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. LI.

SOuth-west from Cam∣bridgshire, lieth the County of Hunten∣don, into which a skirt likewise of this great Level extend∣eth: at the entrance whereof I meet first with Ramsey, compassed with Fens on all parts, excepting towards the South-west, and containing about ...... Acres: wherein (for the like respect, as in Ely, Crouland, and Thorney, by others) Ailwin, a neer Kinsman to King Edgar (and who is stiled by our Historians, totius Angliae Aldermannus, id est, Chief Iustice of Eng∣land) did found a 1.1 an eminent Monaste∣ry for Monkes of S. Benedict's Rule, al∣most an hundred years before the Nor∣man Conquest.

Touching the situation of this Isle (for so it was antiently called) let us hear what the Register of that Abby saith; Quum igitur in orientali angulo territorii Huntedonensis &c. Forasmuch, therefore, as this place, situate in the Ea∣stern corner of Huntendoushire, where the Chanel of the River Ouse restraineth the bounds of the Fens, is, for its bigness, the fairest of the fenny Islands; and which many have endeavoured to extoll, so that it needeth not our commendation; neverthe∣less we will not wholy leave it untoucht. On the West side (for on all other there is no access to it, by reason of the Fens) it is se∣vered from the firm land, with certain deep and boggy Quagmires, in bredth about two Bow shot: insomuch, as in times past, the access unto it was by navigable Vessells, brought thither through a slow stream, with gentle windes: but now, by much labour and no small cost, there is, with Wood, Stones, and Gravel, a firm Causey made, so that people may come to it on foot. In length this Island doth extend, almost, unto two miles; but in bredth not so much, being environed with Alders, Reedes, green Canes, and Bulrushes, which do beautify it exceedingly; and before it became inha∣bited, was full of all sorts of trees (especi∣ally wild Ashes) the length and bigness whereof, may be seen by the beams and raf∣ters on the roof of the Church. But now, through tract of time, the Woods, for the most part gone, the fertility of the turf is such, as that the land, converted to tillage, beareth Corn plentifully: nor is it less pro∣fitable otherwise, being full of fair Gardens, fat Pastures, shady Groves, and rich Mea∣dows; which, in the Spring time, make a most beautifull shew. Moreover, on the borders of it, there are several Meeres full of Eeles, as also spacious Fens and Pooles, abounding with divers sorts of Fish and Waterfoul; whereof one, called Ramsey meere, from the name of the Isle, much excelleth the other adjacent waters in bea••∣ty and profit; which, lying on the most large and woody side of it, and pleasantly beating upon that sandy shore thereof, called Mereham, maketh a delightfull object to the beholders: in the deep and great gulfs of which Meere, there are frequently taken, by several sorts of Netts; as also with baited Hookes, and other sishing Instru∣ments, Pikes of an extraordinary bigness, called Hakedes by the County people: And though both Fishers and Fowlers cease nei∣ther day nor night to haunt it; yet is there alwayes of Fish and Foul no little store.

What proportion to the Fens, belong∣ing to divers particular Towns in this County, antiently, were of, I shall•• in the next place, from the testimony of Record, make manifest; by which they, who are well acquainted with those parts, may discern how much improvement hath been since made therein, through the industry of the Borderers; or whether all or any of 〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

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them were by neglect expatiated to a more large extent.

Upon that memorable Survey, b 1.2 made shortly after the Norman Con∣quest, it appeareth, that the Fens be∣longing to Colne, were then reputed to be one mile in length, and half a mile in bredth; and those in Wardboys just as much. But in 3 Edw. 1. there is a far more exact account c 1.3 of them; it being then found by Inquisition, as fol∣loweth; viz. that the Fens pertaining to Stangrund and Faresheved, called Faresheved ferri, contained, then, in length, from Faresheved brigge, at the one end, unto the other, where Ram∣sey fen, and Fairesheved fen, did part, two miles: and in bredth, from the Bank called King's delph, unto Wyth∣lesmare, one mile. In which Fen there was at that time a certain Meadow, cal∣led Kingesdelph-mede, containing Cx. Acres; and another, called Myleby, of x. Acres; the same Meadows then belonging to the Inhabitants of Stan∣grund and Faresheved. Moreover, there was then a certain division be∣twixt the Towns of Stanground and Flectone, beginning at Brod he, neer to the Mayden-cros, and extending it self by the antient lode to Lauehythe; and from thence directly to Blanche∣ferye; and thence to Stakengeshirste is a certain Common Pasture which be∣long'd to the Towns of Stangrund and Flectone.

Likewise, that in the Hundred of Normancros, there was a certain Fen, called Kyngesdelf; beginning at the end of Brod hee, scil. at the end of Kyngesdelf; and extending it self, circularly, to Wittleseye Town's end, for two miles: and from Wytlesheye, by the hold Old Ee, to Pokeslode, for the space also of two miles; and from thence, by Hold Old Eee to West fen, for three miles; thence to Wyse∣muthe, for two miles; thence to Beyn∣wic, for three miles; thence to Syr∣mare for two miles; thence to Kyngges delfe end, Southwards, for one mile; and thence to the utmost point of Brod Ee, where Kynge's delfe endeth, for five miles: which whole Circuit containeth xx. miles, and belong••th to the Abbies of Ramsey and Thorney, and Priory of Ely; for which the Abbot of Ramsey hath the Charter of S. Edward, from Gange∣stede, Eastwards, to Hyndelake in the West; and so at Wendelmere and Cayeresholt, with the confirmation of several Kings since that time.

The Fen of Glactone extends it self from Denton lade, to Hubbemere, containing in length a mile: but it be∣ginneth at the Town of Holme, and continueth to Saldermere, which is, in length three miles.

The Fen belonging to the Town of Conyngton, beginneth at Conyngton mere, and reacheth to the Redipole, and thence to Scelremore, containing in length from Conington mere to Selremere, two miles. From Selre∣mere it goeth to Berchemere; and thence, by Hokeslade, for three fur∣longs, unto Monks lade; and so by the said lode, to the new lode at Sau∣tre, for a mile and an half and two fur∣longs, which is betwixt Sautre fen and Conyngton: and so it holds on, by the new lode, unto the Bank of the Nesse: and from the third Hassoke, unto the said Bank, it containeth in length one mile directly; and from the said Bank it goeth on crookedly unto the North side of Conyngton mere, being in length from that Bank unto the said Northern side, one mile and an half: within which Circuit Conington fen is included. But the Abbot of Saltrey ought of right to make two Bridges in the said Fen, beyond Monks lade; over which the men of Conyn∣ton are to drive their Cattell to Pasture beyond that lade.

The Fen of Dentone containeth in length one mile, and extends it self to Witlesmare one way, and another way to Dentone field; being four Acres in bredth: But Glattone and Holme have by force appropriated to themselves, a half furlong and more of the said Fen, in bredth, excepting one Bank, and in length one mile: and did there dig turves by force and carried them away: nor could the men of Denton dig turves with them; but they had pastu∣rage there for their Cattell. Moreover the Earl of Cornwall did appropriate to himself the Flete, and ditch't it in, which place contained three Acres; and had been Common to Dentone, Glat∣tone, and Holme.

The Fen of Waltone, beginning at Michelholme hale, extendeth it self thence, for two furlongs, unto Stake∣lode; and thence, for one furlong, to the bar of Bollokes fen; and thence, for three furlongs to Croslode; and thence for two miles to Hokeslode; thence for three furlongs to Brich∣mere; thence for four furlongs to Hubbemere lode; and thence for one fur∣long to Hubbemere cote; thence, for two miles unto Ranelesnok; and thence, for half a mile, unto Michel∣holm hale.

To the Town and Abby of Sautre belongeth a certain fen; which begin∣neth at the one end at Saneshyl, and the head of Monks banke; and ex∣tends it self in length neer to Monks meadow, crookedly, for one mile; and so goeth on by the stable; and thence directly to the bar of Bollokes fen•• and thence directly to the head of New lade for half a mile; and from thence to Esterne dyke for one mile; and from Esterne dyke at the head of the Bank of Staneshille, for four furlongs: and thus the Fen of Sautre is perfectly bounded: And beyond Monkeslade, b•• the whole fen of Waltone, and Conytone, to Wytlesmere bank, and Hubbemere bank, they are to Com∣mon with their Cattell.

The Common of Pasture in the Fen belonging to the two Towns of Warde∣boys and Caldecote, is in length two miles, and in bredth two and a half.

This County of Huntendon being then a Forest, the Regardors did, in 34 E. 1. by virtue of the King's Pre∣cept, make this following Presentment d 1.4 at the new Temple in London; viz. that the Tenants of the Abbot of Ram∣sey in the Town of Ramsey; the Tenants of the Abbot of Thorney in Wytlesheye, and the Tenants of the Prior of Ely in Wytlysheye, had wa∣sted all the Fen of Kyngesdelfe, of the Alders, Hassocks, and Rushes, esti∣mated at a thousand Acres, so that the King's Deer could not have harbour there as they had before that perambu∣lation.

Likewise, that the Towns of Stan∣grund and Farsheved had wasted the fen of Farsheved of the Alders and Rushes, estimated at an hundred Acres.

Also, that e 1.5 the Abbot of Thorney had made a Purpresture in the said King's Forest, within Farsheved fen, and inclosed the same with a double Ditch on the side towards Farsheved; which contained in length two miles by estimation, and two furlongs in bredth. And likewise that the said Abbot had raised a new Bank, without the Town of Iakele, containing one mile in length, against the assize of the Forest.

And that f 1.6 Iohn le Wode of Iakele came with the men of Wytlysheye, in∣to the Fen of Kynggesdelfe, and set fire therein, which burnt in length and bredth about four miles, by estimation; which caused great loss to the King in his Harts, Hinds, and Goats. And likewise, that the men of Benewyk had destroyed a certain place in Kyngesdelf, of the Alders and Rushes, called Hertyngges, containing a mile in length and bredth.

And they likewise then presented, that the Banleu of Ramsey began at Humberdale, and so went on to Wy∣stowe lowe, by the middle of the Town of Wystowe; and so to Ranelestone; and thence to Ranelesnoge; thence to Obmere-bote; thence to Scaldemere; thence to Ayxschebeche; thence to the Newe lode, which leadeth betwixt Middilmore and Kynggesdelfe; thence to Beaurepeyre; thence to Tyrmere∣kote; thence to Pollyngsecote; thence to Caldemowchache; thence to Golde∣pyttelade; and thence to Homber∣dale.

The division g 1.7 betwixt this Forest and the Bishop of Ely his free Chase of Somersham,* 1.8 began at the great Ri∣ver; scil. at the three Willowes; and thence extended to Fentone lode; thence to the new Bank; thence to Fen∣tone Crosse; thence to the Mill at Wardeboys; thence to Pydelemare; thence to Pydele dam; thence to Iny mede; thence to Kollangeleye; thence to the Hanger of Bluntesham, and thence to the great River.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Ex Regist. de Ramsey, in Se••ce. pe∣nès Remem. R••g••s. f. 218. ••.
• b 1.2

  Dom••sday Book. Hunt.
• c 1.3

  Ex Rot. de Inquis. per Hundreda, in arce Lond.
• d 1.4

  Ex Regist. de ••amsey, penè•• H••nr. Cromwell arm. f. 59 b.
• e 1.5

  Ib. f. 60.2••
• f 1.6

  Ib. f. 60. b.
• g 1.7

  Ib. f. 61. 2.
• * 1.8

  Vide etiam bund. de Brev. & Recordis temp. H. 4. scil. anno 3. in arce L••nd. band. 1. n. 1.