the_o history_n of_o imbank_v and_o drayn_n of_o divers_a fen_n and_o marsh_n both_o in_o foreign_a part_n and_o in_o this_o kingdom_n and_o of_o the_o improvement_n thereby_o extract_v from_o record_n manuscript_n and_o other_o authentic_a testimony_n by_o william_n dugdale_n esquire_n norroy_n king_n of_o arms._n london_n print_v by_o alice_n warren_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n mdclxii_o to_o the_o king_n most_o excellent_a majesty_n most_o gracious_a sovereign_n the_o first_o and_o great_a attempt_n that_o have_v be_v make_v in_o this_o kingdom_n for_o the_o general_a drayn_n of_o those_o vast_a fen_n lie_v in_o cambridgeshire_n and_o the_o county_n adjacent_a be_v by_o that_o prudent_a and_o grave_a prelate_n john_n morton_n sometime_o bishop_n of_o ely_n the_o principal_a instrument_n of_o that_o happy_a union_n betwixt_o the_o two_o house_n of_o york_n and_o lancaster_n as_o the_o channel_n betwixt_o peterborough_n and_o wisbeche_n still_o bear_v his_o name_n do_v witness_v and_o the_o next_o by_o your_o royal_a grandfather_n and_o father_n of_o bless_a memory_n the_o chief_a branch_n of_o that_o renown_a stock_n which_o not_o succeed_v as_o it_o be_v design_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o distraction_n of_o those_o time_n it_o will_v be_v no_o small_a honour_n to_o your_o sacred_a majesty_n and_o advantage_n of_o your_o realm_n to_o complete_a and_o make_v perfect_a that_o noble_a undertake_n to_o which_o end_n i_o most_o humble_o offer_v unto_o your_o majesty_n this_o present_a historical_a discourse_n whereby_o it_o will_v appear_v not_o only_o that_o divers_a great_a and_o mighty_a prince_n and_o other_o person_n famous_a in_o their_o time_n have_v in_o foreign_a part_n be_v active_a in_o work_n of_o this_o kind_n but_o how_o much_o your_o majesty_n be_v own_o royal_a ancestor_n have_v by_o several_a excellent_a and_o wholesome_a law_n promote_v the_o like_a in_o this_o kingdom_n pray_v to_o the_o almighty_a that_o he_o will_v bless_v your_o majesty_n with_o a_o long_a and_o prosperous_a reign_n that_o good_a art_n may_v again_o flourish_v among_o we_o and_o virtue_n receive_v its_o due_a encouragement_n to_o the_o joy_n of_o all_o your_o loyal_a subject_n and_o among_o they_o of_o your_o majesty_n most_o obedient_a subject_n and_o faithful_a servant_n william_n dugdale_n to_o the_o reader_n courteous_a reader_n that_o the_o strength_n of_o a_o king_n be_v in_o the_o multitude_n of_o his_o subject_n be_v a_o truth_n which_o no_o man_n will_v gainsay_v hence_o be_v it_o that_o those_o country_n the_o soil_n whereof_o be_v natural_o fruitful_a be_v always_o much_o better_o esteem_v than_o such_o as_o be_v sterile_a in_o regard_n they_o afford_v more_o and_o better_a sustenance_n to_o their_o inhabitant_n and_o hence_o be_v it_o likewise_o that_o the_o most_o civilise_a nation_n have_v by_o so_o much_o art_n and_o industry_n endeavour_v to_o make_v the_o best_a improvement_n of_o their_o waste_v commons_o and_o all_o sort_n of_o barren_a land_n among_o which_o advantage_n that_o of_o enclosure_n have_v not_o be_v the_o least_o whereof_o there_o be_v a_o notable_a instance_n in_o the_o county_n of_o northampton_n and_o somerset_n which_o though_o little_a differ_v in_o their_o extent_n and_o goodness_n of_o soil_n yet_o if_o estimation_n may_v be_v make_v by_o muster_n subsidy_n ten_o and_o fifteen_o enclosure_n have_v make_v the_o one_o more_o than_o double_a to_o exceed_v the_o other_o both_o in_o people_n and_o wealth_n as_o have_v long_o ago_o be_v observe_v 45._o by_o some_o of_o great_a judgement_n if_o then_o the_o mere_a enclosure_n and_o tillage_n of_o that_o which_o natural_o yield_v little_a profit_n do_v just_o deserve_v so_o great_a a_o commendation_n how_o much_o more_o be_v the_o skill_n and_o pain_n of_o those_o to_o be_v have_v in_o esteem_n who_o have_v recover_v many_o vast_a proportion_n of_o land_n total_o overwhelm_v with_o a_o deluge_n of_o water_n and_o of_o these_o i_o need_v not_o look_v out_o for_o example_n from_o abroad_o our_o own_o country_n affoard_v a_o multitude_n of_o notable_a instance_n as_o the_o ensue_a discourse_n will_v full_o manifest_v whereby_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o in_o sundry_a part_n of_o this_o realm_n there_o be_v many_o thousand_o of_o acre_n which_o do_v now_o yield_v much_o benefit_n yearly_a by_o rape_n cole-seed_n grass_n hay_o hemp_n flax_n wheat_n oat_n and_o other_o grain_n nay_o by_o all_o sort_n of_o excellent_a plant_n garden-stuff_n and_o fruit_n tree_n which_o in_o former_a time_n be_v drown_v land_n and_o this_o be_v it_o which_o give_v encouragement_n to_o oâ—â—_n two_o late_a sovereign_n of_o bless_a memory_n viz._n king_n james_n and_o king_n charles_n the_o first_o to_o become_v the_o sole_a adventurer_n for_o the_o drayn_n of_o those_o vast_a fen_n of_o cambridgshire_n and_o the_o five_o other_o adjacent_a county_n a_o worthy_a work_n and_o never_o total_o attempt_v till_o their_o time_n well_o discern_v that_o by_o a_o complete_a performance_n thereof_o the_o costly_a and_o troublesome_a meeting_n of_o commissioner_n for_o sewer_n the_o frequent_a great_a tax_n for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o divers_a bank_n and_o drain_v with_o many_o unhappy_a controversy_n and_o emulation_n relate_v thereto_o may_v be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n prevent_v and_o if_o our_o industry_n be_v but_o comparable_a to_o that_o of_o our_o neighbour_n in_o the_o belgic_a province_n how_o much_o more_o may_v those_o drayned_a ground_n afford_v we_o for_o profit_n and_o pleasure_n than_o they_o yet_o do_v forasmuch_o as_o they_o lie_v below_o the_o level_n of_o the_o sea_n at_o high_a tide_n be_v drayn_v by_o engine_n which_o cast_v out_o the_o water_n and_o we_o have_v not_o only_o a_o descent_n to_o the_o sea_n but_o divers_a large_a river_n and_o stream_n for_o lead_v the_o water_n to_o their_o natural_a outfall_n to_o give_v instance_n in_o the_o benefit_n first_o let_v we_o consider_v the_o large_a proportion_n of_o this_o one_o level_n which_o be_v no_o less_o than_o five_o hundred_o thousand_o acre_n it_o be_v from_o the_o edge_n of_o suffolk_n to_o waynflete_a in_o lincolnshire_n full_a lxviii_o mile_n in_o a_o strait_a line_n and_o if_o we_o reckon_v by_o the_o bow_n of_o the_o fenn_n which_o run_v up_o on_o both_o side_n of_o the_o river_n witham_n within_o a_o mile_n of_o lincoln_n it_o may_v be_v well_o account_v lxxx_o mile_n the_o breadth_n be_v in_o many_o place_n thirty_o more_o xx_o and_o seldom_o so_o little_a as_o ten_o mile_n so_o that_o it_o be_v think_v by_o some_o to_o be_v as_o good_a ground_n and_o as_o much_o as_o the_o state_n of_o the_o low_a country_n enjoy_v in_o the_o netherlands_o next_o for_o the_o richness_n of_o the_o soil_n be_v gain_v from_o the_o water_n do_v it_o not_o for_o the_o most_o part_n exceed_v the_o high_a ground_n thereon_o border_v as_o much_o as_o other_o meadow_n do_v which_o be_v ordinary_o let_v for_o xxs._n the_o acre_n and_o do_v we_o not_o see_v that_o in_o the_o marsh_n beyond_o waynflete_a in_o lincolnshire_n where_o the_o ground_n be_v sever_v and_o trench_v it_o be_v hard_o to_o find_v a_o poor_a man_n though_o they_o sit_v at_o great_a rent_n for_o their_o cattle_n be_v always_o sound_a and_o thrive_a be_v therefore_o merchandable_a or_o if_o they_o come_v to_o a_o mischance_n yet_o fit_a for_o food_n moreover_o beside_o the_o great_a plenty_n of_o flesh_n and_o white_a meat_n with_o the_o breed_n of_o serviceable_a horse_n let_v we_o consider_v the_o abundance_n of_o wool_n hydes_n tallow_n and_o other_o commodity_n which_o this_o fruitful_a ground_n now_o produce_v and_o that_o the_o new_a channel_n make_v for_o the_o drayn_n do_v yield_v no_o small_a advantage_n to_o all_o those_o part_n for_o the_o carriage_n of_o their_o corn_n and_o merchandise_n whereas_o before_o they_o be_v constrain_v to_o go_v many_o mile_n about_o according_a to_o the_o natural_a bend_n of_o the_o river_n and_o if_o we_o weigh_v the_o great_a inconvenience_n which_o these_o overflowing_n have_v produce_v certain_o the_o advantage_n by_o the_o general_a drayn_n aught_o the_o more_o to_o be_v prize_v for_o in_o the_o winter_n time_n when_o the_o ice_n be_v strong_a enough_o to_o hinder_v the_o passage_n of_o boat_n as_o have_v be_v by_o some_o well_o observe_v and_o yet_o not_o able_a to_o bear_v a_o man_n the_o inhabitant_n upon_o the_o hards_n and_o the_o bank_n within_o the_o fen_n can_v have_v no_o help_n of_o food_n nor_o comfort_n for_o body_n or_o soul_n no_o woman_n aid_n in_o her_o travail_n no_o mean_n to_o baptize_v a_o child_n or_o partake_v of_o the_o communion_n nor_o supply_v of_o any_o necessity_n save_v what_o those_o poor_a desolate_a place_n do_v afford_v and_o what_o expectation_n of_o health_n can_v there_o be_v to_o the_o body_n of_o man_n where_o there_o be_v no_o element_n good_a the_o air_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n
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
nor_o the_o persian_n make_v use_v but_o hold_v a_o guard_n there_o to_o keep_v off_o stranger_n howbeit_o alexander_n the_o great_a see_v the_o opportunity_n of_o place_n cause_v a_o city_n to_o be_v build_v there_o which_o bear_v his_o name_n the_o foundation_n whereof_o be_v lay_v with_o brann_n instead_o of_o chalk_n which_o be_v take_v for_o a_o good_a omen_n which_o city_n be_v seat_v as_o it_o be_v between_o two_o sea_n have_v on_o the_o south_n the_o lake_n mareia_n or_o mareotis_n but_o it_o have_v be_v a_o intolerable_a inconvenience_n to_o have_v dwell_v in_o a_o dry_a country_n so_o far_o from_o the_o river_n nilus_n have_v not_o that_o discommodity_n be_v avoid_v by_o mean_n of_o artificial_a river_n therefore_o that_o navigable_a channel_n be_v make_v from_o canopus_n which_o become_v 8â—0_n famous_a for_o the_o practice_n of_o luxury_n another_o navigable_a river_n be_v also_o a._n make_v from_o the_o haven_n on_o the_o midland_n sea_n to_o the_o say_a lake_n mareotis_n this_o a._n lake_n be_v fill_v from_o the_o river_n nile_n by_o many_o trench_n as_o well_o from_o above_o that_o be_v out_o of_o the_o lake_n meris_fw-la whereof_o i_o have_v speak_v as_o on_o the_o side_n of_o it_o by_o trench_n cut_v immediate_o from_o the_o nile_n and_o have_v eight_o island_n in_o it_o contain_v c._n above_o a_o 150_o furlong_n in_o breadth_n and_o near_o 300_o in_o length_n be_v well_o inhabit_v round_o about_o and_o afford_v good_a corn._n by_o which_o water-passage_n a._n much_o more_o commodity_n be_v bring_v to_o alexandria_n than_o by_o sea_n so_o as_o the_o haven_n on_o the_o lake_n side_n be_v rich_a than_o that_o on_o the_o sea_n and_o more_o good_n carry_v from_o alexandria_n to_o italy_n than_o from_o italy_n thither_o as_o plain_o appear_v by_o the_o vessel_n more_o or_o less_o fraught_v which_o pass_v to_o and_o again_o from_o thence_o and_o from_o puteoli_n beside_o the_o wealth_n that_o be_v bring_v in_o at_o both_o havens_n from_o the_o lake_n and_o sea_n the_o goodness_n of_o the_o air_n be_v not_o unworthy_a to_o be_v remember_v it_o be_v occasion_v by_o the_o water_n on_o both_o side_n of_o the_o city_n and_o the_o seasonable_a rise_n of_o the_o river_n nilus_n for_o whereas_o other_o town_n situate_v by_o lake_n have_v in_o the_o heat_n of_o summer_n a_o gross_a and_o stifle_a air_n forasmuch_o as_o their_o bank_n be_v leave_v muddy_a slimy_a exhalation_n be_v draw_v up_o by_o the_o sun_n which_o make_v the_o air_n unwholesome_a and_o occasion_n sickness_n here_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o summer_n the_o nile_n be_v full_a fill_v the_o lake_n leave_v no_o part_n muddy_a to_o exhale_v any_o malignant_a vapour_n at_o which_o time_n the_o etesian_a wind_n blow_v also_o from_o the_o north_n sea_n so_o as_o the_o alexandrian_n pass_v the_o summer_n pleasant_o and_o that_o the_o improvement_n make_v in_o egypt_n by_o the_o drain_v and_o new_a river_n after_o the_o build_n of_o alexandria_n be_v very_o large_a appear_v by_o these_o follow_a instance_n in_o several_a age_n in_o b._n the_o sacred_a commentary_n of_o the_o ancient_a priest_n there_o be_v number_v in_o egypt_n city_n and_o town_n of_o note_n eighteen_o thousand_o under_o amasis_n the_o last_o king_n before_o the_o persian_a conquest_n there_o be_v 177._o twenty_o thousand_o town_n in_o egypt_n inhabit_v and_o under_o ptolemy_n the_o first_o above_o thirty_o thousand_o the_o print_a copy_n of_o diodorus_n have_v only_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o that_o read_v be_v faulty_a as_o appear_v by_o the_o precede_a number_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o theocritus_n who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o seven_o pleyade_n in_o the_o court_n of_o philadelphus_n the_o second_o ptolemy_n in_o who_o territory_n there_o 82._o be_v thirty_o three_o thousand_o three_o hundred_o thirty_o nine_o the_o improvement_n seem_v then_o to_o be_v more_o complete_a howbeit_o in_o tract_n of_o time_n through_o great_a neglect_n these_o trench_n and_o drayn_n by_o which_o the_o overflow_a of_o the_o nile_n so_o much_o enrich_v this_o country_n be_v fill_v 18._o with_o mud_n but_o augustus_n caesar_n have_v reduce_v egypt_n into_o the_o condition_n of_o a_o province_n to_o the_o roman_a empire_n cause_v they_o to_o be_v scour_v 18._o by_o his_o soldier_n which_o noble_a work_n do_v so_o much_o restore_v it_o to_o the_o fertility_n it_o former_o have_v and_o consequent_o increase_v the_o populousnesse_n thereof_o that_o the_o number_n of_o person_n there_o inhabit_v over_o and_o beside_o the_o alexandrian_n be_v short_o after_o find_v to_o be_v no_o less_o than_o seven_o million_o and_o five_o hundred_o thousand_o as_o the_o tribute_n 16._o money_n pay_v by_o every_o head_n do_v manifest_a and_o thus_o much_o for_o egypt_n cap._n ii_o babylon_n i_o be_o now_o come_v to_o that_o sometime_o famous_a city_n of_o babylon_n situate_v in_o a_o low_a and_o flat_a country_n of_o which_o sir_n walter_n raleigh_n give_v a_o reason_n why_o there_o be_v so_o little_o write_v of_o belus_n who_o succeed_v nimrod_n the_o first_o assyrian_a monarch_n say_v 4._o that_o it_o be_v think_v he_o spend_v much_o of_o his_o time_n in_o disburthen_v the_o low_a land_n of_o babylon_n and_o dry_v and_o make_v firm_a ground_n of_o all_o those_o great_a fen_n and_o overflow_v marsh_n which_o adjoin_v to_o it_o how_o the_o part_n hereabout_o come_v thus_o to_o be_v surround_v let_v we_o hear_v what_o pliny_n say_v which_o be_v thus_o in_o effect_n the_o river_n 26._o euphrates_n be_v cut_v into_o two_o part_n stretch_v its_o left_a arm_n into_o mesopotamia_n by_o seleucia_n the_o principal_a city_n in_o syria_n and_o so_o into_o tigris_n and_o it_o be_v right_a arm_n to_o babylon_n the_o chief_a city_n of_o chaldea_n whence_o pass_v through_o the_o midst_n thereof_o it_o run_v into_o the_o fen_n it_o be_v report_v 26._o that_o this_o division_n of_o that_o river_n be_v make_v by_o gobaris_n the_o perfect_a lest_o otherwise_o by_o its_o violent_a course_n it_o may_v have_v infest_a the_o city_n of_o babylon_n but_o by_o the_o assyrian_n it_o be_v call_v ibid._n naarmalcha_n which_o signify_v the_o kingly_a river_n that_o the_o inundation_n from_o this_o river_n be_v occasion_v upon_o the_o same_o reason_n as_o those_o of_o nilus_n before_o speak_v of_o we_o have_v not_o only_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o before_o specify_v 26._o author_n but_o of_o strabo_n who_o word_n 740._o be_v these_o exundat_fw-la enim_fw-la euphrates_n aestate_fw-la sub_fw-la ver_fw-la incipiens_fw-la etc._n etc._n euphrates_n overflow_v in_o summer_n begin_v at_o the_o spring_n time_n when_o the_o snow_n in_o armenia_n melt_v so_o that_o the_o field_n must_v needs_o be_v overwhelm_v with_o waterâ—_n unless_o that_o the_o flood_n be_v divert_v by_o trench_n in_o such_o sort_n as_o they_o restrain_v the_o river_n nilus_n in_o egypt_n hereupon_o therefore_o be_v it_o that_o channel_n be_v dig_v etc._n etc._n that_o the_o bank_n and_o drain_v make_v by_o belus_n do_v not_o full_o accomplish_v that_o work_n of_o drayn_v above_o mention_v or_o in_o case_n it_o do_v that_o after-age_n through_o discontinuance_n of_o their_o repair_n be_v little_o the_o better_a for_o they_o appear_v by_o the_o relation_n of_o herodotus_n 76._o who_o speak_v of_o those_o two_o famous_a queen_n of_o babylon_n viz._n semiramis_n and_o nitocris_n say_v of_o semiramis_n who_o reign_v five_o age_n before_o the_o other_o haec_fw-la per_fw-la planitiem_fw-la aggeres_fw-la extruxit_fw-la spectando_fw-la dignos_fw-la quum_fw-la antehac_fw-la flumen_fw-la eam_fw-la restagnare_fw-la solitum_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la she_o raise_v bank_n throughout_o the_o whole_a level_n worthy_a of_o observation_n whereas_o before_o she_o do_v so_o it_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v drown_v by_o the_o river_n and_o of_o nitocris_n that_o iâ—id_n be_v more_o active_a &_o diligent_a than_o her_o predecessor_n ante_fw-la omne_fw-la fluvium_fw-la euphratim_fw-la &c_n &c_n in_o the_o first_o place_n she_o divert_v the_o stream_n of_o euphrates_n into_o crooked_a channel_n which_o before_o run_v in_o a_o straight_a course_n through_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o city_n level_v the_o ditch_n above_o so_o that_o it_o may_v thrice_o flow_v into_o arderica_fw-la a_o certain_a village_n of_o assyria_n and_o that_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v convey_v by_o the_o sea_n towards_o babylon_n through_o the_o river_n euphrates_n shall_v thrice_o land_v at_o this_o village_n for_o three_o day_n together_o this_o she_o thus_o accomplish_v and_o likewise_o upon_o the_o verge_n of_o the_o say_a river_n on_o each_o side_n she_o raise_v bank_n for_o bigness_n and_o height_n wonderful_a to_o behold_v moreover_o far_o above_o the_o city_n and_o at_o some_o distance_n from_o the_o river_n she_o dig_v a_o channel_n for_o the_o fen_n as_o deep_a as_o the_o water_n which_o be_v in_o breadth_n every_o way_n near_o three_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o furlong_n and_o the_o
de_fw-fr metham_n for_o those_o betwixt_o faxflete_a and_o cawode_n and_o in_o the_o same_o year_n to_o dorso_fw-la will._n de_fw-fr vavasur_n will._n de_fw-fr houk_n and_o thomas_n de_fw-fr fisheburne_n for_o those_o in_o the_o part_n of_o merskland_n inclesmore_n &_o hovedenshire_n then_o much_o break_v and_o in_o decay_n in_o 8_o e._n 2._o upon_o complaint_n 2._o make_v by_o the_o man_n of_o merskland_n inhabit_v upon_o the_o river_n of_o done_n that_o the_o say_a river_n whereunto_o the_o sewer_n of_o the_o neighbour_a part_n do_v use_v to_o run_v be_v partly_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o sea-tide_n and_o partly_o by_o undue_a straightning_n so_o obstruct_v and_o stop_v that_o most_o part_n of_o the_o land_n thereabouts_o be_v overflow_v which_o complaint_n be_v exhibit_v to_o the_o king_n in_o parliament_n then_o sit_v at_o westminster_n he_o constitute_v 2._o john_n de_fw-fr doncastre_n roger_n de_fw-fr cloherne_n and_o robert_n de_fw-fr amecotes_n his_o commissioner_n to_o inquire_v thereof_o and_o proceed_v to_o the_o redress_n of_o the_o same_o in_o 9_o e._n 2._o the_o say_v john_n de_fw-fr doncastre_n peter_n d'eyvill_n and_o alexander_n de_fw-fr cave_n be_v assign_v dorso_o to_o inquire_v of_o the_o default_n in_o repair_n and_o cleanse_n of_o certain_a ditch_n in_o the_o part_n of_o spaldyngmore_n within_o the_o bishop_n of_o duresme_n liberty_n of_o hovedene_n whereby_o the_o low_a ground_n there_o be_v overflow_v and_o in_o the_o same_o year_n the_o say_a john_n and_o alexander_n together_z with_o hugh_z de_fw-mi louthre_o adam_n de_fw-fr midleton_n and_o adam_n de_fw-fr hopton_n have_v the_o like_a assignation_n dorso_fw-la for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o those_o bank_n upon_o ouse_n betwixt_o rikhale_n and_o hoveden_n dyke_n in_o 12_o e._n 2._o hugh_n de_fw-fr pykworth_n john_n travers_n and_o adam_z de_fw-fr hopertone_n be_v appoint_v dorso_fw-la to_o view_v the_o bank_n etc._n etc._n in_o merskland_n upon_o the_o river_n of_o done_n &_o to_o make_v they_o new_a in_o such_o place_n where_o they_o shall_v think_v fit_a the_o like_a appointment_n dorso_fw-la in_o 13_o e._n 2._o have_v john_n de_fw-fr doncastre_n adam_n de_fw-fr haperton_n and_o nich._n de_fw-fr sutton_n for_o those_o upon_o ouse_n betwixt_o bardelby_n and_o hemingbrough_n so_o also_o in_o 14_o e._n 2._o have_v dorso_fw-la alexander_n the_o cave_n thomas_n de_fw-fr houke_n and_o hugh_n de_fw-fr pikworth_n for_o those_o betwixt_o faxflete_a and_o cawode_n and_o in_o 16_o e._n 2._o the_o same_o thomas_n de_fw-fr houke_n gerard_n de_fw-fr ufflet_n and_o john_n the_o son_n of_o richard_n de_fw-fr whitgift_n have_v the_o like_a for_o dorso_o those_o on_o the_o verge_n of_o ouse_n in_o merskland_n betwixt_o the_o river_n of_o air_n and_o trent_n fall_v so_o likewise_o dorso_fw-la the_o same_o year_n have_v the_o say_a thomas_n de_fw-fr houke_n and_o will._n basset_n for_o those_o upon_o the_o say_a stream_n of_o ouse_n from_o berlay_v water-house_n to_o ayremynne_n and_o thence_o upon_o the_o water_n of_o air_n to_o the_o passage_n of_o carletone_n near_o snaythe_n in_o that_o year_n also_o do_v the_o king_n send_v his_o precept_n 1._o to_o adam_n de_fw-fr strikeland_n than_o guardian_n of_o his_o manor_n of_o hathelsay_n at_o that_o time_n in_o his_o hand_n that_o he_o shall_v cause_v the_o bank_n upon_o the_o river_n aere_fw-la belong_v to_o that_o manor_n to_o be_v repair_v in_o all_o place_n needful_a according_a to_o the_o view_n and_o testimony_n of_o honest_a and_o lawful_a man_n of_o those_o part_n in_o 17_o e._n 2._o will._n basset_n thomas_n de_fw-fr egmanton_n and_o john_n the_o son_n of_o richard_n de_fw-fr whitgift_n and_o commission_n dorso_fw-la to_o view_v the_o defect_n in_o repair_n of_o all_o the_o bank_n upon_o ouse_n in_o the_o part_n of_o mersklond_n betwixt_o the_o river_n of_o air_n and_o trentfall_n and_o the_o same_o year_n have_v alexander_n the_o cave_n thomas_n houke_n peter_n de_fw-fr saltmersh_n robert_n d'amcotes_n will._n de_fw-fr lincoln_n and_o geffrey_n de_fw-fr edenham_n the_o like_a dorso_o commission_n for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o those_o betwixt_o such_o cave_n and_o barneby_n near_o hoveden_n then_o break_v in_o divers_a place_n as_o also_o for_o the_o watercourse_n and_o ditch_n of_o beleby_n wyk_fw-mi fuâ—nath_n ragolf_n dyke_n lange_n dyke_n skelflete_a hingbriksik_n blaktoft_n damn_n thornton_n damn_n temple_n damn_n miklestek_v hebewisgote_n trakput_n mulnedam_fw-la of_o broukflet_n frisdike_n and_o hoddeflete_a all_o which_o be_v divert_v out_o of_o their_o right_a course_n by_o which_o diversion_n and_o obstruction_n and_o the_o want_n of_o repair_v those_o bank_n the_o low_a ground_n betwixt_o thornetone_n muleburne_n cathwayt_n such_o cave_n yverthorpe_n north_n cave_n and_o barneby_n near_o hoveden_n be_v overflow_v and_o in_o case_n that_o they_o who_o have_v thus_o divert_v and_o obstruct_v these_o watercourse_n be_v not_o able_a to_o repair_v they_o again_o then_o to_o distrain_v all_o such_o to_o give_v assistance_n therein_o as_o by_o such_o reduce_v they_o to_o their_o former_a channel_n and_o deobstruction_n of_o those_o stop_n shall_v receive_v benefit_n and_o safeguard_n the_o next_o year_n follow_v have_v roger_n de_fw-fr somery_n hugh_n de_fw-fr pikworth_n and_o robert_n de_fw-fr babthorpe_n the_o like_a assignation_n dorso_o for_o the_o view_n and_o repair_v of_o those_o bank_n ditch_n etc._n etc._n on_o the_o east_n part_n of_o ouse_n betwixt_o turneheved_a and_o barneby_n ferry_n as_o dorso_fw-la also_o for_o those_o on_o the_o west_n part_n betwixt_o cawode_n and_o ayremyn_n and_o betwixt_o feribrig_n and_o ayremyn_n on_o the_o south_n and_o west_n part_n in_o the_o same_o year_n likewise_o be_v alexander_n the_o cave_n thomas_n de_fw-fr houke_n peter_n de_fw-fr saltmersh_n and_o john_n de_fw-fr kilvyngtone_n constitute_v dorso_fw-la commissioner_n for_o those_o bank_n etc._n etc._n upon_o the_o coast_n of_o humbre_a and_o use_v betwixt_o the_o town_n of_o such_o cave_n and_o barneby_n near_o hoveden_n then_o break_v and_o ruinous_a and_o also_o of_o the_o watercourse_n from_o wartre_n brunnom_n brunneby_n hayton_n beleby_n beveldale_n myllington_n ulvesthorp_n killingwyke_n pokelington_n arnethorpe_n wappelington_n thorneton_n melborne_n and_o cathwayt_v then_o obstruct_v and_o divert_v out_o of_o their_o right_a course_n by_o reason_n whereof_o the_o low_a ground_n betwixt_o beleby_n such_o cave_n and_o barneby_n viz._n fulne_v rageldyke_n langdyke_n skelflete_a hingbrigstike_a blacktoft_n dam_n thornton_n dam_n temple_n dam_n mychelsyk_n helewysgot_n crakeput_n and_o the_o mylndam_fw-la of_o bromflet_n frisdyke_n be_v drown_v and_o to_o compel_v all_o those_o who_o have_v so_o divert_v and_o stop_v the_o say_v water_n to_o reduce_v they_o to_o their_o ancient_a course_n and_o where_o need_n shall_v be_v to_o make_v new_a channel_n for_o that_o purpose_n the_o like_a commission_n 10._o have_v they_o for_o the_o bank_n etc._n etc._n betwixt_o the_o river_n of_o done_n and_o bykerdyke_n within_o the_o isle_n of_o axeholme_n in_o lincolnshire_n in_o 5_o e._n 3._o john_n travers_n peter_n de_fw-fr midleton_n peter_n de_fw-fr saltmersh_n and_o simon_n de_fw-fr baldreston_n be_v assign_v dorso_fw-la to_o inquire_v concern_v the_o breach_n of_o a_o certain_a causey_n call_v foxholedyke_n make_v by_o certain_a malefactor_n in_o the_o part_n of_o merskland_n in_o this_o county_n by_o which_o breach_n the_o land_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o those_o part_n be_v drown_v in_o 7_o e._n 3._o will._n the_o hathelse_n john_n de_fw-fr clif_n and_o hugh_n de_fw-fr bradeford_n be_v appoint_v dorso_fw-la to_o view_v and_o repair_v the_o bank_n etc._n etc._n betwixt_o aermyne_n and_o selby_n so_o likewise_o in_o 11_o e._n 3._o be_v dorso_fw-la will._n basset_n thomas_n de_fw-fr brayton_n and_o john_n de_fw-fr lacie_n of_o gateford_n for_o those_o betwixt_o temple_n hirst_n and_o ayrmyne_n on_o the_o north_n side_n of_o air_n as_o also_o upon_o both_o side_n of_o the_o river_n ouse_n betwixt_o ayrmyne_n and_o selby_n in_o 13_o e._n 3._o the_o king_n direct_v his_o special_a precept_n 21._o to_o richard_n de_fw-fr aldeburgh_n and_o will._n basset_n whereby_o he_o make_v recital_n that_o whereas_o he_o have_v by_o his_o write_v under_o the_o privy_a seal_n command_v simon_n de_fw-fr grimesby_n than_o guardian_n of_o his_o manor_n of_o brustwyk_n that_o he_o shall_v cause_v his_o demesne_fw-la land_n meadow_n and_o pasture_n and_o likewise_o the_o land_n of_o his_o tenant_n within_o that_o manor_n to_o be_v drayn_v which_o have_v be_v drown_v by_o the_o overflow_a of_o water_n and_o to_o make_v a_o certain_a trench_n there_o whereby_o the_o water_n may_v pass_v away_o and_o have_v a_o direct_a course_n as_o before_o that_o time_n it_o have_v and_o the_o say_v simon_n together_o with_o his_o freeholders_n and_o bondman_n of_o that_o lordship_n do_v by_o virtue_n of_o that_o precept_n make_v a_o trench_n there_o in_o a_o certain_a place_n where_o long_o before_o there_o have_v be_v one_o and_o the_o say_a king_n be_v inform_v
that_o margery_n the_o widow_n of_o robert_n de_fw-fr botheby_n of_o rihill_n conspire_v cunning_o to_o supplant_v he_o in_o his_o right_n cause_v the_o same_o trench_n in_o the_o say_v king_n absence_n from_o england_n to_o be_v stop_v up_o and_o his_o tenant_n of_o that_o manor_n who_o be_v at_o the_o make_v thereof_o to_o be_v implead_v by_o divers_a writ_n as_o trespasser_n to_o the_o say_v margery_n allege_v that_o they_o have_v break_v the_o bank_n of_o a_o certain_a sewer_n at_o rihill_n aforesaid_a so_o that_o the_o water_n thereof_o by_o that_o breach_n do_v drown_v her_o land_n that_o she_o can_v have_v no_o profit_n by_o they_o and_o that_o certain_a writ_n of_o nisi_fw-la prius_fw-la for_o to_z take_v inquisition_n upon_o the_o premise_n be_v grant_v to_o the_o say_v richard_n and_o william_n by_o which_o in_o case_n they_o shall_v be_v take_v or_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v such_o proceed_n therein_o he_o the_o say_a king_n may_v easy_o receive_v prejudice_n and_o disherison_n especial_o if_o thereby_o his_o say_a tenant_n shall_v be_v convict_v of_o those_o trespass_n for_o than_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o he_o have_v no_o right_a to_o make_v that_o trench_n therefore_o the_o say_a king_n be_v desirous_a by_o all_o way_n he_o can_v to_o prevent_v such_o damage_n and_o disherison_n command_v the_o before-specified_n richard_n and_o william_n that_o they_o shall_v whole_o supersede_n the_o take_n of_o any_o such_o inquisition_n by_o virtue_n of_o his_o say_v write_v of_o nisi_fw-la prius_fw-la in_o 17_o e._n 3._o sir_n thomas_n ughtre_v sir_n gerard_n de_fw-fr useflet_n and_o sir_n will._n de_fw-fr kednesse_n knight_n john_n de_fw-fr bekingham_n and_o john_n de_fw-fr langeton_n be_v assign_v dorso_fw-la to_o view_v the_o bank_n betwixt_o turnbrigg_n near_o rouclif_n and_o the_o ancient_a course_n of_o the_o river_n of_o done_n in_o the_o part_n of_o merskland_n as_o also_o those_o upon_o the_o river_n of_o air_n use_v and_o do_v thereabouts_o which_o be_v then_o much_o break_v by_o the_o flood_n of_o fresh_a water_n and_o to_o take_v order_n for_o the_o repair_n of_o they_o in_o the_o same_o year_n upon_o a_o petition_n exhibit_v to_o the_o king_n in_o parliament_n by_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o merskland_n in_o this_o county_n and_o they_o of_o â—xholme_n in_o lincolnshire_n show_v that_o whereas_o king_n edward_n the_o second_o at_o the_o suit_n of_o they_o the_o say_v inhabitant_n suggest_v that_o the_o river_n of_o done_n which_o be_v the_o division_n betwixt_o the_o say_a county_n where_o the_o course_n of_o the_o water_n have_v wont_a to_o be_v aswell_o for_o the_o passage_n of_o ship_n from_o the_o town_n of_o doncastre_n unto_o the_o river_n of_o trent_n as_o for_o the_o drayn_n of_o the_o adjacent_a land_n be_v obstruct_v by_o the_o sea-tide_n and_o thereupon_o give_v commission_n to_o john_n de_fw-fr donecaster_n and_o other_o to_o clear_v the_o same_o and_o reduce_v it_o to_o it_o be_v ancient_a course_n which_o commissioner_n do_v according_o cause_v a_o trench_n of_o xuj_o foot_n and_o one_o grain_n of_o barley_n in_o breadth_n to_o be_v thereupon_o dig_v at_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o man_n of_o those_o part_n from_o a_o certain_a place_n call_v crulleflet_n hill_n unto_o denmyn_n and_o do_v thereby_o reduce_v that_o stream_n into_o its_o ancient_a course_n and_o that_o since_o the_o say_a trench_n so_o dig_v there_o be_v bridge_n floodgate_n and_o divers_a other_o obstruction_n make_v anew_o in_o the_o say_a stream_n so_o that_o it_o have_v not_o sufficient_a breadth_n but_o that_o the_o passage_n of_o ship_n be_v hinder_v and_o the_o adjacent_a ground_n overflow_v he_o therefore_o constitute_v ibid._n roger_n de_fw-fr newmarsh_n thomas_n de_fw-fr levelannor_n john_n de_fw-fr ludington_n and_o john_n the_o redness_n his_o commissioner_n to_o remove_v those_o obstruction_n in_o the_o same_o year_n upon_o dorso_fw-la information_n by_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o rykhale_n skipwith_n eskrik_n styvelyngflet_n duffeld_v and_o bardelby_n that_o the_o bank_n of_o a_o certain_a sewer_n which_o pass_v from_o the_o river_n of_o ouse_n unto_o rikhale_n be_v so_o low_a and_o ruinous_a at_o rikhale_n that_o by_o the_o flow_a of_o the_o ouse_n enter_v that_o sewer_n and_o go_v over_o the_o bank_n thereof_o divers_a land_n and_o meadow_n of_o the_o say_a inhabitant_n of_o those_o place_n as_o also_o a_o certain_a roadway_n which_o go_v from_o hoveden_n to_o york_n and_o another_o which_o come_v from_o selby_n to_o york_n through_o want_n of_o repair_n of_o those_o bank_n and_o raise_v they_o high_a be_v many_o time_n overflow_v so_o that_o the_o before-specified_n inhabitant_n for_o many_o year_n past_a have_v lose_v the_o benefit_n of_o their_o say_a land_n the_o king_n therefore_o assign_v dorso_fw-la will._n basset_n sir_n will._n the_o redness_n knight_n robert_n de_fw-fr haldanby_n and_o john_n de_fw-fr bekyngham_n his_o commissioner_n to_o inquire_v thereof_o and_o to_o redress_v the_o same_o by_o virtue_n of_o which_o commission_n they_o the_o say_v robert_n and_o john_n sit_v at_o rikhale_n upon_o friday_n be_v the_o feast_n of_o the_o decollation_n of_o s._n john_n baptist_n in_o the_o year_n abovesaid_a before_o who_o henry_n the_o moreby_o and_o his_o fellow_n juror_n be_v impanel_v and_o swear_v do_v present_a upon_o their_o oath_n that_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a sewer_n at_o ryhkale_n call_v rykhaleflete_a in_o the_o land_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o duresme_fw-fr and_o the_o prebendary_a of_o the_o prebend_n of_o rykhale_n by_o which_o the_o water_n that_o descend_v from_o the_o field_n of_o eskrik_n skipwith_n and_o rikhall_n fall_v into_o the_o river_n of_o ouse_n and_o have_v do_v so_o time_n out_o of_o mind_n and_o that_o the_o bank_n of_o the_o say_a sewer_n and_o those_o lie_v near_o thereto_o upon_o the_o say_a river_n be_v so_o low_a and_o the_o same_o sewer_n by_o the_o frequent_a ebb_a and_o flow_v of_o the_o ouse_n so_o wear_v away_o and_o enlarge_v in_o regard_n that_o the_o course_n of_o that_o river_n from_o rikhale_n towards_o the_o sea_n be_v then_o more_o straighten_v than_o former_o by_o bank_n upon_o the_o verge_n thereof_o new_o make_v for_o the_o safeguard_n of_o the_o country_n in_o divers_a place_n which_o cause_v it_o in_o floud-time_n to_o rise_v high_a than_o usual_o do_v by_o its_o entrance_n of_o that_o sewer_n over_o those_o bank_n drown_v much_o land_n meadow_n wood_n and_o pasture_n belong_v to_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o rikhale_n skipwith_n eskrik_n and_o thurgramby_n so_o that_o they_o often_o lose_v their_o benefit_n of_o those_o land_n through_o the_o want_n of_o repair_n and_o raise_v the_o bank_n of_o the_o same_o sewer_n viz._n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o dureâ—me_n his_o land_n about_o lxiiij_o acre_n of_o the_o land_n belong_v to_o the_o prebendary_a of_o rikhale_n and_o his_o tenant_n about_o a_o hundred_o acre_n of_o the_o land_n of_o john_n de_fw-fr manesergh_n about_o thirty_o acre_n of_o the_o land_n belong_v to_o the_o abbey_n of_o s._n marry_o in_o york_n lie_v in_o escrik_n park_n about_o lx_o acre_n of_o the_o land_n pertain_v to_o sir_n ralph_n de_fw-fr lascel_n avicen_n la_fw-fr constable_n nicholas_n damory_n the_o prioress_n of_o thikheve_n and_o her_o tenant_n about_o cxx_o acre_n of_o the_o land_n of_o edmund_n de_fw-fr averenge_n and_o john_n de_fw-fr skipwith_n about_o cxx_o acre_n and_o they_o also_o say_v that_o the_o roadway_n which_o lead_v from_o hoveden_n to_o york_n as_o also_o that_o high_a way_n from_o selby_n to_o york_n be_v by_o reason_n of_o that_o overflow_a of_o the_o water_n enter_v by_o the_o say_a sewer_n so_o often_o drown_v that_o no_o man_n can_v pass_v they_o and_o that_o one_o will._n le_fw-fr mareschall_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o say_v overflow_a be_v drown_v in_o that_o road_n betwiut_fw-la seleby_n and_o york_n the_o year_n before_o and_o so_o likewise_o be_v one_o walter_n redhed_n at_o another_o time_n in_o a_o place_n call_v welebrig_n overflow_v in_o such_o sort_n by_o the_o say_a water_n and_o be_v ask_v through_o who_o neglect_n it_o be_v that_o those_o bank_n be_v not_o repair_v and_o who_o ought_v to_o repair_v they_o they_o answer_v that_o the_o prebendary_a of_o the_o prebend_n of_o rikhale_n have_v in_o time_n past_a a_o certain_a mill_n which_o stand_v in_o the_o say_a sewer_n in_o a_o place_n call_v rikhaldrun_v for_o his_o own_o private_a commodity_n and_o a_o pool_n raise_v to_o a_o certain_a height_n upon_o which_o pool_n be_v a_o causey_n for_o the_o passage_n of_o cart_n and_o wane_v and_o under_o that_o pool_n a_o sluse_n six_o foot_n in_o breadth_n for_o evacuation_n of_o the_o water_n descend_v from_o the_o before-specified_n field_n by_o which_o causey_n and_o sluse_n the_o tide_n of_o ouse_n come_v up_o the_o same_o sewer_n and_o flow_v over_o the_o bank_n thereof_o enter_v the_o say_a pool_n be_v
make_v high_a by_o three_o foot_n 120._o and_o that_o guyhirne_n goal_n be_v bank_v with_o a_o bank_n of_o xuj_o foot_n and_o in_o height_n x_o foot_n by_o all_o the_o land_n lie_v in_o wisbeche_n between_o sorcel_n dike_a and_o the_o high_a fendike_n on_o the_o 12_o of_o july_n eliz._n in_o the_o same_o 13_o year_n of_o queen_n eliz._n reign_n it_o be_v thus_o order_v arm._n by_o robert_n bell_n jeffrey_n coleville_n william_n hunston_n robert_n balam_n william_n brian_n richard_n nicholas_n thomas_n hewar_n and_o henry_n hunston_n esquire_n justice_n of_o sewer_n for_o the_o country_n of_o marshland_n in_o the_o county_n of_o norffolf_n and_o for_o the_o border_n and_o confine_n of_o the_o same_o viz._n forasmuch_o as_o bishop_n dyke_n within_o the_o isle_n of_o ely_n be_v great_o decay_v by_o the_o abundance_n of_o fresh_a water_n which_o happen_v this_o last_o winter_n the_o like_a whereof_o be_v never_o see_v within_o the_o remembrance_n of_o man_n to_o the_o great_a decay_a and_o impair_n of_o break_a dyke_n be_v one_o of_o the_o defencâ—-dikes_a for_o salvation_n of_o the_o whole_a country_n of_o marshlande_n to_o the_o great_a peril_n of_o the_o drown_v the_o say_a country_n of_o marshland_n and_o to_o the_o utter_a undo_n of_o all_o the_o landholders_n of_o the_o east_n side_n of_o elm_n between_o the_o say_v bishop_n dike_a and_o break_v dike_a if_o the_o say_v bishop_n dike_n be_v not_o sufficient_o repair_v and_o amend_v in_o time_n the_o experience_n whereof_o be_v too_o manifest_a this_o last_o winter_n to_o the_o great_a loss_n of_o a_o number_n of_o the_o queen_n majesty_n subject_n the_o misery_n whereof_o be_v unspeakable_a it_o be_v therefore_o condescend_v and_o agree_v by_o the_o say_a justice_n that_o the_o landholders_n of_o elm_n within_o the_o isle_n of_o ely_n aforesaid_a between_o nedeham_n dyke_n and_o broken-dyke_n aswell_o for_o that_o the_o countty_a of_o marshland_n may_v the_o better_a repair_n and_o maintain_v the_o say_v break_v dike_a this_o last_o winter_n decay_v by_o the_o mean_n of_o the_o overflow_a of_o the_o say_v bishop_n dike_n as_o also_o to_o be_v without_o charge_n of_o make_v and_o defend_v of_o the_o say_v break_v dike_a the_o say_v break_v dyke_n be_v maintain_v which_o can_v be_v if_o the_o land_n there_o remain_v surround_v still_o and_o so_o thereby_o no_o profit_n to_o be_v reap_v by_o the_o owner_n of_o the_o same_o land_n shall_v have_v licence_n to_o issue_v out_o the_o water_n of_o oldfield_n between_o needham_n dike_v and_o break_a dyke_n at_o the_o goat_n or_o pipe_n already_o lay_v on_o break_a dike_n not_o far_o distant_a from_o blewick_n house_n and_o to_o issue_v into_o marshland_n by_o the_o direction_n of_o mr._n balam_n mr._n hewar_n and_o mr._n henry_n hunston_n through_o emneth_n and_o walsoken_n in_o the_o high_a part_n of_o marshland_n provide_v that_o when_o it_o shall_v be_v think_v by_o any_o two_o of_o the_o justice_n aforesaid_a or_o by_o any_o four_o of_o the_o chief_a landholders_n of_o the_o country_n of_o marshland_n then_o resiant_a within_o the_o say_a country_n that_o the_o same_o water_n run_v underneath_o break_a dike_n be_v hurtful_a to_o the_o country_n of_o marshland_n or_o to_o any_o part_n thereof_o or_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v perceive_v by_o any_o two_o of_o the_o say_a justice_n or_o by_o any_o four_o of_o the_o chief_a landholders_n of_o the_o country_n of_o mershland_n aforesaid_a that_o the_o charge_v bearer_n of_o bishop_n dike_n be_v negligent_a in_o the_o well_o defend_v the_o say_v bishop_n dyke_n or_o that_o the_o landholders_n of_o oldfield_n do_v not_o sufficient_o from_o time_n to_o time_n maintain_v and_o keep_v needham_n dike_a or_o lay_v any_o goat_n or_o pipe_n in_o any_o place_n of_o the_o say_v needham_n dike_a to_o issue_v any_o water_n from_o any_o part_n of_o the_o south_n side_n of_o the_o say_v needham_n dike_a or_o that_o any_o water_n be_v receive_v into_o oldfield_n by_o any_o way_n or_o device_n to_o the_o intent_n to_o utter_v the_o same_o at_o the_o goat_n in_o broken-dyke_n other_o than_o the_o downfall_n of_o the_o air_n fall_v into_o the_o aforesaid_a oldfield_n that_o then_o and_o at_o all_o time_n afterward_o it_o shall_v be_v lawful_a for_o any_o of_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o country_n of_o marshland_n so_o to_o cease_v the_o run_n of_o the_o water_n through_o the_o same_o any_o thing_n mention_v in_o this_o order_n or_o law_n to_o the_o contrary_a notwithstanding_o or_o if_o the_o owner_n of_o the_o land_n which_o do_v lie_v between_o needham_n dike_v and_o break_v dike_a or_o any_o of_o they_o do_v refuse_v to_o bear_v and_o pay_v all_o and_o every_o such_o charge_n to_o knight_n goole_n or_o to_o any_o sewer_n lead_v thereunto_o as_o the_o other_o land_n in_o marshland_n do_v according_a to_o the_o number_n of_o acre_n and_o the_o same_o to_o be_v pay_v to_o the_o dikereeve_v in_o emneth_n or_o if_o the_o owner_n and_o landholders_n of_o oldfield_n do_v not_o from_o time_n to_o time_n well_o and_o sufficient_o repair_v and_o maintain_v aswell_o the_o say_a goat_n or_o pipe_n lie_v underneath_o or_o through_o break_a dike_n as_o also_o as_o much_o of_o the_o bank_n or_o dike_n call_v break_v dike_a alias_o oldfield_n dike_v as_o the_o same_o goat_n or_o pipe_n be_v in_o length_n or_o breadth_n or_o if_o the_o same_o goat_n have_v not_o two_o strong_a door_n viz._n at_o each_o end_n one_o always_o in_o readiness_n to_o be_v shut_v or_o stop_v when_o occasion_n shall_v serve_v at_o or_o before_o the_o day_n of_o s._n michael_n the_o arch_a angel_n next_o ensue_v the_o date_n hereof_o and_o from_o time_n to_o time_n thenceforth_o to_o continue_v and_o keep_v the_o same_o in_o good_a reparation_n or_o else_o to_o cease_v as_o be_v aforesaid_a at_o a_o session_n a._n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o wisbeche_n 22_o aprâ—_n xuj_o eliz._n ordered_n that_o the_o causey_n call_v norwol_a dam_n shall_v be_v raise_v with_o gravel_n three_o foot_n high_o than_o it_o be_v at_o the_o cost_n of_o the_o hundred_o of_o wisbeche_n save_v a_o way_n to_o be_v leave_v of_o twelve_o foot_n in_o breadth_n eliz._n with_o a_o bridge_n over_o the_o same_o as_o heretofore_o have_v be_v accustom_v which_o bridge_n to_o be_v make_v at_o the_o cost_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o ely_n also_o that_o longe_n drove_n in_o elm_n shall_v be_v make_v sufficient_a to_o keep_v out_o say_v field_n water_n by_o the_o landholders_n of_o oldfield_n in_o a_o 1576_o xviii_o eliz._n be_v the_o first_o a._n improvement_n of_o needham_n &_o burial_n field_n lie_v within_o the_o precinct_n of_o upwelle_n by_o a_o agreement_n of_o the_o landholders_n there_o on_o the_o xxiiiith_o day_n of_o june_n eliz._n in_o the_o same_o year_n at_o which_o time_n they_o settle_v a_o acreshot_a of_o six_o penny_n the_o acre_n for_o defray_v the_o charge_n thereof_o and_o about_o two_o year_n after_o this_o at_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o erith_n brigge_n viz._n 4_o augusti_fw-la xx_o eliz._n it_o be_v order_v b._n by_o the_o justice_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o bank_n make_v from_o marysse_n dike_v unto_o bishop_n dike_a alias_o lovedays_n dike_v over_o the_o river_n of_o elm_n to_o be_v in_o height_n eight_o foot_n eliz._n in_o breadth_n twelve_o on_o the_o upper_a part_n and_o in_o the_o bottom_n xxxii_o foot_n as_o also_o a_o clouse_n at_o marisdam_n but_o so_o as_o boat_n may_v pass_v through_o the_o same_o and_o likewise_o that_o the_o bank_n beginning_n at_o keâ—ismill_n and_o extend_v to_o guy_n hirne_n and_o so_o by_o coldham_n to_o friday_n bridge_n in_o elm_n shall_v be_v repair_v so_o that_o the_o height_n thereof_o may_v be_v six_o foot_n the_o breadth_n in_o the_o bottom_n xxiiii_o foot_n and_o at_o the_o top_n 8_o foot_n at_o a_o session_n of_o sewer_n hold_v at_o wisebeche_n upon_o the_o 12_o of_o july_n in_o xxiii_o eliz._n it_o be_v thus_o order_v b._n that_o whereas_o the_o common_a call_v ladwer_n lie_v in_o elm_n be_v drown_v for_o want_n of_o a_o crest_n that_o there_o be_v a_o crest_n or_o bank_n make_v eliz._n begin_v at_o tylneyhirne_n and_o so_o lead_v to_o the_o new_a leame_z thence_o by_o the_o river_n of_o nene_n to_o the_o horse-shoe_n thence_o to_o marmond_n land_n thence_o to_o the_o west_n end_n of_o langbeche_n adjoin_v unto_o bishop_n dike_v which_o bank_n to_o be_v twelve_o foot_n in_o the_o bottom_n in_o breadth_n 4_o foot_n at_o the_o top_n and_o in_o height_n 5_o foot_n and_o that_o the_o sluse_n upon_o marys_n dam_n shall_v be_v take_v up_o and_o when_o the_o say_a bank_n be_v make_v then_o to_o be_v set_v at_o new_a leam_n end_n as_o also_o a_o convenient_a tenement_n build_v meet_v for_o a_o man_n to_o dwell_v in_o for_o the_o keep_n of_o the_o same_o and_o it_o be_v likewise_o