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. LV. Lindsey * 1.1 Levell, Extending from Bourne to Lincolne.

OF this, though I might have, not incongru∣ously discourst, under my title of Kesteven and Holand: yet, forasmuch as 'tis (in truth) a part of the great Levell before-mentioned (however not so now taken notice of in Common reputation) I have thought it more proper to speak of it here.

The first a 1.2 general attempt towards the Drayning of this part of the Coun∣try whereof I have taken notice) was upon a complaint of the Inhabitants at a Session of Sewers held at Sempring∣ham in the 8 year of the late Queen Elizabeth's Reign, the Earl of Lincolne, high Admiral of England, with seve∣ral other persons of quality, being then Commissioners: Whereupon a gene∣ral Tax was laid, for repairing and en∣larging the Drayns and Sewers, to car∣ry off the waters, which then annoyed these parts: But little was done to any purpose herein, as it seems: for it ap∣pears, that at another Session of Sewers held at Swinstede in the 17 year of that Queens Reign, the Country com∣plained, that they were drowned more than formerly; so that the Commis∣sioners then decreeed, that those Drayns which the Duke of Suffolke and others had ordained to be begun, about the latter end of King Henry the 8 time; as also some others, should forthwith be set upon; and laid a Tax accordingly: But no payment of that Tax being made, the work proceeded not.

Nor was there any farther conside∣rable attempt therein (whereof I have heard) till b 1.3 the 5 year of the late King Charles (of blessed memory) that Sir Anthony Ireby Knight, Sergeant Callice, and other Commissioners, finding all former essays fruitless, by reason that the Inhabitants would never pay the Taxes, and that the lands being sur∣rounded had no Cattel upon them for distress; and considering that the King (as 'tis observable in all the Statutes of Sewers) was to give direction in works of this nature; they did by their Let∣ters represent to his Majesty the neces∣sity of Drayning these lands, and the Commodity which might accrue thereby; humbly beseeching him to recommend some person of Honour, to contract with them as Undertaker for performance of that work.

The King therefore, understanding c 1.4 their design to be, for the Drayning of all the surrounded Fens, on the North side of the River of Glen, in this Coun∣ty of Lincolne; referred the view of those, lying on both sides the Rivers of Fosse, and Wythom, from beyond the City of Lincolne to Kyme Ea, unto Sir Henry Vane Knight, Sir Robert Carr Baronet, and others; who in or∣der to that good work, did in a Session d 1.5 of Sewers held at Sleford, 26 Febr. 8 Car. (where were also present and Commissioners, Robert Earl of Lindsey, Theophilus Earl of Lincolne, the Lord Willoughby, Sir Henry Fines, and others) lay a Tax of xiij s. iiij d. the Acre, for the scouring and clensing of the said Rivers, and all Gotes and Drayns &c.

within those precincts, to be imposed upon all the Landholders in the said low grounds, and to be paid before the ix. of April then next following. And for the better furthering, and com∣pleating thereof, the said Commissio∣ners e 1.6 meeting again at Boston upon the second of March then next ensuing, reciting their Decree so made at Sle∣ford, did extend their said Tax of xiij ^s. iiij ^d. the Acre, to the other parts of that Level.

Nevertheless, little was done therein (as it seems) till about three years af∣terwards; but then the said King, by his Letters f 1.7 Patents, bearing date at Westminster 2 Aprilis in the xi. year of his Reign, directed unto George Earl of Rutland and others, Commissio∣ners of Sewers for the said Level; re∣commended unto them Robert Earl of Lindsey, Lord high Chamberlain of England (a person of very great ho∣nour) to be the sole Undertaker for the drayning of the whole.

Whereupon the said Commissio∣ners at another Session g 1.8 of Sewers held at Sleford upon the second of Iune then next following,* 1.9 proceeded to a treaty with his Lordship for that pur∣pose; and agreed with him to accept of twenty four thousand Acres, in re∣compence of his chardges therein: which was then accordingly decreed, h 1.10 the work being to be perfected within the space of six years next ensuing the feast of S^t. Michael th'archangel then following.

And after this, viz. in a Session i 1.11 of Sewers held at Boston the 29. of March the next year ensuing;* 1.12 recitall being made of that Decree made at Sleford, whereby the said Earl of Lindsey, for the considerations therein expressed, was to have those twenty four thousand Acres of land, to be in∣differently allotted out of the several Fens &c. to enjoy to himself and his heirs for ever; viz. as soon as ten thousand Acres or more, should be drayned, to have his portion thereof forthwith assigned: As also the like recitall, that upon consideration of the same Decree, and other former prece∣ding Decrees and Ordinances, made at a ••ession of Sewers held at Swin∣shed upon the xi. of August then last past; upon full debate and considera∣tion of the former Decrees, and consi∣deration of a true and perfect scedule of all the Fens &c. (comprised in a Decree of Tax, bearing date at Boston upon the second of March in the eighth year of the said King Charles) from Kyme Ea South-wards, aswell within the parts of Kesteven as Holand, to the River of Glen, being part of the said Level, mentioned in that Decree made at Sleford &c. it did at that time appear to the said Commissio∣ners; and then to those present Com∣missioners at Boston, that that part of the Level amounted to thirty six thou∣sand Acres or thereabouts: And re∣citall being likewise made; that, whereas at the said Session of Swine∣shed it was proposed, that the severals within the said Level, lying from Kyme Ea to the River of Glen, might not contribute any part of land, to the making up of the said quantity of four∣teen thousand Acres, but that the whole proportion should be taken out of the Fens and Commons.

Upon consideration had therefore of the premisses, the said Commissioners, so met at Boston upon the said 29. of March (as hath been observed) did then Decree unto the said Earl and his heirs for ever, that full number of ••our∣teen thousand Acres, to be proportio∣ned out of every the said Fens, of that part of the before-specified Level, lying betwixt the River of Glen and Kyme Ea, as part of the said twenty four thousand Acres, which by the said forerecited Law were decreed unto him; viz. Out of the Fens belonging to Bourne Dyke, and Cawthorpe 1100 Acres: Out of Morton fens 1030. Acres; Out of Hackonby fen 600. Acres: Out of Dunsby fen 500. A∣cres: Out of Repinghale, Ringston, and Kirkby Underwood Fens 450. Acres: Out of Pinchbek and Spal∣ding Nortfen 1200. Acres: Out of Dousby and Aslackby Fens 750. A∣cres: Out of Poynton fen 450. A∣cres: Out of Billingborow fen 400. Acres: Out of Horbling fen 400 A∣cres: Out of Swaton fen 300 Acres: Out of Helpringham fen 450 Acres: Out of Great Hall fens 650 Acres: Out of Little Hale fen 620 Acres:

[illustration]

[illustration]

Out of Bicker fen 700 Acres: Out of Heckington fen 450 Acres: Out of Howell and Asgarby fen 150 Acres: Out of Ewersby and Awstrop fen 400 Acres: Out of Gosberkirke fen 600 Acres: Out of Surflet fen 400 Acres: Out of Quadring West fen 450 A∣cres: Out of Quadring Upfen 400 Acres: Out of Donington fen 1000 Acres; and out of South Kyme fen 550 Acres.

And in a Session k 1.13 of Sewers held at Bourne upon the xi ^th.* 1.14 of August the next year following, there was a spe∣ciall assignation, in what particular place in each of the Fens before-speci∣fied, the quantities so decreed, as a∣foresaid, should be set out; and a certain mistake concerning Poynton fen rectified.

Which said several Decrees (viz. that at Sleford 2 Iunii, 11 Caroli; that at Boston 29 Martii, 12 Car. and this at Bourne 11 Aug. 13 Car. were afterwards in a Session l 1.15 of Sewers held at Sleford 25 Sept. 14 Car. ratified and confirmed.* 1.16

And in another Session m 1.17 held like∣wise at Sleford upon the xiiij ^th.* 1.18 of March then next ensuing, the Commis∣sioners receiving information by the said Earl; that he had then effectually drayned all the lands between the River of Glen and Kyme Ea, containing more than thirty five thousand Acres; and taking view of them, with all the Sluses, Banks, Sewers, &c. therein; did so adjudge thereof, and that he had made a full performance of his said undertaking.

And, lastly, in another Session n 1.19 held at Sleford also, upon the 14 of Iune next following, reciting and confirming all the former Decrees: And that whereas but three thousand Acres were,* 1.20 by the said Law of Sleford made 2 Iunii 11 Caroli, decreed for the perpetual maintenance of the works, within the said whole Level; and that the said Earl had, nevertheless, at the instance of the Commissioners conde∣scended to ty the said fourteen th••u∣sand Acres for the perpetual mainte∣nance of the said works, made between the River of Glene and Kyme Ea, over and above the Rent of iiij ^d. the Acre thereupon reserved to be paid out of the said fourteen thousand Acres, in case the said iiij ^d. the Acre should not be sufficient, they decreed and rati∣fied the same accordingly.

After which, the said Earl and his Participants (having been at no less than fourty five thousand pounds charge therein) did inclose, build, in∣habit, plant, plow, sow and reap two years without disturbance: but the third year divers clamorous Petitions were exhibited to the Parliament (then sitting) by the Country people: Where∣upon after examination of Witnesses, Orders were granted from both Hou∣ses to quiet the possession of the said Earl and his Participants, and to secure their Crops then upon the land: Ne∣vertheless the Petitioners, in contempt of all, entred and destroyed the Drains and buildings; as also the Crops then ready to be reapt, to a very great va∣lue; and have ever since held the pos∣session, to the great decay and ruine of those costly works, and exceeding dis∣commodity to all that part of the Country.

Notes

• * 1.1

  So called by reason that Robert Earl of Lind∣sey became the principal undertaker for Drayning thereof.
• a 1.2

  Printed paper, in∣tituled the Earl of Li••••∣sey's title &c.
• b 1.3

  Ibid. 5 Caroli.
• c 1.4

  Ex bundello D••cr••t••rum in Officio ••o∣cato the Pet∣t••-bag.
• d 1.5

  Ibid. 26 F••b. 8 Car.
• e 1.6

  Ex bund. Dec••••••. in of∣ficio praedicto.
• f 1.7

  Ibid.
• g 1.8

  Ibid.
• * 1.9

  2 Iu••ii 11 Car.
• h 1.10

  Ibid.
• i 1.11

  Ibid.
• * 1.12

  29 Martii 12 C••r.
• k 1.13

  Ibid.
• * 1.14

  11 Aug. 13. C••r.
• l 1.15

  Ibid.
• * 1.16

  25 Sept. 14 Car.
• m 1.17

  Ibid.
• * 1.18

  14 Mar••ii, 14 Car.
• n 1.19

  Ibid.
• * 1.20

  14 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 14 ••••r.