cespites, & alia ignis pabula, cohabitantibus utilia, germinando abundan∣ter subministrat: unde lis & gravis con∣tentio de terminis locorum talium & terra∣rum, inter eos, qui ab initio mariscum in∣habitabant exorta, lites & praelia suscita∣bat &c.

In the year MCCLvi. (40. H. 3.) William Bishop of Ely, and Hugh Abbot of Ramsey came to an Agreement upon a controversy betwixt them, touching the bounds of their Fens; whereof in these our times a wonder hapned: for whereas, as antiently, time out of mind, they were nei∣ther accessible for man or beast, aff••rding only deep mud, with sedge and Reeds; and possest by birds (yea much more by Devils, as appeareth in the life of S. Guthlac, who finding it a place of horror and great soli∣tude began to inhabit there) is now chang∣ed into delightfull meadows and arable ground: and what thereof doth not produce Corn or Hay, doth abundantly bring forth sedge, turf, and other fuell very usefull to the borderers: which occasioned much dis∣pute and contention betwixt them that were the most antient Inhabitants in those parts, nay quarrells and fighting, touching the bounds of such fruitfull lands. For so it hapned, that on the Feast day of S. Peter ad vincula, two of the Canons of the Priory of the holy Trinity in London, dis∣puting thereof, grew to such high words, as contracted an implacable hatred betwixt them; so that studying a revenge, the one took an opportunity to murther the other.

In what manner and by whom these Fens were then so drayned, I find not; but it could not be without the cleering of those antient out-falls of the several

Rivers, which both before and since did overflow the whole Levell: leaving, therefore, the discovery thereof, to a farther scrutiny; I shall briefly point at such Commissions, as I have found, tending to the improvement of them, by Banks and Sewers, after that time; which, being not many, are all involved with those of other places in this Coun∣ty, as by these instances will appear; viz.

In 51. E. 3. to o 1.19 Iohn Cavendish, Will. de Thorpe, Iohn Colevill, and others, for those in Ely, Dounham, Litelport, Hadenham, Sutton, Chateryz, Du∣dington, March, Marchford, Wy∣tleseye, Elme, Welle, Wysbeche, Leverington, Neuton, and Tyd S. Giles, and elswhere within the Isle of Ely. In 1 R. 2. to p 1.20 Iohn Cavendishe, Will. de Thorpe, Iohn Colvill, Martin Everard, Iohn Holt, Will. de Petteworth, Thomas Pynchebek, and Thomas de Welle. In 3 R. 2. q 1.21 to Sir Roger de Skales, Sir Philip le Despenser Knights, Iohn de Ca∣vendish, Rob. Bealknap, and others, for all the Banks, Sewers &c. in the be∣fore-specified places; by which Com∣mission they were appointed to make * 1.22agistments for the safeguard of those parts, by the number of Acres or Perch∣es, to be new surveyed as often as need should require; and to constitute trusty and diligent Dike-Reeves for the same purpose.

The like Commission r 1.23 in 6 R. 2. had the same Sir Roger, with Sir Rob. Beal∣knap Knight, Sir Philip Spenser, Sir Will. Skipwith, and others. So also in 15 R. 2. had s 1.24 Will. Thirnyng, Thomas Pynche∣bek, Sir Iohn Colvylle, Sir Reginald Hake∣beche, Sir Iohn de Wilton, and Sir Will. de Flete Knights, Iohn de Markham, Will. Gascoigne, and Thomas de Welle: with directions to proceed therein according to the Law and Customes of this Realm.

And in 8 H. 5. Thomas de Skeltone, Iohn Colevile Iohn de Rochefort, Laurence Everard, Rob. Tirwhit, Iohn Bernard, Nich. Morys, Will. Foulbourne, and Ro∣bert Brydde had t 1.25 the like; as also to view the several Causeys, betwixt Ely and Saham, Ely and Litleport, and Hadenham and Wynelingham, then broken and decayed; and to take order for their repair; doing all things there∣in according to the Law and Custome of this Realm.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Isle of Ely.
• a 1.2

  Pe••è•• Henr. C••omw••ll ••rm. f. 67. b.
• * 1.3

  Ibid.
• * 1.4

  Commons in the Fens of this Isle, how antient∣ly bounded.
• b 1.5

  Ib. f. 78. b.
• c 1.6

  Ex hi••t. E••••∣en. Insulae in bibl. Cott••n. sub ef••igie Titi A. 1. f. 50. a.
• d 1.7

  Ibid.
• e 1.8

  Ibid.
• f 1.9

  Claus. 5 H. 3. p. 1. m. ••5.
• g 1.10

  Vide Cap•• xli.
• † 1.11

  Ex Regist. de Thorney, penès M••d∣••••y Comi••••m Westmerl pa••t. 3. Cap. x••.
• * 1.12

  Ibid. Cap. Cxxxvii.
• h 1.13

  Ibid.
• i 1.14

  Ibid. part. 8. Cap. vii.
• k 1.15

  Ibid. Cap. ix.
• l 1.16

  Ibid. ••ap. xii.
• m 1.17

  Ib. Cap. 10.
• n 1.18

  Annal. Math. Paris. P. 929. n. 30.
• o 1.19

  Pat. 51 E. 3. p. 1. m. 41. in dorso.
• p 1.20

  Pat. 1. R. 2. p. 1. m. 25. in dorso.
• q 1.21

  Pat. 3 R. 2. p. 1. m. 35. in dorso.
• * 1.22

  ☞
• r 1.23

  Pat. 6 R. 2. p. 1. m. 9. in dorso.
• s 1.24

  Pat. 15 R. 2. p. 1. m. 37. in dorso.
• t 1.25

  Pat. 8 H. 5. p. 1. m. 32. in dorso.