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. L.

WEst and by North Ely, lyeth Thorney, an Island also con∣taining about three hundred Acres of ground, and compassed with spacious Fens: wherein, as in Ely, Crouland, and several other places (for the re∣spects instanced in the .... C••ap••.) A∣delwold Bishop of Winchester, in the year of Christ DCCCCLxxii. (K. Edgar then Reigning) founded a 1.1 a goodly Mo∣nastery for Benedictine Monkes.

What these Fens were, for depth and bredth, during the space of divers ages, before the late general drayning, it is no hard matter to guess; the Moore, totally contracted by a long stagnation of the fresh waters, suffici∣ently demonstrating the same; which is found, for the most part, ten foot deep throughout all this side of the Country: but more antiently it was otherwise, as Will. of Malmesbury, an authentique Historian (living about five hundred years since) affirmeth: Who, having first spoken of the Isle of Ely, and then coming to this of Thorney, saith b 1.2 thus; Thorneia, ulterior scripto, & contractior spacio; sed Prior laudum titulo, Paradysi simulachrum, quòd amoenitate jam Coelos ipsos imaginetur; in ipsis paludibus, arbo∣rum ferax, quae enodi proceritate luctantur ad sydera, aequorea planities herbarum vi∣ridantibus comis oculos advocat &c. id est Thorney, though last mentioned, and less in Circuit, hath the Priority in fame; re∣presented a very Paradise; for that in pleasure and delight it resembleth Heaven it self; the very Marshes abounding with Trees, whose length without Knots do emu∣late the Starrs. The plain there is as Level as the Sea, which with the flourish∣ing of the grass allureth the Eye, and so smooth that there is nothing to hinder him that runs through it. Neither is there any wast place in it: for in some parts thereof there are Appletrees, in other

Vines, which either spread upon the ground, or are raised up with poles. A mutual strife there is betwixt Nature and Art, so that what the one produceth not, the other supplies. What shall I say of the Beautifull Buildings, which tis so wonder∣full to see the ground amidst those Fens to bear?

From which testimony, no lesse can be inferred; but that, then, this skirt of the Level was not at all drowned: and therefore, that the out-falls to the Sea, were at that time cleer and open; which argueth a greater care in the people inhabiting this flat Country, in those days, than hath been for several ages since. Not were the parts towards Peterborough then lesse free from that annoyance, as may seem from what I have received from credible te∣stimony, viz. that upon the cutting of certain Moats by Francis Underwood Esquire, at Wittlesey, where he hath made a pleasant and commodious plan∣tation, within lesse than xx years last past, there was found, at seven foot deep (through absolute Moor) firm ground, and swathes of mowed grasse, lying perfect and not consumed: which cleerly manifesteth; that, through some excesse of rain, falling in the Summer time, there hapned such a floud of the fresh waters, as then meeting with an obstruction at the out-fall, in regard of the silt there contracted by a long sea∣son of dry weather, it did so hinder their usual current to the Sea, that, be∣ing forced back, they not only over∣flowed the whole Levell, but have ever since, till the late undertaking (whereof I shall speak anon) kept it, for the most part under water.

But I dare not adventure to say, that this was the only cause thereof; there being something else, which (no doubt) might be concomitant; viz. the usual flowing of the tides, much higher upon the coasts towards Lenne, than for∣merly: for, that they long since did so, is easily demonstrable; there having been, of late years found, at the setting down of a new Sluse, a little beneath Magdalen fall (which is about half a mile from Magdalen bridge) on Marsh∣land side, about xvi foot deep in the earth, a large flat stone, of about eight foot in length, and a Cart wheel neer unto it, which were taken up by cer∣tain workmen, imployed be one Mr. Emerson, in that businesse. And at Wigenhall S. Maries (which is not far thence) at a place called Wathden, there are still to be seen some remain∣ers of a Church, as also bones that ap∣pear at a low ebbe upon the River side, about 8 foot below the present super∣ficies of the earth. The like is also obser∣vable at UUigenhall S. Germans, the floor of the Church there, being at least seven foot lower than the high water∣mark of the Ouse, which River run∣ning by the Church-yard side, is kept off by a strong and large Bank from drow∣ning the Country. Nor is it any thing else, but the same rising of the usual tides, to a greater height than former∣ly, which hath so widened the Chanel of this great stream at Lenne, that the Inhabitants have been constrained to remove one of their Churches to a far∣ther distance from it, as is yet to be seen in that part thereof, now called old Lenne; where the bones of the dead, which were buried in that Church-yard, are now dayly washt at every high tide, by reason that part of the same Church-yard is consu∣med away with the violence of that current.

As for the Trees, which he so mag∣nifieth for their length without knots, I believe they were Firr, no other tim∣ber affording such straightnesse and height; of which kind there have been many digg'd up, of late years, in those parts. But when it was, that this ob∣struction (whereof I have thus taken notice) hapned, I could never yet dis∣cover; nor the exact time, that the course of the Sea did thus alter: I shall therfore, for want of better light there∣in, descend to the beginning of K. Edw. the first's time, and observe from our publick c 1.3 Records, the extent of the Fens, belonging to divers Towns in this County, wherein the Inhabitants had Common; which were, as followeth; viz. of Soham ten miles, and two in bredth; viz. from Ayornemere to Al∣woldingewere: Iselham, six miles in length, and in bredth one, viz. from Mildehale fen, to the Fens of Soham and Ely. Of Wykes two miles in length, and one in bredth, viz. from

Alwoldingwere to Strem-lake; be∣sides a Fen in another place, of one mile in length, and in bredth half a mile, scil. from Huppewere to the Town of Wykes. Of Fordham a Marsh called West fen, containing six furlongs in length, and as much in bredth, extending from Nesdam to Hopperislane: with another Marsh, called Nort-fen, in length two fur∣longs, and bredth one, viz. from the house of Walter fitz Robert to the Messu∣age of Maud de Somere. Of Sneilwelle four furlongs in length, and two in bredth, viz. from the Fen of Chippe∣ham to Holme melne; besides the Marsh of West fen, containing half a mile in length, and one furlong in bredth, viz. from Preeruspend to Calvenebreg. Of Landwaye half a mile in length, viz. from Brounisdam to Illingworthe.

Of Borewelle six miles in length, and three in bredth, viz. from Rech lode, to Nesdam: besides part of Est fen, containing four furlongs in length, and two in bredth, viz. from Nes∣melne unto Borewelle field. Of Chippeham six furlongs in length, and three and an half in bredth, viz. from the said Town of Chippeham to Sneil∣welle fen.

Of Swafham Priors, in length from the Town it self, unto the River of Grante, containing three miles; and in bredth from the Lode of Reche, to the Lode of Swafham Bolebek, containing a mile and half: The bounds of the Heath there extending from the Crest of the great Bank, unto Tweynhowes, in length one mile; and in another part of that Town field, to Smathowe, be∣ing as far.

Of Bodekesham, in the Fen of Stow∣brigge, unto Swafham Bolebek Lode, two miles in length, and as much in bredth. Of Wilburham parva, from the Town it self to the upland of Stow ....... and in another place to the Ri∣ver, which extends it self from Halke milne, to the Mill at Fosse. And of Wilburham magna, from Lidene unto Wateholme.

Thus much for the extent of the Fens belonging to the before-specified Townships.

In 1•• E. 1. the Causey betwixt Sa∣ham and Stuntney, with the little Bridges belonging thereto, was in great decay; the King therefore assigned d 1.4 Thomas de Weyland and Richard de Hole∣brok, to enquire, by the Oaths of honest men of the Country, who ought to re∣pair the same.

After this there were some Commis∣sions for the view and repair of the Banks, Ditches, Sewers, within this County in general; and some wherein certain of the adjacent Counties were joyned, viz. in 31 E. 1 to e 1.5 Iames Beauvoys, Robert Hereward, William de Estdene, and Hugh Vicar of the Church of Elme, for those in this County a∣lone.

In 2 E. 2. to f 1.6 Ranulph de Friskeneye, Geffrey de Colevill, William de Spanneby, and Roger de Cubeldyk, for those throughout the whole County of Lin∣colne and this Shire.

In 4 E. 2. to g 1.7 William de Ormesby, William de Estdene•• and Henry de Wal∣pole, for those in this County only.

In 10 E. 2. to h 1.8 Geffrey de Coleville, and Roger de Seiton, for the same.

In 12 E. 2. to i 1.9 Robert de Maddyng∣le, Iohn de Fitton, William de Rungeton, Iohn de Hotoft, Laurence de Holbeche, and Iohn de Cantebrigg, for those in this County; as also in Norfolk, Lin∣colne, and Northampton shires, and the Confines thereof; with power to constitute trusty Dykereeves for the safe∣guard of the said Banks, Ditches, and Sewers throughout all those parts.

In 15 E. 2. to k 1.10 Michael de Meldon, and Roger de Beler, for the same Coun∣ties.

And in 18 E. 2. to l 1.11 William la Zouche, Iohn de Cantebrig, Simon de Brim, and Iohn de Hinton, for those in this Coun∣ty alone.

Upon a Pleading in 40 E. 3. it was found m 1.12 by the Jurors, that the Prior of Ely did obstruct the course of the wa∣ter at Wilburgham magna, in a certain place called Watholm dam, so that it could not have it's current as it usually had; insomuch as the Commons be∣longing to the Town of Fulbourne were overflowed, to the damage of the whole Country. And in 12 H. 4. the Town of Harlton being questioned n 1.13 for diverting the current of the water,

betwixt Harlton and Haselingfeld, to the damage of the whole Country, could not deny the charge; and there∣fore was amerc'd; Raphe Bateman being then Lord of that Mannour.

In 14 H. 6. William Godrede, Thomas Fulthorpe, Sir Iohn Colvyle, Sir Henry Rocheforth, and Sir Robert Hakebeche K^ts. William Yelverton, Thomas Dereham, Iohn Iakys, Thomas Reynold, and Iohn Tylney were constituted o 1.14 Commissioners for the view and repair of the Banks, Sew∣ers, and Ditches, throughout this whole County, only; and to make Sta∣tutes and Ordinances for the same, ac∣cording to the Laws and Customes of Runmey marsh.

* 1.15On the West side of this County, and at the outmost skirt thereof, lyeth Wittlesey mere, the greatest Lake in all these parts; and consequently the more worthy of note: I shall there∣fore cloze up what I have farther to say of this Shire, with that particular de∣scription of it, which I find in the Re∣gister p 1.16 of Peterborough.

In Septentrionali parte stagni &c. On the North side of this Lake, there is a water called Merelade, issuing out of the River of Neene, where the Nor∣thern bounds thereof are. This, with the Fens thereto belonging, hath at the end thereof a certain Fishing called Edd••rmuthe. Upon the East part there∣of are two other Meres, called Welle∣pole and Trendelmere; betwixt which is a narrow stream, containing two furlongs in length, called Tren∣delmere beche, having in it two Fish∣ings. And there is likewise ano∣ther narrow water there, of one mile long, which is called Falet, having in it one Fishing.

In that part thereof betwixt Wytles∣mere and Kynkesdelf, where the Ea∣stern boundary thereof is, the bredth of the Meer containeth three miles, ha∣ving in it a narrow stream, called Derescuf; and a Wood named Rage∣holt. On the South part thereof also, there is another slender stream, of three furlongs in length, called Selfremere∣beche, having in it two Fishings; at the end whereof is a Lake, named Selfre∣mere; having on the South side thereof a narrow water, of half a mile long, called Ubbemere lade; at the head whereof is likewise another Fi∣shing, And about the middle thereof, there is a place in the Fen, called Al∣wynesbarwe; and there is the Sou∣thern boundary thereof. Moreover, on the West side of this Lake, there is also a narrow stream, containing two furlongs in length, named Trende∣mere beche, which hath one Fishing in it; at the end whereof, is the Meer, called West Trendemere. On that side there are also these waters, viz. Drelgmere, Wellepole, Withi∣buscemere, Langemere, Kinninges, and Musklemere.

There is likewise, on that side, ano∣ther narrow water, of one mile in length, extending to Oppebeche, and hath in it one Fishing: at the end of which water, is the Western limits of the Fens, and all the waters pertaining to Witlesmere.

About two miles distant from the North East side of the before-specified Meer, there is a memorable Chanel cut through the body of the Fen, ex∣tending it self from neer Ramsey, to Peterborough, and is called King's delph. The common tradition is, that King Canutus, or his Queen, being in some perill, in their passage from Ramsey to Peterborough, by reason of the boysterousnesse of the Waves upon Witlesey mere, caused this Ditch to be first made: and therewith do some q 1.17 of our Historians agree; who say thus; Anno Domini Mxxxiiii. Cnuto, Rex potentissimus, viam in maris∣co, inter Ramsey & Burgum, quod King's delph dicitur, ut periculum mag∣norum stagnorum vitaretur, eruderavit. But how to reconcile this testimony to what I meet with above threescore years before, I well know not: which is, that King Edgar confirming to the Monks of Peterborough, be∣fore-mentioned, the fourth part of UUitlesmere; with all the waters, Fishings, and Fens thereto belong∣ing, bounds r 1.18 it to these limits, viz. quorum Septentrionalis est ubi primùm in∣trat Mere lode de ampne Nen, orienta∣liter ad King's delph; Australiter ad Adewinesbarue &c id est, whereof the North side is, where Mere lode first en∣ters

thereinto from the River Nen, East∣ward to King's delph; and Southward to Aldewynesbarue, &c.

But the largest and most notable, is that fair Chanel made from Stan∣ground steafe, below Peterborough, to Guyhirne neer UUisebeche, of xl foot in bredth, by s 1.19 Iohn Moreton Bi∣shop of Ely, in King Henry the se∣venth's days, and still called Moreton's Leame, or the New Leame; a work certainly of singular consequence, not only for the quicker evacuation of the overflowings of Nene, but for conveni∣ency of Carriage from Peterborough to UUisebeche; which will remain a lasting memorial to that worthy Bi∣shop.

Notes

• a 1.1

  E•• Regist. de ••horney, penès. Comi∣tem Westmerl. f. 11.
• b 1.2

  Lib. 4. de gesti•• Pentif. f, 167. b.
• c 1.3

  Ex Ror. Hundred••, in Com. C••••tabr. in arc•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• d 1.4

  Pa••. 12 E. ••. m. 18. in dorso.
• e 1.5

  Pat. 31 E. 1. ••. 43. in do••so.
• f 1.6

  Pat. 2 E. 2. m. 11. in ••o••so.
• g 1.7

  Pat. 4. E. 2. m. 18. in dorso.
• h 1.8

  Pat. 10 E. 2. p. 1. m. 11. in dorso.
• i 1.9

  Pat. 12 E. 2. p. 2. m. 21. in d••rso.
• k 1.10

  Pat. 15 E. 2. p. 1. m. 14. in dorso.
• l 1.11

  Pat. 18. E. 2. p. ••. m. 10. in dorso.
• m 1.12

  Plac. coram Rege apud ••••slm. term. Hill. 40 E. 3. Rot. 26. Cau∣tab.
• n 1.13

  Plac. coram Rege t••rm. Mic••. 12. H. 4. Rot. 18. Ca••∣••ab.
• o 1.14

  Pat. 14 H. 6 ••. 1. m. 18. in dorso.
• * 1.15

  The Descrip∣tion of Wi∣tlesey mere.
• p 1.16

  penès Will. P••••••pont a••m, ••. 77. a.
• q 1.17

  Annales Math. Westm.
• r 1.18

  Ex Regist. de Peterbo∣rough penè•• De••. & Cap. ejusdem Eccle∣siae.
• s 1.19

  Godwin. de praesul. 329. Et Cambd. Brit. 405.