POLDERLANB
IN »
ENGELAND *
DE GESCHIEDENIS VAN EEN ZEEUWSCH BEDIJKER UIT DE GOUDEN EEUW EN ZIJNE GlfOOTSCHE HOLLANDSCH-ENGELSCHE ONDERNEMING*
(MET 22 ILLUSTRATIES EN 6 KAARTEN) DOOR.
J. KORTHALS ALTES
1924
N.V, BOEKHANDEL v/h. W. P. VAN STOCKUM & ZOON DEN HAAG
mm












POLDERLAND
IN
ENGELAND
DE GESCHIEDENIS VAN EEN ZEEUWSCH BEDIJKER UIT DE GOUDEN EEUW EN ZIJNE GROOTSCHE HOLLANDSCH-ENGELSCHE ONDERNEMING
(MET 22 ILLUSTRATIES EN 6 KAARTEN)
DOOR
J. KORTHALS ALTES
1924
N.V. BOEKHANDEL v/h. W. P. VAN STOCKUM & ZOON DEN HAAG






INHOUD.
Sladz.
Inleiding T
Hoofdstuk I.
De geschiedenis van Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme
tot de regeering der Stuarts ........ 1
Hoofdstuk II.
De ambachtsheerlijkheden (Manors) Hatfield en
Epworth (Isle of Axholme) 8
Hoofdstuk III. De droogmaking van Hatfield Chase en Isle of
Axholme 26
Hoofdstuk IV.
Administratieve en andere rnöeiljjkheden 48
Hoofdstuk V.
Vermuyden en zijne deelgenooten 63
Hoofdstuk VT.
De rechtsquaesties 129
Hoofdstuk VII.
De bestuursregeling der droogmakerijen en het einde der wrijvingen tusschen de eigenaren der drooggelegde gronden (participants) en de geërfden (commoners) 143



IV
Bl»d«.
Hoofdstuk VIII. De waterloozing en eenige plannen tot verbetering
daarvan 157
Hoofdstuk IX. Eenige beschouwingen over de huidige Engelsche
waterschaps wetgeving 181
Hoofdstuk X.
Heden en toekomst 213
Bijlagen 225



I2ST LEIDING.
Gedurende mijn verblijf in China en tijdens een bezoek bij den bekenden Hollandschen waterbouwkundige, wijlen den heer Johannes de Rijke, werd door een Engelschman mijne aandacht gevestigd op het feit, dat gedurende de regeeringsjaren der eerste Stuarts, Hollandsche bedijkers belangrijke droogmakerijen in Engeland hebben tot stand gebracht.
Dit voorbeeld van oud-vaderlandschen ondernemingsgeest scheen mij zóó belangrijk toe, dat ik wenschte er meer van te weten.
Geruime tijd verliep, alvorens ik de gelegenheid had mij aan de studie van het onderwerp te wijden, doch toen die gelegenheid kwam, bleek mij al spoedig, dat de noodige bronnen in ruime mate voorhanden waren.
Naar gelang ik met mijn onderzoek vorderde, groeide mijne belanglangsteüing en trof mij steeds meer de tegenstelling tusschen de energie van weleer en vele verschijnselen van moedeloosheid thans.
Ik besloot dan ook tot publicatie over te gaan omdat welücht in dezen nood der tijden het voor anderen nuttig kan zijn kennis te nemen van het bedrijf onzer stoere voorouders.
Moge mijne publicatie medewerken tot het doen opleven van het particulier initiatief.
Bij mijne studie raadpleegde ik de volgende werken:
De la Pryme's Manuscript (British Museum London).
GeorgeStovin's Manuscript (Hatfield Chase Corporation te Doncaster).



VI
Sir William Dugdale's History of Imbanking & Draining.
W. Peck's Isle of Axholme.
Dr. W. Stukeley's Itinerarium Curiosum.
Rev. W. B. Stonehouse's The History and Topography of the Isle of Axholme.
John Tomlinson's Hatfield Chase and Parts adjaeent.
George Dunston's The Rivers of Axholme.
Verder dank ik de brieven, op Cats en zijne omgeving betrekking hebbende, aan het Museum Catsianum der Universiteitsbibliotheek te Leiden en de brieven van Vermuyden aan de welwillendheid van dominus S. Baart de la Faille en den kerkeraad van de Hollandsehe Kerk te Londen, terwijl de heer J. Rus, koster dier kerk, mij behulpzaam was.
Den Hertog van Bedford zeg ik ten zeerste dank voor de gelegenheid, mij geschonken, om van zijne bibliotheek te profiteeren en den heer Colonel E. V. Gordon, chef van het Bedford Office, voor zijne betoonde vriendelijkheid.
Ik ben voorts een woord van dank schuldig aan Mr. W. Lane-Claypon te Wheathampstead; Mr. W. Thornber, ingenieur van de West Riding County Council te Leeds; de heeren John Simmons, M. Inst. C. E. en J. H. Simmons, F. A. S. I., ingenieurs van de Hatfield Chase Corporation; Mr. W. Arthur Ross te Belton, Mr. G. R. C. Harding te Lincoln; Professor Mr. J. van Kan te Leiden; den heer Dr. J. E. Kroon, assistent van de Universiteitsbibliotheek te Leiden; en den heer C. Hollestelle, archivaris van Tholen.
Ten slotte nog een woord van bijzonder warmen dank aan Colonel E. S. Somerville, griffier van het Waterschap der Hatfield Chase te Doncaster, en aan mijn vriend C. H. J. Clayton, M. Inst. C. E., oud-Hoofdingenieur van den Waterstaat te Londen, voor hunne vele nuttige wenken en groote hulpvaardigheid; aan mijn vriend Mr. A. Meerkamp van Embden, Rijksarchivaris in Zeeland te Middelburg, voor zjjne vriendelijke hulp en uitmuntende zorg bij het nauwkeurig weergeven der correspondentie van Cats



TH
en zijne familieleden, waardoor deze geheel in overeenstemming is met de origineele handschriften, en aan mijne vrouw voor hare goede kameraadschap.
Allen hebben mij, op hunne wijze, bijgestaan bij het verzamelen en publiceeren der gegevens omtrent een groot man en een grootsch werk.
Pope heeft gedicht:
Bid harbours open, Public ways extend;
Bid Temples, worthier of God, ascend; Bid the broad Arch the dangerous nood contain
The Mole projected break to roaring main. Back to his bounds their subject sea command,
And roll obedient rivers through the land. These honours, Peace to happy Britain brings;
These are imperial works, and worthy kings.
Zulk een koning was de Zeeuw Cornelis Yermuyden. Belton, Isle of Axholme, 1921—1923.
J. KORTHALS ALTES.



A PSALM OF LIFE. What the heart of the young man said to the psalmist.
Teil me not in mournful numbers "Life is but an empty dream !" For the soul is dead that slumbers And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; "Dust thou art, to dust returnest" Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each to-morrow Find us farther than today.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting, And our hearts, though stout and brave Still, like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the grave.
In the world's broad field of battle In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle I Be a hero in the strife !
Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant! Let the dead Past bury its dead ! Act — act in the living present ! Heart within, and God o'erhead !
Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime And, departing, leave behind us Footprints in the sands of time;
Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o'er life's solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labour and to wait.
Longfellow.



Het wapen van Vermuyden.






HOOFDSTUK I.
Indien wij Abraham de la Pryme, den geschiedschrijver dezer streken, mogen gelooven, dan werd dit gedeelte van Engeland in oude tijden door de Cimbreh bewoond. Deze Cimbren of Britten woonden niet in huizen, doch het bosch was hunne woning en zij trokken als nomaden van plek tot plek, hun vee met zich voerende. Zij leefden van de jacht, visscherij en van de melk hunner koeien.
Het laat geen twijfel of Hatfield Ohase en de Isle of Axholme waren weliswaar deels uiterst moerassig, doch beplant met zware bosschen en boden den bewoners een gemakkelijk toevluchtsoord in geval van een vijandelijken overval.
Later bouwden de Britten van boomstammen, die zij velden, hunne woningen en stallen. De heining en slooten, die het geheel omgaven moesten als verdediging tegen wilde dieren en vijanden dienen.
Langzamerhand werden de verhoudingen der bewoners in deze streken meer geregeld, doch wat betreft het afwateren van gronden of aanleggen van kanalen en wegen, daaraan lieten zij zich niets gelegen liggen.
Totdat in 44 n. O. Claudius met zijne Romeinen deze landen binnen viel en door betere bewapening en organisatie betrekkelijk gemakkelijk de oorspronkelijke bewoners voor zich uitdreef.
Herhaaldelijk boden de Britten echter weer tegenstand, bevochten zij hun vrijheid. In het jaar 50 n. O. moet het tot een veldslag geleid hebben op de grenzen van Hatfield Chase.
Nabij het dorp Austerfield tusschen Hatfield en Doncaster moet die slag geleverd zijn. Allerlei opgegraven wapenen, schilden en munten zijn daarvan de getuigen. In de kerk te Hatfield kan men verscheidene dezer relequien vinden.



ö
Lang schijnen de Britten den tegenstand te hebben volgehouden. Van uit de oerwouden van Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme deden zij strooptochten, totdat de Romeinen, van een gunstigen wind gebruik makend, het bosch in brand staken en aldus bosch en schuilplaats vernietigden.
Overal waar men graaft treft men in den grond de overblijfselen van dit bosch aan.
De Romeinen dwongen de overwonnen Britten om zich in deze streken te vestigen, woningen te bouwen en zich op landbouw en veeteelt toe te leggen.
De stichting van Hatfield dateert uit die dagen.
De Romeinen lieten niet na hun invloed te doen gelden.
Wat wegenaanleg betreft vinden wij, dat de bekende Romeinsche weg, de Ermine Road, die loopt van Lincoln (Lindum) tot Little Burrow upon Trent (Segelonum), een zijtak heeft naar Doncaster, het Romeinsche Danum, waar een garnizoen van Crispiniaansch paardenvolk lag.
Wat waterwegen betreft is het niet met zekerheid uit te maken, doch bestaat er mijnerzijds een sterk vermoeden dat de Romeinen getracht hebben Hatfield Chase ten behoeve hunner kampen in en om Danum (Doncaster) van al te overtollig water te bevrijden door het graven van Bycarrs dyke.*)
Ten opzichte der bevolking het de Romeinsche invloed zich vooral bij de jongeren gelden, zoodat reeds spoedig verdere generatiën van Britten zich kleedden en gedroegen als de Romeinen en hun gewoonten, zoowel de goede als de kwade, navolgden.
De welvaart der Britten nam toe, zij leerden van de Romeinen het aanleggen van vruchtbaar akker- en weiland en dank zij de vruchtbaarheid van den grond, de geboden scheepsgelegenheid ter bevordering van handel en verkeer, nam Hatfield en omgeving in de 4° eeuw onzer tijdrekening een belangrijke plaats in.
') Naar mijne meening ongeveer gelijktijdig gegraven met het oude Romeinsche kanaal de Carr Dyke in het Fendistrict nabij Lincoln.



3
Hatfield Chase en de Isle of Axholme echter bleven boschrijk, doch moerassig, de Bycars Dyke bleek onvoldoende om het overtollige water af te voeren.
Inmiddels naderden (ongeveer 390 n. C.) uit het Noorden de Pieten en Schotten met de bedoeling de rijke Britten te berooven.
De Britten waren niet tegen de barbaarsche aanvallers opgewassen. De kern der Britsche jongelingen waren met de Romeinsche legioenen meegetrokken. De bevolking, door rijkdom en verkeerde zeden verslapt, trachtte wel, onder gewezen aanvoerders, krachtigen weerstand te bieden, doch te vergeefs. De Romeinen ter hulp geroepen, wisten de Noordelijke aanvallers te verslaan. De moeilijkheden van het Romeinsche Keizerrijk waren in die dagen echter reeds te groot dan dat een garnizoen kon blijven.
Er volgde nu een tijdperk van voortdurende onrust, dat eindigde met het voor goed verdwijnen der Romeinen.
In 428 landden ruim tienduizend Saksers onder aanvoering van Hengist en Horsa.
Vortigern, Koning der Britten, zag geen kans met zijne verwijfde edelen en bevolking aan de Saksers het hoofd te bieden en gaf er de voorkeur aan den steun van deze uitgelezen troepen te aanvaarden ter beteugeling der aanvallen door Pieten en Schotten. Hiermede begon het Saksische tijdperk van Engeland.
Koning Hla, die van 561 tot 591 regeerde, vestigde zich in Hatfield als zijne residentie en wederom kende Hatfield en omgeving een gouden tijdperk, dat echter gevolgd werd door een van strijd, zoodat in 633 aan de rivier de Idle nabij Hatfield een slag geleverd werd, waarbij Koning Edwin, door de Britten, om het leven kwam.
Later in 910 streed Koning Eduard van Engeland hier tegen de Noormannen. In 924, 942 en 944 hielden de Noormannen in deze streken strooptochten. Deze strooptochten werden echter afgekocht en wij lezen in de Saxon Chronicle over het jaar 991: „In that year it was decreed that ■„tribute, for the first time, should be given to the Danishmen,



4
„0n account of the great terror which they caused by the „sea-coast; that was at first ten thousand Pounds: this „counsel was first given by Archbischop Sirac."
In 1013 voer Koning Swain van Denemarken met zijn vloot de Humber en daarna de Trent tot Gainsborough op.
De Trent heeft bij opkomend water een bijzonder snel getij. Het water zet zoo snel op, dat het onder luid gedruisch als het ware de rivier oprolt.
De Denen, onbekend met dit feit, zagen plotseling het water al brommend en bruisend aankomen en dachten niet anders of Aegir, hun God van de Zee, was vertoornd op hen en kwam zijn toorn wreken. „Aegir, Aegir!" riepen zij in hun angst. Heden noemen de bewoners van de oevers van de Trent de vloedgolf nog bij den naam van „aegrev.
Sweyn stierf te Gainsborough en zijn zoon en opvolger •Canut werd door Koning Ethelrid verdreven.
In 1066 verschenen de Noormannen weer en bezetten zelfs York. Nadat Koning Harold hen met groote moeite verdreven had, moest hij zich naar het Zuiden van Sussex spoeden, waar Willem, Hertog van Normandie, met 50.000 man geland was. Koning Harold en zijne troepen werden verslagen, de Koning en bijna 70.000 Engelschen gedood.
Willem werd Koning van Engeland. De invallen der Noormannen hielden nog enkele jaren aan, vooral doordat de bewoners van York, niet bereid zich aan Willem den Veroveraar te onderwerpen, de Denen te hulp riepen. Wel kwamen de Denen, ook bleven zij een paar jaar met hunne schepen in de Humber, Ouse en Trent geankerd, deden inmiddels invallen in de omgeving dezer rivieren en van de Don om echter ten slotte in 1070 met rijken buit deze streken voor goed te verlaten.
De Denen verdwenen, maar tot op heden is hun machtigen invloed nog merkbaar.
Alleen reeds al in de vele plaatsnamen van deenschen oorsprong.
Zie een naam als Thoresby, zoowel het „Thor" als het „by" is typisch deensch.



5
Butterwick met de uitgang wiek (vik) is evengoed door de Denen gedoopt als het eveneens aan de Trent liggende Althorpe, met de uitgang „thorpe".
Grimsby is deensch
Er zijn namen, die mij nog meer aan het IJslandsoh, het onvervalschte Scandinavisch, dan aan het huidige deensch doen denken.
Een merkwaardige naam is Frisby, het dorp der Friezen.
Met Willem den Veroveraar begint een geheel nieuw tijdperk voor Engeland en ook voor Hatfield Chase en de Isle of Axholme.
Koning Willem begiftigde zijnen ridder William de Warren met den titel van Graaf van Surrey en met het bezit van Conisborough, waartoe meer dan twintig heerlijkheden, waaronder dio in en om de Isle of Axholme en Hatfield Chase gelegen, (Hatfield, Tudworth, Thorne, Fishlake enz.) behoorden. William de Warren trouwde met Geertruida, een dochter van Willem den Veroveraar.
. Hij was klaarblijkelijk een humaan en vroom man, die de welvaart en godsdienstzin der bevolking bevorderde. Hij stichtte kerken en kloosters en wij lezen bij Dugdale, dat hij de opbrengst van paling en andere visch, van de kerspelen Hatfield, Thorne en Fishlake schonk aan de kerk en de monnikken van Roupe.
Veel meer dan wild en visch brachten deze heerlijkheden, die hoofdzakelijk uit meren, moerassen en bosschen bestonden, niet op.
Onder Edward II bedroegen de inkomsten van de heerlijkheid Hatfield, waar Hatfield Chase toebehoorde, ^222.13.4, een groot bedrag voor die tijden. John, de laatste Graaf de Warren, die leefde onder de regeering van Edward IH had verscheidene inkomsten aan anderen afgestaan en na zijn dood verviel de heerlijkheid Hatfield aan de Kroon.
Inmiddels was in 1174 de Isle of Axholme het toevluchtsoord geworden van Roger de Mowbray, constabel van Engeland, Simon de Montfort en andere edelen, aanhangers van Prins Henry tegen zijn vader Koning Henry II.



6
Nadat de edelen de verdediging van het kasteel Kenelworth moesten opgeven, trokken zij naar de Isle of Axholme, waar Roger de Mowbray, die heer van Epworth en Axholme was, te Owston Ferry eene sterkte, Kinniard Castle, bezat. In dit waterland, de Isle of Axholme, dat zooveel natuurlijke verdediginskansen bood, wisten zij zioh geducht te versterken en langen tijd tegenstand te bieden. Ten slotte werd Kinniard Castle door de Lincolnshirders genomen en verwoest.
De stad Hatfield had, door hare bijzondere ligging, hoog en omringd door rivieren, weinig geleden van den strijd, die eerst door Willem den Veroveraar tegen zijne weerspannige onderdanen en later tusschen de edelen en de Koningen gevoerd werd en was dan ook in bloei toegenomen.
Koningin Philippa, echtgenoote van Koning Eduard III, resideerde in het Manor House te Hatfield terwijl haar Gemaal tegen de Schotten optrok.
In die jaren was het Fransch de taal van adel en patriciërs, terwijl het mindere volk Angelsaksisch sprak. Bij Act of Parliament, gedurende de Regeering van Eduard III, in het jaar 1367, werd voor rechtzaken Engelsch als spreektaal voorgeschreven, daar de groote massa geen Fransch verstond.
Inmiddels werd Engeland door pest geteisterd, zoodat, terwijl de bevolking van Engeland, toen Eduard III aan de Regeering kwam, 4 millioen zielen telde, Richard II slechts over de helft regeerde.
Hatfield had in de dagen van dezen vorst slechts 123 inwoners 'boven 16 jaar.
Wij kunnen gerust het tijdperk dat nu volgt overslaan tot Hendrik VIII en wel tot het'jaar 1536.
De Koning had door het invoeren van den Protestantschen godsdienst een groot deel van zijn volk tegen zich in het harnas gejaagd. In het jaar 1536 naderde een leger van 50.000 opstandelingen do Rivier de Don, met de bedoeling die over te trekken. Het leger van den Koning verdedigde alle overgangen o.a. bij de stad Hatfield, waar de Hertog van Norfolk, de aanvoerder der Koninklijke



Romeinsche voorwerpen.
Poort van het oude kasteel Kinniard te Owston Ferry aan de Trent.






7
troepen, o.a. op 4 en 5 December 1536 zijn tijdelijk hoofdkwartier had en daar het volgende eigenhandig schrijven van "zijn Koninklijken meester ontving: „We dorightwell „approve and allow your proceedings in the displaying of „our banner. And forasmuch as the same is now spread and „displayed, by reason whereof, till the same shall be clo„sed again, the course of our laws must give place to the „ordinances and statutes martial; our pleasure is that be„fore you close up our said banner again, you shall, in „any wise, causo such dreadful execution to be done upon „a good number of the inhabitants of every town, village „and hamlet, that have offended in this rebellion, as well „by the hanging of them on the trees, as by the quartering „of them, and the setting of their heads and quarters in „every town, great and small, and in all such other places, „as they may be a fearful spectacle to all other hereafter „that would practice any like matter; which we require „you to do, without pity or respect, according to our „former letters".
Zoo waren eeuwen achtereen deze streken getuigen van strijd, plundering, brandstichting en onrust en werd er, behalve in het Romeinscho tijdperk, vrijwel niets aan verbetering van afwatering en verkeer gedaan.
Totdat eindelijk een der dochters van Koning Hendrik VIII, Koningin Elisabeth, zich meer om de materieele belangen van de, aan haar toebehoorende, heerlijkheid van Hatfield bekommerde en in 1558 onderzoek en rapport gelastte omtrent de Hatfield Chase in Hare Heerlijkheid Hatfield.
Hiermede begon een nieuw tijdperk voor Hatfield Chase en de Isle of Axholme.
Een nieuw tijdperk echter, dat in wezen pas zou aanvangen, nadat de laatste Vorstin uit het Huis Tudor opgevolgd zou zijn door de Koningen uit het Huis Stuart.
Een nieuw tijdperk, niet alleen voor deze, maar voor vele laaggelegen en onder waterbezwaar lijdende landen in Engeland.



HOOFDSTUK II.
Tot de heerlijkheid Hatfield, waarvan, na den dood van Graaf John de Warren, het eigendom weer aan de Kroon vervallen was, behoorde ook de Hatfield Chase of Hatfield Wildbaan.
De grootte van dit terrein was ongeveer 70000 acres*), doch de grenzen stonden in dit moerassig terrein, waarin grenspalen dikwijls verzakten en verdwenen, niet bepaald vast, waarbij nog deze moeilijkheid kwam, dat de houtvesters en jagers de jachtrechten des Konings ver over de aangenomen grenzen uitstrekten, waardoor de werkelijke grootte der heerlijkheid nog dubieuser werd.
De opperjagermeester van Hatfield Chase had den titel van King's Bowbearer. De laatste Bowbearer van Koning Hendrik VHI, was Sir Robert Swift, een algemeen geacht burger uit deze omgeving, die niet alleen bij Koning Hendrik, doch ook bij diens dochter Koningin Elisabeth en bij Jacobus I in groot aanzien stond en door dezen laatste in den adelstand, met den titel van Sir, verheven werd.
Boven opperjagermeester, jagers en houtvesters stond, als vertegenwoordiger des Konings, de Surveyor-General, of Opperhoutvester.
In de laatste jaren der regeering van Koning Hendrik VIII, werd Frances, Earl of Shrewsbury, tot SurveyorGeneral benoemd. Dit ambt bleef toen in dezelfde familie gedurende de regeering van Koningin Elisabeth, Koning Jacobus I en Koning Karei I.
In het l8t0 jaar van Hare Rogeering, in 1558, gaf Koningin Elisabeth aan haren Surveyor-General de op-
») Een acre =» 0.4 H.A.



9
dracht om de grenzen van Hatfield Chase vast testellen. Wij lezen daaromtrent in de la Pryme's Manuscript:
"The Bcmnds oi ye Ldship of Hatfield, in ye Country of York."
An Inquisition taken at Hatfield, by ye Commission of ye Right Honourable George Earl of Shrewsbury, in ye Court call'd ye Swaynmot Court, in ye 5th Year of ye Reign of our Sovereign Lady Eliz:, by ye Grace of God Queen of England, France (?) and Ireland, Defender of ye faith, &c, and in ye year of our Lord 1563, bef ore ye Justices of our sayd Sovereign Lady ye Queen, of her forrests and Chases of ye North side of Trent j that is to say, bef ore Sr Thomas Gargreave Kt, Henry Savil and Frances Frobisher Esquiers, by ye oaths of John Wormley, John West, Peter Sleforth, Thomas Stones, Edw Stear, Wm Forster, Richard Broadbent, George Reeder, Wm Trimmingham, John Newsom, John Bryan, Thomas Ravan, Thomas Wait, Edmond Wright, Robert Atkinson, Dennis Margeson, Richard Downing, and Thomas^ Smith, sworn as well to set out and mark ye Metts and Bounds of ye Ldship of Hatfield as of ye Chace, of and for ye Queen's Majesty's Game belonging to ye same, as of other things, who say upon their oaths:
"That ye first Bounder of ye Ldship beginnith at Hownwood^ side, with a Meer stone marked with a Cross on ye top; and so goeth or runneth betwixt ye Hard Ground and ye Soft; thence to Hown Wath, as it is bounded with stones and stakes crossed on yeir Tops in 8 several places; and from ye sayd Hown Wath forward, between ye hard ground and ye soft, eo ye East Corner of Hown-House-Close-nook; and so onwards following ye close Ing belonging to ye sayd Hown House, to ye West Corner of them; and from thence betwixt ye hard Ground and ye soft along by Hown-Wood-side in GommalClose-Nook; and from thence by ye Dike Brow to ye West Corner called Commal-style; and from thence by an old Dike, betwixt ye Wayn Way and ye soft ground to Curson-CroftNook; and so after ye Dike Leding to Curson Well; and from thence by an old Dike leading to ye Park-House-Croft-Style; and so to ye Park-lane End; and from thence leading on to ye West and ye North of ye Park-house-Closes to ye Park-nook joining to Bramwith-Carr at ye sheep-Bridg; and so leading ye Way to ye other sheep-bridge; and from thence to ye Land Ends called Double-gate-Layn; and so through ye sayd Layn to Smithy-Green; and so to ye water of Dun naer Bramwith ford; and from thence leading to ye sayd Water of Dun along Bramwith Marsh to Stainford Ing; and from thence by ye Water to ye Lode-End of ye North side of y sayd Water of Dun, all along against Stainford; and from ye sayd Lode-End Leading



10
by ye Lode to Woodhouse Ingg; and by ye sayd Lode to Fallthro-nook; and from thence to a Dike call Green-Dike, leading betwixt ye Parish Ingg of Fishlake on ye East and ye Parish of Bramwith on ye West to a place called Wicket; and from thence leading by Flaxley-Carr-End to Scruthill; and from thence by a Dike called Scrutt Dike to Bladworth-field-Dike, within ye Parish Ingg of Campsall; and from thence leading to Scrutt-Lane, and thence to Ccrutt-Pit; and then along ye East side of Thorn Haigh to the Park-dike; and so over by ye Park-dike to Land-Hern; and so upon ye West and ye North side of ye sayd Landhern to ye fleet-dike, leading by Sudcroft to Dousthorp field into Went; and so by Went to Burgon-Pitt; and from thence by ye North side of Goos Hill to MickellIngg-nook; and from thence by Went on ye North side of a Close called Mickel Ingg, late Hodgsons, leading into Went; and so by Went to Wentmouth, joining upon Turn-Bridg-Dike, and by ye sayde Dike to Wringle; and from thence by Wringle over Dikes-Marsh to a More called John-a-More-long; and over ye Wast of ye Mores leading right upon Burton Church in Lincolnshire to ye West end of Eastoft-more-dike; and so leading along ye Wast to a Syke called Black Syke, by ye River Dun to Lax-Garth, and ye Willow Row, and thence by Dun to White Wath, and so to ye East side of Tockfleet by Dun to a Garth called Saunder-Garth; and so on by Dun to a Meer stone lying at Dirk-ness-crook, which lyeth betwixt ye Lordship of Hatfield, ye Lordship of ye Isle of Axholm, and ye Ldship of Crowl; so leading by Dun, on ye south side of Dirkness, it runs by Belton Planes to ye Heaps, thence to Bouth Ea, and so on to Sampson Lodg, and thence by Dun betwixt Thorn Bush Carr and Nortoft into ye Water of Idle; and thence by Idle to Santoft Ferry, thence by Idle to ye water of Torn; and all along thence by ye South side of sayd water to Wroot-fleet, and thence by ye sayd water to a place called God's-cross, where standeth one cross of Wood; and from thence by a Dike called Priest-fleet to ye West end of ye Common-Bridge; and so by ye Wood. side to ye stone in Woolstock; and from thence betwixt ye Hard Ground and ye soft to Nettleholms; and so to the South End of Dickon Dike, and along ye sayd Dike to ye North End of it, to ye stone where we began. finis.
The boundaries are thus stated in an Inquest taken October 1607,
fifth of James the First:
"First beginning at God's-Cross in the Torne; and from thence to a place called Altam-dike-end; and from thence to a place called Spittle-house-Gate; and so betwixt the hard and the soft to a place called Priestfleet, nigh Gate-hall; and



11
so along a close side called Havercroft, and so along to the height of a hill called Hollin-hill, and Cowbridge-end; and from thence right over to the Grey-stone in Wall-stock; and so along after Wallstock-side to a place called Dickan-dyke in Nettleholme; and so on up Dican-dyke to the hard in Holmewood; and so by stone and stake to a place called Holme-wath; and so turneth along towards Holme-house; and betwixt the hard and soft to Ganndll-close-nook; and so after Gannal-side to the Far-nook of Gannall; from thence to a close called Carsen-croft; and so on Stocks-croft-stile, hard and soft; from thence to Park-lane end; and sc after the clos's side to Awne Tarr; and so after the Park-pales to a bridge called the Sheepbridge; from thence to the Doublé Lidate-lane; and so over the water of Don round about a little piece of common by the Mere-dike-side to the water of Don; and so along the river to Stainforth-ferry; and so up a little goole to Woodhouse-ingside; and so up the Loade to Faugh Fallow-dike and Woodhouse Shuttle by Plumtree-hill; and from thence up the Greendike, leading to Heli-wicket; and so on up one side by the edge of the Carr-hill to Bladworth-field; and so to Scrute-pit; from thence down Fleet-dike to Burgan-pit; from thence to Went's-mouth; and so from thence about the Wringle to Newdike; from thence to the height of the moors; and so straight off Burton church into the Moor-dike-end; and from thence to a place called Duckling-lodge and Duckling-sike; and so through the Black-water to old Dun; and follow old Dun to Darkness Crook; and from thence up to old Dun bank into Idle; and so up Idle to Clark-lodge; and from thence up the water of Torne to Linden Flete; and so up along the water of Torne to God's-cross, where we began."
Although the exact bounds {encircling about 70.000 acres) were thus minutely circumscribed the regarders of Hatfield Chace claimed for the royal deer a wider range to "run and to leap", which deer should still be accounted under their supervision. The following appendix to the survey of 1558 (First of Elizabeth) is not without interest:
A perambulation walked and gone about the uttermost part of the chase of Hatfield for the Queen's Majesty's deer of the said chase to go free scope and Ieape.
"The perambulation made by the regarders by the appointment of the Right Honourable George Earl of Shrewsbury, Sir Thomas Gargrave, Knight, and other commissioners appointéd by the Queen's Majesty's commission to them directed from Her Highness, whose names follow: Andrew Kellum,



12
Alexander Metham, (and eleven others). The perambulation was begun betwixt the lordship of Hatfield and one water betwixt Lincolnshire and Yorkshire called Wroote-flete; and so going to the water called Idell, dividing Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, to a brigg SadVer-bridge and from Sadler-Bridge round about Misterton Carr; and then by the water going to Bawtry, as Yorkshire goeth called Bawtry-water dividing Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire; and so from Bawtry; as Yorkshire goeth, to Searleby-beck; and from thence to Tickhill-bridge; and from thence betwixt the hard ground and the soft to Loversalefield and to Balby-oak; and from thence to Carr-house; and from thence to Wheatley-field; and from thence to Warren-hall (in Sykehouse); to Askern betwixt the hard ground and the soft; from thence betwixt the hard ground and the soft to Stubs-bridge; and from thence betwixt the low ground of Womersley-Held to Fulham; from Fulham to Heek; from Heek to Hensall; and so to Weilland upon the river of Ayre to Turnbridge-dyke, and so to Rawcliffe; and so leading by the water of Ayre to Ayremin; from thence to Swineflete; from thence to Whyenne's-gate; from thence to Old Don from thence to the Moordyke-bank, where Yorkshire ends and Lincolnshire meeteth."
Wat de inkomsten in die dagen betreft vind ik de volgende cijfers: £ s<j.
The profit of ye Hills ariseing from ye Fish and Fouls 40. 0.0 The park with ye Warren, and ye Park Carr a
Coppice 40. 0.0
The land and Meadow, ye Hope, and Martin Jugg 26.13.4 The Lease of the Parsonage of Hatfield with ye
Members, viz., Thorn, Steynford, Woodhouse,
Dunscroft, Bramwith etc 130. 0.0
Several Parcels of land amounting yearly to . . 243. 6.8 The Park, with all ye Severals thereunto belonging 60. 0.0 The Great Mear and Countess Mear, with other
Water thereto belonging 40. 0.0
The Joyst-Rent of ye Severals per Annum. . . 20. 0.0
The Wind Mill, now let yearly for 8. 0.0
But ye Soak which is tyed to it is worth yearly 20. 0.0
The Martyn Jugg 9. 0.0
The Earls Jugg and Hope per annum £ 11.—
but worth. . 20. 0.0



13
The Wafes and Strays and Fellons' Good paid £ s,d' yearly by yo Bayliff to Ye Ld Sheffield amounts
to about 20. 0.0
Uit deze laatste post blijkt dat Lord Edmund Sheffield toen jagermeester was als opvolger van Sir Gervase Clifton. Dit ambt was tevoren steeds in handen der familie Lee van Hatfield geweest en zullen wij later zien dat gedurende de Regeering van Koning Jacobus Sir Henry Lee dit ambt bekleedde.
Om op de inkomsten van de heerlijkheid Hatfield, incluis de Chase, terug te komen moet ik U nog de volgende cijfers noemen; sê s d
The Mastership of the Game is worth. . . . . 10. 0.0 The House Orohard and Meadow Close adjoining 0. 0.0 Common pasture per omnibus averens .... 0. 0.0 The Placeing and Displaceing of Keepers ... 0. 0.0 Two Ferrys at Staynforth & Bramwith .... 2. 0.0 • Onder de kosten die daar weer afgaan vonden wij:
£ s.d.
For Thorn Moor Rent and to the Queen. ... 12. 0.0 For ye Park and Warren, ye Park Carr and Coppice 6. 3.0 For Wafes, Strays and Fellons' Goods .... 0.10.0
For ye Wind Mül 0.13.0
For ye Parsonage of Hatfield, with Tithes as before 26.13.4
To ye Vicar and a Curate yeaily 15. 0.0
terwijl er nog bijna 20 shilling aan diversen betaald moesten worden.
Het is niet precies na te gaan of de koninklijke arnbachtsheeren dikwijls van de jacht in Hatfield Chase profiteerden, het is bijvoorbeeld zeer de vraag of koning Hendrik VHI, toen hij in 1541 York bezocht, inderdaad zooals de la Pryme wil doen voorkomen, zijn reis in Hatfield onderbrak, ten einde een reejacht in zijn wildbaan te houden.
Doch zelfs indien een enkele maal de koning zijn jachtrecht kwam uitoefenen, laat het toch geen twijfel of de bevolking van Hatfield Chase beschouwde deze wildbaan



14
meer als haar eigen jachtterrein dan dat van den koning en werd in die denkbeelden zeker nog versterkt door hare buren, de bewoners van het, aan Hatfield Chase grenzende en daarmede ineen loopende, Isle of Axholme.
Ofschoon de groote stormen der tijden ook niet zonder invloed op de Isle of Axholme waren geweest en de geschiedenis van de Isle1), wat do groote lijnen betreft, dezelfde is als van Hatfield Chase, is er wat de plaatselijke historie betreft, een groot verschil.
Wij hebben reeds vroeger gezien dat de Isle of Axholme deel uitmaakte van Epworth Manor en toebehoorde aan het geslacht der Mowbray's.
Koning Hendrik I had Ni gel de Albini, een der dapperste en bekwaamste aanvoerders, die met Willem den Veroveraar uit Normandië naar Engeland waren overgestoken, met Epworth en Axholme beleend.
Deze Albini veranderde zijn naam in Mowbray.
De Mowbrays kwamen in groot aanzien, Thomas Mowbray werd in 1398 door koning Richard II tot hertog van Norfolk verheven.
Henry of Bolingbroke beschuldigde den hertog van moord op zijn zwager Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester, oom van den koning.
Naar aanleiding van het duel, dat volgde, werden beide edelen verbannen, Mowbray de uitdagende partij, levenslang.
In Shakespeare's Richard II lezen wij over de verbanning van Bolingbroke „till twice five summers have enriched our fields" terwijl de koning tot Mowbray zegt: „Norfolk, for thee remains a heavier doom, „Which I with some unwillingness pronounce. „The fly-slow hours. shall not determinate „The dateless limit of thy dear exile „The hopeless word of never to return „Breathe I against thee, upon pain of life". Richard II, I. 3.
') Isle == eiland. Isle of Axholme ontving den naam van eiland, omdat het door rivieren omringd was.



15
De hertog van Norfolk stierf twee jaar na zijn verbanning in Venetië, waar ongeveer vier eeuwen later zijn graf in de kerk van St. Marous werd gevonden, waarna zijn lijk naar Engeland werd overgebracht.
Bollingbroke had zijn vijand weer willen doen terugroepen.
„And though mine enemy, restored again „to all bis lands and signories".
Doch de Bisschop van Carlisle antwoordt: „That honourable day shall ne'er be seen „many a time has banished Norfolk fought „For Jesu Ohrist; in glorious Christian field, „Streaming the ensign of the Christian Cross „Against black Pagans, Turks end Saracens; „and toil'd with works of war, retired himself „To Italy; and there at Venice gave „His body to that pleasant country's earth, „And his pure soul unto his Captain Christ, „Under whose colours he had fought so long".
Richard II, IV. Thomas Mowbray was een goed zoon der kerk geweest en had in 1397 te Melwood, tusschen Epworth en Owston m de Isle of Axholme een Karthuizer klooster gesticht.
Zijn dochter Margareth huwde Sir Robert Howard, door wien de titel Hertog van Norfolk, nadat met den kleinzoon van Thomas Mowbray dit geslacht uitstierf, in de familie der Howards kwam, welk geslacht dezen titel heden nog voert.
De oudste zoon van Thomas, eveneens een Thomas Mowbray, koos, tezamen met den Aartsbisschop van York, Lord Hastings en andere edelen, de partij van Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, tegen den opvolger van Richard II, Koning Henry IV.
Thomas Mowbray, earl marshall van Engeland, werd echter gevangen genomen en te York onthoofd. Zijne goederen vervielen aan de Kroon.



16
De heerlijke rechten van Epworth Manor, incluis die van de Isle of Axholme, met lusten, lasten en privilegiën waren aldus in handen van den Vorst gekomen.
Het zijn deze privilegiën, die in de geschiedenis van de Isle of Axholme een groote rol hebben gespeeld.
Wij moeten daarvoor terugkeeren tot den overgrootvader van Thomas Mowbray, l,n Hertog van Norfolk, tot John de Mowbray, zoon van dien John de Mowbray, die in 1332 met Thomas, Graaf van Lancaster, eene samenzwering tegen de Spencers, de gunstelingen van Edward II, op touw zette, doch te Boroughbridge gevangen genomen en te York gehangen werd.
De jonge John was zeer in de gunst van Koning Edward III, vergezelde dezen naar Frankrijk en streed later in Schotland tegen Koning David. Deze John de Mowbray schijnt een liberaal heer geweest te zijn, die luisterend naar de klachten en verzoeken van elf zijner pachters in de Manor of Epworth, aan de bewoners van deze heerlijkheid en de Isle of Axholme in 1358 bepaalde privilegiën schonk.
De Acte van Privilegie, welke in Normandisch-Frahsch was opgesteld, werd in 1652 door Wm Ryley, archivaris van de Tower of London, in het Engelsch vertaald (zie bijlage 12) en hieraan ontleen ik het volgende: 1° The Lord of the Manor pf Epworth *) and his heirs
shall not approve any wastes, moors, woods or make
any other approvemenls in the Isle of Axholme. 2° The tenants, their heirs and assigns, shall have their
c&mmon*), appendant to their free tenemènts, as they
have been used time out of mind. 3° They may dig in moors and marshes, turfs, trees and
roods found in the soil.
') Epworth is een stadje in de Isle of Axholme. Hier stond een kasteel van de Mowbray's of Axholme, die buitendien nog Kinniard Castle bij Ownston Ferry bezaten, waarvan nog een poortroïne bestaat. Het kasteel te Epworth is geheel verdwenen. Epworth ia vermaard geworden doordat John Wesley, de bekende hervormer der Engelsche Staatskerk, in de pastorie van deze plaats geboren werd.
*) Ik cursiveer.



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4° One pound, half an aere in size, shall be made at their
oost, and maintained by the Lord and his heirs, in
Belton Carr, and another of the same size in Haxey
Carr. Beasts to be impounded only once a year. 5° In the unenolosed parts, beasts shall not be impounded
but driven out. Tenants may dig turf for house walls, ' and make tiles for roofs, etc. and bring trees to repair
the banks of the Trent. 6° Tenants shall not hereafter be fixed for not appearing
to ring their swïne. 7° They may put hemp to be rated in all the waters of
the Island, except skiërs reserved to the Lord. 8° The lord shall not molest their dogs. 9° The tenants may fish in all the waters of the Island,
except the aforesaid reserved skiërs *) and may dig turfs
and other earths to improve their land. 10» Such tenants as are bound to enclose the Lord'sr land
may take underwood for hedges.
Deze privilegiën, bindend als zij waren voor den Lord of the Manor of Epworth en diens erfgenamen, schiepen verscheidene zeer gevaarlijke precedenten.
Allereerst het recht van „common" dus van gemeen grondbezit voor de elf bevoorrechten en hun erfgenamen of rechtverkrijgenden.
Verder verkregen deze bepaalde waterrechten in Axholme en tevens het recht om de dijken van de Trent te repareeren, dus ter bescherming van hun bézit.
De belangrijkste bepaling, wat ons betreft, is de eerste, omdat die feitelijk elke verandering van staat der Isle of Axholme verbiedt.
Degeen, die de vele processen der erfgooiers in Nederland gevolgd heeft, die zich herinnert dat die lieden zelfs niet voor feitelijkheden terugschrokken, weet wat zulk een oud gemeen bezit en zulke oude rechten voor consequenties met zich kunnen brengen, zal zich niet verbazen dat ook de bewoners
') Skiër ■* de gedeelten voor den Lord of the Manor gereserveerd.
2



18
van de Isle of Axholme prat gingen op de verkregen voorrechten en zich — helaas maar al te dikwijls met geweld — tegen elke inbreuk van die rechten meenden te moeten verzetten. Maar ook de buren van Hatfield Chase gingen te dien opzichte niet vrij uit.
Zoo lezen wij reeds in een koninklijk besluit van het eerste jaar der Regeering van Hendrik Vx) het volgende:
„Will Lodington, Thomaa Egmanton, John' Doweney, „Rob Waterton and Edmund Eitzwilliam being constituted „Commissioners for the view and repair of the banks and „sewers in the Soke of Crulle2) and the Isle of Axholme; „and betwixt Bekerdike3) on each side, sale (ex bueand de „Brew et Recordias Wallias' etc. 20 October 1383) at Crulle „upon Monday next after the Feast of the Nativity of the „Blessed Virgin, before whom the jury then presented „(Tangentibus tem. H5, en 15 Lin.) that one Jeoffrey Gad„desby, late Abbott of Selby, did cause a strong sluse of „wood te be made upon the river Trent at the head of a „certain sewer called the Maredyke of a sufficiënt height „and breadth for the defence of the tides coming from the „sea; likewise against thefresh waters descending from the „West Part of the before specified sluice to the said sewer „into the same River of Trent; and thence into the Humber; „and performed the same upon his free goodwill and „charity for the case of the country. Which said sluice, „certain unknown persons (inhabitants of the Lordship „of Hatfield) pulled down in the time of John de Shireburne, „late Abbot of the place and next successor of the said „Geoffrey. And whereas the said John de Shireburne, did „make new the same sluices of stone sufficiënt (as hethought) „for defence of the sea tides and likewise of the said fresh „waters, jurors said they were not strong enough for that
') Hendrik V regeerde van 1413 tot 1422.
2) Crulle = Crowle, een stadje in Hatfield Chase.
*) Bekerdike = Bycarrs Dyke, een kanaal in het Zuiden van Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme. Het woord Dyke beteekent in Engeland, sloot of vaart.



19
„purpose, being both too high and too broad. And that it „wovdd to expediënt for the country, that the then Abbot, „if he pleased, would, in the place where these sluices of „slime were made cause certain of strong timber to be set „up, consisting of two flood-gates' (each flood-gate consisting „in itself four feetin breadth and six feet in height, and also „a certain bridge upon the said sluices in lenght and breadth „sufficiënt for carts and other carriages, which for the „future might pass away; and being so made and having „stood firm for the space of one year, against the force of „those tides, by the view of Richard of Amcotes', and Robert „Syulf of Waterton, eleoted and sworn by the before specified „Commissioners, or some others to be chosen by them; „that thenceforth the said Abbot of Selby, Richard Amcotes „and other of the freeholders' of Crulle, Amcotes, Waterton, „Carlethorpe, Luddington and Eltoft in this county of „Lincoln; as also all the said towns in respect of their „lands and tenements, lying within that soke be obliged of „right to keep them in repair. And they said further that „it would be necessary, that the before mentioned Abbot, „if he pleased, should cause to be there made, without „the said sluice, towards the river Trent, at the Feast of „Easter then next ensuing, one demmyng, for the present. „And they also said that for the future, the said freeholders „as also the said towns' and every of them, might cleanse and „scour the said sewer called the Maredyke according to the „proportion belonging to each of them therein, from the said „sluice to the bridge of Luddington, called Lane End Brigg.
„Whereupon the shireeve was commanded to summon ,',the said Abbot, Richard Amcotes, and the rest, to appear „before the before-specified commissioners at Crulle aforesaid, „on Tuesday next before the Nativity of te Blessed Virgin „then next ensuing to answer, etc. At which day they „all came and could not gainsay what had been so presented „by those jurors".
Uit dit document blijken twee zeer belangrijke zaken en wel dat de kloosterlingen uit die dagen zich onder meer



20
onledig hielden met het uitvoeren van werken tot verbetering der afwatering van deze streek, doch buitendien, dat de bewoners daarin eene aanranding zagen van hunne privilegiën. Vandaar het vernielen der sluis door de bewoners van Hatfield Manor.
Wij lezen in het document tevens van „commissioners to view and repair the bank of the Island", doch dit instituut van commissioners was niet nieuw.
Reeds onder de regeering van koning Edward III') en koning Richard n2) zien wij dergelijke commissioners benoemd. Wij vinden daaromtrent:
I Edward III. (Pat., 1 E. III., p. 3, m. 10, in dorso.) Robert de Nottmgham and Roger de Newmarch were constituted Commissioners to view and repair these banks and ditches as had been made to that purpose, which were then grown to some decay. So also were (Pat., 1 E. III., p. I, m. 10, in dorso) John Darcy of the Park, Roger de Newmarch and John de Crosholme, 25 Edward III. (Pat., 25 E. III., p. 1, m. 5, in dorso).
A Commission was issued to Will Bassett, Thomas de Swinford, Will de Clive, Thomas Levelance, Will Wascelyn, and Thomas Degmanton, for all the banks and sewers within this Isle.
26 Edward III. aPat., 26 E. IIL, p. 3, m. 22, in dorso). To Ralphe de Wilughby, Will Bassett, Will de Skipworth, Illard de Usflete, Robert de Allanby, John de Lasingcroft, and John de Flete, of Bulwiche, for those upon the Rivers of Trent and Done, within the hundred of Crulle.
39 Edward III. (Pat., 39 E. IIL, p. 1, m. 12, in dorso). To John Tours, Will Wascelyn and Ralphe de Burnham, for those of the rivers of Done, Idel, and Bekersdik, in this Isle; wherein they were directed to proceed according to the law and customs of this realm.
40 Edward III. (Pat., E. IIL, p. 7, m. 30, in dorso). To Thomas de Ingelby, Will de Tymheden, Will de Galby, parson of the Church of Epworth, and others, for those in the parts of Balne and Mersland, and lordship of Hatfield, in the county of Yorke; as also within this Isle 'and soke of Crulle, in this county.
41 Edward IIL (Pat., 41 E. IIL, p. 7, m. 19, in dorso). The like
') Begeerde van 1327—1377. 2) Regeerde van 1377—1399.



21
Commission to Thomas and William, with Roger de Kirketon and others.
43 Edward III. (Pat., 43 E. IIL, p. 4, m. 33, in dorso). To Master John de Burnham, Will de Galby, clerk, Richard Pontrell, and others, for those in this Isle, betwixt Butterwyk and Gunthorpe.
2 Richard II. (Pat, 2 R. IL, p. 2, m. 32, in dorso). To Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, Will de Skipworth, Roger de Fulthorpe, Henry Asty, John Poucher, Thomas de Burnham, and William de Topclyf, for those betwixt Bykerdyke and Doncheved, throughout all this Isle and soke of Crulle, then in decay through the force of Trent.
Koning Edward IV benoemde in het 5° jaar zijner regeering commissioners for the Isle of Axholme met de opdracht om statuten en reglementen voor het dijks-onderhoud te maken gelijkluidend aan die van de Romeney Marsh *) en om tevens met het oog op het dringende van het geval werkvolk aan te nemen tegen behoorlijk loon ten einde de noodige werken met spoed uit te voeren.
Gedurende de regeering van koning Hendrik VllI ging dat gedeelte van de Manor of Epworth, hetwelk nog niet aan de kroon toebehoorde, door ruiling over in handen van den koning.
Koning Hendrik VTH had een geestelijke, John Leiand, als zijn oudheidkundige aangesteld met opdracht Engeland te bereizen en zijne bevindingen op schrift te stellen.
Leiand bezocht in 1638 Epworth Manor en de daartoe behoorende Isle of Axholme en schrijft daarover:
„The quarters about Heatfield be forest ground and the' „wood be scars there yet ys great plentie of Red Deere, „that haunt the Eennes and great meres thereabout as to „Axholme, Warde and Thurne village. The lordship of „Heatfield sometim es longged to the Lord Mowbray. From „Heatfield to Thurne villages, two miles passing over an arm „of Dune. By the Church Garth of Thurne is a praty pile of „Castiet well diked and now used for offenders in the
*) In Kent.



22
„Forestes, but sometime longing to the Mulbrays as Thurne „did. The grounde all about Thurne is other playne, more „or fenne.
„From Thurne by water to the great lake caullid the „Mere, almost a mile over, a mile or more, this Mere is „fulle of good fisch and fowle. From the Mere by water „to Wrangton Cole, a 3 miles in a smavle gut or lode. „AH ground is very fennie on both sides. From Wrangton „tither the water is caulled Idle, yet it is the very same „water the Bryer is; and of certenti Idille is the antient „name.
„From the West Point of Bikeersdike up along to the „great Mere, the soyle by the water is Fenny and Morisehe, „and ful of carrés. The residue is meatly high ground, „fertile of pasture, and corne. The fenny part of Axholme „berith much galle, a low frutex swete in burming.
„The upper part of the isle hath plentiful quarres of „alabaster, communely caullid therepiaster; but such stones „as I saw of it were of no great thicknes and sold for 7d „a lode. They ly yn de ground lyke a sniothe table; and „be beddid one flake under another; and at the bottom „of the bedde of them be roughe stone to build withal. The „principal wood of the isle is at Bellegrave Park by Hep„ worth and at Mei wood parke not far from Hep worth. „There is also a praty wood at Crulle, a Lordship, a late „longging to Selleby monasterie."
In 1637 benoemde de Koning eene Commissie bestaande uit Sir Thomas Wentworth, John Heroy Esq, Bryan Hasteneys en William Merying ten einde te onderzoeken en te rapporteeren omtrent de klachten van bewoners van Misterton, dat tengevolge van het in verval zijn van de brug over de Bykersdyke," zij niet meer in staat waren de hun toebehoorende Stockwith Carr te bereiken. Het rapport bevestigde de gegrondheid der klacht, concludeerde tot het bouwen van een brug — waarschijnlijk de Old Bridge or Haxi Gate op den weg van Haxey naar Misterton — doch raadde tevens aan een poort en poortershuis






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MERIDIES



23
te bouwen ten einde het stelen van vee te verhinderen.
Later, gedurende de Regeering van Koningin Elisabeth, waren er steeds oneenigheden tussohen de bewoners van Misterton en Stockwith en die van Haxey en Owston over de gemeene rechten op het terrein bekend als Haxey Carr. Eene commissie, in 1571 door Koningin Elisabeth benoemd, besliste dat alle bewoners de zelfde schaarrechten op Haxey Carr hadden. Verder besliste zij, dat de bewoners van Misterton profiteerden van de brug over de Bykersdyke1) dus voor het onderhoud daarvan hadden te zorgen, dat wegens de klachten der bewoners van Axholme over diefstal van vee over een doorwaadbare plaats de bewoners van Haxey het recht kregen die plek in de rivier af te schutten en de bewoners van Misterton het onderhoud van die schutting hadden te bekostigen, terwijl de sleutel van de poort in die' schutting, in het bezit zou zijn van den konstabel van Misterton.
Doch do meeningsverschillen namen daarmede nog geen einde.
Wij lezen dat Koningin Elisabeth in 1596 weer eene Commissie moest benoemen, thans om. een grensgeschil, dat gerezen was, te beslechten.
De bewoners van Misterton beweerden dat de Hekdyke de grens vormde tusschen Lincolnshire en Nottinghamshire en dat dus het gedeelte van Haxey Carr, hetwelk lag tusschen de Hekdyke en de Bykersdike en North Carr genoemd werd, toebehoorde aan hen en aan het hertogdom Lancaster.
Tijdens het onderzoek der commissie werd een kaart, waarvan die, welke op de volgende bladzijde te vinden is eene getrouwe copie is, gemaakt.
De bevolking van de Isle of Axholme beweerde, dat zij nimmer van een North Carr of West Carr gehoord had en dat de Haxey Carr of West Carr zich tot de Bykersdike uitstrekte en deze rivier de grens vormde tusschen Nottinghamshire en Lincolnshire. Zij verklaarde f) Bycarrsdyke.



24
tevens dat de kosten van onderhoud der Bykersdike geheven werden op order en in handen van den Grand Juries of the Manor of Epworth. Ten slotte beklaagde zij zich over de Mistertonners, dat deze de Stockwith Brug gebruikten om vee van de Axholme zijde te stelen, verder, zonder daartoe gerechtigd te zijn, hun vee aan de Axholme zijde deden grazen, terwijl buitendien nog Robert Thornhill van Misterton een doorwaadbare plaats in de Bykersdike had aangelegd waardoor de scheepvaart zeer veel hinder ondervond.
De andere partij voerde als bewijs aan, dat de Hekdyke de grens tusschen de beide graafschappen vormde, dat de North Carr aan Misterton toebehoorde en dat alle herstellingen aan de Hekdike door Misterton betaald werden.
Zoo waren er in de Isle of Axholme reeds tal van geschillen, waarbij de bevolking zich van eene zeer lastige en eigendunkelijke zijde deed kennen.
In later jaren zou dat nog erger worden.



HOOFDSTUK III.
Het was in de dagen Van koningin Elisabeth, dat een zekere Laverock aan deze vorstin het voorstel deed om de haar toebehoorende Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme, twee uitgestrekte moerasgronden, naast elkaar gelegen in het noorden van Nottinghamshire en Lincolnshire en het zuidwesten van Yorkshire, droog te maken. Het is echter bij het doen van dit voorstel gebleven. Laverock zag ten slotte tegen de onderneming op.
Elisabeth's opvolger, koning Jacobus I, stelde een zeer levendig belang in het droogmaken van gronden, die door overtollig .water geteisterd werden.
Toen in 1621 de Thames nabij Dagenham buiten haar oevers was getreden en de dijken het hadden begeven, ontbood de koning een Nederlander, Cornelis Vermuyden,ten einde van advies te dienen bij het reconstrueeren der dijken.
Cornelis Vermuyden was een Zeeuw, zoon van Gilles Vermuyden en Sarah Werkéndet Comelisdochter, geboren in St. Maartensdijk op het eiland Tholen, waar hij zich bekwaamd had in het maken van dijken en andere oeverbevestigingen.
Het was koning Jacobus bekend hoe de Hollanders bijna van kind af aan vertrouwd raakten met het beteugelen van water en hoe de Hollanders, ondanks dat de strijd tegen Spanje niet beëindigd was, door het droogmaken van verschillende meren, plassen en moerassen, groote stukken vruchtbaren grond aan het gemeenebest der Zeven Provinciën hadden toegevoegd.
De koning werd in de bekwaamheden van Cornelis Vermuyden niet teleurgesteld en was dermate met de uitvoering der Theemsdijkwerken nabij Dagenham ingenomen, dat hij Vermuyden de afwatering van het Koninklijk Park te Windsor toevertrouwde.



26
Hier te Windsor had de koning gelegenheid Verinuydens bekwaamheden, ijver en doortastendheid van nabij te leeren waardeeren en kwam hij voortdurend met hem in aanraking. De waardeering ging zoover, dat hij met Vermuyden ging beraadslagen over de mogelijkheid van droogmaking van het moeras genaamd Oambridgeshire Fen 1).
Koning Jacobus had zich eens over dat Fen uitgelaten, „dat hij niet langer wilde dulden, dat land ten prooi viel „aan den wil van water".
Bij zijne plannen tot droogmaking van het Oambridgeshire Fen stuitte de koning echter op het conservatisme en de koppigheid van zijne onderdanen, die daar eigendommen of andere rechten bezaten, waardoor hij ten slotte van zijn geliefkoosd denkbeeld moest afstappen. Daarmede waren echter de plannen van den koning om met behulp van zijn bekwamen raadsman Cornelius Vermuyden door het droogmaken van nutteloaze watervlakten vruchtbaren grond aan zijn rijk toe te voegen, allerminst geluwd.
In het noorden van Lincolnshire en het zuidoosten van Yorkshire bezat de koning de ambachtsheerlijkheden Hatfield en Epworth, waartoe behoorden de Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme.
De Hatfield Chase was groot 70.000 acres (± 50.000 H. A.) Deze Hatfield Chase, moerasland, meer water dan land, was een eigenaardig bezit. Terwijl vroeger de Kroon veel meer eigendom in Yorkshire bezeten had, was dat van lieverlede ingekrompen tot het zoogenaamde koninklijke jachtterrein (Royal Chase) verbonden aan de Ambachtsheerlijkheid Hatfield bij het stadje van dien naam. Het houten koninklijke jachtslot stond op een van de hooger boven water gelegen gedeelten van het bezit, terwijl zoowel in de moerassige als in de hooger gelegen bosschen honderden herten huisden.1
De oudste zoon van koning Jacobus, de jong gestorven prins Henry, maakte eens, toen hij naar York onderweg was, van Hatfield een pleisterplaats en had onder leiding van den heereboer Robert Portington, van Tudworth
*) Fen m Veen, moeras of plas.



27
Hall nabij Barnby-Dun, wiens naam wij later nog zullen hooren, een dag sport op het koninklijk bezit. Het was een vreemd begrip van sport. De jonge prins zat in één van de honderd bootjes, die over de plassen van Hatfield Chase zich verspreidden, ten einde de herten op te jagen en te drijven, deels door het water, deels door land, naar een lager gedeelte van het bezit, naar het diepe water nabij Thorne, waar dan de arme dieren, naar men beweert wel een vijf honderd stuks, hetzij door verdrinken of door knuppelslagen om het leven kwamen. Een ruwe en weinig verheffende sport.
Daar de Koning zijne rechten zelden, behalve toevallig bij zulk een gelegenheid deed gelden, hadden de bewoners uit de omgeving zich allerlei bezit toegeëigend en rechten aangematigd. Alhoewel geheel onrechtmatig verkregen, werd een en ander op den duur door hen als eigendom en goed recht beschouwd.
De bewoners van Hatfield Chase en van het aangrenzende Isle of Axholme namen het zoo nauw niet met het mijn en dijn. Het stroopen der koninklijke herten was zoo gebruikelijk, dat er meer hertevleesch dan schapenvleesch bij de bewoners op tafel kwam. De koninMijke rechten van jacht en visscherij werden niet uitgeoefend, dus langzamerhand, niet alleen niet meer erkend, doch door de omwoners als hun eigen particulier recht beschouwd, zoodat de Koning, die daaraan zou willen tornen, als een misdadiger en tiran uitgekreten zou worden.
Een zeer geliefkoosde bezigheid van den stroopenden bewoner van Hatfield Chase of Isle of Axholme was te trachten een der koninklijke zwanen te pakken te krijgen, die dan van het koninklijke merk te ontdoen en van het eigen merk te voorzien. Ieder, die weet welk een rol de koninklijke zwanen, als typisch behoorende tot het Engelsche Hofx), in Engeland gespeeld hebben, zal begrijpen, dat er
') Na het bezoek in 1921 door den Koning en de Koningin van België aan de Engelsche vorstelijke familie gebracht, gaf Koning George V een paar zwanen voor de vjjvera van het kasteel' te Laeken ten geschenke als bewijs van vriendschap en eerbied.



28
bijna geen beter bewijs te geven is om de vrijgevochtenheid der bewoners van Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme aan te toonen.
Zoo waren de toestanden in Hatfield Chase en omgeving toen Koning Jacobus I, de droogmaking dezer terreinen overwoog.
Hij benoemde, om te beginnen, eene commissie van zes personen uit de streek zelf, waartoe o.a. de zeer bekende en populaire Sir Robert Svvifb en de heer Godfrey Copley behoorden. Deze commissie had de opdracht te rapporteeren omtrent de conditiën van Hatfield Chase, of het aanbeveling zou verdienen de Chase droog te leggen, en of de pachters door het omheinen van land, het bouwen van woningen, en het vervolgen en uitroeien van wild iets gedaan hadden om de Rechten des Konings in gevaar te brengen of te kwetsen.
De Commissie verklaarde in haar rapport, dat inderdaad verscheidene pachters hunne bevoegdheid verre overschreden hadden.
Wat de droogmaking der plassen en moerassen betreft, daaromtrent bleek de commissie unaniem van oordeel, dat het onuitvoerbaar was.
Gelukkig voor deze streken dat er nog mannen leefden, die minder kleinmoedig waren, die bekwaamheid en durf genoeg bezaten, om hun Ondernemingsgeest te ontplooien.
Zulk een man was Cornelis Vermuyden. Hoe Cornelis Vermuyden de uitvoerbaarheid van de drooglegging van Hatfield Chase had geconstateerd, is niet met zekerheid te zeggen. Bij den eenen geschiedschrijver vinden wij, dat Vermuyden, Prins Henry op zijn reis naar York vergezellende en de jachtpartij in Hatfield Chase meemakende, op het denkbeeld van de droogmaking was gekomen en de mogelijkheid nader onderzocht heeft. Bij den ander lezen wij, dat Jacobus I, Cornelis Vermuyden opdroeg, zich naar Hatfield Chase te begeven, ten einde een onderzoek ter plaatse in te stellen.
Hoe dit ook zij, Vermuyden heeft de zaak bestudeerd



29
en de uitvoerbaarheid geconstateerd. Men weet ook dat hij tijdens zijn onderzoek heeft bevonden, dat er reeds in de 14° eeuw een soort diepe slooten of tochten gegraven waren ten einde het overtollige water af te voeren, doch dermate onoordeelkundig, dat zij evenzeer den toevoer van water bij hoogo vloeden van de Trent bevordenden en wel op eene wijze, die de remedie erger dan de kwaal maakte.
Cornelis Vermuyden verklaarde zich bereid de droogmaking te ondernemen, doch alvorens de onderhandelingen geëindigd waren, stierf in 1625 koning Jacobus I.
Zijn opvolger koning Karei I nam de verdere afdoening der aangelegenheid ter hand en sloot reeds in het volgend jaar en wel op 24 Mei 1626 niet Cornelis Vermuyden eene overeenkomst omtrent het droogmaken van de Hatfield Chase.
De hoofdpunten, van de overeenkomst waren dat koning Karei I, na ingewonnen advies van de Privy Council, als eigenaar van Hatfield Chase en aangrenzende moeraslanden en gelet op het feit dat al die landen, wijl voor het grootste deel onder water liggende, geen waarde voor de kroon hadden, met Cornelius *) Vermuyden accordeerde: 1°. dat deze laatste dat water en die moerasgronden zou droogmaken, zoodat zij geschikt zouden wezen voor bouwof grasland, het werk zou beginnen drie maanden nadat de koning bevredigende overeenkomsten zal hebben aangegaan en afgesloten met al zulke personen, die eenig recht of vermeend recht mochten doen gelden op gemeen grondbezit in bedoeld droog te leggen terrein. *) 2°. dat Cornelius Vermuyden als belooning zou ontvangen voor zich, zijne erfgenamen of rechtverkrijgenden, één derde part van de drooggemaakte gronden en buitendien de Heerlijkheid „East Greenwich" in vollen eigendom en vrij bezit.
f) In Engeland wordt Vermuyden niet Cornelis doch Cornelius genoemd. In verband met Engelsche quaesties zal ik hem ook Cornelius noemen, anders echter Cornelis.
*) Zeer tot schade van Vermuyden is deze met het werk begonnen, ondanks dat de koning verzuimd had deze conditie te vervullen.



30
3°. dat Cornelius Vermuyden aan andere eigenaren in en om de droogmaking gelegen zoodanige vergoedingen in geld moet uitkeeren als door 4 schatters zou worden bepaald, twee dezer schatters te benoemen door den kanselier van Engelands schatkist en twee door Vermuyden.
4°. Dat nadat het werk gereed zou zijn er een bestuur benoemd diende te worden, ten einde reglementen vast te stellen en te doen eerbiedigen, de leden door Vermuyden of zijn erfgenamen en rechtverkrijgenden te benoemen.
5°. dat binnen drie jaar nadat de droogmakerij gereed zou wezen er een commissie van zes leden benoemd moest worden, ten einde de kosten van onderhoud der werken te bepalen en de landerijen aan te wijzen, welke Vermuyden ter beschikking van het bestuur der polders moet stellen om daaruit die onderhoudskosten te bestrijden. De koning verleende vrijdom van invoerrecht voor alle
materialen welke van over zee voor de te maken werken
zouden worden aangevoerd en zeide zijn steun toe aan
Vermuyden en iedereen, deelgenoot of werkman, die hulp
zou behoeven.
Het grootsche werk heeft ten slotte den ondernemer
verdriet en geld gekost in plaats dat het hem voordeel
heeft gebracht, alhoewel hij dit laatste ontegenzeggelijk
ten volle verdiend had.
Vermuyden pakte het werk onmiddelijk krachtig aan
en was drie jaar later reeds met de droogmaking gereed. Terwijl zes in de streek woonachtige, vooraanstaande
mannen als Sir Robert Swift en Godfrey Copley Esq.*) in
Ï622 aan koning Jacobus I gerapporteerd hadden, dat het
*) Het geslacht Copley bewoont nog Sprotborough Hall bij Doncaster. De familienaam is thans Bewicke—Copley. Het geslacht heeft dezer dagen van Koning George V het recht verkregen de in de 16* eeuw in manlijken lgn uitgestorven titel van Baron Cromwell te voeren. Tot dat geslacht der Cromwells behoorde Thomas Cromwell, de bekende Eerste Minister van Hendrik VIII en Ralpk Cromwell, Lord Treasurer van Hendrik VI. Het was deze laatste die het bekende kasteel Tattershall in Lincolnshire, thans het eigendom van en gerestaureerd door den Markies Curzon of Kedleston, deed herbouwen.



*



Het Charter van Karei I aan Vermuyden (24 Mei 1626).
(Links boven in den hoek ziet men de handteekening des Konings).



Het Charter van Karei I aan Vermuyden (24 Mei 1626)






31
naar hunne meening, alhoewel men nu niets aan de moerassen had en zij slechts tot overlast en strooperij aanleiding gaven, toch beter was het maar te laten zooals het was, daar zij droogmaking der terreinen onmogelijk achtten wegens de onoverkomelijke bezwaren, de vele rivieren, de diepe waterplassen en wat dies meer zij, staat daartegenover een vreemdeling, een Hollander, Cornelis Vermuyden, vier jaar later gereed het werk voor eigen rekening te ondernemen, is deze Zeeuw bereid tegen betaling in land en wel £ van de 77.000 acres, het groote werk uit te voeren. *) Het is gemakkelijk in dezen tijd, waar allerlei machines en andere hulpmiddelen ons ten dienste staan, over Vermuyden's arbeid den staf te breken, doch hij, de vreemdeling, is de pionier geweest voor de droogmakerijen in Engeland en al had hij niets anders gedaan dan het voorbeeld geven aan de Engelschen, dan is men hem nog groote dankbaarheid en eerbied verschuldigd.
Bij zijne plannen voor droogmaking van Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme had Vermuyden met een riviergebied van negen rivieren rekening te houden: de Don, Torne,
') Dugdale says: „the king out of his royal and princely care for the public good in regaining so great a proportion of surrounding land, which at the best yiolded little or no profit tho the Commonwealth, but contrariwise noirished bsggars and idle persons; and having a chase of red deer which much annoyed and oppressed the residue, did under the great seal of England contract with Cornelius Vermuyden, then of the city of London Esq. by articles bearing date 24th of May 1626" to drain and improve the same.
De-la-Pryme lecords as follows: „K. James ye lst had ye same thought and Endeavours to improve it (Hatfield Chase), and make ye best that he could of his own, both for ye profit of himself and his country; whereupon in 1622 he issued out a Commission to Sr. Rob Swift kt, Godfrey Copley, Hen. Lee, Richard Washington, Philips Adams and Tho. Jenkins, Esqs., to enquire by a Jury into ye state of ye sayd Chase Whether his Tenants have not forfeited his favour of Commoning therein by building new houses upon it, Joysting beasts upon it, Cutting down ye Trees thereof, and Destroyiug his Game; likewise they were to consider about ye Drainage, Improveing, and disafforestation thereof, to all which ye Jury returned full answer that his Majesty was Inoroachd upon, his favours abused, his Chase Joysted in &c; but that considerating how great ye Levels were, and how Continually deep with Water, how many Rivers ran thereunto, and suoh like, they did humbly conceive that it was Iuipossible to Drain and Improve them."



32
Idle, Bycarsdyke, Went, Ayre, Ouse, Humber en Trent.
Nu laat het geen twijfel of Vermuijden heeft te veel aandacht aan de drie eerste en te weinig aan de andere rivieren geschonken.
Onder die fout van Vermuyden lijden de droog gelegde terreinen, zooals mij ter plaatse gebleken is, op het oogenblik nog.
Vermuyden zag voor zich het feit, dat het overtollige water in Hatfield Chase hoofzakelijk kwam uit drie bronnen, uit de rivieren Don, Torne en Idle.»
Terwijl de Went, Ayre en Ouse in het noordoosten, de Humber in het noorden, de Trent in het oosten en de Bykersdike in het zuiden, de droog te leggen terreinen begrensden, waren de Don, de Idle en de Torne de rivieren, die in het hart van het gebied stroomden en daar het water bezwaar veroorzaakten. De Don, de meest westelijke, verdeelde zich nabij Thorne in twee armen, een die zich in noordelijke richting als Turnbrigg Dyke met het riviertje de Went verbond, alvorens in de Ayre te loozen, een ander die, oostwaarts stroomende, het water van de, benoorden Wroot, zich vereenigd hebbende Torne en Idle ontving en dan in noord-oostelijke richting in de Trent nabij de Humber viel en wel met twee armen, één de oorspronkelijke Don, die bij Adlingfleet in de Trent kwam en een kunstmatige arm, een afvoerkanaal genaamd de Mare Dyke, bij Huddington aanvangende en bij Stathe in de Trent vallende. Men weet, dat dit kanaal reeds in 1413 bestond want in dat jaar werd door den abt van Selby een sluis gebouwd daar, waar het kanaal de Trent bereikte.
De Torne, die Wroot passeerde, begrensde het moerassige Lindholme en Hatfield Moor.
De Idle is de meest Oostelijke van deze drie rivieren, die alle drie hun oorsprong hebben in het bergland van Yorkshire. Zij zijn, evenals de andere zes rivieren van dit stroomgebied, regenrivieren, terwijl de Humber, Trent en Ouse tevens getijrivieren zijn.
De Idle vertoonde reeds in de dagen van Vermuyden






EAST



33
de sporen van een poging in vroeger eeuwen, vermoedelijk door de Romeinen, gedaan, om het waterbezwaar van deze rivier voor Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme af te leiden.
Juist daar, waar de Idle de Hatfield Chase binnenstroomt, is er een kunstmatige zijarm naar het Oosten gemaakt, genaamd de Bycarrsdyke, die bij Stockwith in de Trent viel.
De Idle zelf vereenigde zich voorbij Wroot met de Torne om dan later ten noorden van Sandtoft tusschen Thorne en Crowle met de Don samen te komen.
De Don was ontegenzeggelijk de belangrijkste der drie rivieren, die tezamen al het land van Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme, dat niet hoog genoeg gelegen was, tot moerasgrond maakten. Dit hooger gelegen land, deze heuvels, waren reeds in de dagen der Saksers bewoond.
De bevolking, door de moerassen afgesloten van de verdere wereld, hadden steeds een groot gevoel van onafhankelijkheid ontwikkeld.
Reeds in oertijden moet dit aanleiding tot conflicten gegeven hebben, zooals bij opgravingen in het veen steeds weer blijkt.
Men vindt daar de stompen van boomen terug, regelmatig en klaarblijkelijk in boschformatie, waarvan de resten toonen tot op de aarde te zijn afgebrand. De geschiedkundigen schrijven dit toe aan het volgende: In de oudheid plantte de bevolking een bosch ten einde hare nederzetting tegen overvallen van vijanden te beschermen. Wanneer de vijand kwam en overwon, dan was zijn eerste werk het bosch, dat hem den weg versperd had, in brand te steken.
Dezelfde onafhankehjksheidszin der bewoners bleek later fataal voor de ondernemende Hollanders, toen die het land droog wilden maken.
Wanneer U een blik slaat op bijgaande kaart van voor de droogmaking door Vermuyden, dan zult U zien, dat in de nabijheid der plek waar Idle, Torne en Don samen-



34
kwamen, een hooger gelegen plaats was, Sandtoft genaamd. Hier was een ferry (overzetveer) waarvan de Islebewoners gebruik maakten, wanneer zij naar Hatfield gingen.
Hier in Sandtoft, op dit eiland, vestigde Vermuyden zijn hoofdkwartier. Hier bouwde hij de woningen en de kerk Voor de vele Hollanders en Vlamingen, die hij deels van zijne vroegere werken had overgehouden en thans voor de droogmaking van Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme weer aanwierf, deels uit Holland en Vlaanderen liet overkomen.
Er waren onder die lieden ook Fransohe Hugenoten.
In Sandtoft maakte hij de stapelplaats voor de goederen, die hij voor de uitvoering zijner plannen noodig had. Hierheen kon hij alles gemakkelijk per schuit aanvoeren en hier vandaan weer per schuit in alle richtingen distribueeren.
Zijne plannen van uitvoering kwamen hierop neer:
De bronnen van al het kwaad, de Don, de Torne en de Idle, wilde hij uit het hart van het terrein doen verdwijnen, terwijl hij het water, dat met die rivieren de terreinen binnen kwam, zoo spoedig en deugdelijk mogelijk, langs door hem aan te leggen kanalen, wilde afvoeren.
Te dien einde sneed hij in het Noorden de Don, in het Zuiden de Idle, als rivierarmen in het droog te maken terrein af en normaliseerde hij den loop van de derde rivier, de Torne.
In het Noorden werd de Oostelijke arm van de Don, die tot nog toe het droog te maken terrein binnenstroomde, afgedamd, terwijl de Don-arm, die, als Turnbrigg Dyke, zich met de Went vereenigdê en zoo naar de Ayre liep, al het Donwater zou moeten afvoeren tot aan de Ouse. In het centrum werd de Torne nabij Wroot opgevangen en langs een kanaal, de New Torne, dat in N. W. richting gegraven werd, bij Althorpe in de Trent geloosd.
In het Zuiden werd de Noordelijke, oorspronkelijke Idlearm, afgedamd en al het water langs Bycarrsdyke naar de Trent bij Stockwith geleid. Deze Bycarrsdyke was ten tijde dat Vermuyden zijn arbeid begon tevens in gebruik als scheepvaartkanaal en men mag vermoeden, dat dit wel



35
een van de redenen geweest moet zijn, welke Vermuyden er toe geleid hebben om deze Bycarrsdyke tot het groote waterloozingskanaal voor het Zuiden te promoveeren.
In de plaats van de Idle, van welke hij den watertoevoer door Idle Stop — zoo heet de dam thans nog — gestuit had, liet hij van Idle Stop tot Dirtness eon recht kanaal graven, de New Idle.
Daar, waar dit kanaal de bovengenoemde Torne kruist, gaat de Torne met een tunnel onder de New Idle door. De New Idle, van Idle Stop tot Dirtness in noordelijke richting loopende, buigt dan westwaarts en nadert meer en meer de Torne om door Hurst Priory parallel met dat kanaal te vloeien en eveneens bij Althorpe in do Trent te loozen.
Het terrein benoorden Bycarrs Dyke en ten Oosten van de New Idle het Vermuyden afwateren op de toen reeds bestaande Snow Sewer, welke tocht hij verbeterde, van sluizen voorzag en met zijn New Idle kanaal in verbinding bracht, zoodat dit van New Idle tot Trent liep.
Van de hooggelegen gronden om Hatfield langs Tudworth over Dirtness tot de Trent bij Althorpe, liet Vermuyden een kanaal graven. Dit kanaal liep dus bijna rechtuit van West naar Oost.
In twee jaar was het werk der droogmaking voltooid. Laat ons de gevolgen van de verschillende werken eens nader bekijken.
Allereerst het afsluiten van de Don benoorden de Went. Ten einde de Don te normaliseeren en als één afvvateringsarm naar de Ouse te laten stroomen, hebben wij gezien dat Vermuyden den oostelijken arm tusschen Stainford en Thorne afsneed, waardoor de Don niet meer de oostelijke terreinen zou kunnen overstroomen. Vermuyden deed meer, hij liet van af Stainford op eenigen afstand van de Don langs den oostelijken oever in noordelijke richting een zwaren dijk bouwen, waardoor het zuid-oostelijk van de Don gelegen terrein, tegen overstrooming beschermd werd. Deze dijk heet de Ashfield bank 1).
') Bank = drjk.



36
Toen echter nu de Don, na zwaren regenval, buiten hare oevers trad, werd niet meer het zuid-oostelijke deel overstroomd, doch stortte het overtollige Donwater zich over de landen van Fishlake, Sykehouse en Snaith, aan den noord-westoever gelegen.
De bewoners dier plaatsen waren uiterst verstoord, verweten den vreemdeling Vermuyden, dat hij, ten einde waardeloos moerasland droog te maken, niets beters wist te doen dan droog, vruchtbaar terrein te doen overstróomen en eischten schadevergoeding.
Het kwam tot een rechtzaak. Vermuyden verscheen in persoon te Pontefract, waar de zaak diende.
Hoe men het conflict ook moge beschouwen, uit menschkundig oogpunt bezien, had Vermuyden ongelijk. Hij had de bewoners van Fishlake, Sykehouse en Snaith, plotseling voor voldongen feiten geplaatst, hij kon bij die Heden niet het inzicht in waterwerken verwachten, noodig om de gevolgen, die voor hen door de werken van Vermuyden zouden kunnen ontstaan, te overzien en mocht toch allerminst door zijne werken schade berokkenen aan derden. De stelling: „Wie water deert, die water keert" mocht in Holland en Zeeland steeds aanvaard zijn, hier in Engeland deelde men het Hollandsche inzicht niet.
Weliswaar bleek in het rechtsgeding, dat de reclamanten onvoldoende voor het onderhoud hunner dijken gezorgd hadden, en moesten zij aan Vermuyden & 200 per jaar betalen, opdat deze de dijken in orde zou houden, doch anderzijds was daarmede de zaak niet goedgemaakt, wantr de aldus herstelde dijken zouden wel onder normale omstandigheden voldoende zijn geweest, doch bleken niet bestand tegen den hoogen waterstand, door het Don-afwateringssysteem veroorzaakt.
Trouwens het bleek wel dat Vermuyden de oplossing van de Don-afwatering ook technisch niet juist bekeken had. De overgebleven Donarm kon, nu de oostelijke arm als atwateringsweg was afgesneden, het water niet voldoende snel in de Ayre lossen.



37
Vermuyden moest ten slotte een kanaal van Turnbridge nabij Snaith, doch even benoorden de Went, naar de Ouse bij Goole laten graven. Dit kanaal van Don naar Ouse heet nog de Dutch River.
De fout van de Don is tragisch geworden voor Vermuyden.
De kosten voor de Dutch River, of zooals zij toen heette, do New Cut, hebben £ 20.000 bedragen en kwamen voor Vermuyden, zooals wij in een ander hoofdstuk zullen lezen, zeer ongelegen.
Wij stappen van de Don af om de Idle oplossing te bezien.
Vermuyden heeft de Idle oplossing als volgt gezocht. Hij heeft de Idle op een bepaald punt, nu Idle Stop genaamd, afgedamd en het water van de hoogere gronden rondom Misson, Bawtry, Austerfield, en van het Zuidelijk deel van Hatfield Chase, langs een door hem geconstrueerd afvoerkanaal, de New Idle genaamd, eerst in noordelijke en dan in scherp oostelijke richting naar de Trent geleid. Deze scherpe ombuiging oostwaarts inplaats van in noordelijke richting tot meer nabij de Humber, door te gaan, is een moeilijk te verklaren fout geweest.
In het Zuiden van de Isle of Axholme vloeit de Bycarrsdyke oostwaarts naar de Trent. De andere afwateringskanalen naar het Zuiden zijn de reeds bestaande Snow Sewer en Hekdyke.
Deze kanalen, die hoog op de Trent uitmondden, hadden zoo weinig verval en zoo gering verhang, dat het geen verwondering baart, te moeten constateeren, dat de draineering van het Zuiden van de Isle onvoldoende was. Het waterbezwaar in het Zuiden werd nog hopeloozer doordat Vermuyden van af Buil Hassock, zuidelijk langs Westwoodside, de Monkhaim Drainl) naar de Snow Sewer construeerde, zoodoende dit laatste kanaal nog meer belastend. Volgens Aerlebout's kaart bestonden in die dagen ook nog
') Drain = -waterafvoerkanaal, tocht, sloot.



38
de Kings Sewer en Middle Sewer, die later in verval geraakt zijn.
Wij hebben gezien hoe het in het Noorden en Zuiden stond, laat ons nu eens de oplossing voor de afwatering van het centrum nader bekijken.
Vermuyden had de Torne doen graven en wel klaarblijkelijk, ten einde de moeilijkheden om de heuvelruggen te moeten doorgraven, te vermijden, dit afwateringskanaal de richting gegeven, welke het nu nog bezit.
De Torne en vooral de uitlaat in de Trent nabij Althorpe, bleek reeds spoedig na de drooglegging, toen hevige regens gevallen waren, onvoldoende en ondoelmatig.
Het gevolg was dat de bewoners van Epworth en Haxey gingen lijden van water, komend uit een buurt, waarmede zij, naar hunne meening, niets te maken hadden. De stemming van deze lieden ten opzichte van den technicus Vermuyden werd daardoor bitter, hetgeen des te bedenkelijker voor Vermuijden was, omdat zij reeds in hem als mensch, den vreemden indringer zagen, die hunne eeuwenoude rechten aanrandde.
Zoo zien we' allerwegen technische moeilijkheden en fouten.
Het is pijnlijk om iemand als Vermuyden te becritiseeren, vooral voor ons, die heden over zulke tallooze technische hulpmiddelen beschikken, maar toch, het dient gezegd te worden, Vermuyden heeft fe weinig rekening gehouden met de groote voordeelen verbonden aan een afwatering naar Humber of naar dat gedeelte van de Trent, het meest nabij de uitmonding in de Humber gelegen.
Ik wil niets zeggen over de Bycarrsdyke, die vond Vermuyden eenmaal als bestaande afwatering en hij kon die niet missen, maar de richting van de Torne, zooals die afzwaait in oostelijke richting, aldus uitmondende in de Trent, mijlen van de monding van die rivier en dus veel minder gemakkelijk water kunnende loozen, is onbegrijpelijk.
Vermuyden had de oude koers van de Don kunnen









39
volgen, (zie bijlage 6 en kaarten), groote technische bezwaren zouden zich hier niet hebben gemanifesteerd — men kan op verschillende plaatsen in graslanden het oude bed van de Don terugvinden1) — en de Torne of Don, hoe men dat loozingskanaal noemen wil, zou bij Adlingfleet in de Humber door middel van sluizen ontlastend, een zeer gemakkelijke lossing gevonden hebben. -Buitendien blijkt uit oude gegevens, dat die verdwenen rivier bevaarbaar was en zou er dus een scheepvaartkanaal gebleven zijn.
Wij staan hier voor een raadsel. Zoowel de Torne als de hiervoor genoemde New Idle hebben een veel geringer verhang en verval gekregen dan bij eene projectie in noordelijke richting het geval geweest zou zijn.
Ten gevolge van te gering verhang en verval is de afwateringscapaciteit van beide kanalen onvoldoende gebleken.
Vermuyden had dit kunnen voorzien en het is onbegrijpelijk, dat hij hieraan geen of onvoldoende aandacht heeft geschonken.
Ik kan dat slechts toeschrijven aan zijn zucht om spoedig met de droogmaking gereed te zijn.
Reeds na twee jaar, in 1627, was het werk zoover gereed dat de Commissie voor de verkaveling benoemd kon worden, om met haar werk te beginnen (zie kaart van Aerlebout). De commissie bestond uit Viscount Aire, Sir John Saville, Sir Ralph Hansby en Sir Thomas Fanshaw. Na vijf jaren was het geheele werk gereed en wij lezen bij Sir William Dugdale, blz. 145: „The agreement being therefore thus made this great work was accordingly begun, and had so successful a progres, that with the charge of fifty five thousand eight hundred twenty five pounds, or thereabouts, it became fully finished, within the space of five years; the water which usually overflowed the whole level being conveyed into the river Trent, through Snow Sewer and Althorpe river, by a sluice, which issued
') Zie de bijlage acuter dit hoofdstuk.



40
out the drained water at every ebh, and kept back the tides upon all comings in thereof.
And now that the world may see what an advantage aeerued to the public by this noble, though chargeable work, I shall here, from the before specified deposition, observe First that the draining of the Haxey Carr, a great part thereof has been sowed with rape, and other corn, for three years together, and borne plentiful crops. 2°. That some part of the said carr not worth above six
pence an acre per annum, was after the said draining
worth 10 shilling the acre. 3°. That several houses have been since built and inhabited
in sundry places of the said carr, which formerly was
drowned land: So likewise in other parts of the level. 4°. That since the draining the grounds are better worth
3 sh. 4 d. an acre than they were two shillings an
acre before.
5°. That of ten acres of drained land fifty quarters of rapeseed have been gotten in one year,a,nd sold at thirty shilling the quarter.
6°. That of the said drained grounds, they have usually had three quarters and a half of wheat upon one acre; three quarters of rye upon one acre; and eight quarters of oats upon one acre. And for six years together seven quarters of oats on one acre.
7°. That before this draining, the country thereabouts was full of wandering beggars;but very few afterwards; being set on work in weeding of corn, burning of ground, threshing, ditching, harvest work, and other husbandry. All wages of labourers, by reason of this great use of them, being then doubled".
Sir William Dugdale brengt aldus hulde aan de ondernemers, die van waardeloos terrein vruchtbaar land gemaakt, de opbrengst verveelvuldigd, de bevolking van lui bedelvolk in ijverige landarbeiders, die een goed loon verdienden, gereclasseerd hebben.



41
Wij lezen hier, dat de droogmaking £ 55825.— gekost zou hebben.
In het manuscript van George Stovin wordt een bedrag genoemd van £ 400.000.— een formidabel bedrag, vooral voor die dagen.
De la Pryme noemt een cijfer van £ 300.000.—.
De waarheid zal wel in het midden liggen.
Het is best mogelijk dat £ 55.825.— de werkelijke onmiddellijke droogmakingskosten representeeren en dat in de hoogere cijfers andere kosten als onteigening, schadeloosstellingen, dijkonderhoud enz. begrepen zijn. Ik voor mij ben het meest geneigd een bedrag van ^200.000.— aan te nemen, omdat dit cijfer later door Mr. John Gibbon in zijn verweer tegen Nathaniel Noddel e. a. genoemd wordt.
Koning Karei I, verhief, op 6 Januari 1629, Cornelis Vermuyden in den adelstand met den titel van Sir, Knight, uit waardeering voor diens energie en bekwaamheid en uit erkentelijkheid voor het feit dat Vermuyden een groot stuk vruchtbaar land aan zijn Rijk had toegevoegd.



The course of the old Don from Eastoft to Stainford.
Going by Micklemash Hill end Baref oot Hill and so along between Baynsbutt on the North Side and Blackwater to the Garth on the North Side the Hazell Ends and so by Garths called the Landgarths almost by Tockwith to Saunder Garth and so up the South Syde of Reederwath to the Crooke and so through a Garth called Wrymouth to Lamer Rack and so through a wath called Bootheye to Ellen Tree Hill and from there by to Tudworth and so by Seabank up the Closes take Thos Darlings of Thorne and or in Stainford Tyage up Syllpitt against Mydleinch nooke and to Stainford. But-Time long before the memory of men it has been used that boats did pass from Stainford to Eastofte along by Micklemash syde to Thorne and so almost by Thorne meare and so upwards lead through the wahre of Newflett and Taylors lodge to Heynes Garth and so up Teril Rack to Dewyr lodge and so by Musgrave lodge to the Garth called Wrymouth and through the Back called Kickleing Pode leaving Donnon the Southeast side to Duckleing rode garth and from there by the East side of Reeder wath into the River of Donn again and so up Donn to Saunder Garth where had wont to be two Garth leading up Donn which Garth is now Dembod up with the Garth arms the other crossing over Donn and leading toward Crowle as the way is now used to Dewye Garth and so by Crowle into the Donn at the Hazell and Garths by Crowle Tynge side into Donn again at Nuthill and from there up Donn to the new Trench through Eastofte and leaving Haldenby Park on the North side and so to the Trench Bridge and Luddington and so by Haldenby and Carthorpe to Adlingfleet under Fockenby Highbridge which parts Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.



HOOFDSTUK IV.
"Wij hebben gezien hoe Vermuyden met groote doortastendheid de droogmaking van Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme aanpakte.
Het was Vermuyden gelukt in Zeeland en Holland een Syndicaat te vormen van familieleden en vrienden, die eene participatie namen in de „Engelse dyckage", zooals men het werk noemde.
Vol vertrouwen gingen de deelhebbers, die bijna allen reeds bij dergelijke dijckage-ondernemingen in Zeeland betrokken waren geweest en er aardig aan hadden verdiend, den uitslag tegemoet.
Een samenloop van omstandigheden, gepaard aan ernstige fouten, hebben echter aan de hooggespannen verwachtingen den bodem ingeslagen.
Aanvankelijk scheen alles mee te loopen. De droogmaking zelve ging voorspoedig, Vermuyden was dan ook zeer optimistisch gestemd.
Te optimistisch.
Mocht hij zich aan den eenen kant verheugen in de waardeering en vriendschap van Karei I, dat is hem toch duur te staan gekomen. Hij heeft te veel op den Koning en diens macht vertrouwd, en heeft zich wellicht door die Koninklijke vriendschap eenerzijds en zijn eigen optimisme anderzijds, laten verleiden tot het aankoopen van verscheidene Koninklijke bezittingen, waaronder die in de droogmakerijen van Hatfield Chase on Isle of Axholme.
Allereerst op 14 Juni 1628 een terrein van 2600 acres onder Misson en Finningly.
De overeenkomst tusschen den Koning en Vermuvden luidde:



44
This Indentibure made the 14th day of June anno Do. 1628 in the fourth year of om Sovereign Lord Charles; the King Grants to Cornelius Vermuyden of London Esquire Part of the Duchy of Cornwall, Divers surrounded and Wash Ground and Commons belonging te Missenwaste containing two thousand six hundred acres all that one moiety or half part there of (viz) that part abutting upon Finingley waste and the River Idle on the North and East Parts and common of Misen on the south and east-parts. To Have and to hold to the said Cornelius Vermuyden for and during the natural lifes of Cornelius Vermuyden son of the said Cornelius Vermuyden, Sara and Catharina the two daughters of the said Cornelius Vermuyden the Father paying yearly unto his Majesty his heirs and successors the yearly rent of one hundred and four score Pounds at St. Michael and Lady day with power to renew the said grant upon the Demisse of Cornelius the son, Sara or Catharine his daughters".
Wij zien hieruit dat Vermuyden zoowel zich zelf als zijn zoon Cornelis en zijne dochters Sara en Catharina verbond tot het betalen van eene jaarlijksche rente van ^180.
Dit was betrekkelijk nog een klein bedrag. Vermuyden, die de droogmaking vrijwel beëindigd wist, dacht natuurlijk een zeer gunstige transactie te doen.
Meer in de papieren liep de overeenkomst een jaar later tusschen den Koning en Vermuyden gesloten.
De Koning die steeds geldgebrek had, verkocht 5 Februari 1629 aan Vermuyden en diens erfgenamen de heerlijkheid Hatfield met alle daaraan verbonden gronden en voorrechten voor een prijs van £ 10.000.— in eens, een jaarlijksche rente van £ 195.3.5V2 (na 1630 verhoogd tot £ 425.—) en een roode roos. (Zie bvjlage I.) Kort,-nadat deze overeenkomst gesloten was, schonk de Koning de voordeelen daaraan verbonden, aan Katharina, Hertoginweduwe van Buckingham en Sir George Manners, later graaf van Rutland, als bewindvoerders en ten behoeve van den minderjarigen George, Hertog van Buckingham, zoon van den te Portsmouth vermoorden vriend en minister des Konings.



45
In 1637 spraken de Earl of Antrim en zijne gemalin, de gewezen Hertogin-weduwe van Buckingham, de Participanten voor achterstallige „feefarmrent" aan.
A Bill Brought against the Participants by Randal Macdonnel Earl of Antrim and Catharine Duchess of Buckingham for £ 195. 3. 4 a year fee farm rens granted by the King to the Duke of Buckingham (he that was stabeld by Felton at Portsmouth, the earl of Antrim married his dowager / £ s. d.
out of lands at Wroot . . j 60 0 0
Increased rents and adm 425 0 0
There was then four years in arrear which amoun-
ted to the sum of 1940 0 0
13 year Charles I.
De Koning verkocht zijne derde part in het grondbezit van de Isle of Axholme, Snaith, Rawcliffe Crowle etc. aan Vermuyden's vrienden John Gibbons en S. Corselis en wel tegen betaling van een jaarlijksche pacht van £ 1228.17.— aan de kroon. Ook deze som werd door den koning aan den minderjarigen Hertog van Buckingham geschonken.
Later heeft deze schenking aanleiding tot moeilijkheden gegeven. De hertogin-weduwe van Buckingham en haar tweede echtgenoot, Lord Antrim, optredende ten behoeve van den minderjarigen hertog, spraken de participanten in rechten aan wegens het in gebreke blijven van betaling der pachtpenningen.
Vermuyden zat in 1634 dusdanig in geldzorgen, dat hij de helft van zijn bezit in de Hatfield Chase droogmakerij aan Sir James Cats, onzen „Vader Cats", overdeed.
Later verkocht hij zijn resteerend bezit aan den heer John Gibbons, die eveneens eigenaar werd van de door Vader Cats gekochte helft.
Uit oude gegevens blijkt, dat Vermuyden toen ook van de ambachtsheerlijkheden van Hatfield, Fishlake, Thorn, Staaiforth, Dowsthorpe (Sykehouse) en 1900 acres van Hatfield Park, reeds geen eigenaar meer was en dus ook ontslagen van de daaraan verbonden lasten, terwijl de heer John Gibbons voor een deel dier lasten aansprakelijk



46
was en wel voor een bedrag van £ 200.1.8. Voor de rest waren andere personen, die eveneens een stuk van Vermuydens bezit overgenomen hadden, aansprakelijk. Wij lezen daaromtrent: „Gibbons on purchasing the manor of Hatfield, ineluding „Fishlake, Thorne, Stainforth, Dowsthorpe (Sykehouse) „and Hatfield Park with 1900 acres of land answered „for his proportion of fee farm rent namely £ 200.1.8 „per annum. The residue of Vermuyden's interest in the „reolaimed lands was disposed of to various purchasers, „each lot being liable for its proportion of fee farm rents, „drainage rates or scotts". In de lijsten van eigenaren vinden wij in 1634 en 1635 respectievelijk Lord Banning en Mr. John Gibbons, die beiden voor den oorspronkelijken eigenaar Sir Cornelis Vermuyden in de plaats zijn getreden.
In July, 1634, the following persons were presented to the Privy Council as being in arrears with their assessments: —
£ s. d.
Mr. Abram Struys . . 414 12 0
Sir John Ogle 398 12 0
Mr. John Baerie ... 375 0 0
Mr. C. Van Bueren . 337 9 8
Mr. Abram Vernatti .275 0 0
Mr. Abram Dolens . . 245 0 0
The Widow Vandale . 186 8 0
Mr. Vanweeleij .... 180 10 0 Messrs. Roeloff and
Sebastian Franken .180 0 0
Mr. John Van Diemen 157 10 0 Mr. Chas de Brou-
xelles 117 10 0
Mr. Leonard Catt ... 114 86
£ s. d.
Mr. Peter Crypennick 99 0 0
Mr. Samuel Van Paine 95 4 0
The Widow Crysteen 90 0 0
Mr. Wouter de Gelder 37 10 0 ' The heirs of James
Droogbroot 36 14 0
Mr. Dengman de Urie 35 0 0
Sir James Catt .... 33 10
Mr. Fabian de Viliet 25 0 0 Messrs. Thos. and
Wm. de Witt .... 15 00
The Professor Goel . 12 10 0 The land belonging to the lordship of Hatfield now in possession of the Lord
Banning 941 0 0
The following were the proprietors of reclaimed lands in Hatfield Chase in the year 1635: —



47
acres.
Lands late belonging, to
Sir C. Vermuyden, now
Mr. John Gibbons . . . 4,554Mr. Andrew Bocard and
Mr. John Corselis . . . 3,600
Sir Philibert Vernatti . . 3,150 Mr. Abram Vernatti . . . 550 Mr. Lucas Van Valken-
. burgh 1,247
Mr. Marcus Van Valken-
burgh 1,146
Mr. Mathew Van Val-
kenburgh 811
Mr.
Cornelius Van Beuren 1,300
Mr. Samuel Van Peenan 1,178
Mr. John Van Baerje . 1,000 Sir James Cambell Knt.. 600 Messrs. Isaac and Pieter
Van Peenan 572
Mr. Pieter Cruypennick 440 The widow of Edward
Bishop 400
Mr. Marcellus Van Darin 400 Mr. William Van Weeley 361
Mr. Philip Jacobson ... 350
Sir John Ogle Knight . . 339
acres.
The heirs of Derrick
Semey 300
Mr. Abram Struys .... 250
Mr. Leonard Catt .... 200
Mr. Fabian Vliet .... 200 Messrs. Roeloff and Se-
bastian Franken .... 200 The Widow of Michael
Crayesteyn........ 200
Mr. Abram Dolens .... 200
The Widow of Dionysius
Vandale 160
Mr. Jacob Struys .... 150
Mr. Charles de Bruxelles 100 Mr. Regnier Cornelissen
Vos 100
Mr. Wouter Degelder . . 100
The Professor Goel . . . 100
Mr, John Vandimen ... 100 The heirs of Jacob
Droogbroot 80
Sir James Catts Knight . 67 9
24,505
Vermuyden had, zoodra hij de werken voor de droogmakerij begon, Sandtoft gekozen als de plek, waar de kolonie van Hollandsohe en Vlaamsohe immigranten en de stapelplaats en centrale voor het werk gevestigd zouden zijn. De plêk was zeer gunstig gekozen. Sandtoft was hoog en zeer centraal'gelegen. Sandtoft ligt in Hatfield Chase doch juist op de grens van de Isle of Axholme.
De koning, die reeds bij de verkoopacte van Hatfield Manor, aan Vermuyden het recht gegeven had om kerken te bouwen, verleende nog eens aan de deelgenooten het recht om hun eigen bedehuizen te stichten en daar in hun eigen taal te doen prediken. (Zie bijlage II).
In Sandtoft werd dan ook een houten kerk gebouwd,
») Ik heb de namen herhaald, zooals zij in het oude document voorkomen en niet gecorrigeerd.



48
waar door een Waalsch predikant gepreekt werd. In de overeenkomst omtrent deze kerk werd bepaald, dat de Hollandsche en "Waalsche Protestanten zelf voor bouw en onderhoud van hun kerk en betaling van hun predikant moesten zorgen.
Het bewuste document luidt:
"An Agreement of the Participants For a Minister of the Gospel amongst the French and Dutch Protestants, who first Inhabited the Levils of Hatfield Chase &c.
,ir, "Translated out of the French.
Loppie.
"Bee it Knowne unto all those that shall see these presente, that on this day the Eigh of January one Thousand six Hundred Thirtie and three, Stile Anglio, being the Eighteenth day of the Same Month, one Thousand six Hundred Thirty and foure, french Stile, Before me John Marius, Notarie and Tabellion publick Dweiling within the Cittie of London, by the Authorities of the King's Majestie our Sovereign Lord admitted and Sworne, and in p'esence of the Witnesses after named parsonally appeared the Worshipfull Sr Philibert Vernat Knight, Henry Kinston, Lucas Valkenburgh, Matthew Valkenburgh, John Corselis, Michall Corselis Esqrs, all of them at present being in this Citie of London unto me, notarie well Knowne, which said appearors, as well for themselves as for and in the name of their associates, and all others Interested in the Dikeage or Levill of the Lands newly Drained in Haitfield Chase in the County of Yorke, and thereabouts in the Realne of England, for whom thea do undertake have said and Declared that thea ar Content and willing to pay and Contribute Every Years to a Minister of the Word of God that shall be Chosen, to Preach in the said place in the French and Dutch Tongues, The Sume of Three score and Tenn or four score Pounds Sterlin, to have one able minister, which said Sume shall be Levied and paid by a General Taxe upon Everie aeker of Land of the said
Dikeage, assessed by the Greater parte of the or principall
Interested in the said Lands; and to the Ende that all those that shall taike any Land to farme of the said appearors may be wholly assured of that which is afforsaid, the said appearors Do Declare and promise by these presents that the Said farmers shall not pay any Rent for the said Lands until such Time as an able minister be Confirmed by the said appearors in the said place; and for p'formance of the said









49
promises the said appearors in the qualitie aforesaid have Bound and Doe Binde their persons and all there Goods, present and to Come, and Specially the said Lands firmly by these presents. In wittness of the Truth the said appearors have subscribed these presents with their owne hands in the Regester of me the said notary. Done in London afors" in the presence of Henry Sharpe and Sydney Atkins, Dwelling in the said Cittie, wittnesses hereunto Called and Required. Subscribed thus: '3;
"Filberto Vernatty, Henry Kynston, M. Valkenburgh, Lucas Valkenbourgh, Iohn Corsellis, Michall Corsellis.
"Henry Sharp, Sidny Atkins.
"This Translation Doth in Substance agree with the originall.
"Iohn Marius notarie publick, 1647.
"N.B. Wee Subscribed doe atteste by these presentes that Iohn Marinus is notairy and Tabillion Royal in this Citty of London, and that in the Acts, Instruments, Copies and other writtings Sign'd by him is given plain Faith and Credit in Judgment Court, and underdone at London these 16 Day of January in the year 1633. Stilo Anglico, being the 26 Day of the month 1634, Stilo Galico.
„Josua Mainet, Nota Pub.
„Johanes Aurelius, Notry Publ. „John Conrad Wernely."
De volgende namen leest men in het kerkregister van Sandtoft. Het is opmerkelijk hoe weinig van die namen er nog in de streek voorkomen. Volgens de overlevering zijn de meesten van hen, gedurende de onrustige jaren, die op hun vestiging volgden, naar Amerika geëmigreerd.
Martin Dubliq Oser Legrand James Dumouline Anthony Blancar James Coquelar Anthony Scanfaire Peter de la Hay Noah Egar Jessy Beamarm John Leleu James Leroy
Simon Acfaire Francis Derik Anthony Leflour Peter Amory James Renard Christian Smaque Isonbar Chavatte Michael Lebrand Peter Descamps Isaac Delanoy James Arneau
Abraham Egar David Morilion Peter Leleu Mark de Coupe Isaac Vanplue Jacob Tysen Isaac Beharelle David Letalle Peter Tysen Abraham Beharelle Andrew Clebaux
4



BO
Matthias Priem Isaac des Biens Noah Matts John Beharelle Andrew Clebaux Matthew Porree Hosea Tafin Custau Legrand John de Lannois James Flahau Isaac Amory James Venin Anthony Dubois Rowland Dubois Charles Prime Isaac Venin Adrian Vanbouge Anthony le Roux Nicholas Tysen
Peter de la Gay Thomas Benitland
Charles Ranoy Joel Delepiere
David le Conté Abraham Blique
Anthony Massingarbe Joel Lespirre
Charles Arebault George Hardicq
Anthony Merquelier John Goughter
Christian Fontaine James Rammery
Isaac Clais John Frouchart
William Prime Isaac Veney
Robert Taffin Josias Harlay
John de Roubay Charles Geubau
Jacob Lienar Isaac Hancar
Peter Duquenne Isaac Vanplue
Benjamin Gouy Daniël Duverley
James de Ratt Peter Egar
Gregory Impson Simon le Haire
Adrian Vanhouq Abram Brunye
Matthew Brugne Isaac de Burge
Abraham Desquier John Swart.
One curiosity in connection with Sandtoft Chapel has been preserved, namely, the Pulpit Bible. It is in possession of a family named Dunderdale, who had it from Le Leus, their maternal ancestors, who were members of the aforesaid congregation. Archdeacon Stonehouse says: — „This book has been preserved in the family of Dunderdale, who obtained possession of it from the Le Lews. There is written on the title page, 'Appartient a Pierre le Leiï. The book has short practical notes. I remember that the late Mr. Dunderdale (who obtained the Bible from the Le Lews) died before I had an opportunity of visiting him. I am informed that he could relate many anecdotes about the first settlers, which he had received as tradition from his ancestors, and that he delighted to talk on the subject for hours together. I found, however, among the pages of the old bible two fragments, one is the conclusion of a sermon by the minister of Sandtoft, the other part of a letter (Query, the draft or copy of a letter) to Mr. Reading on behalf of the congregation, which it appears after the restoration had been represented by their enemies as an unlawful conventicle." On the title-page of this Bible was printed "LA SAINTE BIBLE. Interpretee par JEAN DIODARTI. Imprimee a Geneve MDCXLIIII."
Het is bijzonder jammer, dat de bijbel thans nergens meer te vinden is.



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De kerk te Sandtoft werd in 1686 door de oproerke bewoners van de Isle of Axholme verbrand. Het kerkregister is gered gewórden.
Predikanten waren Peter Bontemps uit Leiden, Berchett die in 1665 te Crowle werd begraven, terwijl zijne vrouw üatharine Lecoq, op 28 Januari 1643 te Sandtoft was ter aarde besteld. Verder Jean Deckerhuel (1659), de la Prix Samuel Lamber (1664), Jacques de la Porte (1676) De laatste predikant was Vaneley. De kerk moet volgens de overlevering hebben gestaan aan de noordzijde van den dijk komende van Bears Wood Green naar de New Idle en wel tegenover het laatste huis yan Mr. Nath. Reading, dat aan de zuidzijde van gemelden dijk stond.
Onder de namen, die in het register voorkwamen, vind ik ook dien van De la Pryme.
Over de familie De la Pryme vond ik het volgende:
The ancient family of De la Pryme is of continental origin. One branch possessed a chateau and considerable domain at Paderborn in Hesse Cassel, where they lived during the seven years war. The other resided at Ypres in French Flanders and two of them remained there at a late penod. The name leaves no doubt that the latter is the original A pedigree, still in existence, traces an honourable lineage to the year 1100: from this it appears that some of them had been seized with the madness of the times and went to the Holy Land with the crusaders; their descendants however paid less deference to the papal authonty and had embraced the reformed religion in the 16th century The situation of its adherents throughout the French dominions had never been soft or comfortable, bift during the war that Richelieu renewed agawst them and the desperate, though hopeless, resistance at Roebelle it became every day more hazardous and distressing. At this üme zeal for their faith had reduced many to the sad alternative or prefernng at least for a time, their religion to their country. Among those was Charles de la Pryme, who, with his family came over to England about 1628, and joined with Sir C. Vermuyden and others or their countrymen in draining the fens of the Hatfield Chase: the knowledge derived from the similar situation of their own country, rendered them peculiarly qualified for such an undertaking. But erther through the disadvantageous terms of the contract, or unex-



52
pected difficulties in executing it, "most of them were undone, and Charles De la Pryme lost many hundreds of pounds by it" (Abraham de la Pryme's diary of his own life tom. 1. p. 1). He left two sonsj of Abraham nothing more is known than that he died July 23, 1667, and was according to the account of his nephew, "an honest, learned, pious, wise and understanding man". Mathias, the other, was born the 31st of August 1645 and married in April 1670, Sarah, daughter of Peter Smaque a rich Frenchman, who, with his whole family were forced from Paris by persecution for his faith and who came to live in these levels. "In 1680 he removed to Crowtrees Hall, (In the hall of this house divine service was performed, previously to the building of the chapel at Sandtoft") a large house built in the levels by Mynheer van Nelkenbroch, l) one of the original drainers, where the family continued to reside till they quitted this part of the country. Mathias died the 29th of July 1694; from his epitaph, in which he is named Matthew, it might be supposed he was born in Ypres, the ambiguous expression may be accounted for by the natural attachment those emigrants long cherished to the place of their origin, and some idea of return. The French and Dutch languages were preserved among them, for at least two generations. And the De la Prymes retained an estate in Flanders, which, after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, one of the family, who went over for that purpose, endeavoured unsuccessfully te recover. —
Abraham, the eldest son of Mathias was born the 15th of January 1671, not at Huil, (as Tichill in his history of that place gratuitously supposes) but at his father's residence, about half way between Epworth and Hatfield. His literary éminence may, perhaps, render a more detailed account of his life not uninteresting. When only ten or twelve years old he began to write what he calls "Ephemeus vitaeor a Diary of my own life, containing an account likewise, of the most observable and remarkable things that I have taken notice of from my youth up hitherto." The M. S. which is in two volumes folio, is imperfect in many places, and especially at the end; it contains, however, ample and authentic material, continued to within two years of his death. —
Of his early education nothing appears but that is eagerness after knowledge which he ever manifested. His father, who still leaned
') Waarschijnlijk is bedoeld: Van Valckenborgh, ofschoon Crowtrees Hall aan Vermuyden zou hebben toebehoord.



53
to the presbyterian tenets of the Hugenots, wished to have sent him to the University of Glasgow, Abraham who inclined to high church principles, gained with difficulty, a victory in favour of Cambridge.
Ik dien hier aan toe te voegen, dat Abraham de la Pryme wel eens te veel zijn phantasie en vooral zijn sympathie en antipathie liet dartelen, zoo dat ik hem niet als volkomen betrouwbaar geschiedschrijver heb mogen aanvaarden.
Een aardig staaltje daaromtrent is wel zijn onderhoud met den bisschop van Lincoln. De bisschop, die met groot genoegen het boek van De la Pryme gelezen had, ontbood hem naar Lincoln. De La Pryme vertelt zelf daarvan: „Bij het aangename gesprek, dat volgde, zeide de Bisschop, dat mijn beschrijving van Hatfield hem veel genoegen gedaan had, maar dat ik de eerste vier hoofdstukken van mijn werk niet kon bewijzen, en ze slechts op veronderstellingen gegrond waren. Hierop antwoordde ik, dat ik zulks volkomen juist en geoorloofd achtte, indien er geen gegevens bij de hand waren."
Toch moeten wij De la Pryme dankbaar zijn voor zijn werk en wij vergeven hem graag zijne groote voorliefde voor Hatfield, waar hij jaren lang predikant van de Engelsche kerk was, en voor Vermuyden, den grooten Nederlandschen waterbouwkundige.
Zoodra do gronden drooggemaakt waren, vestigden zich verschillende dergenen, die aan de droogmaking medegewerkt hadden, in de nieuwe polders.
De groote deelhebbers gaven het voorbeeld. Vermuyden, de Van Valckenburgs, Vernatti, de De Witts en Jacob Cats hebben ieder een huis voor zich doen bouwen.
Het voormalige huis van Vermuyden de „Crow Trees" staat nog in Hatfield Chase nabij de kruising van wegen van Sandtoft en Crowle naar Thorne en Hatfield, terwijl het overblijfsel van Vader Cats' bezit te vinden is nabijFinningley. Van beide woningen vindt gij hier afbeeldingen.
In alle plaatsen rondom en in de Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme vindt men Hollandsche, Vlaamsche en



54
Waalsche familienamen, de meesten door Engelsche uitspraak iets gewijzigd, als Amory, Arnese (Harnew), Brunyon (Brunyce), Delonoy, Dumoulin (Dimoline), Gelder, Eger, Impson (Empson), Paine (Van Peen), Taffinder Tyson (Tyssen)'.
Toen ik in Crowle in de kerkregisters wat over een bepaalde familie wilde nazien, bleek het dat er gedeelten van bladzijden uit die registers gescheurd waren. De tegenwoordige predikant wees er op, hoe nonchalant voorgangers van hem geweest waren. Het laat geen twijfel of belangstellenden bij erfenisquaesties hebben die registers in handen weten te krijgen, ten einde ze te hunnen behoeve te doctoren. Men leest zulke dingen in Engelsche romans en verbaast er zich dan met zijne vastelandsbegrippen over, trekt de waarheid er van soms wel in twijfel. Toch is het een feit, dat zulke dingen herhaaldelijk in Engeland voorgekomen zijn.
Het register van de kerk van Sandtoft was ook behoorlijk bijgehouden van 1641 tot 1681. Het register bleef bij den brand van 1686 gespaard, om echter nadat George Stovin het voor zijn, nog bestaand, manuscript gebruikt had, te verdwijnen.
George Stovin behoorde tot het aanzienlijke geslacht der Stovins van Tetley Hall bij Crowle en behoorde tot de afstammelingen der in de 14° eeuw door Sir Roger Mowbray bevoorrechte boeren. Een Stovin onderteekende dan ook op 8 November 1776 te Epworth de resolutie, die een einde maakte aan den langdurigen strijd tusschen deze afstammelingen en de participanten der droogmakerij.
George Stovin woonde niet op het voorvaderlijk landgoed, doch op Hurst Priory, meer nabij Belton gelegen. Hij was secretaris van het Waterschap de Hatfield Chase en heeft in die hoedanigheid gelegenheid gehad een zeer belangrijk handschrift samen te stellen.
Het is zeer te betreuren, dat George Stovin, die toch blijkbaar belangstelde in de geschiedenis van Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme, niet tevens zorg gedragen heeft, dat



Gedenkplaat op het graf van George Stovin






65
het kerkregister van Sandtoft en andere documenten zorgvuldig bewaard zouden blijven.
Daar mijn vriend, Mr. Gr. Bouwens1), van Manor House, Littleton, van moederszijde van de Stovins afstamt, heb ik aan het vroegere familiebezit der Stovins van Tetley Hall een bezoek gebracht. Er is onder meer een familiebegraafplaats, die geducht in vèrval is. Bijgaande photographie werd gemaakt van een koperen plaat op een der zerken.
Het is jammer, dat het kerkregister van Sandtoft verdwenen is, omdat zich daar na de droogmaking nog verschillende Hugenoten, die uit Frankrijk vluchtten, hebben gevestigd. Sir William Dugdale taxeerde het aantal buitenlandsche families in deze streken op ruim tweehonderd. Peter Bontemps van Leiden, de eerste predikant van Sandtoft, schreet twee jaar na zijn komst, dat het aantal vreemdelingen, dat zich in deze streken gevestigd had, in die paar jaar mot de helft was vermeerderd. De meesten waren afkomstig uit Normandië en andere streken van Frankrijk.
Het zou de moeite waard zijn do verdere geschiedenis van die families na te gaan en te boek te stellen. Vooral ook omdat volgens de overlevering de meesten hunner den bestaansstrijd hier niet volhielden en naar Amerika emigreerden.
Hun levenspad is in de Engelsche polders dan ook niet bepaald op rozen gegaan.
Ten eerste werden zij door de Engelsche bewoners als indringers beschouwd, buitendien als lieden, dje hunne oude rechten hadden aangetast, hetgeen natuurlijk niet beter werd, naarmate de rechtsquaesties tusschen Vermuyden, de Oommoners en anderen toenamen.
') De heer Godfried Bouwens is een afstammeling van het Amsterdamsche patriciërsgeslacht Bouwens van Horsen, hetwelk in Holland, iu het einde der 19" eeuw, is uitgestorven.
De tak, die zich in het einde der 18" eeuw io Engeland vestigde, belooft nog bloei voor de toekomst, want de heer Godfried Bouwens, die gehuwd is met een dochter van Lord Walsingham, heeft vijf kinderen, van wie drie jongens, waarvan éen den naam Derek (Dirk) draagt.



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Ofschoon men natuurlijk de recalcitrante en ruwe houding der Commoners niet kan goedkeuren, is deze toch wel grootendeels te verklaren.
De Commoners bestonden deels uit de afstammelingen der groote pachtboeren van Sir Roger Mowbray, die van dezen in de 14e eeuw de privilegiën voor de Isle-bewoners verkregen en het contract mede onderteekend hadden, deels uit de afstammelingen der landarbeiders dezer pachters.
Die pachters werden sedert dat privilegie steeds onafhankelijker, kwamen steeds meer in aanzien onder de bevolking.
Een der elf onderteekenaars van de privilegieacte was Richard de Belwood. Dat geslacht stierf weliswaar in mannelijke lijn uit, maar de afstammelingen in vrouwelijke lijn, in Vermuydens tijd de Vavasours en daarna tot dertig jaar geleden, de Johnsons, waren groot grondbezitters die een 5000 acres bezaten en het prachtige landgoed Temple Belwood bij Belton bewoonden.
De Vavasours hebben, volgens de geschiedenis, nimmer een heftige houding tegen de vreemdelingen aangenomen. Doch er waren anderen als Portington van Tudworth Hall, Popplewel van Beltoft, die het verzet der massa aanmoedigden.
Alleen konden de rijke Commoners niets tegen Vermuyden en de Participanten, tegen de vreemdelingen, die door den Koning geprotegeerd werden, beginnen.
Daarom moesten zij de landarbeiders, de massa, in beweging brengen. Wij weten uit de oude geschiedenis, zoowel als uit die van onze dagen, wat zulk een beweging der massa, aangevoerd door leiders, die haar in een bepaalde richting sturen, beteekent.
De eenvoudigen onder de Commoners, uit zich zelf reeds tegen de „Vreemde Droogmakers", die hen in hunne oude rechten benadeeld hadden, gekant, waren eene gemakkelijke materie in de handen der „squires", der groote heerenboeren en gaarne bereid om van lijdelijk verzet tot muiterij, handtastelijkheden en erger over te gaan.









57
Conflicten en vechtpartijen, vernieling van have en goed, van dijken en andere kunstwerken waren schering en inslag. Nadat Vermuyden, tengevolge van een juridische beslissing van Lord Wentworth, van het tapijt verdwenen was, werden de verhoudingen iets minder hatelijk. Doch toen in 1642 de strijd tusschen Kroon en Parlement steeds scherper werd en de Parlement-aanhangers, die te Lincoln vertoefden, uit vrees voor een inval in de Isle of Axholme, door Sir Ralph Hansby, order gaven de Isle onder water te zetten, werden de sluizen van Snow Sewer en Millerton zoo gretig geopend, de dijken zoo haastig vernield, dat de vreemdelingen zich wel rekenschap gaven dat de bevolking zich er in verheugde het land te zien overstroomen, het graan te zien verwoesten.
Toen de vreemdelingen trachtten het totaal vernielen der sluizen van de Snow Sewer te verhinderen, bleken de Isle bewoners van vuurwapenen voorzien te zijn. Zij namen een zeer dreigende houding aan en verklaarden niet te zullen rusten voor alle landerijen weer geheel onder water zouden staan en de vreemdelingen als eenden zouden hebben weg te zwemmen. Voor een waarde van £ 20.000.— werd vernield.
De troepen der Parlementspartij bezetten Sandtoft, joegen den predikant uit zijn huis en stalden hun paarden in de Protestantsche kerk.
Het onrechtmatige optreden van den commandant dezer troepen, Colonel Lilburne, ten opzichte van grondbezit in de Manor of Epworth, gaf nog aanleiding tot een proces, dat 11 jaar duurde.
Laat ons naar Sir Cornelius Vermuyden terugkeeren.
Wij hebben gezien hoe hij in 1634 reeds opgehouden had grondeigenaar te zijn in de door hem met zooveel energie drooggemaakte Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme, terwijl hem toch door den Koning als belooning voor zijn arbeid £ van het grondbezit in beidé heerlijkheden toebedeeld was en hij buitendien later nog het Koninklijke derde part in beide terreinen had overgenomen.



58
Waaraan had Vermuyden dezen tegenslag te wijten?
Is hij het slachtoffer geworden van „qui trop embrasse mal étreint", was hij wellicht bij meer ondernemingen geïnteresseerd dan wel met zijne finantieele hulpbronnen in overeenstemming te brengen was?
Vermuyden, die buitengewoon energiek was, had zich niet beperkt tot de uitvoering der droogmakerijen van Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme. Ik wil daarlaten of hij niet reeds door aankoop der Koninkhjke bezittingen in dien polder wat verder was gesprongen dan de stok lang was, maar het is zeker te betreuren, dat hij te spoedig zijn aandacht over te veel ondernemingen heeft verdeeld.
Sir Phüibert Vernatti, in October 1628 aan den heer St. Grilles schrijvend, over de misdadige woelingen der bewoners van de Isle of Axholme, constateert met leedwezen de afwezigheid van Vermuyden. Deze is later wel spoorslags naar Hatfield vertrokken maar kon, ondanks de opdracht van den Privy Council (Raad van State) aan alle posthouders om den heer Vermuyden zonder verwijl postpaarden en gidsen te verschaffen, niet-snel voortkomen, omdat de meeste posthouders de antipathie der bevolking tegen de vreemde droogmakers deelden.
Op zijn tocht naar zijn door oproer geteisterde onderneming kwam hij te Royston. De posthouder Eduard Whitehead weigerde, ondanks de bevelen van den Privy Council, Vermuyden aan paarden te helpen en zei, toen deze zich op.de bevelen van hoogerhand beriep: „dat hij geen paarden verstrekte, al maakte Vermuyden nogzoo'n koude drukte".
Wel was inmiddels het oproer, dank zij Sir Philibert Vernatti, die door zijn invloed aan het Hof vijftig ruiters ter assistentie had gekregen, gedempt, maar er was voor duizenden ponden verwoest.
Men moet, wanneer men Vermuydens afwezigheid beoordeelt, niet vergeten, dat dit niet uitsluitend aan hem zelf te wijten was.



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Vermuydens bekwaamheid en energie werden door velen gewaardeerd en zijn advies in verschillende deelen des lands ingewonnen.
Zoodoende heeft hij ook eene studie gemaakt van de droogmaking van het Fendistrict en Bedford Level, deze belangrijke veenen in Lincolnshire, Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire en Norfolk.
De locale instellingen in die graafschappen schoten te kort in macht en energie om het Fendistrict behoorlijk te draineeren en stuitten daarbij op tegenstand der bewoners, die b. v. b. niet bereid waren om een door de Commission of Sewers te Huntingdon geeischte heffing van 6 shilling per acre, polderlasten te betalen.
De Commissioners of Sewers van Norfolk liepen in 1629 te King's Lynn Vermuyden te hulp.
Vermuyden verklaarde zich bereid het Fendistrict droog te leggen mits hem 95000 acres (ca. 40.000 H.A.) als belooning zou worden toegewezen.
Het chauvinisme verzette zich tegen een dergelijke overeenkomst met een vreemdeling.
Er zou van de goede zaak niets zijn gekomen indien niet Francis, Graaf van Bedford, zich er voorgespannen had.
De graaf van Bedford heeft deze grootsche, doch zeer moeilijke onderneming met groote toewijding en groote persoonlijke opofferingen geleid, daarbij als technicus bijgestaan door Sir Cornelis Vermuyden, wiens plannen werden aangenomen, alhoewel een andere Hollander, Westerdijk, eveneens een ontwerp had ingediend.
Vermuyden was nog in andere zaken geïnteresseerd.
Vermuyden heeft in 1630 eerst voor £ 5000.—Malvern Chase in het Graafschap Worcester en daarna voor £ 12000.— vierduizend acres woeste gronden bij Sedgemoor van de Kroon gekocht. Beide terreinen werden met succes door hem drooggemaakt.
In 1631 nam hij, samen met Sir Robert Heath, een loodmijn te Wirksworth, in het graafschap Derby, in 30jarige erfpacht.



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Terwijl Vermuyden nu allerwegen zijn werkkracht en kapitaal vastgelegd had, begonnen de moeilijkheden in Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme een steeds bedenkelijker aanzien te krijgen en zou de zon van Vermuyden, die blijkbaar toen het hoogtepunt bereikt had, onafwendbaar ondergaan.
Onwillekeurig is men geneigd om het' geldelijk fiasco van de droogmakerijen te wijten aan Vermuyden's preoccupatie, maar zelfs indien Vermuyden zich tot de uitvoering van de werken van Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme beperkt zou hebben, ware naar mijne meening dit fiasco niet uitgebleven.
Het zou hoogstwaarschijnlijk Vermuyden toch niet gegeven geweest zijn vruchten van zijn arbeid te plukken. Daarvoor had Vermuyden in den aanvang te cardinale fouten begaan.
Laat ik eenige daarvan aanvoeren.
Allereerst heeft Vermuyden een kostbare technische fout begaan, door de Don af te dammen, zonder een voldoende boezem voor loozing van het water van die rivier te bezitten ol te scheppen.
Om deze fout te herstellen heeft hij de Dutch Rivir moeten graven, hetgeen hem £ 20.000— heelt gekost.
Vermuyden is te optimistisch geweest en heelt nagelaten te zorgen, dat het gedeelte van de concessie, waarbij dé Koning op zich nam, te zijnen behoeve mét de Commoners te regelen, nauwkeurig nagekomen was.
Vermuyden heeft de macht van zijn Koninklijken vriend verre ovérschat.
Vermuyden heeft de macht van zijne vijanden en van de bevolking der droog te maken landen te licht geteld.
Ik vond bij Dugdale het volgende satyrisch gedichtje van een Fenman.
„They'H sow both beans and oats where never man yet
[thought it,
"Where men did row in boats, ere undertakers bought it. But, Ceres, thou behold us now, let wild oats be their venture, Oh, let the frogs and miry bogs destroy where they do enter".



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Erkennen wij echter — en ik twijfel niet of de lezer zal na straks met de verschillende moeilijkheden nader . te hebben kennis gemaakt het met mij eens zijn Vermuyden had zulk een bitteren tegenstand, zulke ingewikkeld verhoudingen ten opzichte van gemeen grondbezit en vermeend gemeen grondbezit nooit kunnen vermoeden. Voor alles werd door hem als Hollander de macht van een Engelsch Koning overschat, eene overschatting, die door de hovelingen, waarmede Vermuyden in aanraking kwam, nog werd gevoed. Helaas, voor Veimuyden, waren er reeds andere machten in Engeland aan het opkomen, machten die later zelfs het hoofd des Konings zouden eischen.
Vermuyden, in het nauw gedreven, heeft ten slotte in de Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme moeilijkheden, een struisvogelpolitiek gevolgd, en heeft daardoor zijne vrienden en deelgenooten uit Holland voor quaesties gezet, die hij zelf had dienen onder de oogen te zien. Toen b.v.b. ruim honderd werklieden hun achterstallig loon reclameerden, was Vermuyden niet te vinden en Matthew van Valkenburgh,- de, onbezoldigde (honorary) penningmeester moest voor den magistraat van Rotherham verschijnen om een bedrag van £ 1600.— aan achterstallig loon tegen Vermuyden en Sir Philibert Vernatti te hooren eischen. * Toch is wellicht de houding van Vermuyden, zoo niet te verdedigen, dan toch to verklaren.
Lord Wentworth, Lord President of the North, had beslist dat Vermuyden aan de bewoners van Hatfield Manor groote gedeelten van zijne drooggemaakte gronden moest afstaan. Vermuyden verzette zich tegen de uitspraak — mijns inziens terecht — maar tegen de macht van een Lord President kon hij niet op en ten einde gijzeling en erger te voorkomen verliet hij de Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme, verkocht hetgeen~hij daar nog bezat en zou er nimmer terugkeeren. Het is mij echter gebleken dat Vermuyden toch de gijzeling niet ontsnapt is.
Eindelijk zien wij de oude vrienden en deelgenooten bij den rechter een klacht indienen tegen hun vroegeren



62
vriend en leider, wij zien Sir Philibert Vernatti, Matthew Valkenburg, Sam. van Peenen en John Corsellis voor Lord Went worth verschijnen omdat zij Vermuyden aansprakelijk wilferi' stellen voor * 20.000.—, de kosten van het graven van de Dutch River (zie bijlagen).
Wij zullen de rechtsquaesties in een volgend hoofdstuk behandelen, omdat zij, jammer genoeg voor Vermuyden, zoo ontzettend ingewikkeld waren.
Treurig is het om te zien hoe ellendige rechtsquaesties, kleinzieligheid en koppigheid de waarde van een grootsch ondernemen voor de tijdgenooten bedorven hebben.
De onderneming en de ondernemers hadden een beter lot verdiend.



HOOFDSTUK V.
Cornajis Vermuyden behoorde tot een geslacht, dat op het eiland Tholen in Zeeland zeer in aanzien was.
De geslachtsnaam was aanvankelijk Van der Muden, en werd later zoowel tot Van der Mue, Van der Moiden, Vermuye, Vermenyden als Vermues verbasterd.
De stamvader is Colaird van der Muden, die in een charter van 16 Mei 1315 genoemd wordt. Colaird van der Muden was een Vlaam, die zich met verschillende zijner landgenooten op Tholen gevestigd had, waar zij bezig waren het middelland te bedijken. De Vlamingen hadden in een strijd tusschen Holland en Vlaanderen partij getrokken voor hun landgenooten met het bitter gevolg, dat Graaf Willem III van Holland hunne goederen verbeurd verklaarde.
Waarschijnlijk houdt de naam Van der Muden verband met de Mude of Muyde of Muye, waarnaar ook de Muyepolder op Tholen genoemd is.
Die Muyepolder had in het jaar 1566 van een geweldigen storm te lijden en daar Bartel Vermuyden nalatig bleef om zijn aandeel in de lasten te dragen, werd een deel zijner goederen verkocht, doch de liefhebberij voor die gronden was zoo gering, dat de kooppenningen de lasten niet konden dekken.
De familie Vermuyden had een eeuw later nog grondbezit op Tholen, want de weezen van de op 24 Juli 1678 overleden Catharina Vermuyden, weduwe van Pieter van der Vliet, hadden door hun moeder land in den Roolandpolder op Tholen.



64
In 1570 was Bartel Marinus Vermuyden, schepen van Bt. Maartensdijk. In 1609 was hij burgemeester en overleed in het zelfde jaar.
Christiaan Vermuyden was van 1597 tot 1619 ontvanger van den 100°n penning en van 1599 tot 1620 ontvanger van den overgang van roerende en onroerende goederen pn van de collarotale successie voor het Oóstkwartier van Zuid-Beveland. Hij woonde te Goes en was gehuwd met Gfeertruyt d'Eversdyck, universeele erfgename van Mr. Jacob Valcke, tresoiri er-generaal en raad van Zeelandt.
In de kerk te Tholen vindt men het graf van burgemeester Johan Vermuyden, overleden 17 Oct. 1669, van zijne echtgenoote Clasina Dalles, overleden 14 April 1675, en van hunne dochter Joncvrouwe Maria Vermuyden, overleden 16 Mei 1675. Deze Johan Vermuyden was een neef van Cornelis. Hij is bij dezen, in Engeland, werkzaam geweest. Hij huwde eerst met zijn nicht Suzanna Liens, dochter van Joachim Liens, burgemeester van Tholen. Na haar dood hertrouwde hij met Clasina Dalles, dochter van Johan Dalles, burgemeester van Tholen. Johan Vermuyden werd in 1648 burgemeester van Tholen en in 1651 afgevaaidigde naar de Groote Vergadering. De hoeve, 'tHuys Vermuyden, gelegen aan den Kettingdijk op Tholen, herinnert aan het landhuis, waar hij zijn laatste levensjaren sleet. (Zie afbeelding).
Gillis Vermuyden was in 1591 schepen van St. Maartensdijk. Hij was gehuwd met Sara, dochter van den bekenden magistraat Livinus Werckendet te Zierikzee op Schouwen. Uit dit huwelijk werd onze Cornelis Vermuyden geboren en laat het geen twijfel of, zoowel van vader- als van moederszijde, zat het bedijken en landaanwinnen hem in het bloed. Zoo behoeft het dan ook niet te verwonderen dat Vermuyden door Koning Jacobus I aangezocht werd om de groote dijkbreuk bij Degenham, aan de Thames, te herstellen.
Vermuyden was bevriend met Joost Croppenburg, den bedijker en droogmaker van het bekende Canvey Island



Het huis Vermuyden aan den Kettingdijk op Tholen.






65
aan de Thames. De vriendschapsbanden tusschen beide families bleven ook na den dood van Croppenburg bestaan en was de weduwe meter bij den doop van Anna, het in 1635 geboren dochtertje der Vermuydens.
Het echtpaar Vermuyden was verwant met families, die lang Roomsch gebleven zijn. Van de geslachten Werckendet en Liens gingen in 1595 nog leden ter bedevaart naar San Jago.
Hoe dit zij, Vermuyden en vooral zijne vrouw waren geen trouwe aanhangers van de Nederlandsen Hervormde Kerk in Austin Friars te Londen.
Alhoewel zij drie kinderen in die kerk hebben laten doopen, schijnen zij dat later te hebben nagelaten.
Vermuyden schreef n.1. 11 Februari 1646 aan den Predikant Cesar Galandryn als volgt:
Londen, Donderdag 11 Febr. 1646. Broeder Calandrijn, alsoo de saken van de groote venen voorgevallen syn van dage, soo heb ick niet connen compareren voor de Consistorie, doch hebbe ik goed gevonden, soo het is over doopen van mijn kint, te verklaren mits desen, dat ick houde het doopen van de kinders een ordonnantie Godts te syn. Ooch hadde ick voor soo veel mijn aengaet geen scrupell om het voor de Duytse gemeynte te presenteren, maer alsoo mijn huysvrouw (alhoewell gesont in het doopen van kinderen) mij versocht een weinich vuytstell, bewillichde het, alsoo sy geinclineerd was ons kint in de Engelse kerke te doopen, het welcke een gemeen gebruyek was en bij vele gepractiseert, niet wetende vande ordre, onlancx gemaect, daarom dit hebbe ik goet gedacht V.E. te adviseren geloovende, datter niet anders en is daerover ick soude mogen versocht hebben geweest te compareeren, ofte souden mij eerst aengesproken hebben, navolgende den leere Christi. Gelieft dit de consistorie te kennen te geven, sult my obliegeren. Ende dus Godt sy met V. E., van V. E. dienstw. dienaer
C. Vermuyden.
De Kerkeraad had hem blijkbaar voor het consistorie geroepen om zich te verantwoorden over het nalaten om zijn kind in de Dutch Ghurch te doen doopen.
De verontschuldiging over de moeilijkheden in de
5



66
Venen wil ik gaarne aanvaarden, want in die dagen had Vermuyden heel veel moeilijkheden te overwinnen in de groote droogmakerij van de Bedford Level. De verontschuldiging van het doopen in de Engelsche Kerk is daarom zoo eigenaardig, omdat ook heden ten dage nog de groote moeilijkheid voor de Nederlandsch Hervormde Kerk te Londen is, „het gemeene gebruik, dat bij velen zich in „Engeland vestigende Hollanders gepractiseert wordt om „voor de Engelsche Kerk te zijn geinclineert."
Ook verbaast het niet, te zien, dat de vrouw daarbij de groote rol speelde.
Vermuyden behoefde zich verder niet erg aan de „order" der Dutch Church te storen, want hij was toen waarschijnlijk geen lidmaat meer, evenmin als zijne vrouw.
Trouwens zij waren beiden reeds in 1624 genaturaliseerd, Cornelis Vermuyden (of ver Meiden) op 5 April en Mary Vermuyden op 5 Juni van dat jaar. Over beiden staat: born in parts beyond the seas.
Ten opzichte van Mary Vermuyden wil ik even opmerken, dat zij elders als Catharina (Cathrina) voorkomt.
Maar al waren zij beiden dus reeds in 1624 Engelsche staatsburgers, toch lieten zij nog drie kinderen in de Hollandsche Kerk doopen.
Op 22 Januari 1626, eene dochter, Catharina. Peter en meters zijn: Joannes Liens, Sarah Werckendet en Anna, vrouw van Jacob Struys.
Op 21 Augustus 1634, een zoon Bartholemeus. Peter en meter zijn: Jacob Struys en Sarah Werckendet.
Op 16 Juli 1635 een dochter Anna. Peter en meter waren: Jacob Struys en Catharina, weduwe van Joost Croppenburg.
Behalve deze kinderen had het echtpaar Vermuyden reeds een zoon Cornelis en een dochter Sarah.
Deze beide kinderen komen, tegelijkmetdeop 22 Januari 1626 geboren Catharina, voor in de op 14 Juni 1626 door Vermuyden gesloten overeenkomst met Koning Karei I, omtrent aankoop van de Finningley Estate. Over de dochters hoort men later niet meer.



67
Cornelis was officier in het leger van Cromwell. In een brief van 4 Juni 1645 schrijft Cromwell aan Fairfax: „The party under Vermuyden waits the King's army, and „is about Deeping; has a command to join with Sir John Geil, if he commands him".
Cornelis junior was dus in Deeping in het Fendistrict, waaraan zijn vader, tezamen met den Graaf van Bedford en andere ondernemende heden, onder wie Sir Filibert Vernatti, hun tijd, geld en krachten wijdden om, ondanks den tegenstand der bevolking, deze waardelooze veengronden droog en vruchtbaar te maken.
Het doet pijnlijk aan een zoon van Vermuyden te zien strijden in de gelederen van de vijanden van den Koninklijken vriend zijns vaders, in de gelederen van Cromwell, die feitelijk zijne groote carrière begonnen is door partij te kiezen tegen de droogmakers der Venen, tegen Bedford, Vermuyden, Vernatti, en door de Fenbewoners aan te zetten tot verzet tegen den Koning en diens vrienden, die naar de meening der onbeschaafde, onontwikkelde, luie Veenbewoners hunne rechten aantastten.
Cromwell, de afgevaardigde van Huntingdon, aanvankelijk een obscuur rechtsgeleerde, werd door de Veenbewoners op de handen gedragen en kreeg den bijnaam van „Lord of the Fens", Heer der Venen.
Of Cornelis Vermuyden junior berouw gekregen heeft weten wij niet, maar het staat wel vast, dat hij kort na den slag van Naseby, den veldslag dien Karei verloor, hetgeen het einde van den vorst zou beteekenen, ontslag uit den dienst genomen heeft en zich wegens dringende aangelegenheden naar het vasteland begaf.
Ik had aanvankelijk gedacht, dat hij in de kerk te Tholen begraven lag, toén ik daar een grafzerk aantrof: „Hier legt den Heer Barthol Vermeuyden, was capiteyn „van een vendel voetknechten, sterft den 4en Augustus „1650, oud 33 jaren". Hier ligt echter de zoon van Johan Vermuyden, uit diens huwelijk met Susanna Liens en gehuwd geweest met Catharina Ketting.



68
Een der beide zonen van Vermuyden is in 1665 lid van het bestuur der Corporation te Bedford Level geweest.
De peten der drie in Londen geboren kinderen waren vrienden en deelgenooten van Vermuyden. Deelgenooten in het grootsohe ondernemen der droogmaking van Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme.
Men vindt hun namen terug in de volgende lijsten.
In het manuscript van G. Stovin d.d. 1739 vond ik de volgende lijst met namen van „owners of the Level of Hatfield Chase in 1635":
A.
Abram Strijs.
Andries Bocard en Corselas. Abram Vernatti. Abram Dolens.
C.
Cornelius Vermyden. Cornelis van Bueren. Charles de Brouxelles. Capt. de Greiff.
D.
Dingman de Vries. Dirrick Semeij.
F.
Filaberto Vernatti.
Fabian Douvliet. (Fabian van Vliet).
I.
John Ogle. Jeams Cambell. Johanes Bockardus. Jacob Strijs. John Gibbons. Jacob De Witt. Jan van Baerle. Jan van Dimen.
Jeames Catts.
Isaac en Pieter van Poonen. Jacob Droogbroot. Jan Corselis. Isaac Lombraak.
L.
Leonard Catts. Lucas van Valckenbosch. Marcellus van Douren. Marcus van Valckenbosch. Mattheus van Valckenbosch, Treasurer.
P.
Pieter Gryppenninck. Professor Goel. Philip Jocobson.
Mr. Gameliel van der Noon, The Pennic.
R.
Roelof en Sebastian Franken. Reynier Cornelisen.
s.
Samuel van Poonen of van Peenen. T.
Thomas en Willem de Witt.



69
W.
Widow of Eduard Bushop.
Widow of Mie" Craysteyn.
Wouter de Gelder.
Widow of Dionisius van Daele.
William van Weely.
Sr. William Courton.
Jan Lemaire.
Christian van der Vaart.
Boudewijn Clasen van Warmont.
Sr. Lucas Corselis.
Pieter van Gelder.
Sr. Philabert Vernatti. 1
Hendric Kijstan.
Officers en workmen,
John Lemaire.
Nicolas Donsen.
Christiaan van der Vaart.
Pieter van Gelder.
Pieter Ridder.
Edward Lyons.
John Devoit.
Robert Graskons.
Ik vond bij G. Stovin nog eene lijst en wel
London Anno 1635 a list of several owners of the Dykecage of Hatfield Chase and the Number of acres everybody owner doth Participate.
n° Acres
Vermyden
Brecard Vernatti
v. Valkenborch
v. Bueren van Peenen van Baerle
van Weely
Jacobson
van Peenen
Cruypenninck
Bishop
Van Daren
Cambell
Ogle
Semey
Catts
Vliet
Franken
Crayestijn
The lands late Sir Cornelis Vermuyden
now Mr. John Gibbons Mr. Andrew Boccard and John Corselis Sir Phillibert Vernatti Knight
Baronet 3150 )
Mr. Abram Vernatti 0550 )
Mr. Lucas van Valkenborch 1247 )
Mr. Marcus van Valkenborch 1146 ( Mr. Matthew van Valkenborch 0811 ) Mr. Cornelis van Bueren van Dort Mr. Samuel van Peenen Mr. John van Baerle cum suis at Amsterdam
Mr. William van Weely at Amster- ) dam 361 [
Mr. Philip Jacobson 350 )
Mr. Isaac and Peter van Peenen Mr. Pieter Cruypenninck at Amsterdam Mr. the Widow of Edward Bishop Mr. Marcellis van Daren (Dueren) Sir James Cambell Knight Sir John Ogle Knight the Heirs of Derreck Semey of Amsterdam Mr. Leonard Catts et Middleborch Mr. Fabian Vliet at the Hague Mr. Roelof en Sebastian Franken at Dort Mrs the Widow of Michael Crayestijn at Dort
4554. 3600
3700-
3204
1300 1178-
1000
0711
0572
5440
0400
0400
0600
0339
0300
0200
0200'
0200
0200



70
Dolens I Mr. Abram Dolens
Struys Mr. Abram Struys at Dort
Van Dael Mr. the Widow of Dominius van Dael
Struys Mr. Jacob Struys
de Bruxelles Mr. Charles de Bruxelles at Dort
Mr. Reynier Cornelisen Vos at Dort Mr. Wouter de Gelder at Dort The Professor Goel Mr. John van Dimen the Heirs of Jacob Droogbroot. at Middlebroch
Sir James Catts, Knight at Dort
total of acres in the said level I 24505
Ik heb de namen precies zoo overgenomen als ik ze in het M. S. van George Stovin aantrof. Men treft fouten aan in de spelling der namen, fouten, die men zonder veel moeite zelf ontdekt en overigens een aardigen kijk geven op het verbasteren van Hollandsche namen in Engeland.
Tot de aanvankelijke deelgenooten en geldschieters van Vermuyden behoorden o.m. Sir Filibert Vernatti, Lucas van Valckenborch, Andreas Boccard, Jan Corselis en Professor Golius. Sir Filibert Vernatti Baronet was een gunsteling van den koning. Dit blijkt o.a. uit den brief, in 1637 door Koning Karei I aan de Commissioners of Sewers van Hatfield Chase geschreven. Vernatti wasteen Lombard, die zich aanvankelijk in de Nederlanden, later in Engeland vestigde, heeft niet alleen in de droogmakerij van Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme, doch ook later in die van de Bedford Level een groote rol gespeeld. Men vindt nog heden nabij Spalding, midden in het Fendistrict in Lincolnshire, een afvoerkanaal, het „Vernatti Drain", naar hem genoemd.
Het groote belang, dat hij aanvankelijk bij de droogmakerij van de Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme had, blijkt wel uit eene omschrijving van zijn grondbezit afgedrukt dadelijk achter dit hoofdstuk.
Sir Filibert is kinderloos gestorven. J/"-tt«~
Professor Jacobus Gólius was verwant aan Van Beveren, die- van 1635 tot 1636 ambassadeur der Vereenigde



71
Nederlanden bij het Hof van St. James was. Een anoniem Engelsch schrijver laat Professor Gooi (of Golius) en zijne dochter een hoofdrol spelen in eene semi-historische novelle, getiteld: „The M. S. in a red box". Na allerlei wederwaardigheden weet de held van het verhaal, de jonge Vavasonr van Temple Belwood bij Belton, hart en hand van juffrouw Gooi te winnen.
Lucas van Valckenborch heeft voor ons eene grootere beteekenis dan Professor Gooi. Niet alleen had Lucas, zoowel als zijn broeders Marcus en Matheus, een belangrijk aandeel in de onderneming, maar buitendien was eene zuster gehuwd met Jacob Cats.
„Vader" Cats, dien wij als Sir James Catts, Knight at Dort, genoemd zien, had met voorliefde in Vermuyden's Onderneming deelgenomen.
Het bedijken en droogmaken van gronden was hem niet vreemd. Gedurende zijn verblijf in Middelburg had hij herhaaldelijk aandeel in dergelijke dijkages genomen en hij heeft een deel van zijn groot vermogen daaraan te danken gehad.1)
Toch was Jacob Cats niet van den aanvang af deelgenoot in het Syndicaat.
Door de familie Van Valkenborch, die uit Antwerpen naar Holland gekomen was, om zooals zoovele Vlamingen, den druk van het Spaansche juk te ontgaan, waren verscheidene andere deelhebbers toegetreden. Daartoe behoorde Pieter Cruypenninck, die door zijne vrouw, Lucretia Coymans, een zwager van Lucas van Valckenborch was.
Van de beteekenis van het geslacht Coymans getuigt nog steeds het gebouw der H. B. S. op de Keizersgracht tegenover de Westermarkt te Amsterdam, waar een gedenksteen in een der poorten den naam noemt van den stichter, den uit Antwerpen afkomstigen koopman Coymans.
*) Bekend is, dat hij de ziel is geweest der combinatie, welke in 1612 octrooi verkreeg tot het herdijken van de „Watering de Groede" nabij Breskens, in Zeeuwsch-Vlaanderen.



72
Christiaan en Jan van (de) Varlaer waren aan de familie Valckenborch verwant door hunne moeder Elisabeth Michielsdochter van (de) Varlaer, weduwe van Jan van Valkenborcch.
De Varlaers waren ooms der Valckenborchs. Onder de ingelanden vinden wij ook de namen van twee zwagers der van Valkenborchs, van Fabian van (de) Vliet en "Willem van Weely.
Een broeder van dezen laatste, Jan van Weely, woonde in de Vier Heemskinderen op 't Water te Amsterdam. Indien men op het Damrak bij de Korenbeurs gaat staan, kan men in den gevel van het verbouwde pand Damrak 47 een afbeelding dor Vier Heemskinderen zien, terwijl op de binnenplaats de origineele steen bewaard gebleven is.
Wij vinden, dat de geheele familie Van Valckenborch in die buurt woonde, de oude heer b.v.b. op den hoek van Warmoesstraat en Papenbrugsteeg.
Cornelis Cats te Brouwershaven, broeder van Jacob, had wel van den aanvang af in de Engelsche dijkage deelgenomen.
Dat lag ook geheel in de lijn, want Cornelis Cats was eigenlijk degeen geweest, die de Van Valckenborchs, zoowel als zijn broeder Jacob, indertijd in Zeeland aan het bedijken had gebracht.
Zoo waren dus aanvankelijk alle deelgenooten van Vermuyden Noord- en Zuid-Nederlanders; Engelschen als John Ogle en anderen kochten pas later aandeelen van Nederlanders op. 'S'si
Toch vinden wij onder de 18 namen van deelgenooten, die in 1630 met het oog op hun grondbezit in Hatfield Chase, om burgerrecht verzochten, een Engelsch klinkenden naam, dien van John Kingston. Ik vermoed, dat hier John Gibbons had moeten staan. In 1630 had John Gibbons, een Franschman, een deel der participatie van Cornelis Vermuyden overgenomen.
De 17 andere onderteekenaars van het verzoekschrift hadden reeds vóór de droogmaking voor hun portie deel-



78
genomen in het 1 /3 gedeelte, hetwelk Vermuyden, volgens de overeenkomst met Koning Karei I, als belooning toekwam.
John Gibbons nam pas later deel in het 18e part n.1. het part dat Vermuyden voor zich behouden had.
Ik durf met te meer stelligheid voor John Kingston den naam John Gibbons lezen, omdat de naam Kingston nooit meer in eenig document voorkomt en er in Engeland over het algemeen raar met vreemde namen omgesprongen wordt. Zoo leest men John Lyens inplaats van Johan Liens als 10en onderteekenaar.
Het bewuste stuk luidt:
12 Dec. 1631
Sir Filibert Vernatti (Patent Roll, 7 Car I part 28), The Signet Office Docquet Book entry reads:
„Sir Filibert Vernatty and others, partners with Sir Cornelius Vermuyden in the draining of Hatfield Chase, whereby they are enabled to hold their parts there, with a proviso that they pay for their merchandise as strangers." There is a previous entry in the Signet Office Docquet Book, under date 1630—1, March, as follows, but it appears to have remained in operation, and the above entry was probably substituted for it. „Sir Filibert Vernatty Kt., and other strangers born, and is to enable them to hold such lands as shall be alloted to them in Hatfield Chase, His Majesty having heretofore, by contract under the Great Seal, agreed with Cornelius Vermuyden, Kt, that all his partners in draining said Hatfield Chase should be enabled by His Majesty to hold such lands as should fall to their share" with a marginal note dated 1631 Nov. The Bill signed of this was' delivered to Sir Robert Heath's man to be now passed and the signet thereof remains upon the file.
Under the date 1630, June 1, thé State Papers Domestic CLXVIII contain the following paper:
Petition of Sir Cornelius Vermuyden. By agreement whith petitioner dated 1626 May 24, the king granted to petitioner one third of lands in Hatfield Chase and other places in Co York, Lincoln, Notts; and all persons by petitioner appointed to have such lands conveyed to them were to be enabled thereto: therefore prays denization for the



74
following 18 to enable them to hold said lands. The names are as follows:
Lucas Van Valckenburg Marcus Van Valckenburg Matthew Van Valckenburg William Van Weeley Fabian van Vliet Leonard Catts Symon Jacob Hinloope Peter Crupenninck Johan van Beerle Johan Lyens (Liens) Sir Filibert Vernatti John Kingston Marcellus van Dueren Abraham van Dolen Jacob van With Andrew Boccaert Abraham Vernatti
At the Court at Whitehall, June lst 1630.
His Majesty is graciously pleased to grant the petitioner's request for the denization of the parties above named, if it appear that His Majesty hath already made it part of His contract upon the draining of the lands above said; and that caution being had that under colour of denization thye still make no benefit thereof to the prejudice of His Majesty in his customer, or in any course of merchandise (whereof the Lord Treasurer is to have notice that his Lordship may give order to the customers as shall be meet on that behalf).
The Attorney General to prepare a bill or bills accordingly, fit for bis Majesty's signature.
Onder de namen zien wij dien van Johan van Baerle, den vermaarden Amsterdammer.
Van Baerle had duizend acres (420 H.A.) op zijn naam staan. Deze duizend acres waren echter onderverdeeld. Wanneer wij de geschiedenis van deze 1000 acres eens nagaan, dan weten wij meteen, dat het tusschen sommige deelhebbers van Vermuyden onderling al een even raar geharrewar was als tusschen de drie hoofdeigenaren van Hatfield Chase, Koning, Commoners (geërfden der meent) en Vermuyden.



75
Een zekere Mr. Jan de Knuyt, rentmeester van de aan Prins Frederik Hendrik toebehoorende ambachtsheerlijkheid St. Maartensdijk op Tholen, had, naar hij beweerde, 1000 acres gekocht tegen f 25.— per acre, droog te leveren. Hij deed daarvan de helft over: 300 aan Jan van Baerle en Suzanna van Baerle elk voor de helft, 100 aan David van Baerle, 100 aan Jaoomina van Baerle, gehuwd met Samuel Becquer.
Het schijnt, dat Mr. Jan de Knuyt voor f 10.— per acre gekocht had en er dus f 15.— aan verdiende. Later, toen Jacob Cats zelf in Engeland geweest was en deelgenomen had in Vermuyden's onderneming, sprak hij daarover met zooveel ophef dat Huygens, die ook graag wat verdiende, nog 100 acres van Cats overnam en wel voor f42.— per acre. De gronden, dié beter gelegen waren dan de 500 acres, werden door Vermuyden verkocht door bemiddeling van zijn neef Johan Liens, dien wij herhaaldelijk als tusschenpersoon zien optreden.
Jacob Cats beloofde nu aan Huygens om de 500 acres, die de familie van Baerle van Mr. De Knuyt gekocht had, ook bevoorrecht te maken. Dan moest echter het origineele koopcontract met De Knuyt teruggegeven worden, waarna Cats, tegen betaling van f 3.— per acre als belooning voor zijn moeite, voor een en ander zou zorgen, ook tegenover den oorspronkélijken verkooper Vermuyden verantwoordelijk zou blijven. Liens kreeg de contracten niet weer van De Knuyt terug, Cats verdiende f1500.— terwijl hij de onderneming nog van 100 acres afgeholpen had, maar Huygens klaagde later „dat hij een hand voll windts had". In 1661 ging een neef Becquer naar Engeland „naar eenige partijen dykagie vernemen", maar die zal wel niets hebben kunnen uitrichten. Vóór het herstel der Stuarts had reeds de laatste vreemdeling zijn rechten op grond in de Hatfield Chase opgegeven. De Republiek van Cromwell, van den „Lord of the Fens" had daartoe het hare bijgedragen.
In het bovenstaande relaas bevreemdt mij, dat er slechts over 500 acres, n.1. die door De Knuyt aan Van Baerle



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verkocht, gesproken werd, terwijl de Van Baerle's 1000 acres op hun naam hadden staan.
Ik vermeldde reeds dat Oats in Engeland was geweest.
Cats was als buitengewoon gezant naar Engeland gezonden, woonde in 1627 het feest van St. Joris bij en werd bij die gelegenheid tot ridder verheven. Vandaar Sir James Cats, Knight. Aan het hof van Koning Karei I ontmoette hij Vermuyden, die een jaar te voren de bekende bedijkingsovereenkomst met den Koning gesloten had.
Kort daarop zien wij Jacob Cats als eigenaar van 67 acres onder de deelhebbers van Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme genoemd. Cats had op 8 November 1627 deze gronden door bemiddeling van Johan Liens, neef van Vermuyden, gekocht. In April van hetzelfde jaar ging Cats opnieuw eene overeenkomst met Liens aan.
Hij kocht daarbij eerst 300, daarna nog 500 acres, met de bepaling, dat Liens het geld aan de droogmaking mocht besteden, doch dan ook zorg diende te dragen andermaal 800 acres aan den man te brengen.
Ik vond hierover de volgende correspondentie:
Ick hierondergeschrevenen hebbe verkocht ende verkope bij desen aan Mr. Jacob Cats, pensionaris der stede Dordrecht, de nombre van driehondert ackers ofte gemeten lants, geleghen in de dicage van Hatfield Chase en dat op gelycke voorwaerde ende conditiën gelyck Sir Cornelis Vermuyden met den voors. Cats over gelycke landen voor desen heeft gehandelt dewelcke ick ondergeschreven aen de voors. Cats aenneme te presteren volgens den contracten daervan synde in date den 16en Marty voorleden.
Weertegens de voors. Cats heeft belooft en belooft bij desen de voors. drie hondert gemeten te betaelen tot vyfentwintich guldens het gemet in drie termynen van drie maenden tot drie maenden ende dat binnen Hollant ofte Middelburch in Zeelant.
Alles ten goeden trouwen. Actum in 'sGravenhaghe den 8en dach van November 1627.
J. Liens 1627. J< Cats.
Ick onderges. verclare by desen te vreden te syn, dat de penningen, die over dat contract moesten betaelt werden als die betaelt moesten
1



77
worden over het contract van vyfhonderd ackers en dat ais het bovenstaende sullen worden geimployeert tot vervullen van de oncosten van de dicage van Hatfield Chase in plaatse dat deselven aan my onderges. hadden moeten worden betaelt en mits dat ick onderges. getal van landen sal vermogen te vercoopen uyt de partyen van Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, gelegen in' deselve dicage, waermede sullen commen te cesseeren de drie obligatien tot mijne profijt over coop van voors. landen verleden bij den pensionaris Cats, cooper in desen; daerin niet begrepen en syn acht duysent drie hondert en drie en veertich gul. die buyten de voors. obligatien onder mynen quitantien syn voldaen.
Actum desen XVII Aprilis XVI" achtentwintich. En sal ick onderges. deselve obligatien aan den voors. Cats eersdaechs doen restitueren.
Actum als boven. J. Liens
1628.
Deze overeenkomst heeft later tot veel onaangenaamheden voor Cats aanleiding gegeven.
Cats verkocht brokken land aan dezen en genen, die daardoor aansprakelijk werden voor de polderlasten (scotts) der door hem verkochte kavels.
Vermuyden, daarover aangesproken, verklaarde, dat hij bij verkoop van alle aansprakelijkheid af was.
Hieronder lezen wij eene petitie aan den Privy Council over achterstallige polderlasten en zien daaruit, dat er heel wat wanbetalers op 1 Mei 1635 waren.
To the Lords of the Privy Council, lst May 1635.
May it please your Lordships According unto certain articles of agreement made and concluded upon between the Participants in the level of Hatfield Chase dated the 15th day of July 1684 and according to your Lordships Diréctions by an orderof the Honourable Board we have perused all the books of accounts wherein is expressed what scott every Participant has paid since the beginning of the year 1629 and therein we have directly examined what every owner is in arrear and bebinde of his said scotts, and we find by the
/



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said book that all the said several Participants whose names are hereafter mentioned are in arrear and bèhinde with their said scotts the several sommes partkularly expressed upon the name of every one of them, all which we humbly certifye to your Honours the lst of
May 1635.
£ s. d.
Sir John Ogle 398 12 0
Mr. Samual Van Peen 95 4 0
Mr. Abram Strijs 414 12 0
Mr. Abraham Vernatti 275 0 0
The land belonging to the Lordship of Hatfield now in possession of
Lord Banning 941 0 0
Abraham Dolens 245 0 0
Mr. Cornelius Van Bueren . . . 337 9 8
Mr. John Baerle 375 0 0
Mrs. Roelof and Sebastiaan Franken 180 0 0
The Widow Van Dale 186 8 0
Mr. Thomas and William De Witt. 015 0 0
Mr. Wilüam Van Weely .... 180 10 0
Mr. John Van Diemen 157 10 0
Mr. Leonart Catt H4 8 6
Mr. Charles de Bruxelles .... 117 10 0
Mr. Pieter Cryp«nninc,£ 099 00
The Widow Crysteen 90 0 0
Sir James Catt 83 1 0
The Heirs of James Droogbroot . . 036 14 0
Mr. Wouter de Gelder 037 10 0
Mr. Fabian de Vliet 025 0 0
Mr. Dingman de Witt 035 0 0
The Professor Goel 012 10 0
the Total Sum . . . 4403 12 9 Mr. Thomas William de Witt . . 015 0 0
Signed Charles De Marewerd, Marcellus Van Deuren.
Consorded originali,
Egt William Trumball.



Waar het huis van Jacob Cats stond.
Huis van Cornelis Vermuyden.






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De 800 acres van Jacob Cats lagen echter buiten de Chase, in Finningley, en komen in bovenstaand stuk niet voor. Maar zooals het in Hatfield Chase ging, ging het overal. De eigenaren moesten hooge lasten betalen en zagen, tengevolge van onlusten, niet alleen hunne inkomsten verloren gaan, doch moesten steeds weer geld zenden voor het herstellen van dijken en andere werken.
Cats heeft weinig pleizier van zijne aanvankelijke geestdrift voor Vermuyden's onderneming beleefd. Het heeft hem geld gekost, veel verdriet bezorgd, op gespannen voet gebracht met vrienden en kennissen en hem zelfs van oplichting doen beschuldigen,
In het begin echter had Cats wel genoegen van de onderneming. Hij werd door den aankoop der 800 acres tevens Lord of the Manor of Finningley, dus ambachtsheer van Finningley.
Een Volmacht van Jacob Cats als Ambachtsheer van Finningley.
Ego Jacobus Cats Miles Dominus Manneri de Finniglij omnibus ad quos hoe pervenerit notum facio me constituisse et in locum meum posuisse Thomam Lewens de Awckley tanquam meum Schenescallum Manneri predicti ad servandam curiam et exequenda omnia que eo pertinent idque provisionaliter et dum cum maiori cause cognitione aliter per me de hac re fuerit dispositum. Et habiturus est Dictus Lewens pro opera sua id quod de consuetudine tali casu haberi solet. Datum sub sigillo meo die 10° octobris 1631, Regis Caroli a° septimo.
(w.g.) J. Cats.
Hij nam van John Stallington het manorhouse en huisraad over. De volgende wissels en correspondenties hebben daarop betrekking.
Port. 14. Mus. Cats.
Mr. Willem Stallinton wilt betaelen aen U.E. broeder Jan Stallinton de somme van sevenentwintig pont Sterl: ende het sal U.E. tegens mij in betalinge strecken. Actum den 23 Augusti 1631.
XXVIJ £. (geteek.) J. Cats.



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Vorder alsoo hier in de hal is eenighen huijsraet, die ick meyne tot het huijs te behooren ende U broeder seijt die sijne te wezen, wilt eens hier coomen om dit ende andere sacken effen te macken.
Vaertwel
U. E. Vrient (geteek.) J. Cats.
Sir, yor worship writs to me to pay my Brother 27 £ as for the rents that I have received of Finningly. When I be my master I shall speake with him about it, for I will pay my Brother none, and I know noe things caried away that did belonge to the house, but I can well answer what I paid him, and thus with my services
I reste yors to comand (geteek.) Will. Stillington.
Het stemt wel eigenaardig, thans in Finningley rondloopend, te bedenken, dat onze Vader Cats daar 300 jaar geleden vertoefde.
Hij was op 10 October 1631 te Finningley en stelde zijn neef J. Horatii van Hellenbuch als zijn gemachtigde aldaar aan.
Het was deze neef, die hem enkele dagen later, toen Cats weer in Londen was, meldde, dat de geheele polder ondergeloopen was.
J. Horatii Hellenbuch To His Noble, very noble Friend Sir James Cats, in the Lombard Street, in the Count Palatyn att Londen.
Finningley 31 Oct. 1631.
Beminde Neeff,
Den uwen van den twintichsten Octob. heb ik ontf anghen, waeruyt ik verstae het geluckighe ende voorspoedige overcomste, het welck mij Heff om hooren is geweest. Oock ten anderen verstae, dat UE. aldaer noch wel veerthien daghen ofte drie weecken tot Londen suilt sijn, versta wel dat JUE. nu alhier tegenwoordig waert, om te sien den extraordinaerissen hooghe vloedt van waeter, comende van Doncaster. Daer en is bij gheen menschen gedincken sulcken hooghen vloedt geweest alsser nu jegenwoordich is, Godt gheve dattet ons al wel mach vergaen. Voorts zoo schrijft UE. deur Bantry rijdende, dat



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de ontfangher des Coninx alhier noch niet en was gecontenteert van verloopen pentien des Coninx op het parq van Frobescher; ich sal Mr. Frobescher hier van spreken ende versoucke op hem, dat hij gelieve een letterken aen sijnen neeff te schrijven ende sien wat antwoorde dat hij ons sal geven. Oft geviel dat ondertusschen den voors. ontfanger op ons ofte onse bestialen wilde procederen, soo salmen deselve onder conditie van borchtochte de gearresteerde ofte gehaelde beesten doen ontslaen ende daer tegen rechtpleghen, voorts soo sal ick Mr. Hampe daerin emploeyeeren ende daer nae synen raet volghen.
Voorts soo en hebbe ick noch gheen schapen gecocht, dan hebbe doen vernemen aen alle canten voor goede schapen ende die oock bequaem sijn voor onse gronden all sullende wat meerder costen; liever goede schapen ende die bequaem sijn voor onse gronden, dan schapen te coopen goede coop ende niet-bequaem wesende.
Item aengaende van de koeye, daer werkt Aernout met sijn volck alle daeghen aen alst goet weder is, de welcke in acht daeghen ofte daer omtrent sal gedaen sijn. Voorts soo seght Aernout Soettaert noch geit te cort te comen boven den voorsz. acht ponden steerlinge, die ick in UE. presentie aen hem gegeven hebbe, ick meijne dat voorsz. Soetaert UE. de reeckeningen van alles senden sall. Voorts soo heeft Mr. Frobischer UE. brief, aen Mr. Childers gesonden, hem selffs behandicht, die seer beleeftdelyck seyde syn roer tot Geertroed wesende thuys soude laten haelen ende datter niemant uut synen naem en soude schieten; doch evenwel soo worther in de cover aller daghe geschoten soo door George Kingsley, door Miglisager en door Horstman, die U.E. het roer eens hebt doen affnemen en hebt deur Aernout belast, dat men het selve roer hem wederom soude geven. Soo UE. dan haer alsoo laet te werken gaen, sonder haer te volgen mette Coninx statuyten, soo sijn UE. costen aen de koeye te vergeefs gedaen, want UE. moet weten ingevalle UE. haer met goede woorden te geven meent te verbieden ende met geen hardicheyt haer aan te wisen soo en sullen sy der niet oppassen ende sullen alsoo haeren ganck gaen datse deur haer schieten de koeye tot niet sullen maecken; om dat te beletten soo dientter in tyd in versien. Voorts soo gaen ick morghen met de ossen te markt, Godt verleene ons eenen goeden prys; voorts soo heeft UE. eenen sloot gelaeten aan Simson te maken, streckende van A east close naer de wech van Misen ende UE. en laet myn niet weten hoe diep, hoe breet in den bodem — noch hoe breet boven in den thop, noch den prys hoe UE. die bestelt hebt, waer over ick een groote ruysie alhier gehadt hebbe, want ick begeerde den voorsz, sloot
6



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thien voet in den thop, vijff voet diep ende vijff voet in den bodem te hebben- nu hoe UE. die bestelt hebt sult het myn gelieven te laeten weten. Voorts soo hebbe ik Mr. Telgers farm *) gelaeten aan Putsert Sanderson voor eenentwintich jaeren tot negenentwintich ponden steerlinge sjaers, soo van provande als van holde te haelen naer advenant gelyck als andere tienans 2) doen ende denselven moet het huys mette schuure in reparatie brenghen tot synen costen, mits conditie dat de Lord het houdt daertoe moet doen, gelyk als UE. anderen tyenants*) moet doen. Myn duncke, dat et veel beter is verpachten aen eenen goeden pachter, als selven te houden, want ick sie, dat wy der voor twaelff ponden steerling 't s jaers niet aff en cunnen maken ende oock ten andere soo ist altyts de heggen te maken ende deene ende d'ander reparatie te doen, soodattet all ten oncosten wegh loopt ende wy hebben noch gronden genough om te benificieren, soodat wy dat seer wel misschen cunnen. Voorts soo is ons coren alhier tot Fiimingley all gesaeyt omtrent vyff en twintich gemeten, Godt geve den wasdom; wy syn alhier nu besigh om voor garstelandt te prepareeren om t'naeste jaer met garst te besaeyen ende alsoo all aen labeuren soo langhe als wy cunnen. Voorts soo hebbe ick Johannes van Wely al over lange gesproken om de vinnesoen partyen over Hlull naer Hollandt te bestellen, de welcke seght datter noch gheen scheepen en syn, die naer Hollandt willen gaen, soo dat ick niet en weet, wat dat ick er mede doen sall. Hiermede desen eyndende soo ben ik UE. aanbevelende,
Ed. erntfeste, voorsieninge, wel achtbare, in de genadigde bescherminge des Allerhoochsten, ende blyve.
UE. dienstwillighe neeff ende dienaer
J. Horatij van Hollenbuch.
Uyt Finningley, den lesten October 1631, Goode aenbevolen. P S 29 October. De Dycken in Effielts Clooster syn. op den Saturdagh in den nacht doorgebroken, soo dat de dyckagie heel onder waeter staet door foute van quaede toesienders, waer over dat alle de vruchten bedurven sullen syn, Godt betert.
Het is heel interessant om de correspondentie van Jacob Cats over de dijkage te lezen, want dan ziet men meteen hoe de zaak langzamerhand misüep. Ik verwns in dit ver-
*) Farm « boerderij.
*) Bedoeld is tenants =« pachters of hunrboeren.



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band naar de bijlagen, onmiddellijk achter dit hoofdstuk.
De brieven zijn deels van Fabian de Vliet en zijn zwager Cats, deels van Cats aan zijn zwager Mattheus Valckenburgh, die honoraris thesaurier van het Syndicaat was en in Engeland woonde. Fabian de Vliet was evenals de Van Valckenburghs uit Antwerpen naar Holland gekomen en huwde 29 September 1610 de jongste dochter Susanna van Valckenburgh.
Natuurlijk was De Vliet ook een der participanten in de „dijckagie" van Hatfield.
In den brief, dien Cats 14 Dec. 1627 aan zijn zwager Mattheus schreef, is het nog botertje tot op den boom. Maar een jaar later op 13 November 1628 is Vader Cats al slecht te spreken over de onderneming. De zwager houdt onvoldoende toezicht op personen en zaken, Marcellis van Dueren verzaakt zijn plicht, Vermuyden verwaarloost de belangen en zwager schijnt slechts éene bezigheid te hebben namelijk het trekken van wissels en nog wel voor te hooge bedragen op hem Jacob Cats.
Het blijkt echter, dat zwager Mattheus behoorlijk van antwoord dient en Cats verwijt, dat hij slechts aan zich zelf en niet aan zijn deelgenooten denkt.
Uit de brieven van Jacob Cats te Middelburg, neef van Vader Cats en beheerder van diens goederen in Zeeland, vernemen wij, dat Vader Cats in Juli en Augustus 1631 in Londen was.
Men zou geneigd zijn aan te nemen, dat Cats officieel te Londen was, althans deed hij later verslag aan de Staten van Holland van zijne zending in Engeland „nopens de Vreede, haringvaart en assistentie van den Koning van Bohemen."
Cats zorgde echter wel degelijk tevens voor eigen zaken, vandaar dat wij hem in October van dat jaar reeds te Finningley zagen. Maar tevens behartigde hij zakelijke belangen voor derden.
Uit een acte van 10 Mei 1631 van Notaris Jacobsz. te Amsterdam blijkt, „dat Thyman Jacobsz. Hinloopen,



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Christina van Ruytenburg, wed. Jan Michielsz. van Varlaer, Lucas en Mattheus van Valkenburg, gebroeders, Willem van Wely, Pieter Cruytpenning, zwagers, volmacht geven aan Jacob Cats en Marcus van Valckenburg om te gaan naar de Dyckage van Hatfield Chase en daar te onderzoeken, wat er nog gedaan moet worden aan dat werk; geld per maand te trekken; ambtenaren aan te stellen; zich te doen opdragen de landen nog onder water staande; licentie bij den Koning te verwerven om uit te voeren allerlei granen in de dyckagie te wassen, en vleesch, spek, kaas en boter, daar gemaakt; te verkrijgen vrijdom van tienden, enz."
Neef Jacob te Middelburg schrijft 12 Juli 1631 aan zijn oom Jac^Fte Londen: „ofte U.E. aldaer geengelegentheyt hebt gevonden om mij van mijne partijen tsy by den eenen middel ofte d'ander te helpen, want ick daer gantsch een affkeer hebbe, te meer ick bemercke men m alle manieren ons contract niet en verstaet te houden, maer men ons aent dycken zoekt te brenghen, twelck contrarie was belooft en toegezegt, snit mij daerom vnentschap doen indyen U.E. mijne parthijen aen yemant can oversetten a pris courant."
Den 16 Augustus 1631 schreef neef weer aan:
Ecrentfcste, wijse, Hooggeleerde Seer Achtbare Heere M'. Jacob Cats,
pensionaris der stede Dordrecht,
te Londen:
Weerde Heer en Oom,
UE schrijven, gedateert den 25 en 30 Juni nieuwen stijl, is mij eerst den 10 deser geworden alsoo ick te bedde lach van een coortse die mij wel twee maenden lanck ondergehouden hebben doch wel dry weecken in het bedde hielt, het is Godt-loff nu wat beter doch ick medicinere noch daechl; dan den doctor meynt dat ick nu buyten swaerichhijt ben.
Ick verstae in 't cort, dat onse vruchten wel staen en de beesten, redelijck vet, doch U.E. schrijft noch van eene, noch van andere de quantiteyt, sulcx dat wij hier in geenderhande wijse connen reecke-



85
nintfhe maecken, off de penningen, bij ons geremitteert totter bouw, te weynich ofte te veel sijn. U.E. schrijft wel van 8 ackers die bereyt sijn tot saet te saeyen en datter 22 te braecken waren mede om saet te saeyen, hetwelck voorwaer eene cleyne parthije is in regarde van 500 of 600 ackers, die wij daerin souden moeten hebben. Ick neme hver uit, dat onse parthyen ons noch nyet gelevert syn, volgens ons contract, daer UE. niet van en schrijft. Wat het verhuyren aengaet, ick soude liever de parthijen quijt syn tsy hoe het gaet a prix courant, daertoe ick UE. bidde devoir te willen doen. Dan als men daer met tot en can comen, soude liever verpachten als selffs bouwen.
De Hr. Boccart zegt mij gehandelt te hebben in dier voeghen, dat de pachter sijn lant in de eerste 2 ofte 3 jaren te helfte soude banen en dan voorts in pacht hebben tot 15 sc. per acker. UE. schrijft van 14 sc. dan en vermaent niet ofte onse geheele parthije dan in dier voeghe soude gaen, ofte alleenl. tgene wij nu hebben, hetwelck eene groote differentie is, want naer dat ick ook het schrijven van den Heer de Vliet verstaen, is dese parthije de beste. Wij en dienen oock niet voor een gedeelte te verpachten, maer moeten alles houden ofte alles verpachten. Myn advys is dan, dat men verpachte. Can men niet comen op den voet van Sr. Boccart, die ick best houde, ten minste het beste dat UE. can doen, dit alles indien UE. tot vercoopen niet can comen, daer ick seer toe geneghen ben, siende hoe onredel. en bedriechl. met ons gehandelt is en noch wort.
Ick wenschte U.E. my een contract, geteeckent bij Vermuyden, wilde toesenden ofte medebrengen, in dier voughen, als ick volghens UEd. schrijven met hem geaccordeert ben, want dat hy pretendeert daervan ontslaghen te zijn bij de gemeene gelande en gaet mij met aen, want ick sulcx nooijt en hebbe toegestaen, de gelande hebben oock geen macht gehadt om mij te vervanghen.
UE 6000 gulden aengaende, sal doen volgens U.E. begeeren, dan de parthyen vervallen niet al teffens en sal nog wel twee maenden aenloopen eer de eerste vervallen sal, per advys. Dese in haeste. Syt van ons allen seer gegroet en God bevolen. Middelburg, desen 16 Augusty 1631.
U.E. Dienstw. neef J. Cats, - 1631.
Ick hebbe voor desen noch aan U.E. geschreven; hope selve by U.E. ontfanghen is.



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Het vertrouwen van den jongen Jacob Cats in de onderneming van Vermuyden en in Vermuyden zelf, is geschokt. Van wantrouwen in zijn oom, door wiens bemiddeling hij klaarblijkelijk eigenaar geworden is van gronden in de droogmaking, blijkt niets.
Er wordt in 1889 door den heer J. Gr. Prederiks in een opstel „Jacob Cats en zijn omgeving", verband gezocht tusschen de bittere verwijten van vrienden en familieleden, die door Cats gronden in Engeland gekocht hebben en het geringe bezit van 67 acres, waarvoor Cats in de ingelandenlrjst van 1635 voorkomt, alsof Cats die aanvankelijk meer grond in Hatfield Chase bezeten had, dat bezit — op een klein stuk van 67 acres (28 H.A.) na — arglistig aan derden zou hebben overgedaan.
Ik meen, dat hier ten onrechte een blaam op Vader Cats geworpen wordt.
Uit het hier volgende document,
9 Sept. 5th. Charles I (1630).
The Rents granted by King Charles I to Katherine Duchess of Buckingham and Geo. Earl of Rutland in trust of her son Geo. out of the manor of Hatfield, the yearly rent of £ 195. 3. 4. and a Red Rose and an increased rent of 425.—.—. at midsummer
and Christmas by half yearly payments. And for the land in Wroot an increased rent of 60 P. payable at the same time old rent 8. 6. 8. and a pair of gloves or f our shilling and by Lordts Patent duly
Rent.
195. 3. 4.
425. 0. 0.
060. 0. 0.
I 680. 3. 4.
008. 6. 8.
688. 10. 0.
Total 680. 3. 4. the 9 Sept. in the 5th year of his reign he granted
to the said Duchess and Earl of Rutland and their heirs the said increased rents of £ 425. and 60 Pounds. This was paid by Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and the Person he had sold lands too for
Rents of the several years, but in the year 1634 there was four years in arrear amounting then to £ 1940. — Vermuyden sold part of his manor to Sir James Cats and he and Cats af terwards sold all the said manor The Duchess of ands lands to several people. The manor of
Buckingham and Hatfieid Fishlake, Thorne, Stainford and Conest-
the Earl of Antrim,
her 2°* husband horpe and Hatfield Park with 1900 acres of land



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exhibited a bilt in Hatfield Chase to John Gibbons for which he against Vermuyden was to answcr for his proportion of the Rent for the rents of the £ 200. 1. 8 per annum.
TSTreTi They sold 1500 acres to Sir Philibert Ver-
£ 122. 17. 0. natti for which he was to pay for his proportion of per annum. rent £ ig.15. 0 per annum. They sold to Matthew van Valckenburgh and his brother and one Peter Cryspenninck 1400 acres, for which they were to pay for their proportion of the rent £ 42 15 0 per annum. They sold to Sam. van Peenen 800 acres for which he was to pay for his proportion of Rent £ 53. 8. 4 per annum.
They sold to John Corsellis 1800 acres, for which he was to pay for his proportion £ 137.15. 0. p.a. To Edw. Bisshop 290 acres, for which he was to pay £ 7.10.— p.a.
To Cornelius van Buuren 600 acres for which he was to pay
£ 7.10. 0. p.a.
To Marcellus van Dueren 150 acres he was to pay * 1U. U.—. John Gibbon sold part of his land to Sir Edw. Osbourne Bart. Sam: van Peenen sold part of his land to Pieter and Isaac van
John Corsellis sold part of his land to Sir James Cambell.
Sir James Catts sold part of his to Phillip Jacobson and part to Lucas and Marcus van Valkenburgh and Pieter Cryspenninck as above and to Pieter Van Weely 400 acres.
By a decree to these purchased was ordered to pay their respective rents, according to their several proportions, to the Duke of Buckingham so the Duchess above mentioned and son to the Uuke
stabbed by Felton.
Sir Saville and Sir John Ransdon purchased several proportions
of van Buerens land. _ . ,
This decree shall be the thing every of them their Heirs and assigns for ever hereafter a sufficiënt discharge, as well against his Majesty his heirs and successors as against the said Duke, in whose behalf the said bill is exhibited his heirs and assigns for ever.
blrikt duidelijk, dat Vader Cats in 1630 een aandeel nam 'in de door Vermuyden van Karei I gekochte koninklijke
portie in de droogmaking.
De Koning had n.1. als Lord of the Manor of Hatfield
een derde van de terreinen voor zich behouden en later
aan Vermuyden verkocht.



88
Waarom zou Oats hier geen aandeel in nemen en het weer met een zoet winstje verkoopen?
In het jaar 1630 zag iedereen de zaak zeer rooskleurig in.
Indien Vermuyden zelf niet optimistisch gestemd geweest ware, zou hij toch zeker het aandeel van den Koning niet aangedurfd hebben.
Maar bovendien, al had Vader Cats slechts 67 acres in de Hatfield Chase, even daarbuiten, doch in dezelfde droogmakerij was hij eigenaar van Finningley Manor, waarover in den herfst van 1631 zijn neef Hellenbuch bewindvoerder was. Uit diens schrijven aan Cats zagen wij, dat Cats evengoed als anderen van dijkbreuk en andere ongemakken te lijden had.
Doch, zooals gezegd, in 1630 liet het zich alles zoo gunstig aanzien, dat het licht verklaarbaar is dat iemand als Cats, wien het bedijken niet vreemd was, groote stukken kocht on gedeelten weer met winst verkocht.
Alhoewel het optimisme ook bij Vader Cats groot was, nam dat niet weg dat hij, zooals wij reeds uit de correspondentie met zijn zwager Mattheus zagen, de heeren, die in Hatfield Chase voor de belangen moesten opkomen, ongezouten de waarheid zegt.
Sommigen, zooals zijn neef te Middelburg — wij hebben het reeds gelezen — waren wat huiverig omtrent de zaak.
Uit de hierachter afgedrukte brieven van Fabian de Vliet aan zijn zwager Cats, zien wij dat ook deze laatste niet gerust was.
Tusschen Willem van Wely, zwager van Cats en dezen laatste rees een zoo ernstig geschil, dat Van Wely op 6 Maart 1632 Cats in rechten aansprak.
Ik las daarover in het Museum Catsianum:
„Willem van Wely had gekocht 711 acres land van 1 Zeeuwsch gemet groot, bij contract wel gestelt om gewigtige redenen, rakende de eer ende dienst van den Heere Cats, op den naam van den Ridder Corn. Vermuyden, maer inderdaet den Heere Cats alleen aengaende, zijnde de betaling ook alleen aen Cats gedaen, waarbij bepaald



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dat de akkers in April of Mei 1628 souden geleverd worden, vrij van sluis-, dijk-, schot- en waterpenningen en alle ongelden, *) behalve, 6 pence recognitie aen de Co. Ma.; doch hij werd toch genoodzaakt over de & 300.— aan omslag over zijne akkers te betalen, die bij den verkooper eigenlijk moesten gedragen worden om de bedijking te voltooyen, die de ingelanden voor schade had moeten bewaren.
Overwegende, dat er meer kosten zouden kunnen vallen, en dat de akkers nog niet zijn geleverd, Insinueert, dat hij vooitaan niets zal betalen en de kwade gevolgen wegens d^> niet levering, zoowel als het betaalde zal verhalen op Cats goederen. Dit geschiedde te Dordrecht. Cats had opnieuw per wissel over 437 & st. gedisponeerd".
In 1634 schreef Cats aan den Heere van Suylichem:2)
Mijn Heer.
Ick hebbe nu dickmaels tot U.E. huyse geweest om U.E. eens grondelijck te spreken van de landen in Engelant, daer U.E. mij laetstelijck van spraeckt ende mij eene insinuatie daernaer gedaen. Dan ick en hebbe U. E. noyt connen aentreffen t'myner leetwesen. Nu dan bij faute van mondelinge conferentie, hebbe ten minste van der Lisse, die mij van U.E. wege d'insinuatie heeft gedaen, mijn antwoorden gegeven. U. E. can die examineren en de verdere doen als nae behoren.
Ick moet, buyten verblijvende, dadelijk vertrecken; anders hadde U. E. selfs comen spreken, 't welck sal sijn met de eerste occasie, believende God. Vale, 25 Februari 1634.
Blijkens een acte van 22 Maart 1636 bij Notaris Jacobsz. „magtigt Marcus van Valckenburgh iemand om voor hem op te treden in zijn geding tegen Jacob Cats, pensionaris van Dordrecht, dat hij in zijn privé heeft, behalve de zaak van de droogmakerij en 's Conings partij".
Hiermede waren de moeilijkheden voor Jacob Cats nog niet ten einde, want op 29 Juli 1645 schreef hij aan zijn neef Marcus van Vliet, dat Sir William Courteen hem voor & 2000.— in rechten had aangesproken.
') Ik cursiveer.
*) Constanten Huygens, Heere van Suylichem.



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Maar het bedenkelijkste lijkt mij het geschil tusschen Constantijn Huygens en Jacob Cats, waarover wij door het achter dit hoofdstuk afgedrukte handschrift van Huygens worden ingelicht. ,
Is het niet bedroevend te lezen hoe Huygens zich
over Cats uitlaat?
Het is echter altijd zoo in zaken, wanneer deze
tegenoopen^ ^ ^ de geheele wereld.
Maar wat de Hatfield Chase betreft, ontstonden de meeste onaangenaamheden ten gevolge van de verkoops-
condities. . TT ,TT .
Ik heb hierboven in do actie van Van Wely tegen Vowmryden de woorden: „zouden geleverd worden vrg van sluis-, dgk-, schot-, en waterpenningen en alle mgeUen ge-
cursiveerd. , .«
Cats verkocht natuurlijk op de zelfde conditiën als hij
van Cornelis Vermuyden kocht. ■ Nu schijnt Vermuyden steeds water-, dijk- en sluisvnj te hebben verkocht en het risico te hebben geloopen. Het is bijna onbegrijpelijk hoe de man zoo iets heeft durven riskeeren, doch wanneer men de volgende rekeningen courant nagaat, dan blijkt het duidelijk dat Vermuyden nog in 1631 en 1635 allerlei betalingen te doen had en deed, waarvan de meesten betrekking hadden op scotts (polderlasten). (Zie bijlagen achter het hoofdstuk).
De deelgenooten als Struys, Corselis en anderen kwamen van den aanvang af voor de scotts hunner participatie op, doch bij de koopers van Vermuydens terreinen schijnt Vermuyden de lasten eerst niet op de schouders der koopers te hebben geladen, doch later toen de gronden weer onderliepen en hij voor de groote kosten kwam te staan, de koopers daarvoor wel te hebben willen spannen.
Met deze wetenschap verwondert men zich niet over de verdrietelijkheden tusschen koopers en afterkoopers als Cats en Huygens, Cats en anderen. k^h
Men heeft kunnen lezen hoe verontwaardigd Huygens



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Brief van Vermuyden aan den Kerkeraad van de Nederlandsch Hervormde Kerk, te Londen.






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was dat hij lasten moest betalen en toen hij nalatig bleef, omdat hij meende niets schuldig te zijn, later hoorde dat zijn grondbezit voor schuld verkocht was.
Evenmin verwondert men zich over de finantieele moeilijkheden van Vermuyden en de rechtsmaatregelen, tegen hem genomen.
In 1639 werd hij door een zijner koopers, Johan Lamotte, gegijzeld.
Wanneer men onderstaanden brief, den 27en Juni 1639 door Vermuyden tot Predikant en Ouderlingen van de Hollandsche Kerk te Londen gericht, leest, dan komt men onwillekeurig onder den indruk van den inhoud.
Londen, Donderdag 27 Juni 1639.
Weerde Broeders ende Vrienden. Tis V.E. alle niet onbekent, dat ick aen den heer Lamott schuldich ben een groote somme gelts, die all lange geleden gestaen heeft ende met groote patiëntie tot nu toe verdraegen. Onlancx heb ik met Mr. La Mott en Sr. Droogbroot diversche maele daer over gesproken by gemoetingen t'mynen huyse ende daer toe het gebracht, dat daer consideratie was genomen om de selve somme te versekeren op een gedeelte van de groote lootmyne, te weten by myn offre op een derde van myn 2 deelen, die ic daer in heb. Sr. La Mott inclineerde daer toe; Sr. Droogbroot die staet op meerder proportie, twelck met geven en can. Ende Sr. Droogbroot weet de weerde ende dat het suffisant is, ende omme alle de werelt te satisfieren ic heb gisteren M. Droogbroot geoffreert 100 £ ter weke daer uyt te betaelen; indien hem dan het geoffreerde een derde niet gelyct soo can hy hem op een seker somme stellen, dat best my duncke voor hem waere. Ook heeft hy my 10 a 14 dagen geleden 100 £ ter weke selve geeyscht. Daer is ooc communicatie geweest over seker landt voor syn geit te geven, ende dat alsoe Mr. Gibben daer in oock consenteren moet, can niet datelick afgedaen wesen, maer moet wachten tot dat wy van hem hooren. Als alle dese saken dus in discours ende agitatie waren ende van mynder syden realycken gemeynt, soo isser dit ongevall voorgecomen, dat ic van van andere persoonen ben gearresteert geweest als ic met hem gedaen hadde ende als deene vloet over was soe compter afflictie op afflictie ende wiert oock door ordre van Mr. La Mott gearresteert met eene Executie (dat in een sachter wegh conde geschiet hebben). Nu tgunt ic te voren geoffreert



92
heb doen ich noch ende ben van de selve sin, ende yet anders te doen tsy geit geven, hoe luttel het ooc ware, ofte eenige andere versekeringen can ik niet doen. Ten is oock myn meeninge niet om yemant van tsyne te frustreren maer eenen yegelick tsyne te geven niet met deel maer int geheel; daer toe neme ic Godt tot getuyge, die de harten der menschen kendt. Maer ic en cant nu niet doen omme dat myn middelen uyt myn handen syn. Maer eerlange hope ende twyffele niet maer sal dat effectueren tgunt het doen sall aen alle int generale. Myne affairen staen soe. dat ick moet by de menschen gaen by de gene daermede ic te doen hebbe ofte anders mynen staet soude vervallen ende ic en soude daer van geen eynde crigen. Ende nu hier at ick en can daer naer niet sien ende nochtans nu meer in handen hebbende als oyt, daermede ic all myn weereltsche saken sette ende voor myn crediteuren ende myn vrouwe ende kinderen suffisant besorght sall syn ende leven naar myne gelegentheyt. Daeromme ende op datter vrede mochte wesen soe hebbe ick goetgedacht U.E. te samen te versoucken dat Mr. La Mott mochte dese extremeteyten affnemen ende wy malcanderen mochten verstaen in een anderen redelycken wegh, die ick wenschte mochte by U.E. te samen ofte eenigen vuyt U.Ü. getall nedergestelt werden, want fmochte door tyt ofte veranderingen meer tsynder schade strecken ende tmynder prejuditie middelertyt, als my brengende tot ongelegentheyt ende daeromme eenen vredelycken wegh de beste selfs aen allen syden synde, referere liever de selve aan U.fc.f indien ick met Mr. La Mott geen eynde can maken op dese offren die ick altyts hebben bevonden die te gelycken, dan aen andre ende hiermede bevele U.E. Godt.
27 Juni 1639. U.E. gantschdienstwilligen dienaer
C. Vermuyden.
Adres: De Predicanten ende Ouderlingen vande Duytsche Kercke, Londen.
Stelt U zich een energieken, rusteloozen man voor, die inist uit de gijzeling door Engelschen ontslagen, zich weer gegijzeld in den kerker bevindt, doch thans op last van een landgenoot, van een lid van den Kerkeraad nog wel, die als koopman voldoende kan beoordeelen wat het voor Vermuyden moet beteekenen belemmerd te zijn in de vrijheid van beweging.
Vermuyden heeft nog wel bezit, doch in gemeenschap



93
met derden. Zoo kan hij niet dadelijk over zijn aandeel in den loodmijn beschikken en wat zijn landbezit betreft, wij weten wel, dat dit op naam van Mr. John Gibbons staat, anders zou Lord Wentworth er spoedig beslag op leggen.
Het trof juist in den tijd, dat Vermuyden in het groote Veendistrict van Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire en Norfolk voor ontzaglijke moeilijkheden stond. Als deelgenoot en ingenieuraannemer van Francis, graaf van Bedford en anderen, was zijne aanwezigheid noodig in the Great Level en Bedford Level van het groote Fendistrict.
Het prestige van hun begunstiger Koning Karei I was zeer geschokt door het heffen, buiten het Parlement om, van de scheepsbelasting en het veroordeelën (in 1637) van Hampden, die zich tegen het innen dier belasting verzet had.
De gespannen verhouding tusschen Koning en Parlement nam feitelijk dagelijks toe, partijen overwogen hunne kansen in een strijd, die reeds niet meer te vermijden was.
De verontwaardiging over en het verzet tegen de droogmaking der Venen was eene schitterende gelegenheid voor de anti-koningspartij om propaganda tegen Karei te maken.
Aan de ontevreden Fenbewoners werd door Oliver Cromwell, het kamerlid voor Huntingdon, uitgelegd, dat Karei quasi zijn land en volk wilde dienen door de Venen te laten droogmaken, doch inderdaad slechts bedoelde zijn berooide schatkist te spekken.
Deze lezing werd gretig in de Venen en ook daarbuiten aanvaard.
De bedijkers hadden wel al hun energie noodig om tegen den geweldigen stroom van tegenstanders op te tornen.
Daarom kwam eene gijzeling van Sir Cornelis Vermuyden inderdaad al zeer ongelegen.
Vooral ook omdat het werk in deze Groote Venen niet naar wensch ging, Vermuyden zich, zooals later en zelfs ten huidigen dage nog zou blijken, bij verscheidene punten van zijn werkplan vergist had.



94
Het zou te ver voeren op deze aangelegenheid dieper in te gaan, daar dat niet de historie van Hatfield Chase, doch die van Bedford Level raakt, maar eenige opmerkingen zijn toch in ons verband van beteekenis.
Tot degenen, die Vermuyden's plannen van de Bedford Level aanvielen, behoorde een Hollander, Westerdijk. Het gelukte Vermuyden echter de bedenkingen van zijn landgenoot te ontzenuwen.
Verder had, in 1641, de Graaf van Bedford zich tot het z.g.n. Long Parliament gewend om vergunning tot voortzetting der droogmakerij.
De burgeroorlog verhinderde echter parlementair werk ten behoeve van economische doeleinden. Vermuyden bleef echter actief en hield in 1642 zijn bekende „Discourse on the Drainage of the Pens."
Niet alleen, dat hij hierbij de kritiek van Westerdijk en anderen met succes bestreed, doch buitendien herwon hij het vertrouwen van den Graaf van Bedford en anderen, die onwillekeurig aan zijne bekwaamheid waren gaan twijfelen.
Later in 1649 werd door het Parlement aan den jongen Graaf van Bedford het octrooi verleend, dat men enkele jaren te voren zijn vader had geweigerd.
Vermuyden wierp zich weer met alle macht op het werk, dat hij trouwens, het blijkt uit zijn reeds vroeger gedrukten brief van 11 Febr. 1646 aan den Predikant Calandrijn, nimmer geheel verlaten had.
Weer kwam er oppositie van Westerdijk, doch nogmaals ontzenuwde Vermuyden diens critiek.
Het ging met de werken echter slecht. Om goedkoopere arbeidskrachten te krijgen gebruikte men na don slag van Dunbar, Schotsche krijgsgevangenen en in 1652 na Blake's overwinning op Tromp (de driedaagsche zeeslag) zelfs ruim 500 Hollandsche krijgsgevangenen, die naar de overlevering meldt, uitstekend werk verrichtten.
In hetzelfde jaar werd deze droogmaking gereed verklaard, en hield Vermuyden eene redevoering te Ely.



96
Öp 27 Maart 1663 werd eene bijzondere godsdienstoefening in de oathedraal te Ely gehouden.
Wel mocht Vermuyden dien dag met dankbaarheid en trots op zijn werk terugzien, want ondanks burgeroorlog en tegenwerking, ondanks geldgebrek en kritiek, had hij zijn doel, de droogmaking van de Great Level bereikt.
Doch Vermuyden had te veel gewaagd. Al zijn bezittingen, die van Dagenham aan de Thames, door zijn eerste werk in Engeland in 1621 verdiend, die van Hatfield Chase, van Malvern Chase en Sedgemoor, het aandeel in de landerijen, alles was verkocht. Het laatste eigendom in Hadfield Chase werd in 1654 te gelde gemaakt. (Zie bglage achter het hoofdstuk.) Maar de put bleek ondempbaar en van alle kanten daagden nog schuldeischers op, waaronder de corporatie van de Great Level.
In 1656 verschijnt hij voor het Parlement om hulp en steun en sedert werd niets meer van hem vernomen.
De Pionier stierf arm en verlaten. Maar zijn naam leeft voort. Zelfs indien men op de fouten in zijn werk wil wijzen en hem niet kan vergeven, dat hij, zoowel in de droogmakerij van de Hatfield Chase als in die van de Great Level een verkeerden kijk heeft gehad op het stroomgebied der rivieren en zoodoende op de waterloozingen, dan zal men den „pionier" Vermuyden toch moeten eeren.
Men zal moeten bewonderen zijn vindingrijkheid om in uiteenloopende en ver van elkaar verwijderde ondernemingen steeds weer eene oplossing te bedenken. Terwijl alles tegenliep, burgeroorlog zijn nieuw vaderland in rep en roer bracht, zijn eigen geboorteland met zijn nieuw vaderland in oorlog geraakte, bleef hij onverstoorbaar het hoofd bieden aan tegenspoed, tegenwerking en domheidsmacht en schonk aan Engeland daarbij twee rijke voorraadschuren.



BIJLAGEN.
Vernatti.
Particulars of the lands, sometime Sir Filibert Vernatti's, in Hatfield Chase, with some engagements on parts thereof.
Acres.
77^ in Haxey Carr, 66 acres in the same place, 75 in Epworth, 51 there, 45£ there
200 near Wroot, 100 Missen Carr 150 in the severals. 200 in Missen
72i in Haxey Carr, 158 in Starr Carr Belton
48 in Dirtness, 59 in Belton plain, 100 152 in Midlings, 100 in Haynes, 75i in Bryerhill, 151 near Sandtoft, 65 in Nygin Carr, 79 in Torn Carr
40 under Crowle
100 in the severals, 30 in Bradholme 100 in Wroot carr
121 in Midlings, 80 in Ditchmarsh
92 in Torncarr, 52 under Epworth
36 Misen Deep, 29 there
42 in Rainsbutt
361 in Everton Nottinghamshire Cavel A £ of 80 acres \
t °! ..üü acres t is 175 in Misterton & Gingley
4 of 102 acres l s 7
£ of 80 acres j
Cavel D J of 112 acres in Road Carr
i of 80 „ \
£ of 88 „ f in Misterton and Gringley
i of 102 „ j i of 80 „ )
£ of 462 acres is 115+ acres
acres
615 engaged to Lady Banning
350 engaged to Lady Dudley
4281 engaged to Sir and others
622+ engaged to John Lamott and Peter Dubois
40
230 engaged to John and
de la Forte
4881



Geschil van Constantyn Huygens met Jacob Cats.
Uittreksel uit een Handschrift van Constantyn Huygens, in 't openbaar verkocht binnen 's-Gravenhage, 1837.
(Cf. A. D. Schinkel, Bijdrage tot de kennis v. h. karakter v. Const. Huygens.)
200 gem. in Hatfield chase in Engeland. Knuyt. A° 1626 den^ 12Aug" hadde de Raedsh' Knuyt mijne Swageren Ian en David van Baerle en Samuel Becquer ingelaten in seker contract, by hem aengegaen met Cornelis Vermuyden en Ian Liens, in den jare 1620 gecontracteert hebbende met den Coningh van Engeland over een dyckagie van omtrent 60000 gem. oft in Engelsch Akers: leggende in Hatfield chase, onder verscheiden Graafschappen ressorterende, soo dat de voorsz. Knuyt ingelaten zynde voor 1000 gem. tegens 25 gl. het gem. droegh te leveren, voor soo vele by de contracten is te sien; / want Liens heeft ons sedert genoegh en menighmael geattironeert, dat Knuyt maer tot 10 gl. was ingelaten; daer uyt te letten staet wat actie noch tegens hem soude te institueren zyn: / myne voorsz. Swagers overliet tenselven pryse, den eersten 300, den 2de 100 en den 3de gelycke 100 gemeten, ende herideerde myne huijsvrouw saliger de helft in de voorsz. 300 gem.-, bedragende volgens den voorn. Cats. prys 3750 Gl. A° 1626 dé Pens. Cats uyt Engelant gekeert zynde, alwaer hy by originelen contracte betuyghde in de selve dyckagie te zyn ingelaten op avantageuser conditiën / dan wy, heeft ons komen aenbieden / : neffens wonderlicke f applaudissementen van 'gunstigen stand en ontwyffelicke \ groote profyten van 'dyckagie: / te sullen presteren, dat onse - landen van gelycke favorable conditie souden gehouden wesen als de syne en die van syne vrienden, mits hem betalende 3 gl. op 't gemet, daer toe wy naer veel lovens en dingens endtelick gesamentlick hebben verstaen, en hem gecedeert alle de actie, die ons tegen den voorn. Knuyt mochte competeren / : van den welcken wy eigentlick soeckende af te wesen, des te liever hier toe resolveerden: / en sulx onse



98
partye heel van nature veranderende, soo dat wy niet meer als op denselven Cats en hadden te sien / : volgens het Contract daer af zynde / : betaelden hem voor deze melioratie de somma van 1500 Gl., bedragende voor ons 150 gem. 450 Gl.
Teselven tyde, namentlick den 22*° April 1628, namen wy noch over op mynen name de nombre van 100 gem. in de voorsz. dyckagie, by hem Cats in soodanigher voeghen aengelooft en verheven, dat men genoechsaem voor sonderling faveur achte yets voorders daer af uyt syne handen te mogen bekomen, ende betaelden hem daer voor uyterlick in May de somma van 350 £ sterl. zynde tegens 3 £ 10 sch. het gemet en beloopende voor de 50 gem. die wy daer af voor ons be150 f 3750. hielden in nederlandsch geld 1863.15 en den ganschen inkoop aen Cats,, 450. alSOo onser 200 gem. 6063.15.
" In all hetgene voorsz. is op de trouwe en aensienlicke
f 6063.15 vromicheit van voorn. Cats te wercke gegaen zynde / : die my doemaels onder anderen zeide, in gevalle van swaericheid, dat hy voortaen de man wesen soude, en met de schenen daer voor sitten: / en wy sulx staet makende met niemand meer te doen sullen hebben als met hem, om het effect van onse originele handeling in dese dyckagie te sien presteren, hebben wy dienvolgende uyt syne handen gevoordert en aen Liens gerestitueert de verbintenisse, by de welcke Liens landen in Zeeland voor de prestatie van syn contract met de Knuyt waeren gehypothequeert, welke versekeringe onnoosel quyt gaende, zyn wy naderhand, ons aen Cats adresserende, sulx bejegent, dat wy bevonden een hand voll winds van hem te hebben, en voor ons opgeld van verbeteringe van gansch erger conditie door syne listige handelinge geworden te zyn: derhalven oock eenmael heftige woorden tusschen hem en my geresen zyn geweest, naderhand mede schriftelicke protesten en contraprotesten gevallen, doch alles daer by tot noch toe blyven steken. Soo dat wy dit gansche werck door vuyle en trouweloose administratien, mitsgaders door overloopende ongelucken van jaeren siende in bordel loopen, en dat endtelick in Engeland onse beste partyen werden geexecuteert en verkocht als voor achterstellighe omslagen, die doch moest betaelt werden door de ghene, die in loco waeren en meest van 't haere en 't onse genoten, finalick geresolveert hebben gehadt, hoe het waere,



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daer af te wesen, en van de ge stort te melck op te rapen wat wy konden. Daer over hebben wy A" 1635 verkoopinghe gedaen van onse geheele actiengesamentlijckaen eenenMichiel Corsselis, ten behoeve en als gemachtichde van een S'. James Cambel, Alderman tot London, voor de Somme van 18000 Gl. Cambel siende de sake der dyckagie, soo het schynt verargeren, heeft Corselis gedesavoueert, als synen last te buyten gegaen zynde, met diergelycke cavallatien; daer tegens ons niet gelegen zynde buytens Lands te pleiten/: het gemeene ongeluck deser saecke, én daer in men allerhande injustitie en geweld heeft moeten aensien:/ hebbent mede daer by gelaten, en ondertusschen wederom van andere verscheidene zyden om handelinghe aengesproken zynde, hebben endtelick een nieuwe verkoopinge gesloten A' 1636 met Abraham Struys, ten behoeve èn als gemachtigde van Gibbons, eenen M'. John Gibbons, voor de somme van 16800 Gl. Deser ratificatie, boven alle vermoeden, langhe te rugge blyvende, ontfing Struys brieven van eenen Engelschen Chute. Lawyer, genoemt Chalomer Chute, die sich voor principael verklaerde van 't contract, klagende over de onachtsaemheijt van voorsz. Gibbons, synen entremitteur, daer op, als een' ongetwyffelde sake zynde, werde my de voorsz. somme in Gale. comptante penn. gefurneert door eene Rob. Gale, Engelsch coopman te Rotterdam, onder renvers van restitutie, in cas mynen wisselbrief, die op Gibbons en Chute alternative luyde, niet en quame geaccepteert te worden. Sulks mede gebeurde Waer over ick klachtigh vallende aen (den H° Ros well, Resident van Engeland alhier, en my gedragende, als oft het geld, dat Gale all wederom gerestitueert was, noch onder my waere, kreegh ick een ernstigh schryvens van hem aen Gibbons, voorsz. Gibbons, die sich all wederom voor den man van 't voorsz. contract dragende, hooge beloften by brieven dede, van eerstdaeghs te zullen voldoen, met consideratie van den interest enz. Endtelick, op scherpere instantien sich verbindende, by eene formele obligatie, onder twee voorneme borgen, ter verbeurte de somme van 3000 £ sterl. soo hy T ten einde van May 1637 niet en voldede, mits eenighe dinghen, die hy schreef tsyner gerusticheid van ons te eischen. Welcke hem alle ten overvloed gepresteert en door den voorn. Gale overgesenden zynde, neffens nieuwe brieven van den Resident



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aen hem, én oock van my mede aen (den H'. Beveren, onse extraord. ambassadeur in Engeland, zyn wy alles niet tegenstaende met Gibbons frivole en frauduleuse uytvluchten te leure gestelt tot in Aug'. 1638, als wanneer Gale my uyt Engeland continuerende te schryven geene uytkomst vart Gibbons te konnen bekomen evenwel zeide door zyne en syner vrienden industrie provisionelyck ontfangen te hebben 6800 GL, gereed zynde deselve te remitteren aen wien ick begeerde. Waerover hem geantweert hebbende het geld over te maken op myn swager ï. van Baerle, is hy sonder replicque gebleven tot den 23 Novemb. 1638, als wanneer hy my schreef, naer veel verhaels van verloren moeyte met Gibbons gehadt, dat hy order gestelt hebbende tot de remise van ons geld, deselve wederroepen hadde, als'S* hem een' avantagéjse koop was L voorgevallen, daertoe hy geld van noode hadde op de hand, ên sulx versochte ick wilde voor 2 of 3 maenden daer mede patienteren, hy soude het verdienen enz.
Van welcke enorme impudentie my ten hoogsten ressenterende én wederom den H'. Resident klagende, hebbe andermael brieve van hem aen Gale en oock Gibbons gekregen, én deselve door myn neef Snoeckaert aan Gale doen behandigen, die naer lange contestatien tegens Snoeckaert gehouden, volgens desselfs brief in date den 9/19 Martij, hem gethoont hadde een obligatie, die hy in syn particulier van Gibbons hadde van 500 £ sterl., hebbende die schuld met de onse gesamentlicK: vervolght, sonder Gibbons te laten blycken, dat hy het geld, voor hem alhier eens aen my gef urneert sijnde, wederom hadde gekregen, SS endtelick in *t gros betalinghe van hem hadde geextorqueert van 1000 £ sterl. van de welcke hoewel hy syne 500 £ in alle reden hadde moghen behouden, hy nochtans door syn' eigen discretie daer af op myne reken»ge hadde gestelt 680 £ sterl. waertegen by Snoeckaert naerder geinsisteert zynde op de geheele 1000 £, hy endtelich geconsenteert hadde ons daer af te laten volgen 770 £ st., makende naer syne rekenïage 7701 Gl. 17 st. zynde pro rato, êh naer proportie van onse wederzydsche pretensien, 't ghene ons in de 1000 £ behoorde te komen. Gale schreef my vaïTöen! selven teneur in date van 10 Martij 1638, voegende daerby enz. enz. enz.



1 Juni 162% van Jacob Cats junior aan: Erentfeste, wyse voorsienighe, seer Achtbaere Heer Mr. Jacob Cats, pensionaris der stede Dordrecht, op de Cneuterdycke, Schravenhaghe.
Waerde Heere en Oom,
„De heere de Vliet schryft my van de dyckage in Engelant en „wilde wel dat ick soude uitsien om een goet man, die daer toesicht „souden op hebben, hetwelcke ick hyer niet wel can doen, want in „Vlaenderen kent UE. ten naesten by de naturen van lieden, die wel „geseten synde, niet sullen willen opstaen en met andere, daer geen „prouve van gesien heeft van haer eyghe ofte ander luyden uit„saeghe, is het sorgelyck te beginnen, daer souden per avontuur wel „eenighe jonghe luyden gevonden worden, dan men weet niet hoe „verre deselfen souden te betrouwen syn. We hebbe aen coysyn „Gerbrandt geschreven soo hy daer yemandt wiste, dat hy dan aen „UE. ofte den heere de Vliet soude addresseeren.
„Myns oordeels indien men conde verpachten, ware wel het „seekerst en 't gunstigst, dan daer can men niet altijt toe comen. „Ick bedenck, datter weynich profyt op het bouwen loopt, als men „daer niet altyt by can syn: soude daerom wel geneghen syn 'tgene „ick hebbe a prys courant te vercoopen, als ick conde. Indien daer „yet verschynt, gelieve van mynentweghe daer eens op te letten."
12 Juli 1631, van Cats Junior aen E. Wyse Voorsienighe Hooggeleerde Heer Mr. Cats, pensionaris der stede Dordrecht, te Londen:
Waerde Heer en Oom.
Sedert UE. vertrek naar Engelant hebbe geen schrijven van UE. gehadt, noch van UE. arnvement, nochte wanneer UE. van mey-



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ninghe soudet syn weder te commen. Ick hebbe van UE. dochter verstaen, dat UE. wel en voorspoedelijck waert aenghecomen, doch sy en hadde geen tijdinghe hoe de saecken, daer om UE. uitgereyst waert, stonden, sulcx dat ick seer verlanghe 't selfde te verstaen en insonderheyt ofte UE. aldaer geen gelegenheijt hebt gevonden om mij van mijn partijen, 'tsy by de eene middel of te d'ander, te helpen, want ick daer gantsch een afkeer hebbe, te meer oock bemercke, men in alle manieren ons contract niet en verstaet te houden maer men ons aen 't dycken soeckt te brengen, 'twelck contraire was belooft en toegeseijt; sult my daerom vrientschap doen indyen UE. myne parthye aen yemandt anders can oversetten a pris courant".
(De brief handelt verder over Holl. zaken.)



Brieven van Jacob Cats aan Mattheus van Valckenborgh.
Beminde Broeder.
Even op den selven tyt, dat ick den uwen ontfingh ontfanghe ick mede schryven uit Zeelant van saecken in Engeland, sulx dat ick nu ten vollen weten can hoe te sluyten; de saecke can (myns oordeels) nu vry een plausibel fatsoen gegeven worden en van profitelick consideratie voor die het beleyt aen de hant mogten hebben, dan dit door brieven alles te doen is niet practicabel. Ick diende UE. nootsaeckelick te spreecken om een besluyt te maecken ten eenre of ten andere syde; wilde UE. ook wel alleen wat communieeren, dan evenwel en vinde niet vreemt, dat mon frère Lucas mede hier ware om geen tyt langer te verliesen maer de saecken te eyndigen pro aut contra en gerustheitswille aen alle syden. Oock dienen wy mede wel te spreken van Marcelis en de anderen die te moveren souden syn om onse landen op hunnen naem te hebben. Van gelike wilde wel de rekeninge van het voorgaende contract, met Vermuyden gemaeckt, sluyten, alsoo dit nu ten eynde is. Ick en can UE. rekeninge niet wel begrypen, vermits ick ten volle in mynen credit niet en vinde gebracht de partyen van de vrienden van Amsterdam, die 2100 pont sterlinx is bedragende, ick bidde dat UE. gelieve eens de geheele rekeninge uyt te doen trecken en met UE. te brengen. Ik hebbe hier de rekening van Marcelis van Deuren, soo connen wy de selve ten vollen sluyten om daer aff te wesen. Ick sal eyndigen en op het spoedichste UE. coompste immers UE. spoedig brieven verwachten om te weten waer. naer my te schryven.
Vale. In haeste. 14 December in 's Gravenhage 1627.
UE. toegeneghen broeder J. Cats.
Hiernevens gaen de juweeltjes van de Cu van West Indien, de twee grootste wilde wel gekocht hebben, een ring is tot Dordrecht gebleven, sullen die aenbieden en naesenden, par advys.



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13 Nov. 1628.
Beminde en werde Broeder.
Den mynen voorgaende (die UE. nu al sal ontfangen hebben) heeft UE. oock sonder den desen wel connen versekeren, wat myne intentie is van de wisselen in uwen voorgaenden gevoert, nu sie ick door den Uwen van den 12™ deser, dat Marcelis van Dueren noch boven desen heeft getrocken 520 Pond St. en my 300 £, waerop UE. versouckt te verstaen myne intentie wat te doen als UE. de brieven sullen worden gepresenteert. Voor antwoorde dient, dat dit my soo vreemt voorcoomt als yet ter weerelt, want voor mij ick en hebbe noch brieff noch advys van hem Marcelis noch van Vermuyden noch van yemant ander oock niet van dicagie en ick sie, dat Marcelis schryft UE. brieven van den 8 en 11 November te hebben ontfanghen en consequentelijck meyne ick, dat hy daeruyt oock ten volle kennisse heeft gehadt van onse intentie van syn trecken, te meer hy soo veel hooge interdictie van UE. ende van my te vooren heeft gehadt. Hy heeft myne rekeninge gesien en wat ick in verschot ben, Hy heeft myne acte en verclaringen gesien, onder de welcke (en anders niet) ick de voors. wissels wilde aennemen en betaelen, Hy weet, dat Vermuyden in soo lange my rescriptie op myne rekeninge heeft belooft en niet gegeven, oock geen verclaringe en heeft gedaen op myne meer als redelicke actie. Vermuyden en schryft my niet van Altorp en wie het hebben sal; hy en sont niemand om met my te liquideeren, daer ick soo groote sommen boven alle contracte verschoten hebbe. En desen allen niettegenstaende tegens uwe tegens myne obstatien, boden, expostulatien en alles, wat men met distinct spreken en oock met harde dreygementen yemant soude connen bidden en bevelen, soo trect hy soo natable sommen van penningen en al sonder dat Vermuyden een woort my advyseert, noch Van wisselen, noch van dicage, noch hoe wy het met de voors. partyen aldaer hebben sullen.
Voorwaer ick ben alsnu buyten alle postuer gestelt met dese ongehoorde manier van doen. En ick en dencke oock niet, dat yemant (wie het sy, die maer drie van syn vyff sinnen heefft) my soude kunnen ofte willen raden my hier noch verder in te laeten, ten waere ick de sleutels van myn geheele welvaeren gants en al wilde stellen in handen van dengenen, die noch op order, noch op last, noch op myn groot verschot (niettegenstaende alle gedaenen devoiren)



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en syn achtende, maer plotselinge slechts daer henen trecken als off ick gereet moeste staen al het myne op haer simpel trecken my te laeten afhandigh maecken, dat ick van genen sin en ben, gelyck ick oock, concientie halve, nootelijck moet nae laeten soo ick een vader van myn huys wil blyven heeten. Tis eenmael genough gedaen voor Sir Vermuyden, want ick alleen voor hem meer gedaen hebbe als all syn vrienden t'samen en daerom mercke ick, dat men een gewillich peert souckt te overryden. Voor besluyt, mon frère, soo is myne intentie geen wissels, noch van 750 £, noch de anderen nu getrocken, tot mynen laste te nemen, als UE. voor desen geschreven hebbe, jnaer aff te wachten de satisfactie op myne gesonden actie, daer van UE. copie aff heeft, die so is, dat ick geenen mensch en kenne, die een enkel poinct daer van can tegensprecken. Ick en can my niet anders laeten voorstaen off dit syn al losse wisselbrieven ofte immers het geit noch over Marcelis dispositie wesende tot hy d'advysen van hier heeft, daerom soo moet UE. dan sien met wat middel ghy U daer van schadeloos stelt, het sy dan met UE. eyghen obligatien te houden ofte weder te trecken ofte anders te doen gelijck UE. die materie beter verstaet dan ick. En hadde niet over lange geschiet, soo en waere ick in dit groot verschot niet gecomen en Marcelis (dien ghy soo het schynt met geen middelen in orden houden cont) soude dan wel anders hebben moeten gaen, nu heeft men daer gesien, dat men alles hier betaelt en maer met brieven en expostelieren en soo is men gedurigh met dit trecken besich gebleven. Daerom ick andermael verclaere niet verder in te connen gaen. Voorwaer, ghy behoort ander gesagh te hebben over uwe dienaren, die ghy soo lange in uwe saecken hebt geemployeert. Waere het niet dit ongelegen saizoen des jaers, daer diende yemant, van alles kennisse hebbende, derwaerts te gaen, al waere het selfs om effectivelyck te sien en te weten hoe alles in der waerheyt stond.
Siet, dit is dat ick UE. hierop weet te schryven, my het hooghstens beclagende, dat uwe bevelen en myne obstatien van soo weinigh cracht syn by dengenen, die sonder en buyten de selve niet een stroo breet hoorden te gaen.
Hadde Vermuyden ons toe laeten comen behoorlycke acte, dat Altorp voor de participanten sal wezen en het contract, hier gemaeckt in syn tyt, soo doen executie vinden en naegecomen worden mitsgaders van de stand der dicage selfs advysen gegeven, soo hadde men mogen sien hoe verre met de participenten hadden connen comen en soo hy daer benevens iemant hadde gesonden om met



106
my te liquideren, immers syne consideratien op myne rekeninge geschreven, soo hadde nu meer geweten waer nae my te reguleren en soude al gedaen hebben, dat redelick is, maer als men op Finningley dat beide niet doet en aldaer segt, dat Altorp voor de participenten niet en sal wesen en (gelyk het Boccard schryft) daarover handelen met de Vernatti en middelertyt op Altorp te trekken en ook op myne rekening niet een woort schryven van Augustus af tot nu toe, oock niet laetende weten hoe het met Finningley gaen sal, op Finningley te trecken, daer ick in myne rekeninge in soo hooghen voorschot ben, dat en can ick geenszins begrypen. Heeft UE. andere consideratien, die wil ick gaerne hooren en daer by brengen al wat ick immer weet te bedenken en hiermede Gode bevolen, waerde Broeder, want myn hooft doet seer van langer te schryven. Vale. 13* Nov. 1628 Hage.
UE. dienstv. broeder
J. Cats.
Monsieur & Frère.
UE. had my geseyt lest van my scheydende my hier eens te sullen comen besoucken, dan in plaetse van sulx te doen schryft my een brieft in termen als het UE. heeft gelust en sont my een rekeninge geheel anders als tot Londen, daer by UE. hadde gebracht partyen, die ick UE. in betaeling gaf ende die by UE. waren aengenomen, daervan dat UE. nu niets van en stelt, maer treckt soo de capitaelen als de interesten uyt, sonder op de voors. penningen regart te nemen ende versouckt, dat daeronder gestelt soude werden een besluijt in allen schyn ofte ick als noch die geheele partyen schuldich stont ende voorts andere saecken buyten reden en onse voorgaende handel, in voege dattet schynt, dat UE. met het overlyden van myn huysvrouw ons broederschap bijster gesint srjt af te breken tot myne besorchnisse. Hetwelck soo synde (dat ick niet en wil hopen), soo moet ick mede letten wat my te doen staet. Middelertyt soo weet UE. hoe UE. conditie voor desen was en hoe se doer den handel van Douren is geworden; te voren en soudt UE. geen geit ontfangen dan na levering van de parthyen, in de contracten van de broeders geroert. De participanten souden tot betaling gehouden wesen, sonder eenige consideratie van dat de parthyen niet en syn vollevert.



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Nu soude UE. betaelt werden, schoon men voor de hant weet, dat de parthyen by Vermuyden syn belast en UE. metten broeders souden genieten 39 pont, vermits vroegere betalinge, daerin frère Matthieu selfs accorde en ghy maeckte UE. sterck voor frère Lucas en stelde mitsdien de partijen niet ontfanghen; voor my ick bekenne de rekeninghen van kooplieden niet te verstaen maer accoorden, daer men op rekent, behooren met de rekening vast te staen. Dan wat de rekeningen selfs belangt ben tevreden UE. al te geven, dat redelyck en recht is en sulx als ymant, soodanige rekeninge verstaende, sal oordeelen te behooren. In allen gevalle soo dienen wy te vereffenen by leven ende sterven. Soude oock wel desen dach tot U gecomen hebben, dan sitte nu aen quade voet, die ick desen dach noch stille diene te houden, anders duchte ick langer daermede gequelt soude syn. Dan morgen (believet Godt) hope tot UE. te comen soo haest ick can. Dat UE. my smadelick obyicieert, dat ick myn particulier nut doe en niet de commissie van de participanten, daer antwoorde ick op, dat ick daerinne soo lange hebbe gevaceert als ick (myns oordeels) dienst hebbe connen doen ende sedert hebbe eerst beginnen op myn beswarlycke saecken hier te letten, dat ick meyne dat een yder vrystaet, die in eenige commissie is, te meer als hy den tyt, die in syn eigen saecken besteet, tot niemants last en rekent, als ick meyne te doen en geen wet goddelyck of wereltlyck en verbiet yemant, dat hy het syne moet verloren laeten gaen om staegh eens anders saecken te doen, sonderlinge daer anderen syn, die 't gene, datter te doene is, uyt hun ordinaris amt gewoon en verbonden syn te doen. Aengaende eenige recompense, aan sinjeur van Deurne te doen, denselven en weet niet ooit belooft fe hebben dan uytte avance, die men uyt de partyen, by hem gemanieert, soude mogen doen, ten welcken respecte hy oock ten tijde van de liquidatie met Sir Vermuyden, als de recompencen in het contract, in den Haghe gemaeckt, worden geseyt te moeten cesseren om de voors. redenen van schade en geen avance, heeft hy sulx niet ter werelt gecontradiceert en mitsdien is hetselve contract ten aensien van de vereeringe, daerin geroert, geseyt te sullen cesseren, ende dat op goede redenen, want in saecken, die soo schadelick uytvallen, en can nyemant geen liberalityt verwachten. Ick mercke oock, dat dito van Deurne soo seer hangt aen de seyde van Sir Vermuyden, dat hy geen getuigenisse der waerheyt (dat men niemant en weigert) en wil geven.
Au reste roerende onse onderlinge saecken, ick ben geresolveert daer toe te brengen al dat billick ende broederlyck is. Doet mede soo



108
ende wy sullen haest gedaen hebben. Ick vertrouwe op UE., dat gy niet t'eenemael met het overlyden myner huysvrouwe ons broederschap wilt afsnyden maer ter contraire hetselve noch wilt in wesen houden, wetende, dat men malcander wel wat uyt ende in de wegen can leggen. Meer niet voor nu dan. Blyft den Almogenden Godt in genade bevolen. Verhope UE. morgen tydelyck bij te sullen wesen en als dan onder anderen meer te sullen verstaen wat in de gemeene saecke passert.
In Finningly, desen....
Vostre J. Cats.
Monsieur et Frère.
Wat de Vliet aengaet ick en can hem niet verder disponeeren als ick voor desen geschreven hebbe, daertoe my referere. Om te verifiëren, dat Sir Courteen my in rechten conveniere nopende de 2000 £ St„ gaet hier beneyvens om UE. daervan te dienen.
Gode bevolen in 'sGravenhage 22 Juli 1645
de vostre frère J. Cats.



Weerde mon frere,
Uyt UwE. aengenaemen hebben wy seer gaerne verstaen UE. voorspoedigh anwesentheyt tot Douvres en Londen, en tselvigen aen dHeer Clement Baersdorp, nu gecommitteerde Raedi, gecommuniceert; naer date ontfanc is hier ooc geweest dHeer Leonart Catz, doch om syn swager Ryxen in syn droefheyt te assisteren, ten eersten naer Purmerent gereijst, alwaer sijn E. huysvrouw van dese werelt is gepasseert, en soude op gisteren begraven werden. DHeer premier Rekenmeester was naulyx van daer g ecomen, Ick hebbe dH', Catz gecommuniceert Uwe E, missive, alsmede noch een brief van Horatio, in date 24 April veteris stili, daerby adviseert eenige 20 of 30 groote beesten gecocht te hebben, half voor ons, half voor mon frere Matheo, en soude andere lichte syn te crygen, om op gront, die in Haxei carr boven ligt, te weyden, en dan te winter over te houden. Hy schrijft niet van yet te timmeren, en conform UE. advertentie van Walsche huijsluijden, soo soude beter syn voor den winter niet te timmeren. De oncosten sullen vele vallen en het profyt onseecker voor dit jaer, soo dat dHeer Catz meent wy 't beter hadden blyven laten liggen.
Nu soo sullen wy verlangen te verstaen off de opdracht-brieven gereet sullen sijn ende ons geworden, vooraleer meer geschoten te trecken of om me te slaen.
DHeer Francken de jonge is hier geweest; wiste noch van geenen brief aen HH. Gelanden van Dordt geschreven, doch ick verhaelde hem 't sommier van UE. brief en hij wist mij te specificeren, wie die geene waren, die autorisatie van syn Mayesteit hadden om onse landen uyt te winnen en wie men daer buijten gehouden hadde. Ick hoope daer nu beeter ordre comen sal, en ons beter recht gedaen werden. Die in corporatie hebben gecocht, sijn met ons gemeentes partie pesle mesle gecavelt, achten wy ooc alle, in een schip synde, evenveel voordelen sullen genieten van dat by oorloge of confiscatie (twelck Godt tusschen die croonen verhoede) onse 500 ackers mede niet sullen verbeurt gemaeckt werden, en dat die brieven dat sullen behelsen; au reste ben ick en dHr Catz weynich becommert of de heele partie op Uwen E. of syn E* naeme werden gestelt, als ick maer die oncosten ontgaen magh, want in dagelyxe vercopinge van landen moet de vercoper de opdrachten t'synen coste den coper doen hebben, en ick ben nu int verschot van 146 guld. aen Godtschalc en Van de Velde betaelt. Daer dHeer L. Catz segt niet en gehouden te



110
syn of diergelycke te willen betalen, soo soude ick wederom in mogen gesoulageert werden.
Ich hebbe bier f 400 aen dH'. Catz goet te doen over mijn aenpart in 100 £ steerlinx, doch wete niet wel of maer 80 £ steerlinx is by ons geaccepteert en de reste by Anth. van Duren, altyts mon frere Matheo behouft niet te sorgen voor refus van acceptatie, ick hebbe by brieven gepresentteert tgeheel te accepteren, maer in future niet op eenige geschoten te gelden, voor dat wy Uwe E. naerder rescripten sullen syen. De gruetenisse van mon frere hebbe ooc gedaen aen d'Heer president en Neeff Dedel, die noch al niet becomen can. Sy doen UE. ooc salueren. Gelieft insgelyx te doen aen Neeff Vernatti en vooral mon freres Marco en Matheo v. Valckenburch. De brieven, die aen UE. beyden hier waren, bestelle ick aen neef van Wernhout, die reyst nu naer Dordt met Nicht Elisabeth. Daerom desen te corter, en aen mon fr. Marco niet schryven can. Wenschen UE. allen voorspoet, en dat Mathys myn cleyn memoryken eens besorgen van alle fraeye printen van geleerden.
Van d'expeditie van myn Heere de Prins hebbe noch niet verder verstaen dan dat noch Donderdagh smergens met de scheepsarmade te Rammekes lagh, verwaghtende daer de reste van den trein dien dagh al. Tot Dordt was de compagnie peerden van d'Heer van Spyc en d'andere met Honnovesten gecomen en wachteden naer andere schepen en moeten versch water daer innemen. De meeste ruyterie was te lande tot Bergen gearriveert en soude aldaer mede scheep gedaen werden. De 4 Junij moeten wy biddagh houden; de Heere geve ons genade en goet succes, soo hier als voor Magdenburgh,1) daer de Coninck van Sweden mede voor gecomen is, en jegens Tilly handt voor . handt vecht, en die van binnen couragieuselyc uytvallen; de naeste brieven sullen 't eynde medebrengen; op gisteren is Nipotulus Camerari begraven, dan syne Ed. heeft niet mede ter begravenis geweest. Hisce finio, nevens myne ernstige gebiedenis aen Uwen E. en de HH. broeders, aen welcke wy alle onse gruetenisse ooc syn doende, blyvende
Uwen E. E. Dienstwiir frere respectueux De Vliet.
Eerentfesten, Wysen, Hoochgeleerden, Achtbaeren Heere. DHeer Jacob Catz, Ridder van Syne May', van Groot Brittannien, present tot Londen.
Bij dezen brief ontbreekt de datum, doch hij zal geschreven zijn in 1631 en waarschijnlijk einde Mei van dat jaar.



UI
Weerde Broeder Mon frere Catz.
U. E. aengenaemen van 29" Julij Anglici Stili is my wel ten hande gecomen, als ooc de missive van 3 Augusti van myn frere Marco van Valckenburgh met Uen E. assignatie op den Hr Commijs Kettincg. Dan .vant schryven van Uen E.E. aen dien van Amsterdam ofte Dordrecht en hebbe gene tijdinge of communicatie gehadt, hoewel ghisteren noch een brief van Amsterdam van onsen swager Lucas van Valckenburch hebben gehadt nopens Uen E. assignatie. Den Commijs Ketting deselve verthoonende, heeft gedifficulteert de lossinghe te doen of te cunnen, alsoo den Heer Ontfanger Mierop alle laeste dagen van yder maent jegens de Gecommitteerde Raden reekeninge moet doen van de afgeloste obligatien, daervoorens de H.H. Staten geteijckent hebben, en wilde oock wat penningen daertegen in den self den maent op genomen sijn. Ick sprack daervan den Ontfanger selfs, die seyde synen eedt daerop gedaen hadde en dien te sullen anders aflossen off opnemen. Dan de Commijs Ketting, daerby comende, soude sien middel te vinden om op U.E. assignatie van anderen penningen te crygen, my noemende daertoe den soon van den H' Iustinus van Nassau (die welcken is overleden). Dan sijn secretarijs tot Leyden synde hebben wy hem doen schryven, dat hy hier comen soude: ick hebbe aen den Ontfanger gepresenteert ofte Commijs myn handt oock daer onder te stellen, dat syn E.d'obligacien, die genegotieert werden van een ander, hem sullen by U.E. cito getransporteert werden soo haest U.E. thuys comt. Sal syen of het helpen sal. Dan de 5 of 6 weecken verloopen interesten vrese dat die tertius niet en sal willen daer yet af geven, ende hebbe op dat stuck een advys geschreven aen myn frere Lucas V. V. alsoo de wege te verre is om U.E. rescriptie te verwachten. Ick derve aen andere, die U.E. naerder syn geallieert, hun advys niet vragen, overmits my sulcx verboden is. Ick sal nopens t principael en den interest myn uyterste beste doen, om penningen te hebben en indien tot Leyden te ontfangen syn, sal mon frere Marco's bouckhouder, of die mon frere Lucas daertou schicken sal, naer Leyden laten reysen, volgens t'goetduncken van myn huijsvrouw. Ick hebbe oock aen den Raetsheer Cats voor desen geschreven, indien eenige van U.E. penningen in Vlaenderen waren ontfangen, dat syn E. aenNeeff of Nichte van Wernhoudt deselve soude willen overmaken. Wyders nopens ons geschot op de nieuwe te maken werken, alsoo de Raetsheer Catz niet en meent te furneren voor dat de dyckagie voltrocken is, soo en can ick oock noch niet daertou



112
verstaen. Dat men ons met schryven dreygt onse landen te executeren, interpretere, dat my geschreven wert uit regard van andere participanten, dan diegeene ick sprecken soude mij off van onsentwege betaelt wierden. My dunckt isser recht int landt, dat men dat jegens dH" Vermuijdens landen behoorde te exerceren, die misschien syn 1000 £ steerlinx niet en heeft voldaen, en door syn menees de nieuwe wercken souckt te schuijven op hals van alle de gelanden, dus ick en Mr. L. Catz sullen een lyn moeten ingaen als Uen E. met lief thuijs gecomen sullen syn.
Ick hebbe noch verstaen, dat in Brabant diergelycken moeren syn geweest, soo hoogh als 2 mans, die uytgegeven syn by desen Prins sub parte de reprovendo aut redimendo, die werden van boeren afgestecken tot turf en daeronder isset dan goet lant, gelyc men hier in den Hage het sandt afcruijt, per advys.
U.E. groetenissen hebben hier en daer gedhaen, gelijeft insgelyck te doen aen vrienden van over zee, insonderlick aen mon frere Marco en Matheo van Valckenburgh. U.E. gelieven te verstaen, dat wy niet en weten hoe veel penningen by Horatio ontfangen sijn; d'eerste reysen wast 600 £ steerlinx. Daervan hebben wy aen mon frere Matheo op syn wissel van 100 £ goetgedaen 80 £ steerl., geheel gedestineert om in handen van Horatio te comen tot den bouw. U.E. sullen van den bouw eenige reckeningen believen mede te brengen. En hiermede ons gebiedende, bevele U.E. en onse Broederen in Godes schut en scherm nevens groetenissen van myn Huijsvrouw en onse kinderen aen alle de ooms. Datum Haghe lc" Septemb. 1631. UEen dienstbereytwillige
frere De Vliet.
Den 8CB Sept. ist vergaderinge van de Staten; myn Heer de Prins sal noch te velde wat blijven liggen. Madamme de la Tremouille, hier meenende te comen, is in Vrancrijc van heete sieckte overleden. Mon frere Marco gelieve int wederkeeren tot Londen te gedencken de oude schuit van Georgia, soo van wege het sterffhuijs en my particulier, van een obligatie van 60 £ steerlinx, geaccordeert op 40 £ steerlinx, daerop ick 10 £ steerlinx hebbe ontfangen, verschenen den 1 December 1629. Ed Ehrenfeste voorsienighe seer discrete Heere de Heer Jacob Catz, Ridder, Eerste Raet Pensionaris der stadt Dordrecht, presentelick tot Hadtfielt op de Dyckagie.



113
Seer weerde Broeder.
Sedert den XI Septemb. stilo anglico en hebbe geene van UE. aengenaeme ontfanghen, segge tsedert den 18 Octob. uyt Londen. Desen dient om eerstelick U.E. aencompste aldaer te congratuleren. De Raetsheer Catz hadde noch jonger brieven, hier sijnde, die hy my op syn vertreck gecommuniceert heeft. Ick sie wij UE. noch ten eersten niet hier sullen vernemen en naedemael UE. de reeckeningh by sich hebbe van Horatio, en dat UE. daer naerder by de handt syt om order op syn doen en laeten te stellen, soo en hebben wy aen hém niets geordonneert wat hy doen sal, latende alles tot UE. discretie en overcompste. Mon frere Valckenburch is hier oock noch niet geweest, noch niet in specie van de dijckagie gesscrevenj dan hoore syn E. goet contentement heeft.
Wyders moet desen dienen om UE. te adviseren wat hier passeert en wat kennissen dat wy altemets verliesen. De Raetsheer Cooren is over 3 weecken haestelick in de raetcamer overleden en tsedert is onse Jacobus oock sieck geworden, te weten Maendage al mergen 3 weecken, en nadat hy aen een continuele heete cortse (spruytende uyt indispositie van thooft) gelegen hadde, mede op Donderdag avont te 7 uyren in den Heere gerust, synde seer gematteert en langsaem uytgaende, sonder eenige stuypkens ofte contractiën, twelcke my en myn huysvrouw int eerste hart gevallen heeft, maer als hy verlost was, Gode gedanckt; op mergen souden wij hem begraven in de Cloosterkercke. De Heere heeft syn werck gedaen, en hem liever gehadt als ons allen. Ita inventa est instar Aurorae et omnia vanitas, segt Ecclessiastes. Wij hebben ons te contenteren. alsoo exempelen aen U.E. Johannes ende Jacobus hebben gehadt ende onlancx is des secretarij Vosbergens fraiste soon tot Parys van de kinderpoxkens gestorven, die candidatus juris was en aireede een commendementvan Buren van den voorgaenden prins geobtineert. De Secretarys van Syn Mayesteit van Bohemen, woonende in de huysinge van mon frere Matheo staet nu ooc tot een lyk boven der aerden. Ita tanquam in acie undique telis petimur et tarnen stationem deserere non licet.
Onse familie is anderssins God loff gesont maer ick dencke aen U.E. waerden en goede geheughenisse, die U.E. van hem hadde en belooffde te sullen hebben, als U.E. met lieff thuys gecomen soude syn. Hy was nu 7 jaren 8 maenden oudt en begost wel te schryven ende soude te soomer opt Latyn gegaen hebben, dan wy syn verseeckert, dat hy nu in betere ruste en Godt hem genadigh is. Van de gelegentheyt
8



114
van U.E. huys en sal niet adviseren, alsoo neef van Waernhout hiernevens schryfft- Wy hebben Elisabeth met hun hunlieden onlancx by ons gehadt, sien dat een aencomende dochter wert, daer U.E. noch vreugde aen sien cunnen, sal uyt de schoole moeten 't huys comen, als de winter overgewoont heeft.
U.E. sullen verstaen hebben, dat de Raetsheer Pauw met onse nicht wed8. Jan Michiels getrouwt is ende in den Hage gecomen. Heden is afgeroupen de soon van den Heer van Asperen met de vrouw van der Leek. Besluytende, sal UJ£. compste met devotie verwachten ende dan mondelinge handelen van 'tgeent U J£. lesten verder behelsende is.
Wij gebieden ons altsamen in U.E. goede gratie en recommanderen U.E. de saecken van Horatius als eygen. Weest Gode bevolen, UJ£. groetenisse hebbe altyts gedaen aen de vrinden.
Een ieder verlangt naer UE. wedercomste, insonderheyt de Heere Tersteijn, soo my segt. Datum Hagae Comitis pridie Calendas Decemb. 1631.
UE. Dienstbereytwuhge Broeder De Vliet.
UE. gelieve ons altemets te schryven, indien UE. noch tot Londen niet afgedaen hebben, ende sal insgelijcx doen.
Rogo siquando vacabit scribere affini Matheo ut significare velis, uxorem pro-
curaturam collaria et reliqua quae man- ( davit.
Eerentfesten, Wysen, Voorsienigen, Hooghgeleerden Heere, MynHeer Jacob Catz, Ridder presentlick tot Londen.
p'couvert d'amys.
Mon Frere Catz.
Op huyden den 2e" Septemb. ontfangen U.E. schryven van 16 Julij
uyt Daaruyt ick verstae U.E. groote moyten ende arbeyt, die
U.E. aldaer aenwendende syt om door het maken van een nieuwen dam de dyckagie in verseekertheyt te brengen.
Insgelyckx is my op huyden behandigt den aengenaemen van mon frere Marco van Valckenburch in datum 23 July uyt Middelburg. U.E.



115
brief heeft al over Calis, Brugge ende Middelburg getrotteert; beyde mentioneren van den goeden staet van de dyckagie; dan hebben geen schryven van Horatio. Dat syn E. dunckt profytelycker soude syn de selve alsnoch een jaer te bouwen, is myn noch myn huijsvrouwe opinie niet seer, alsoo de costen van greppen en sloten sullen groyen, sulcx dat conde men goede pachters crygen, die in handen van mon frere Matheo van Valckenburch of Marcelys van Duren jaerlycx wel betaelden, ende wilden de geschoten van den Dam off die daerinne noch vallen sullen, thunnen laste nemen, dat waere ons verbaesder, ende oock verbaesder als oock te helffte uytgegeven. De Raetsheer Catz ende wy, soo verre van 't goet wesende, connen met bouwen geen voordeel doen. U.E. gelive op ons profyt te letten, want mynenthalven werden soo geïntimideert van Melchior Boudaen, dat ick vrese voor den winter. Nu aengaende Uwe E. assignatien op den commys, ego in tantum omnem operam impendi, ut causa fuerim cur secretarius D. Nassovii Lugdono huc advenerit mecumque sermonem habuerit de procurandis nummis, eique scedulam cum rationibus usurarum tradidi, quam deferret ad dominum suum. Sed cum necdum redierit Lugduno, ut audio, hereo quid hac in re acturus sim, nam argentarius neutiquam sortem numerare vult et ille secretarius spem mihi fecerat sese numeraturum: cumque inhibuerit mihi affinis nostris ne genero tuo vel patri rem aperirem, cui tarnen otiosae sunt multae pecuniae, eo minus me expedire possum. Exspecto tarnen litteras Lugduno an res ibi perfici possit, sin minus cum uxore et af fine Luca expendam quid facto opus sit.
Nopende onse geschoten, ick achte U.E. deselve daermede sullen cunnen voldoen, ende soude ons swaer vallen op te brengen voor hemelsbreedte, soo lange de vordere landen noch niet gecavelt syn. Dan ick conferere met niemant dan metten raetsheer Catz ende men schryft ons niet van besoignes, noch van Amsteldam, noch van Dort. De vrinden alhier doen Uwe E. alsnoch groeten, gelyc mijn huisvrouwe ende kinderen alle de ooms.
Alhier crygt men billetten van den 200*" penninc; ende de viant maeckt een fort op den polder van Namen, tegenover Zuijt Bevelant, de onse een opde Oude Doelen. Sijn Excellentie ligt noch te Waelwyck. Datum Hage 2" Septemb. 1631.
Mon frere, Uwe E.en mentionneert niet hoe U.E. onse opdrachtbrieven sullen laten maken, referere my tot U.E. goetduncken, of ons de 500 ackers sullen getransporteert werden pro indiviso, dan off de raetsheer Catz ende ick ende myn huysvrouwe elck 200 ackers ende elck eenen brief sullen hebben. In alle gevallen soude liever als alle de



116
cavelingen syn gedaen eenen brief hebben voor my en myn huysvrouwe, mentionnerende, dat wij elck daerinne de helft, dat is elck 100 ackers werden opgedragen, gelyck Uwe E. wete hoe myn bespreek geweest is; hoe velim sub fide silentij dictum et inter nos. Dan alvooren soude het landt daer moeten wesen droogh ende gecavelt ons aengewesen, off die voor ons daer syn. Houdt my ten besten de lanckheijt ende blyft tertio hartelyck gegroet.
U.E. Dienstw. Swager De Vliet.
Wy hebben huyden te Schevelingen met U.E. wagen geweest, ende nicht hadde huyden ooc een ouden brief ontfangen van Uwe E.
Ed. Eerentfesten, Voorsienigen Heere dHr. Jacob Catz, Ridder, tot Hadfielt
ofte vernemen by Marcelys van Duren waer syne E. is.



Vermuyden en Lamotte verkoopen hun overgebleven bezit in de droogmakerij van Hatfield Chase. Lamotte kennen wij uit den brief van Vermuyden aan den Kerkeraad van de Hollandsohe Kerk te Londen, 27 Juni 1639.
Fr^ April 16M. Indenture between Sir Cornelius Vermuyden,
Grant oMands. KniÊnt< and John Lamott, both of the City of London, of the one part and Thomas Lee of Hatfield in the county of York, gent. and Thomas Tompkinson of the same, clerk, on the other part. Witnesseth, that John Lamott, by the said appointment of Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, pursuant to an agreement, made between the said Sir Cornelius, Sir William Courteen, Timoteus Van Luteren, Edward Bishop and the said John Lamott on the one part, Marcus van Valckenburgh Esq, deceased, and others on the other part and according to a deed of declaration under the hand and seal of the said Marcus van Valckenburgh, hearing the date the 24th day of September last past, before the date of these presents and enrolled in the Court of Chancery. Doth Grant alien etc. unto the said Thomas Lee and Tho* Tompkinson one close, fifty acres, in Haynes, in the Parish of Belton, River Don, with the Cavel of Dort towards the East, the way from Dradholme to Crowle causey, south, towards the lands of Mr. van Peenen, west. Also one close, forty acres, in the triangle in the Parish of Crowle, butting upon two several Highways leading from Dirtness into Crowle causey towards the north east and south, the cavels, called by the name of the letter A, & D, towards the west.
Also one close, one hundred acres, in Belton Plains, in the Parish of Belton and county of Lincoln, butting on the cavel of Mr. Corselis, with the cavel, called A, east, the cavel, called D, south, the Highway, leading from Dirtness to Idle Stop, west.
Also one close, one hundred and two acres, lying in Ross Carr, in the parish of Epworth, butting on the cavel, called A, north, the commons of Epworth, east, the Highway leading from Messeymeer unto Epworth Commons, south and west. Also one close, one hundred fifty and five acres, in Haxey carr, in the parish of Haxey, butting on the common of Haxey, north, the cavel, called D, east, the highway leading



118
from the long highway, that leads from Dirtness to Idle stop unto Stockwith common south, the cavel C west.
Also one close, thirty two acres, part of one hundred thirty two acres, in Haxey carr near Stockwith, the common of Haxey north, the Highway there towards the south, the lands of Mr Corselis east. Also one close, fifty acres, in Belton West carr, near Sandtoft, in the parish of Belton and County of Lincoln, butting upon the cavel B, with the long highway, leading from Dirtness to Idlestop, east, the cavel D south. Also one close, fifty eight acres, in Misen Deeps in the parish of Misen and County of Nottingham, butting on the cavel A north, upon the Highway, leading from Wroot unto Misensprings towards the East, the cavel C towards the south and the commons of Finningley west. Also one Close, seventy two acres, in Missen Deeps aforesaid, butting on the cavel B north, Misen commons east, the cavel A south, and the commons of Finningley west.
Also a close, one hundred eighty four acres, in Wroot west carr, near God's Cross, in the parish of Finningley and County of Nottingham, butting on the Highway, leading from Wroot unto Gatewood, with cavel C east, commons of Finningley south, and cavel A west. Also a Close, one hundred fifty eight acres, in Belton Starr carr, in the parish of Belton and County of Lincoln, butting on the Highway, leading from Bradholm unto Crowle causey north, and the several cavels, called D and F, east, the common of Belton south, cavel C west. Also one parcel of land, sixty six acres, in the west moors, in the parish of Hatfield, in the County of York, butting upon Hatfield common north, the cavel D east, the lands of Corselis west, Holms house south. Also one close, eight one acres, in Everton carr, in the parish Everton, in the county of Nottingham, Everton common east, the high grounds of Everton south, the cavel B west, cavel F north.
Also one close, eighty acres, in Misterton and Gringley carr, Misterton common east, the highway, leading through the said carrs. south, cavel F west, Bickersdyke north.
Also one close, eighty and eight acres, in Misterton and Gringley carrs aforesaid, butting upon cavel C east, the highway, leading through the said carrs, south, cavel A west.
Also one close, one hundred and two acres, in Misterton and Gringley carrs aforesaid, butting on cavel A east, Misterton Common and Gringley common, south, cavel C west, and the highway, leading through the said carrs, north.
Also one close, eighty acres, in Misterton and Gringley carrs,









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the cavel A east, one highway there south, the cavel B west, and the cavel F north. All which premises were heretofore, allotted, divided and sett forth for the part and portions of the said Marcus van Valckenburgh and his heirs, and all the right title estate, to have and to hold the said closes unto the said Thomas Lee and Thomas Tomkinson, their Heirs and assignes for ever — and to have and to hold all the said lands in Misen and all and singular the premises in Misen aforesaid unto the manor of Misen — belonging or appertaining with their appartments unto the said Thomas Lee and Thomas Tompkinson, their heirs and their assignes, for the terms of the natural lives of Cornelius Vermuyden, Sarah Vermuyden, children of the saicf Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and for the life of the longer liver of them.
In Wittness signed Corn: Vermuyden John Lamott.
sealed and delivered by the within named Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and John Lamott, in presence
C. Vermuyden
Tho: Babington
Joseph Alport
Geo: Johnson
acknowledged by the said John Lamott the day of the date hereof, before one Doctor of Laws in the Chancery.
Rob'. Aglen.
Enrolled in the close Rolles in Chancery the seventeenth day of April in the year within written by
Humphrey Taggard.
Men kan de perceelen op de kaart van Aerlebout volgen.



Over verschillende jaren blijken deelgenooten aangeslagen te zijn voor scots (polderlasten), zooals uit de volgende gegevens blijkt.
Mr. John Boccard, Mr. John Corselis and others oweth for scots of their lands in the Dykeage of Hatfield Chase as followeth.
£. s. d.
Anno 1629 For the two first scotts or assess-
ments at 5/6 per acre for 4500 acres 1237. 10. 0.
1630 4 shillings per acre
1631 5/6 per acre
1632 7/0 „
1633 8/0 „
1634 8/0 „
1635 In all to the year 1635 amounts to 6552 10. 0. Sir Cornelius Vermuyden had in 1630 verkocht:
aan Jacob de Witt 400 acres
l Thomas & Will™ de Witt . . 150 „
„ Abram Strijs 100 „
L John Boccardus 200 „
„ Dingman de Vries .... 350 „
in totaal dus 1200 „
Toch bleef hy zelfs in 1635 nog groote bedragen aan scots schuldig, zooals hieronder blijkt:
London Anno 1635,
£. s. d.
Sir Cornelius Vermuyden owes for scotts of 4554 acres of land in the Dykeage of Hatfield Chase, at twenty three shillings the acre, laid at several
times ;.. 5237. 2. 0.
Item, according to an agreement, made with the owners at Hatfield, the 16th July 1630, of all differences and to do the work in general . . . 1000. 0. 0. Item for so much by him received of Jacob Droogbroot for his scotts °090- 5> °-



121
1634 15th Jully, remaineth due, upon this account unto Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, by the participants of the Dykeage of Hatfield Chase for so much by him everpaid of the 23/- per acre laid at several
assesments 1171. 11. 11.
somme 7498. 8. 11.
Anno 1635.
£. s. d.
Sir Cornelius Vermuyden. Debitor to the Inhabi-
tants of Fishlake and Sykehouse £360, agreed with
them for his part in thier damages, rateth at 1800 360. 0. 0.
Item for so much he has promised to allow for the
Surveyor General ........... 050. 0. 0.
Item for so much he has assigned to make good for the accounts following
To Mr. John Gibbons account 368. 8. 0.
Jacob Struijs 28. 10. 0.
Marcellus van Dueren 180. 0. 0.
the Widow of Edw: Bishop 2%. 0. 0.
the heirs of Jacob Droogbroot 033. 15. 0.
1316. 13. 0.
Received of Mr. John Corselis in money . . . 214. 18. 11.
1531. 11. 11.
London Anno 1635.
£. s. d.
Sir Cornelius Vermuyden creditor, paid to Pennie master Mr. Gamaliel Van der Noen, in several payments, as appears by his signet upon agreement
of 26th July 1000. 0. 0.
Item paid, as appears by the contract of the 25th July 1634. to the Penniemaster Mr. Gamaliel Van
der Noen 3323. 0. 6.
to the Treasurer Matthew Van Valckenburgh . . 2247. 7. 3. Paid to several works, concerning the Participants 0091. 11. 2.
5661. 18. 11.



122
Item allowed by the same contract for law charges, concerning the Generality ......
Item by the same contract for expenses ....
Anno 1635.
Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, Knight, Creditor 15th July 1634 of his account as above . . .
Item paid to the Inhabitants of Fishlake and Sykehouse
upon account of his agreement made with them for his 1/5 — 360. For so much he remainéth indebted unto the inhabitants of Fishlake and Sykehouse, which he has undertaken to pay them
Sir
Cornelius is £1086. 11. 11. years use.
found to for which
have overpaid he does three
London Arms 1635.
The Penniemaster Mr. Gam. Van der Noen, for money received by him, as followeth, of the four first assesments of twelve shillings and six pence per acre.
Anno 1630.
of Sir Filibert Vernatti for his scotts and my
sallary
of Sir John Ogle, Knight
„ Sir James Cambell, Knight
„ Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, Knight . . . „ Boccard & Corselis
„ Johannes Boccardes
„ Samuel van Peenen
| Jacob Struijs 125. 5. 0.)
l Abram Struys 092. 15. 0.)
,, of the same Abraham
£. s. d.
0700. 0. 0.
0135. 0. 0.
7498. 18. 11.
£. s. d.
1171. 11. 11.
200. 0. 0.
,0160. 0. 0. 1531. 11. 11.
1447. 16. 0.
0061. 5. 0.
0085. 0. 0.
3323. 0. 6.
2410. 11. 6.
0055. 0. 0.
0358. 10. 0.
0215. 0. 0.
0001. 12. 1.



123
£ e d
Marf i>1i* van Dneren . _ 09.10 O 4
the widow of Edw. Bishop, by Bill of
F-*rhande 0200. O. 4
.Tarnh de Witt .......... 01nR 15 O
ThnmaQ and Wm rit» Witt 0041 5. O
Dinrïman de Vries . . . 0113. 15. O
fWnelis Van Rn ren 0n4n 10 Q
.Tnhn van Raerle 0525. O. 0
Wouter de Gelder . 0047 10 0
Rnelnf & Sehastian Franken 0105. 0. 0
.Tnhn Van Dmnen ..... OO.T7 10 0
Summa 10051 1 X
London 1635.
£.
Mr. Boccard & Mr. Corselis, Creditors . . . . \
for several navments made tn the Penniemaster I 2410. 11. 0
Mr. Gamaliel van der Noen ï
When paid to the Treasurer & Matth. van Val-
clrenburtfh 20ftQ I Q
To Doduson 160. 0. 0.
„ Isaac Lombrad 060. 0. 0.
Disbursed in suits of law and by contract of 26th July 1634.
For divers charges by Mr. Corselis 15. 18. 8. To Isaac Lombrad 45. 7. 1.
To Samuel van Peenen .... 10. 0. 0. To Sir William Courteen .... 277. 10. 0.
summa 6552. 10. 0
London Anno 1635.
£. « d
of Sir Cornelius Vermuyden received, according
to the contract of 26th July 1630 1000. 0. 0
of Fabian de Vliet 0105. 0 0
.. Leonard Cats 0105 0 0
.. the widow of Michael Cravestevn 0005. 0. 0
„ Charles de Brouxelles 0047.10. 0



124
£. s. d.
„ Captain de Graeff 0052. 10. 0.
„ Lucas van Valckenburgh . . . 716. 17. 6. j
„ Matt. van Valckenburgh . . . 351. 1. 2. f 2059. 3. 8.
„ Marcus van Valckenburgh . . 716. 5. 0.1
„ Peter Crypenninck 275. 0.' 0. /
„ the Professor Goel or Mr. Raynsburgh . . . 0052. 10. 0.
„ Willem van Weely 0366. 10. 4.
„ the heirs of Dirk Lemey 0157. 10. 0.
„ Isaac & Pieter van Peenen & Sam: van Peenen 0255. 0. 0.
" Sir James Cats, Knight 0010. 0. 0.
, 19th of June the ballance of the ace: remains
creditor 0006. 14. 6.
14413 1. 8.
Marcelles van Dueren was agent & clerke of accounts to the Participants; Gamaliel van der Noen, Penniemaster; Matthei van Valckenburgh, Treasurer.
London Anno 1635. The treasurer Matthew van Valckenburgh, debtor for the money
recyived of the parties following.
£. s. d.
Anno 1631 of Sir Filibert Vernatti, Bar.' . . 1325. 0. 0.
„ the same paid to Isaac Lombrad 0298. 18. 4.
„ Sir James Cambell, Knight. . . 0270. 0. 0.
„ the same paid to Isaac Lombrad 0115. 0. 0. „ Sir Cornelius, for the rest of his
scots 2249. 7. 3.
„ Boccard & John Corselis . . . 2069. 8. 9.
„ the same to Isaac Lombrad . . . 0115. 0. 0.
„ Samuel van Peenen 0700. 0. 0.
„ Jacob Struys ... 25. 15. 0.
„ Abram Struys. . . 17. 5. 0. 0040. 0. 0.
„ Marcellus van Dueren .... 0113. 0. 0.
„ Cornelis Van Buren 1160. 19. 7.
., John van Baerle c.s 0900. 0. j 0.
„ Wouter de Gelder 0080. 0. 0.
of Roelof & Sebastian Franken . . 0045. 0. 0.



125
3449. 18. 4
£. s. d
of Sir James Cats Knight .... 0147. 10. 0
of Fabian de Vliet 0160. 0. 0
of Leonard Cats 0070. 1. 6
of the Widow of Michael Crayesteyn 0144. 2. 4
of Charles de Bruxelles 0095. 0. 0
of Sir Wm. Courteen, the moneyes
taken at use 2000, 0. 0
of Lucas van Valckenburgh, for his1 rest of 23/- per acre £1288, 3. 4.
,, Marcus van Valckenburgh for his rest of 23/- per acre . . . 1174. 13. 0.
of Matthew van Valckenburgh for his rest of 23/- per acre 0987. 1. 10.
of Preter Crypenninck 0352. 0. 0
of the Professor Goel 0100. 0. 0
of the widow of Edward Bishop . . 0068. 0. 0 of William van Weely as appears by his certificate to the Lord President 0451. 8, 0
of the Heirs of Dirk Lemey .... 0337. 10. 0 of Isaac and Pieter van Peenen . . 0120, 0, 0 by account of Isaac Lombrad . . . 0084. 9. 6 more money disbursed by Isaac Lombrad 0061. 1. 11
to ballance this account remains
Creditor of 1672. 16. 8
S/tmma 1RQ0.4 13 O
19 June.
London Anno 1635.
Participants in debt.
The lands or Participants in general of the drainage of Hatfield Chase are debitor as followeth:
To Sir Filibert Vernatti paid to him to



126
£. s. d
divers persons for the generals and for so much
as allnwerl him hv pontrart 1S R
To several workmen and officers, which have proved their debts 1575. 6. 1,
To Sir James Cambell, paid to Newland by the hands of Sir Filibert and Corselis .... 0020. 0. 0,
To Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, allowed for law charges as by contract . 1926 11. 2,
To Boccard and Corselis for law charges as by contract 1465. 3. 9,
To Samuel van Peenen, allowed him for his service in the level . 0400. 0. 0,
To Jacob Struijs by him disbursed at the signing the contract 0016, 10. 0
To Abram Struijs, allowed him at signing the contract 0015. 0. 0
To Marcellus van Dueren, allowed at signing the contract 0096. 19. 8,
to the widow of Edward Bishop do 0084. 0. 0.
to John Gibbons, allowed him by contract . 0607. 8. 0.
to John Gibbons to be paid to Fishlake for
damages 0360. 0. 0.
to their account following to balance this
same 31095 1. 8.
38045. 16. 0.
In memorandum, the Participants \
agreed to pay over and above the i 2840 0 0
360 Pounds to Fishlake & Syke- i
house for their pretended damages /
The Lands of Hatfield Chase or Dykeage of Hatfield Chase, as creditors.
£. s. d.
Sir Filibert Vernatti for bis several scotts of 33/-
per acre 4947 10. 0.
Sir John Ogle for his scotts do 559. 17. 0.
Sir James Cambell for his scotts 0630. 0. 0.



127
£. s. d.
Sir Cornelius Vermuyden for bis scotts .... 5237. 2. 0.
Boccard & Corselis 6512. 10. 0.
Johannes Boccardus for scotts 0175. 0. 0.
Samuel van Peenen for Scotts 1943. 14. 0.
Jacob Struijs for Scotts , . 0247. 10. 0.
Marcellus van Dueren for Scotts 400 acres . .. 0666. 0. 0.
The widow of Edw. Bishop 400 acres .... 0666. 0. 0.
John Gibbons for Scotts 2277. 0. 0.
Jacob de Witt for Scotts 0281. 5. 0.
Thomas & Wifl. de Witt for Scotts 0098. 15. 0.
Dingman de Vries for Scotts 0218. 15. 0.
Cornelius van Bueren for scotts 2145. 0. 0.
Jan van Baerle c. s 1650. 0. 0.
Wouter de Gelder for Scotts 0165. 0. 0.
Roelof & Sebastian Franken 0333. 0. 0.
John Van Diemen 0195. 0. 0.
Sir James Cats 0110. 11. 0.
Sir Cornelius Vermuyden for so much he has
agreed upon the contract 1000. 0. 0.
Fabian de Vliet for Scotts at 33/- per acre . , 0330. 0. 0.
Leonart Cats for Scotts 0330. 0. 0.
The widow of Michael Crayesteyn for scotts . . 0330. 0. 0.
Charles de Brouxelles for scotts ...... 0165. 0. 0.
Reynier Corneliszoon Vos for scotts 0165. 0. 0.
Capt. de Graeff for Scotts 0062. 0. 0.
Lucas van Valckenburgh ......... 1995. 1. 0.
Marcus van Valckenburgh 1890 18. 0.
Matthew van Valckenburgh 1338. 3. 0.
Pieter Cruypenninck for Scotts 726. 0. 0.
38045. 16. 0.
£. s. d.
Creditor for their remainder of their old account 31095. 1. 8.
The Professor Goel for Scotts 00165. 0. 0.
the widow of van Dael 00264. 0. 0.
Willem van Weely 00998. 3. 0.
Philip Jacobson 00175. 0. 0.
Abram Dolens 02245. 0. 0.



128
£. s. d.
The Heirs of Dick Lemey 00495. 0. 0.
Isaac and Pieter van Peenen 00943. 16. 0.
The heirs of Jacob Droogbroot 00132. 0. 0.
Sir Cornelius Vermuyden promised to allow
surveyor . 00050. 0. 0.
The Treasurer Matt. van Valckenburgh . . . 00034. 9. 6. To ballance this account the Participants remain
debtor 01403. 17. 7.
36001. 7. 9.
(signed) Adrian Henrin *4« Marcellus van Dueren,
Men ziet, dat de lasten, welke de deelgenooten op te brengen hadden, niet gering waren.
Bijzondere aandacht vraagt nog het feit, dat in 1634 Sir Cornelius Vermuyden die £ 360.— schadevergoeding aan Fishlake en Sykehouse moest betalen, terwijl in 1635 Mr. John. Gibbons, als nieuwe eigenaar, voor dit bedrag gedebiteerd wordt, terwijl wij in dit jaar buitendien, een memorie post zien uitgetrokken van £ 2840.— (voorwaar geen kleinigheid) als extra schadeloosstelling aan genoemde dorpen.



De origineele kaart van Aerlebout (1639).






HOOFDSTUK VI.
Het is voor de reputatie van Vermuyden als waterbouwkundige bedenkelijk, dat een der eerste processen, hetwelk tegen hem werd gevoerd, het gevolg was van wellicht de grootste technische fout, die hij bij het plan tot droogmaking der Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme gemaakt heeft.
Indien Vermuyden de Don tot Adlingfleet genormaliseerd en gekanaliseerd had, dan zou niet alleen de geheele waterloozing van deze waterschappen veel béter zijn geweest, doch buitendien zou het ongelukkige proces, hetwelk de bewoners van Fishlake en andere plaatsen tegen Vermuyden gevoerd hebben, vermeden zijn.
De consequentie van de technische fout en van dit proces is voor Vermuyden finantieel en moreel een knauw geweest. Het heeft hem reputatie, geld en vrienden gekost en hem slechts vijanden en verdriet bezorgd.
Wij hebben gezien hoe Vermuyden de Don bij Stainforth en Fishlake, door middel van den Ashfielddijk, zoodanig afgedamd had, dat het water niet meer Hatfield Chase en de Isle of Axholme kon binnenstroomen, doch gedwongen werd, in noordelijke richting naar de Ayre en, onder dien naam, verder naar de Ouse te stroomen.
Ongelukkigerwijze was deze watèrweg als boezem onvoldoende en het noodlottige gevolg was een overstroomen der westelijk van dezen boezem, rondom Fishlake, Sykehouse en Snaith gelegen, lage landen. De bewoners dezer landen kwamen in verzet. Vermuyden gaf hun het volgende bescheid: „Volgt ons goede voorbeeld, beschermt ook uwe gronden door hooge dijken tegen het water van de Don en gij zult zien, hoeveel sneller het water van die rivieren zich naar Ouse en Humber zal spoeden."
9



130
Doch de bewoners van Fishlake, Sykehouse en Snaith, waren met dit antwoord allerminst tevreden en maakten de zeer juiste opmerking, dat, indien Vermuyden niet gekomen ware met zijn verandering brengen in bestaande toestanden, de Don niet naar hun zijde overstroomd zou wezen. Daarbij kwam, dat een verwoed tegenstander van Vermuyden, Robert Portington, van Tudworth Hall nabij Barnby Dunn, de ontevredenheid der bewoners nog aanwakkerde en hen aanzette tot het nemen van wraak, door de werken en gereedschappen der vreemdelingen te vernietigen. Een en ander gaf tot heftige tooneelen tusschen de bewoners en de vreemde werklieden aanleiding, waarbij niet alleen dijken en andere werken en gereedschappen vernield, doch tevens vele werklieden gewond en gedood werden. Later, nadat Vermuyden zijne menschen bewapend had, schijnt een der dorpelingen gedood to zijn.
Vermuyden liet het natuurlijk niet hierbij en beklaagde zich bij den Koning. Het gevolg was, dat op 10 April 1629, de Attorney General, namens den Koning, en Vermuyden voor zich zelf, zich bij den Raad van State beklaagden over Robert Portington en andere oproerige bewoners van Hatfield Chase. De Koning was tegenwoordig, toen de verschillende partijen gehoord werden.
Robert Portington, die Justice of the Peace*) for the West Riding of the County of York was, kreeg een geduchten uitbrander, doch mocht in functie blijven, zoolang hij zich behoorlijk zou gedragen.
Vermuyden werd in het gelijk gesteld en het valt helaas niet te ontkennen, dat Vermuyden, zich sterk gevoelend door den steun van Koning en Hof, zeer arbitrair optrad, zeer scheutig met dagvaardingen en in gebreke stelling was, zoodat verscheidene bewoners, die niet snel genoeg naar de pijpen van Vermuyden dansten, hun weg naar de gijzeling in Londen of de gevangenis in York vonden.
') Vrederechter.



131
Over een der rechtzaken wegens vernielen van dijken en aanranden der werklieden lezen wij:
Vermuyden versas Torksey etc.
His Majesty, out of his Princely Care and Providence, to increase the Profits and Revenues of his Crown, and for the good of the Commonwealth, did, with the consort and advice of his Privy Council article under his hand and Great Seal with the Relator Sr. Cornelius Vermuyden, to drain and make dry divers surrounded grounds and Commons in the Counties of Lincoln, Nottingham and York, which before yielded to no benefit at all, but were often times very prejudicial to the Inhabitants thereabouts by inundations and with all granted some part of the grounds, to be drained and recovered by the Relators Industry and at his charge, to the said Relator, reserving a good Fee Farm Rent for the same and the Relator was bound to drain and lay dry the said grounds and his workmen being at work thereabout, the Defendents and others at several times came unto the workmen and beat and terrified them, threatening to kill them, if they would not leave their work, threw some of them in the river and kept them under water with long poles, and at several other times, upon the Knelling of a Bill, came to the said works in riotous and warlike manner, divided themselves into companies, to take the workmen and filled up the ditches and drains, made to carry away the water, burned up the working tools and other materials of the Relator and his workmen, and set up poles in the form of gallows, to terrifie the workmen and threatened to break their arms and legs, and beat and hurt many of them and made other flee away, whom they pursued to a town with such terror and threats, that they were forced to guard the town. And for these outrageous riots, whereby the Relator was damnified two thousand pounds, the Defendents were all committed to the fleet, bound to their good behaviour. Three of them fined a thousand pounds a piece, one of them five hundred pounds and nine others five hundred pounds a piece, all of them at the next assizes after their apprehension, to acknowledge their offences. The Judges sitting and pay two thousand marks damage to the Relator.
Maar met dat al groeide de verbittering tegen Vermuyden steeds aan en wij lezen, dat hij is: „a monster of a man, whose natural qualities no one English epithet can answer".



132
De haat tegen het werk van de vreemde indringers nam toe en daar de bewoners van Fishlake, Sykehouse, Stainford, Cowick, Snaith, Baln, Pollington en andere plaatsen in de West Riding van Yorkshire weer van overstroomingen tengevolge van Vermuyden's Ashfielddijk te lijden hadden, klaagden zij, op hun beurt, Vermuyden aan.
Wij zien partijen op 7 April 1630 voor de rechters te Pontefract.
Deze beslisten nu, dat de bewoners van Fishlake en Sykehouse £ 200.— per jaar zouden betalen aan Vermuyden, welk bedrag zij zouden moeten beuren door omslag over de landerijen. Vermuyden zijnerzijds, zou de Dondijken aan de zijde van Fishlake en Sykehouse voor zijne rekening ophoogen tot het zelfde peil, als de door hein gemaakte Ashfield dijk, en wel op zoodanige deugdelijke wijze, dat de landen van den linkeroever van de Don beveiligd zouden zijn tegen overstrooming. Vermuyden zou niet aansprakelijk zijn voor onvoorziene schade, veroorzaakt door die verhooging en verbreeding der dijken of voor verder onderhoud, terwijl een bestuur verder de gezamenlijke belangen van Vermuyden, diens Participanten en de genoemde bewoners van den linker Donoever zou behartigen en de goede verstandhouding bevorderen, terwijl Vermuyden en zijne participanten gerechtigd werden om, indien moedwillige beschadigingen aan hun werken mocht worden toegebracht, de schade daardoor berokkend, op de bevolking te verhalen.
Van deze laatste bepaling schijnt Vermuyden, die wist, dat hij den steun had zijner vrienden, Sir Robert Heath, des Konings Attorney General, en Sir Thomas Fanshaw, des Konings Surveyor General, een wel wat al te ruim gebruik gemaakt te hebben, terwijl hij beschuldigd werd de bepalingen te zijnen laste onvoldoende te hebben uitgevoerd, zich zelfs op minder correcte wijze, door foefjes, aan velen daarvan te hebben onttrokken.
Sir Cornelis Vermuyden trachtte inmiddels de zaak definitief geregeld te krijgen door middel van een „Act of



133
Parliament." Het Hoogerhuis nam de Wet over, doch ten gevolge der hevige oppositie van Lord Downe en Sir Thomas Yarburgh, leden van het Parlement voor Pontefract werd de Wet in het Lagerhuis verworpen. Buitendien gelastte de rechter de petitie der bewoners van Fishlake en andere plaatsen, in hooger beroep te behandelen.
Zoo zien wij partijen op 22 Juni van hetzelfde jaar verschijnen voor Thomas, Viscount Wentworth, Lord President of the Council for the North, John, Lord Darcy en Mr. Justice Hutton. Lord Wentworth en Lord Darcy leidden vervolgens persoonlijk het onderzoek en hielden tweemaal zitting te Hatfield.
Hun uitspraak was als volgt:
De oude rechten en privilegiën der bewoners van Hatfield Manor moesten worden hersteld en in stand gehouden, o.a. zouden bewoners weer turf mogen graven en hout mogen kappen, terwijl hun als hun „common" werd toebedeeld: In the West-Moor 893 acres, the Lings 210 acres, Brickhill and neighbouring Carrs 347 acres, Remple carr 84 acres, the Clownes 467 acres, East Tramlings 202 acres, Riston and Brereham Carr 380 acres, Bramwith Marsh 66 acres, the West-Nab 138 acres, Kirktown Nab 15 acres, een deel van Ditch Marsh en nog 200 acres.
Vermuyden heeft zich bij deze uitspraak niet neergelegd, heeft zich uit de jurisdictie van Lord Wentworth teruggetrokken en zijne bezittingen aan bewindvoerders overgedragen.
Daar de macht van Lord Wentworth, als President of the North, te groot was, werd Vermuyden later gedwongen al zijn belangen en bezittingen te verkoopen, daarbij groote schade lijdende.
Ofschoon de uitspraak mij onrechtvaardig voorkomt, daar er geen privileges van beteekenis in Hatfield Manor waren en men slechts het recht van turfgraven voor de bewoners van Crowle, dateerende uit de dagen, dat de Abten van Selby, Lordö of the Manor waren, kent, terwijl overigens, Hatfield Manor aan de Kroon toebehoorde, dus



134
daarna aan Vermuyden als rechtverkrijgende, heeft Verinuyden zelf veel schuld aan hetgeen gebeurd is.
Wanneer hij gematigder tegenover de bewoners van den linker Ponoever opgetreden ware, zou het nooit zoo ver gekomen zijn.
Deze bewoners bleven voortgaan met klachten over schade door overstrooming te doen hooren en ten slotte moest er door de Participanten een nieuw afvoerkanaal gegraven worden, thans nog als Dutch River bekend.
Met dit kanaal was reeds vroeger een begin gemaakt nadat daarvoor, in 1632, van Sir Arthur Ingram en anderen land gekocht was (zie bijlage), maar Vermuyden had toen het werk laten liggen. In 1633 werd door de Court of Sewers bevolen, dit werk af te maken, waarmede £ 33000.— gemoeid waren, die over de Participanten werden omgeslagen. Vele deelhebbers prefereerden hun bezit met schade te verkoopen en het land te verlaten, dan weer al die kosten te moeten opbrengen.x)
Zoodat de vijanden van Vermuyden, de tegenstanders zijner plannen, aan alle kanten hadden gezegevierd. Onderwijl had Vermuyden zijne vrienden van zich vervreemd, zooals uit het proces, dat door Sir Philibert Vernatti, Samuel Vanpan (van Peen), Matthew van Valkenburgh en John Corselis tegen hem in 1633 gevoerd werd, blijkt, (zie bijlage).
Wanneer wij bedenken, dat 3 dezer namen met dien van Vermuyden voorkomen op de kaart van Aerlebout, dan is deze gang van zaken tragisch.
Zeer waarschijnlijk was het Vermuyden finantieel niet mogelijk om zijn aandeel te betalen in de 33000 Pond, benoodigd voor de Dutch River, het afvoerkanaal van Aire naar Ouse, doch niettemin is zijne houding verre van mooi.
Hij had immers zoowel de voordeelen als de nadeelen, aan het bezit van zijn 8/8 aandeel in Hatfield Manor (^g als loon 'voor de droogmaking en 1j3 van den Koning
') Deze Dutch River was aanvankelijk een kanaal, met een sluis nabij Goole, doch gedurende de regeering van Karei II werd de sluis weggeslagen en het bleek toen niet noodig haar te herbouwen.



136
gekocht) verbonden, onder de oogen te zien. Hierbij kan ik meteen vermelden, dat Vermuyden de z.g.n. feefarmrents niet meer behoefde te betalen. Die waren nu ten laste der nieuwe eigenaren gekomen.
Mr. John Gibbons, die Hatfield Manor kocht, betaalde dan ook in het vervolg zijn aandeel in de feefarmrents zijnde £ 200.1.8.
Lord Wentworth, uitspraak doende in het proces, gelastte, dat de kosten, voor het graven van dit kanaal van Turnbridge tot Goole, over alle Participanten moesten worden omgeslagen en dat, ten einde daaraan, wat het aandeel van Vermuyden betrof, te kunnen voldoen, er officiëele bewindvoerders moesten worden benoemd voor die gronden, welke nog niet door Vermuyden waren vervreemd.
In April 1633 werd deze uitspraak door een „Order of Council" bevestigd.
Ook de Isle of Axholme gaf aanleiding tot juridische quaesties.
De Kroon had, nadat Sir John Mowbray, Lord oi Axholme, wegens rebellie tegen Koning Edward III, onthoofd en zijne goederen verbeurd verklaard waren, het eigendom der Mowbray goederen verkregen.
Nu waren aan de bewoners van de Isle of Axholme door dezen Sir John, op 1 Mei 1359, allerlei privilegiën toegestaan, waardoor die bewoners zekere „common nghts" verkregen hadden, {zie bgïage).
In dit privilegie stond onder meer: „That the Said „Sir John nor his heirs, shall not approveJ) any waste, ^moors, woods, waters, or make any other manner of lapprovement of any part within the said Isle of Axholme."
Dit privilegie moet Koning Karei, die als Lord of the Manor of Epworth met Vermuyden eene overeenkomst aanging omtrent het droogmaken van de Isle o£ Axholme, zeker wel bekend geweest zijn.
Het is daarom opvallend, dat wij in Zijner Majesteits
') Ik cursiveer.



136
overeenkomst met Vermuyden omtrent Hatfield Chase de bepaling aantreffen, dat, indien „commoners"') rechten of vermeende rechten zouden willen doen gelden, de Koning ouder het Groot Zegel van Engeland eene commissie zal benoemen, ten einde met deze commoners te onderhandelen en waar noodig hen, hetzij door geld of land, schadeloos te stellen. Wij zien, dat dergelijke commissies benoemd werden, behalve voor Epworth Manor, dus voor de Isle of Axholme.
Voor de Isle of Axholme werden door Sir Robert Heath, Z. M. Attorney General, de inwoners aangeschreven om in Exchequer Chamber te vernemen, hetgeen hun zou worden toegewezen.
Men wees den Commoners van de Isle, 6000 acres van de 13400, als Common, toe.
De Commoners waren allerminst tevreden en gingen later, in 1636, bij den toenmaligen Attorney General, Sir John Banks, in hooger beroep.
Zij hadden succes. Zij verkregen nog 1000 acres extra, welk stuk van het land der Participanten, in Haxey Common, zou worden afgenomen; verder ontvingen zij Epworth South-moor en Butterwick Moor, terwijl, met het oog op de armste inwoners van Epworth, Haxey, Owston en Belton, alle dorpen binnen de Manor of Epworth, die uitsluitend leefden van jacht op waterwild en van vischvangst, de Participanten nog £ 400 moesten afstaan voor het inslaan van hennep ten einde dezen armen heden, door hen in staat te stellen zakken en touw te maken, een bestaan te verschaffen, waar tengevolge der droogmaking het hun niet mogelijk was verder hun oud beroep uit te oefenen.
De Commoners waren nog allerminst tevreden en eischten de geheele meent op, zich beroepende op de acte van privilegie, door Sir John Mowbray verleend.
De Commoners hadden van hun standpunt wellicht gelijk, men kan het echter Vermuyden zeker allerminst
*) Geërfden.



137
ten kwade duiden, dat hij zich hield aan het Koninklijk woord van Karei I en van zijn kant de uitspraak van Sir John Banks afkeurde.
De Commoners kregen plotseling steun van een onverwachte zijde. De burgeroorlog was uitgebroken. De Commoners verspreiden het, uit Lincoln afkomstige, gerucht, dat Sir Ralph Hansby, met Koninklijke troepen, de Isle zou binnen rukken, en onder pretext, van steun aan de Parlementariërs te willen verleenen, doch in werkelijkheid om schade aan de Participanten toe te brengen, werden in 1643 de vloeddenren van de Snow Sewer en van Misterton sluis geopend en gedeeltelijk vernield en het geheele gebied onder water gezet.
Tegelijkertijd werd door zeven Epworth-commoners een rechtzaak aanhangig gemaakt, waarbij zij de geheele meent opeischten.
De Participanten dienden, in de Exchequer Chamber, hun tegeneisch in en werden in het gelijk gesteld.
De Sollicitor General kreeg last om zorg te dragen, dat de rechtmatige eigenaren, de Participanten, weer zoo spoedig mogelijk in het ongestoord bezit der gronden zouden komen.
De Sherif van Lincoln werd nu met 100 man naar de Isle gezonden, om de dijken te doen repareeren, rust en orde te herstellen. Niet zoodra had de Sherif de dijken hersteld en de 4000 acres in questie weer aan de eigenaren teruggegeven, of Noddel, de advocaat der Commoners, verscheen met 400 dorpelingen, wist den Sherif tot den aftocht te dwingen en vernielde weer al hetgeen de Sherif had doen herstellen.
De Participanten brachten wederom hun zaak voor de Rechtbank, waarop Noddel den Overste John Lilburne en Majoor John Wildeman engageerde, ten einde hem en zijn Commoners in hun zaak bij te staan. Dat was een kolfje naar die heeren hun hand en, terwijl de rechtzaak te Londen diende, werden de Commoners weer tot opstand aangezet. Zij namen de resteerende 3400 acres en al het



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vee in beslag, weigerden elke schadevergoeding en eischten betaling van allerlei schattingen.
De Participanten klaagden hun nood bij den Justice of Peace, Michael Monckton, doch deze weigerde niet alleen de noodige stappen te doen, doch steunde de oproerige Commoners.
Wanneer bijv. een Commoner door een der collega's van dezen vrederechter, voor een bewezen vergrijp, met 5 shilling beboet zou worden, verklaarde hij dat dit veel te veel was en dat six pence (30 ets.) meer dan voldoende zou zijn. Hij maakte het zijn collega's daarbij zoo lastig, dat zij dan ten slotte de boete op 1 shilling (60 ets.) zetten.
In Februari 1650, na een uitvoerig verhoor in de Exchequer, werd wederom uitspraak gedaan, waarbij de Participanten nogmaals in hun eigendomsrecht hersteld en de Commoners veroordeeld werden.
De heer John Gibbons, die namens Participanten handelde, beriep zich o.m. op de feiten, dat 20 jaar geleden de deelhebbers ten koste van £ 200.000.— een terrein van 60.000 acres hadden drooggemaakt. Dat land, vroeger waardeloos, bracht thans 10 shilling en 16 shilling per acre op. De belooning aan Participanten was zeer gering geweest, slechts 1/s van het, door hen verbeterde, terrein was hun vergoeding. Hun aandeel omvatte echter ook 7400 acres, in de heerlijkheid Epworth, waarvoor zij aan den Staat jaarlijks £ 1228.— feefarm rent hadden betaald een feit, waaruit, ondanks de vermeende aanspraken der cliënten van Mr. Daniël Noddel, het goed recht der Participanten op die 7400 acres, duidelijk bleek.
Toen dit arrest openbaar werd gemaakt, verklaarde Noddel, in tegenwoordigheid van Lilburne en Wildeman, aan de verzamelde Commoners, dat zij zich niet aan dit bevel van den Exchequer van het Parlement moesten storen, want dat hij een veel beter Parlement zou vormen dan dit „Parliament of clouts." *)
') Clout = dweil.



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Wanneer dit laatste dan ook troepen zou zenden, zou men die weerstaan. Men trok vervolgens, onder Noddel's leiding, naar Sandtoft, vernielde dit dorp en omliggende hoeven, in het geheel meer dan 50 gebouwen, en verwoestte de te veld staande gewassen der in dispuut zijnde 3400 acres.
Lilburne, Noddel, Monckton en Wildeman maakten een overeenkomst met de Commoners, waarbij overeengekomen werd, dat Lüburne en Wüdeman 2000 en Noddel 200 acres zouden krijgen, waartegenover deze dan op zich namen, hen te verdedigen tegen alle gevolgen van de voorgekomen onlusten en hun het bezit der van de Participanten afgenomen 7400 acres zouden verzekeren. Waarvan behoorlijk acten werden gepasseerd.
De samenzweerders gingen vervolgens naar Crowle en wisten daar, dank zij hunnen medeplichtigen, Jaspar Margrave en George Stovin, een dergelijk spel te spelen.
Noddel verklaarde, dat Lilburne binnenkort in het Parlement zitting zou hebben en daar voor hunne belangen opkomen.
Verder verklaarde hij, dat men het overeengekomene zou laten drukken, ten einde het aan de deuren van het Parlementsgebouw te laten vastnagelen; indien de Parlementsleden hun dan nog geen recht zouden doen wedervaren, dan zouden ze hen bij de ooren uit het gebouw halen.
Van het aldus verkregen bezit deden zij het meeste weer van de hand. doch Lilburne liet het huis van den predikant te Sandtoft, dat gedeeltelijk verwoest was geworden, weer voor zich zelf opbouwen en inrichten, terwijl hij de kerk als stal gebruikte.
Doch ten slotte werd 31 Aug. 1653 toch weer behoorlijk recht gedaan aan de Participanten. De 7400 acres in Epworth Manor werden hun wederom in vollen eigendom toegewezen, een onderzoek naar de daden der oproermakers en de bestraffiing der schuldigen gelast, terwijl tevens bevolen werd de vergoedingen, voor de geleden schade, vast te stellen en te regelen.
In de bijlagen zal men verschillende copiên vinden van



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documenten, die in de rechtzaken eene groote rol hebben gespeeld. O. m. „The declaration of Daniël Noddel in 1653". Verder: „The Great Complaint and Declaration" van den zelfden Daniël Noddel, optredende als procureur voor 1200 Commoners in de Isle of Axholme. In beide petitiën bepleit Noddel het goed recht der Commoners tegenover John Gibbons, dien wij als kooper der meeste gronden van Vermuyden kennen, en andere Participanten. Men ziet ook na 1653, waren de gemoederen nog niet tot rust gekomen, (zie bijlage).
Het zou nog tot 1719 duren vóór de laatste rechtsquaestie tusschen Participanten en Commoners beëindigd zou wezen.
In dat jaar was het Richard Popplewell, die namens de Commoners een eisch instelde en het was de jonge Reading, die namens Participanten de zaak verdedigde. Het was weer geheel gebaseerd op de bekende eischen der Commoners.
De uitspraak was als volgt:
The Last Contests, relating to these Levels. Copy of order of dismission. Popplewell & others versus Reading and others.
1719.
The Cause was accordingly set down by the plairitiffs to be heard Thursday the 19th Day of November last, upon which day no council attended to open the Plaintiffs bill and upon hearing of Sir Edward Northey, Kt., Mr. Lutwych and Mr. Carter, two of his Majesty's Counsel, learned in the law, Mr. Sergeant Stevens, Mr. Horseman, Mr. Agar and Mr. Boole, all of Counsel with the defendants. Praying that the Plaintiffs said Bill might be dismissed, with costs to be taxed and upon reading the order, made on Thursday the 25th day of June last. It was ordered by the Court, that the Plaintiffs Bill should be dismissed with costs to be taxed, unless cause should be shown to the contrary, the first day of Causes in this form. first paying to the defendants Clark in Court, six days before their hearing, Five Pounds costs and the said cause coming.
This day to be heared at the Exchequer Chamber at Westminster, upon opening of the Plaintiffs Bill, by Mr. Ward of Counsel,



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with all the plaintiff and of the answers of the several defendants by Mr. Bootle of Counsel, with the said Defendants and hearing of Sir Edw. Northey, Kt., Mr. Carter, Mr. Lutwych, Mr. Sargeant Stevens and Mr. Agar, all of Counsel with the defendants. Praying the decree made by this Honourable Court, the 14th of May 1691, might be read, as also an order, made the 8th day of December following, touching the allotments; and likewise the decree made the 20th day of February 1692, which being read accordingly and hearing of Sir John Cheshire, Knight, one of his Majesty's sergeants at law, Sir Constantine Philpps, Knight, and Mr. Gilby, all of Counsel with the Plaintiffs; and on Great Debate and mature consideration of the matter in extension, it is thisl>resent Monday, being the 25th day of January 1791, ordered and adjudged by the right Honourable Sir Thomas Bury, Knight, Lord Chief Baron and the rest of the Barons of this Court, that the Plaintiffs said bill shall be and is hereby dismissed out of this court, with costs to be taxed and the Plaintiffs said Bill is hereby dismissed accordingly; and it is hereby referred to the Deputy of bis Majesty's Remembrance of this Court, to tax the Defendants their costs; other than and except the defendant Wharton's Costs, which have been already taxed and paid to him.
Thos. Bury. Ro. Price. Ja. Mountagu. Fr. Page.
Zoo eindigde deze rechtzaak van Richard Popplewell, namens de Commoners, in het voordeel van Reading, den vertegenwoordiger der Participanten.
Niet alleen ten opzichte dus van het */, deel, door den Koning aan Vermuyden, als belooning voor de droogmaking, afgestaan, maar ook ten opzichte der 6000 acres, door John Gibbons en John Corselis bij Epworth en Butterwick direct van Koning Karei I gekocht.
Feitelijk wordt hierdoor bevestigd, dat de Koning het recht had over de gronden te beschikken en dus Vermuyden en de andere bedijkers zich volkomen rechtmatig in het bezit dier goederen gesteld hadden.
Dat werd door Sir John Banks indertijd anders bekeken en zoowel door dezen, als door Lord Wentworth, werd



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feitelijk aan de ondernemende vreemdelingen groot onrecht en aan hun eigen land groote schade gedaan.
Toch wascht dit alles Vermuyden niet geheel schoon, ik ben bang, dat, van juridisch standpunt bezien, Sir Cornelius Vermuyden te kort geschoten is.
Ik pleit clementie.
In een vreemd land, met hem vreemde staatsinstellingen, waar het vuur der revolutie steeds meer oplaaide en tot op het werk der inpoldering zich deed voelen, met een voor een vreemdeling zeer moeilijk te begrijpen behandeling van rechtsgeschillen, was Vermuyden, de practicus, in een zeer lastige, ik zou bijna zeggen, belemmerde positie.
Ik wil zijn fouten niet goed praten, maar ik kan ze toch verklaren, omdat ik de moeilijkheden van dit soort, door Vermuyden in Engeland geïntroduceerd, bedrijf, ken. Ik weet hoe men als pionier te kampen heeft met allerlei volmaakt onvoorziene omstandigheden, terwijl men van alle kanten door concurrenten, ijverzuchtigen en eerzuchtigen bespied, beoordeeld en veroordeeld wordt.
Onwillekeurig schrijf ik neer, hetgeen ik te Middelburg op een gevelsteen van anno 1794 las:
„In den meesten voorspoet behoeft men den besten Raet".



HOOFDSTUK VII.
Bij het lezen dezer moeilijkheden en rechtskwesties rijst onwillekeurig de vraag: maar deden de Waterschapsbesturen dan niets?
Het antwoord hierop moet ontkennend luiden.
Wel was er reeds in 1629 door Koning Karei I voor de Isle of Axholme een Commission of Sewers benoemd en werd door dit Waterschapsbestuur op 14 Augustus 1629 eene zitting gehouden en besloten: „Whereas John liens, „Esq. and other Dutchmen of his party, have of late, "undertaken to the Kings' Majestie and his Privie Councü, „to dreyne the Carr grounds and many grounds in Axholme, "and other great Carrs, and drowned grounds in the County lof Nottingham, which have lyen under water, and by "reason thereol, grown into bogs and dirtmires, and the ^ditches cannot carry awaie conveniently all the water, „unless some necessary sluices in one or more frames be ^placed on the river called Bickersdike») at a place lying "above the bridge called Bleeford Bridge, on a piece of waste or common grounds called Bleeford Trees. It is "therefore agreed that John Liens and his followers may „make sluices, and cutt timber on the common."
In de op 2 Juni 1634 gehouden vergadering van het bestuur, werd tot het graven van eene wetering van de Bycarrsdike naar de Heckdike, besloten.
2nd day of June lOth year of Charles I.
At a session of sewers, held at Haxey, before William Anderson, Esq; Thomas Saunderson, Esq; John Gibbon, Esq; John Estoft, Esq ; Samuel Van Pain, Esq j John Corselis, Esq ; Henry Lee, Esq ; Math. Kaye, Esq ; William Dalby, Clerk ; John Routhe ; John Cooke ; Nicholas Stephenson ; Hugh Dickenson and Sam. Wilkinson Gent. ordered and for a law decreed, for easing the said river of
') Bycarrsdike.



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Bickersdyke and for Draining Misterton Greenley and Everton Lordships, in the County of Nottingham, a cutt or drain, be cutt out of the said Bickersdyke at a place called Cornle Nook, sixty six foot wide and to be conveyed to Heek dyke sewer and there to fill into the River Trent and a sluice to be then erected, to sent the same unto the river Trent and a sluice, out of Bickersdyke, into the said new Outt and a new Bridge, to be made over the said new drain, for a way from Haxey to Stockwith, for Cart & carriage and the Direction of the said works to be done, according to the Direction and Directions of any six of the six named Commissioners.
Dit werk was noodig om de Bycarrsdike te ontlasten en de gronden van Misterton en Everton beter te draineeren.
Er werd met het werk begonnen, doch het werd niet voltooid omdat er eigenaren waren, die weigerden het graven van dit kanaal, door hunne gronden, toepte laten. *)
This Great Drain was cutt for about a mile long, but never finished, as appears at this day, by the Remains of it. I have been informed, that some illnatured landowner, upon the banks of the Trent, would not let them cutt through his ground. Though, no doubt, they would have made him full satisfaction for it and which would have effectually have drained the above mentioned lordships in Nottinghamshire, which, at this day, suffer very much by the overflowing of the Idle and the above mentioned Bickersdyke and I much wonder the owners there, doth not seek out for a Remedy.
Wel werd door het Bestuur op 5 September van dat zelfde jaar de order herhaald, doch de order werd eenvoudig niet uitgevoerd. Wij zullen uit het document zien, dat Vermuyden, na onderzoek, deze waterloozing aanbevolen had.
lOth year Charles I, 5 Sept. ordered and for a law decreed, that the said drain shall be cutt from the said Cornley Nooke, sixty six foot wide and the waters conveyed into the River Trent at Cunthorpe Lane End, that being found the best of all for the waters into Trent by a Survey of Mr. Cornelius Vermuyden.
But this like the other never was perfected to the great damage of the Lordships as above mentioned in Nottinghamshire.x)
') Ik cursiveer.



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Zoover de Isle of Axholme Commissioners of Sewers.
Wat de Hatfield Chase betreft, op 26 Februari 1636, werd door Koning Karei I de eerste Commission of Sewers benoemd.
Commission of Sewers granted by Charles I in the llth year of his reign, was directed to our Lord and Counsellor Thomas, Viscount Wentworth, Lord President of our Counsel established in the North; John Earl of Clare, Edward, Earl of Mulgrave, William of Newcastle, William, Earl of Dumfries, Franc, Lord Willoughby of Parham, Edmond, Lord Sheffield, Sr. Gervais Clifton, Sr. Francis Wortley, Kt, and Baronet, Sir William Saville, Sir Edward Osbourne, Sr. Hardolph Wastneys Bat., Sir Philibert Vernatti, Kt. & Bat., Sir John Monson, Sir Thomas Downey, Sr. John Crooke, Sr. Thornhawk, Kt, Sir Arthur Ingram the Elder, Sr. John Jackson, Sr. John Ramsdon, Sr. William Pelham Sr. Wodeson, Sir Johrf Lister, Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, Sir Matthew Pelmer Kt., Sr. Robt. Callis, Sergeant at Law, John Sars e, Willoughby Hickman, William Anderson, Francis Nevile, John Nevile, Henry Lee, Robert Rogers, Anthony Eyre, Robert Pockley, Wilham West, Hugh Cartwright, William Mosley, Gervase Piccard, Godfrey Copley, Charles North, John Estoft, John Corselis, N. Tindal, Nicholas Hammerton, Francis Frobisher, Gilbert Gregory, William Copley, Samuel Vanpain (van Peen), Stephen Anderson, Math. van Valckenburgh Andrew Boccart, Marmaduke Dorrel, Abram Vernatti, John Liens Edward Hastings, William Rookeby, Roger Gregory, Thomas Saunderson, William Godfrey, John Cooke, Gervase Ellwys Thomas Hughs Math. Kaye, Thomas Bossvile, William Armitage, John West, John Copley, Richard Harebread, Anthony Hammond, Michael Monckton, Esquires; William Dalby, clark, John Wright, Michael Corselis Lucas Corselis, William Saunderson, Robert William Williamson, Thomas Hickman, Anthony Gilby, George Rogers, Charles Nevile, Robert Saunderson, Gervase Ayre, Thomas Tyse, Bryan Womn, George Tessope, Abram Strys, Jacob Strys, Marcellus van Dueren, Charles White, John Hickman, George Brown, Nicholas Stephenson, William Stoakman, William Tenton, Hugh Dickenson, Thomas Parkins, Parke Cressey, Robert Lee, John Routh, Thomas Levins Christopher Younger, Thos. Smith, Sam. Wilkinson, John Belton and Theophilus Geep, Gentlemen.
Dated the 26 February in the Eleventh Year of our Reign (1635).
10



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Op 4 Augustus 1637, hielden deze Commissioners eene vergadering. In die vergadering werd besloten eene petitie te richten tot den Koning en wel van den volgenden inhoud:
To the Kings most Excellent Majesty The Humble Certificate of Sir Francis Wortly, Kt and Baronet, Sr. Filibert Vernatti, Knight and Baronet, Sir John Jackson, Knight, John Nevile, William Anderson, Godfrey Copley, Esq, and other Commissioners of Sewers for the Drainage of the Levil of Hatfield Chase, within the County of Yorke, Lincoln and Nottingham.
In most humble wise sheweth unto your most Excellent Majesty your dutiful and obedient subjects, that, whereas by the virtue of your Majesties Commission of Sewers unto them and others director there was a law made and Published att a session of sewers held at Bawtrey in your county of Yorke, the eighth, 9th, llth, 13th, 14th & 15th daies of Jully past, By which divers Landes lately belonging to unto John Gibbon, Esquire and divers others were sold as well for the payment of Poor Labourers Wages as for finishing the Great Worke of Drainage of Hatfield Chase, according to an order, hearing date, the llth day of May 1634, made by your Majesty in Council and Divers other orders made by the Lords of your Majesty's Honourable Privy Council and particularly by the Direction of a letter from these Lordships to us directed, bearing the 16th day of May last past, with a list of the arrears there inclosed. To which law your Majesty has been graciously pleased to give your Royal assent to the Great Continuance of the said commission and encouragement of your said commissioners in the future excecuting thereof and to the great satisfaction of all the Country adjoyning, as by your Majesty's letter Pattent under the Great Seal of Engeland, bearing date the 30th day of July last past, testifying the said assent, it will and may appear.
Now so it is that the said Mr Gibbon the fourth day of August last past, did bring unto us, the said commissioners, sitting at Bawtrey at a Commission of sewers, a Refferance of a Petition to your Majesty by him made at Gate Lands, the nine and seventieth day of Jully last past in these words:
His Majesty taking notice of the Petition occasion of stay in London and Tayle of the Lands, mentioned in the Pettition during that time, is graciously pleased that the commissioners of sewers within the Levil of Hatfield Chase doe Cause the money charged upon the Pettitioners, to be received of Him, and returning what he has



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been paid by the Purchasers to take order for Restïtution of the Land, sold from the Pettitioners, as also that they cause the account in English to be delivered to the Pettitioners, to take his Exception thereto by a day, to be prefixed and that any six of them, not interested upon consideration thereof, do cause him to be reimbursed if they shall find it just, whereupon the said Commissioners, according to their bounder Duties, being all of them desireous, all respects sett apart, to give full obedience, so much as in them lyth, to all your majesty's commands, whatsoever having notice of your Royal assent, given unto this Law; testified by your Majesties letters Pattents under your Great Seale, bearing date, the 30th day of Jully last past, being the very day after this said Reference, to make Restitution of the land (sold) unto the said Mr. Gibbon. But they have endeavoured themselves to give what satisfaction they could, to unto the Purchasers by way of mediation but cannot prevail with them to relinquish their Title and to take their moneys again and seeing it apparent unto us that your Majesties most Gracious Intention is, that both the Clamours of the poor Labourers shall be taken away by just Payments and the Great Werk perfected, for which end your Majesties pleasure is, that either Mr. Gibbons Money or the Purchasers should be ready and for that purpose we have received, both the Purchasers money and likewise taken the money of the said Mr. Gibbon (as deposited) to be in readiness for and towards the repayment of the said purchasers. If your Majesty in your Royal Wisdom shall so dispose thereof, we have also ordered that and account in English shall be delivered unto the said Mr. Gibbon and wee have given him time to take exeption thereunto, until the eighth day of October next, by which means we have given such obedience, both unto the said Reference and Royal assent, as wee convince we have power to do.
All which we humbly submitt unto your Majesties Royal Judgement and shall be ready at all times hereafter to follow such further direction concerning the Premises, as your Majestie in your wisdome shall appoint.
4th August 1637 12th Carol.
Men krijgt bij het lezen van deze petitie weer allerminst den indruk, dat het Polderbestuur van Hatfield Chase eenige macht had om zich te doen gelden.
Van heden, die door het Bestuur aangemaand werden te betalen en dat desondanks nalieten, werd door de



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Commissioners betaling verkregen door zooveel land van den wanbetaler te verkoopen tot de schuld gedekt* was. Waar moesten de Commissioners anders ook het geld vandaan halen? Maar de wanbetaler wendde zich tot den Koning en als hij bij Z. M. in de gunst stond, zooals bhjkbaar de heer John Gibbons, dan gooide de Koning alle waterschaps-ordonnantiën, door hem zelf vroeger bekrachtigd, ondersteboven en de wanbetaler eischte zijn land terug.
Uit een brief van den Koning, den 2den April 1637 aan de Commissioners geschreven:
Charles R.
Whereas by our former letter we required you to take especial care that no act of your last session might prejusdice our servant Sir Filibert Vernatti's Estate during his employment of our services here, we are informed that not withstanding our commands your have made sale of some lands of his under pretence of arreyages of Scotts which lands were part upon in Trust for his use as you were truly informed before the sale thereof which proceding sheweth that you have not given that regard to our letters that became you wherefore our will and pleasure is that he be forthwith restóred to his lands
and that during during the time that our services shall enforce
his absence from your sessions of sewers he sustain not any further damage in his Estate by any act of yours. Given at our Court of St. James the second day of April in the twelfth year of our Reign
To our Trustis and well beloved Commissioners for Sewers for the Level of Hatfield Chase in our Counties of York, Lincoln & Nottingham.
ziet men hoe de Koning de Commissioners op hun nummer zet, omdat zij tegen zijne uitdrukkelijke bevelen in, land van zijn gunsteling Sir Filibert Vernatti, terwijl deze aan het Hof vertoefde, hadden verkocht, ten einde uit de opbrengst achterstallige polderlasten te verhalen.
Tevens gelast de Koning teruggave van dit land en verbiedt den Commissioners om Sir Filibert verder iets in den weg te leggen.
Een bestuur, dat zich zoodanig moet laten ringelooren, heeft natuurlijk geen ruggegraat om geschillen als tusschen



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de Participanten en de Commoners bestonden, te beslechten.
Zelfs bij de behartiging der waterschapsbelangen, waar het de verbetering van den waterafvoer betrof, schoot hun autoriteit te kort.
In het rumoerige jaar 1645 echter hielden de Commissioners of Sewers zich te Thorne bezig met de behandeling der door oproerige Commoners aangerichte schade en het herstel daarvan. Buitendien werd door hen besloten verschillende werken ter verbetering der afwatering onder handen te nemen.
De origineele tekst luidt:
Ordcred and Dccreed at a Scssion of Sewers held at Thorn the 28th day of May in the 21 year of Charles I that the sasse or sluice at Misterton which is totally pulled up by malicious people be again rectified, as also the sluices at Allthorpe, upon the river Trent, and Goole, upon the River Ouse, but substituently repaired and the Great Sasse at Turn Brigg be reedified, which is almost now totally destroyed by divers illeffected persons to the drainage and that the banks from Idle Stop to Misterton Sasse the Banks from Stockwith to Owston Ferry and from there to Allthorpe, as also from Goole to Turnbrigg, on both sides the New River, which leads down into Ouse and so on to the Holmsclose adjoining upon Rawcliffe Westfield and so to Turnbrigg Sasse and then to Ashfield Banks, be all repaired and amended by the respective owners as hereafter expressed. From Idlestop to Stockwith or Misterton Sasse by the Participants of the level of Hatfield Chase, to whom of right it belongeth to repair and maintain and from Stockwith to Ferry and so on to Allthorpe by the Proprietors and owners of the lands to whom of Right the repairs belongeth to that Height and Thickness, that it is in the Highest places thereof, as of ancient time has been done and from Gowle upon both sides of the New River and so to the Holmelane Close, adjoyning upon Rawcliffe Westfield and to Turnbrigg Sasse and from there to Thorn and Ashfield Banks to Stainforth by the Participants of the said level.
That the towns of Missen, Wroot, Stainforth, Hatfield and the whole level, has lost most of their corn by the outworks and Trentbanks not being in repair, this order also lays a Scott upon all the lands in the level etc. Commissioners William Copley, Thomas Bosseville, John Gibbon, John Copley of Doncaster and Thomas Boynton, Esquires, John Crompton and Robert Foster, Gentlemen.



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Other works then ordered to be done:
to deepen the River of Allthorpe and to mend the Banks on
both sides that river. item from Crowle causey to Dirtness, to deepen the South River item from the Triangles to John Lecocks Bridge, the South
drain to be deepened. item from John Lecocks Bridge to the 12 foot drain to be
deepened.
item the Bank of Dickondyke to be mended and the drayn scowered.
item the drain from Holmwood to the Bank in Fearn Carr to
be deepened and scowered. item the new Idle to be deepened in many places and the rest
will be dragged and scowered. Item from the South River of Allthorpe to the Tunnel Pitt,
the New Torne to be deepened. Item from the Tunnell Pitt to the end of Raddean, the New
Torne to be dragged and deepened.
In 1652 gaven Daroey, Wentworth, George Byard, Robert Lee, Alexander Ashmall, Richard Burdett, Marcus van Valkenburgh, Lucas Corselis, John Crompton, Nathaniël Eyre and William Walker, Gent, Commissioners of Sewers for the level of Hatfield Chase and Parts adjacent, order de Bycarrsdyke schoon te houden, waarvoor verantwoordelijk waren de bewoners van Tilne, Sutton, Lound, Wyston, Matersey, Everton, Seathworth, Scrowby, Bawtrey, Austerfield, Missen, Gringley, Misterton, Grooly, etc., op gevaar van bestraffing met zware boete bij eventueele nalatigheid.
In 1648 petitioneerden de Deelhebbers bij den Lord Keeper of England naar aanleiding der onlusten aan de Bycarrsdyke, Idle enz.
De Hollanders hadden o.a. in die tijden een hoofdelijken omslag geheven ten einde de kosten te bestrijden van gehuurde soldaten, die bestemd waren om de Scotts collectors, de ambtenaren die de polderlasten goedschiks of kwaadschiks moesten innen, uit de polders en van de hoeven te weren.



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Aan het hoofd dier huurlingen stonden Sir Gabriel Vernatti en Marcus van Valckenburgh.
Betrekkelijk kort daarna werden, op last van den Vrederechter, de Scotts Collectors ontslagen.
De eenige naam in het document van 1645, die nog aan de eerste eigenaren herinnert, is die van John Gibbons, degeen, die de participatie van Vermuyden kocht. De andere waren — waarschijnlijk reeds voor goed — verdwenen.
De halstarrige Commoners, gesteund door de Republikeinen, waren te machtig gebleken voor de vreemdelingen.
Wij hebben reeds gezien, hoe de bewoners der drooggemaakte gronden, de Hollanders, Vlamen en Hugenoten, een zwaren strijd te voeren hadden tegen de jaloersche afstammelingen der oorspronkehjke bevolking, wat die bewoners in 1642 en volgende jaren te verduren hadden van die bevolking en hoe zij leden onder den burgeroorlog, die Engeland in die dagen teisterde.
Toen de burgeroorlog geëindigd was, de republiek weer plaats had gemaakt voor de Stuarts, waren er van de vreemdelingen nog slechts enkele ondergeschikten over. De groote ondernemers hadden hunne goederen reeds lang prijsgegeven. De Commonwealth had hun steeds onrecht gedaan en hen verdreven.
Het zou nog lang duren, vóór er werkelijk vrede voor de bewoners zou wezen.
Vrede, zoowel ten opzichte van de bevolking als van het water.
Het had den schijn alsof er nooit rust zou komen.
In 1645 kregen we weer een herhaling van 1642, zoodat, nadat de dijken vernield waren, have en goed door het water werden overstroomd.
Een Engelschman, als John Lilburne, die niets met deze streken te maken had, heeft kans gezien er zijn naam een groote beruchtheid te doen verkrijgen. Colonel John Lilburne verliet ten slotte deze streken en kreeg, daar hij zoo'n kibbelaar was, dat men meende, dat als er niemand



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anders was, John met Lilburne en Lilburne met John kibbelde, toen hij overleden was, het volgende rijmpje als grafschrift toegedacht:
Is John departed, and is Lilburne gone?
Farewell, to both, to Lilburne and to John.
Yet, being dead, take advice from me:
Let them not both in one grave buried be,
Lay John here and Lilburne thereabout,
For if they both should meet, they would fall out.
Zelfs toen een Act of Parliament van 31 Aug. 1653, de oproerigen onder de bevolking met straf bedreigde, gingen zij kalm door met twisten en verwoesten.
Zoodat tenslotte, in 1655, op aanraden van Sir Anthony Ingram, namens Lord en Lady Antrim (Lady Antrim was de weduwe van den te Portsmouth vermoorden Duke of Buckingham en met Lord Antrim hertrouwd) en andere groote belanghebbenden een advocaat, Nathaniel Reading, als gemachtigde werd aangesteld tegen een salaris van «6 200.— per annum, om pachten te incasseeren en oproerige handelingen tegen te gaan.
De heer Reading, die door zijn vrouw, Arabella Churchill, een oom was van John, Hertog van Marlborough, pakte de lastige Commoners onzacht aan, zoodat die hunnerzijds weer te keer gingen en zich op 15 April 1656 tot de rechtbank wendden.
Generaal Whalley kreeg order de zaak te onderzoeken en hoorde beide partijen. Hij stelde de Participanten, de vredelievende, arbeidzame eigenaren, in het gelijk en de lastige Commoners in het ongelijk en vaardigde verordeningen uit, die niet mak waren. Hij verbood ten strengste alle mogelijke rustverstoringen en herstelde voor de vreemdelingen het recht hun eigen godsdienst in hun eigen gebouw te belijden.
De Commoners verzetten zich, zoodat Generaal Whalley genoodzaakt was, gewapenderhand op te treden, om klem aan zijn verordeningen bij te zetten.



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Dit gaf even rust. Maar niet lang. Na . een paar jaar staken de Commoners het hoofd weder op. Vijf jaar lang was het een voortdurende strijd tusschen den heer Reading, als handhaver der wetten en orde, en de Commoners, als gegriefde nazaten van lieden, die privilegiën bezeten hadden, doch deze voorrechten door vreemde indringers hadden zien wegnemen.
Dank zij een Act of Parliament (bglage) was na 1661 de onderlinge verhouding der participanten even goed geregeld als die in Romney Marsh.1) De rust werd echter steeds weer verstoord door de recalcitrante Commoners, die steeds meer land voor hun aandeel opoischten. Het feit, dat de rechtsquesties, door de Commoners opgeworpen, door Sir Thomas Hussey, Sir Willoughby Hickman, Sir John Boynton, Colonel Whichcot e. a. in hun nadeel werden beslecht, scheen hen slechts tot maatregelen van geweld aan te zetten, want herhaaldelijk deden zij aanvallen op de bezittingen der Participanten en hadden het inzonderheid voorzien op Mr. Reading. Zij deden in 1688 een aanval op Sandtoft, dat toen aan Reading toebehoorde en staken helaas ook do kerk in brand, welk gebouw geheel verwoest werd.
In 1691 kwamen de Participanten en Commoners ten slotte tot eene regeling. Voor do Participanten trad de procureur John Pinder als gemachtigde op. Alles scheen zoo goed geregeld, dat zelfs Robert Popplewell van Beltoft, die de belangen der Commoners bij de onderhandeling behartigd had, bevredigd was. Maar even later zien wij do Commoners, aangevoerd door de vrouw van Robert Popplewell, naar de woning van den heer Reading te Sandtoft trekken met het voornemen hem en zijn gezin te roosteren. Het was een wraakneming wegens een oisch van Reading over £ 3000.— achterstallige pacht. Zijn geheele bezitting te Sandtoft, woning, stallen en schuren werden verbrand, zijn vee gedood of weggevoerd, zijn oogst
') in Kent.



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verwoest. Reading en zijn gezin ontsprongen den dans.
Popplewell begreep, dat zijne vrouw en de andere brandstichters zwaar gestraft zouden worden, indien Reading de actie doorzette en trachtte, door bemiddeling van vrienden, de zaak met Mr. Reading te regelen. Reading nam met eene schadeloosstelling van £ 600.— genoegen en zag van verdere actie tegen de brandstichters af.
In 1712 stierf de heer Reading op ruim 100 jarigen leeftijd te Belton in de Isle of Axholme. Hij had minstens 30 hevige gevechten tegen de oproerige Commoners moeten leveren en was herhaaldelijk aan een beraamden aanslag op zijn leven ontkomen.
Zijn twee zoons deden al het mogelijke den vrede te bereiken, dien hun vader niet beleefd had. In 1714 kwam een der zoons, die Overste was, met een deel van zijn regiment naar de Isle of Axholme om er de rust te herstellen en te bewaren.
Eindelijk in het le jaar der regeering van George I (1715) werd, door de wet tegen oproermakers, voor goed vrede tusschen de bewoners gesticht. Nadat in 1719 de rechtzaak der Commoners tegen de Participanten in het voordeel der laatsten werd beslist en de Commoners tot betaling der kosten veroordeeld waren, kan men van algeheelen vrede spreken.
Inmiddels hadden de bewoners ook herhaaldelijk strijd tegen het water moeten voeren.
Om te beginnen ten gevolge der oproerige handelingen der Commoners eerst in 1642, later in 1645.
Steeds weer moesten de ongelukkige Paticipanten, die door het verlies van oogst zwaar getroffen waren, weer de dijken en sluizen herstellen, de weteringen en slooten uitbaggeren, het water dat hunne landerijen overstroomd had, afvoeren.
Op 15 Januari 1681 hadden, tengevolge van hoogen vloed en storm, verscheidene dijkbreuken plaats, onder wélke calamiteit vooral de omgeving van Thorne leed.
27 April 1682 werd het zelfde terrein nogmaals slacht-



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offer van dijkbreuk tengevolge van hoogon vloed gepaard met storm.
In 1687 was de watersnood in Hatfield Chase en de Isle of Axholme veel ernstiger, daar een veel grooter terrein overstroomd werd. Dit kwam in hoofdzaak doordat, tengevolge van hevige regens, er reeds overtollig water in de polders was. De bewoners redden met de grootste moeite hun vee door dit naar de hoogere plekken in den polder te jagen. Het duurde ruim drie maanden voor en aleer het water verdwenen was. Het graan dat te velde stond, was geheel verwoest. Met veel moeite werden de dijken hersteld, daar het geruimen tijd nog hoogwater bleef.
In den nacht van 13 December 1696 kwam een hevige vloed op, die de dijken overstroomde en zich twee dagen later herhaalde, hier een dijk doorbrekend, elders de dijken (die meestal 3 yards hoog waren) overstroomend.
De hevigste overstrooming schijnt die van 20 December 1697 wel geweest te zijn. Het had vanaf 17 December aanhoudend, bij afwisseling gesneeuwd en gevroren, het water was regelmatig gestegen. Plotseling viel 20 December de dooi in met het gevolg, dat het water in zoo groote hoeveelheid kwam afstroomen, dat de rivieren en kanalen onmogelijk bij machte waren het tijdig af te voeren. Overal, van Dutch River tot Bycarrsdike, braken dijken door, maar ook buiten Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholmo bleek de aanvoer van water te machtig. Fishlake en Sikehouse in het Noorden, Gainsborough in het Zuiden, hadden van watersnood te lijden. De Trent bij Gainsborough was tot eene hoogte gestegen, die de spreekwoordelijke „oudsten van dagen" zich niet konden herinneren. Een gedeelte van de brug over de Dutch River en een sluis bij Thorne werden door den geweldigen storm weggespoeld.
Men taxeerde de schade tengevolge der overstrooming op meer dan een millioen pond sterling.
Vier jaar later, in 1701, had er op 18 Januari weer een overstrooming, doch van betrekkelijk geringen omvang, plaats.



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In den zomer van 1706 werden de dijken wel bedreigd, doch is het land voor overstrooming gespaard gebleven.
Toen nu, na 1719, Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme tot rust gekomen waren, daar de Commoners eindelijk het hoofd in den schoot hadden gelegd, werden de gedachten der bewoners gestuwd in een bepaalde richting n.1. het bestrijden van den gemeenschappelijken vijand: het water.
Onder de eigenaren bevonden zich geen afstammelingen van oorspronkelijke Participanten, maar wel van oorspronkelijke Commoners, die grond hadden gekocht of in bezit genomen van Participanten, die naar hun vaderland teruggekeerd waren, nadat zij hier de vruchten van hun arbeid steeds, hetzij door de kwaadwillige commoners of door overstroomingen zagen vernielen, terwijl eerst burgeroorlog en daarna de Republiek het den vreemdeling zeer moeielijk gemaakt had, zich op zijn bezit te handhaven. Buitendien, kinderen van vroegere hollandsche, waalsche of vlaamscho pachters der oorspronkelijke Participanten huwden met de kinderen der Commoners. De kinderen van die-ouders waren rustige boeren en burgers, die niets meer van strijd en veete wilden weten. Het zou echter nog geruimen tijd duren voor en aleer zij zouden inzien, dat men slechts door samenwerking en overleg den gevaarlijken gemeenschappelijken vijand, het water, zou kunnen beteugelen. Eerst nadat de overstroomingen zich bleven herhalen, werd naar verbetering der afwatering gestreefd en te dien einde den raad van bekwame deskundigen ingeroepen.
Ik vergeleek vóór ik dit hoofdstuk eindigde de namen der Commissioners of Sewers van Karei I met die van George II.
Bij de eersten treft men Sir Cornelis Vermuyden, Marcus van Valckenburg, Sir Filibert Vernatti, Johan Liens, Samuel van Peen, Abraham en Jacob Strijs en Marcellus van Dueren aan, doch onder de laatsten komt geen Hollander, Vlaam of Waal meer voor.



HOOFDSTUK VIII.
Aan het slot van het vorig hoofdstuk zeide ik reeds, dat niet dadelijk, nadat in 1719 aan de onderlinge twisten en vechtpartijen tusschen Commoners en Participanten een einde was gekomen, ook werkelijk eendrachtig en energiek samengewerkt werd om tot betere lossing van het overtollige water te geraken.
De „Court of Sewers", het bestuur der Waterschappen, bestond weliswaar, doch zijn werkkring bepaalde zich tot het aanhooren van klachten en het repareeren en instandhouden van de bestaande kunstwerken, terwijl buitendien zijn bevoegdheid niet het geheele drooggemaakte gebied, doch slechts bepaalde gedeelten, die thans onder de Hatfield Chase Corporation en de Isles Commons Drainage Board enz. ressorteeren, omvatte.
Ik laat hier vier uittreksels over klachten volgen, waardoor men een blik kan slaan in den toenmaligen gang van zaken.
Court of Sewers at Bawtry, April 14th 1726: — „Complaints were this day made to this Court by Edward Pickering, Wharfinger, at East Retford, and John Hawksworth, Wharfinger, at Bawtry, on behalf of themselves, and the Lead Merchants of London, York, Huil, Derbyshire, and other persons trading and transporting Lead and other Goods and Merchandizes upon the rivers Idle and Bykersdike (being ancient and navigable rivers), by reason of several roots and trees, and Heaps of Stones being in ye said River Bykersdike, and also by the unnecessary keeping the Doors of the Sluice at Bykersdike Soss shut, and thereby stopping the water from flowing out of the said River of Trent up and into the said Rivers of Bickersdike and Idle by the usual course of Tides as heretofore has been used, have of late been, and are now rendered unnavigable and unuseful to the very



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great loss and prejudice of the complainants and to the great decay of trade, and therefore praying the aid and assistance of this Court, taking ye matter of the said Complaint into serious consideration, as being desirous with all its powers to maintain and uphold navigation and trade in its Leisure and Vigour think it fit, and doth order that the surveyor of this Court shall immediately, on service of this order, well and sufficiently cleanse the said River of Bykersdike by taking thereout all Rootes of Trees, Stones, and other impediments therein anyways hindering navigation, this Court doth further order that the Sluice keeper of Misterton Soss shall at all times convenient, and when there is no danger of flooding the country, set open the Soss Gates whereby the water may issue out of the Trent into the said Rivers, for the preservation and aid of navigation as heretofore has been done as appears to this Court."
Court of Sewers at Thorne, September 12th 1728: — „Whereas by reason of setting opon the Soss Gates, the River called Bycarsdike is much warped up to the prejudice of the participants of Land Owners adjoining. Now this Court doth order, that the tyme to come, the said gates shall only be sett open for the necessary passing and repassing of the boats and keels, and at other times be kept shut, as has heretofore been used."
Court of Sewers, Bawtry, June 29th 1750: — „On the oath of John Harrison, Constable of Misterton, that there are several infalls in the river Bickersdike from Misterton Soss to Idlestop, which ought to be removed by ye Participants of ye Level of Hatfield Chase, who are hereby ordered to remove ye same before ye first day of August next, on pain of £30."
Court of Sewers held at Blyth, July 9th 1756: — „It appearing to this Court on the Complaint of the Constable of Misterton that the Participants have neglected to dress, cleanse and scour the river leading from Idlestop to Misterton Soss to the great detriment of the Country. It is therefore ordered that Mr. Hatfield, Surveyor of the Participants, on or before the lst October next, well and sufficiently remove all ye Beeves, Sand Beds, and all other impediments and obstructions whatsoever, out of the said River from Idlestop to Misterton Soss, aforesaid, or shew sufficiënt cause to the contrary at the next Court." And at the Court of Sewers held on the lOth of February 1758, the above order was discharged, the River having been sufficiently dressed.



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Men kan uit deze vier klachten zien, hoe sterk de verzanding zoowel de afwatering als de scheepvaart belemmerde.
Herhaaldelijk kwamen er sedert 1719 ,nog grootere of kleinere overstroomingen voor, tot een groote watersnood in 1763 de menschen hardhandig wakkerschudde en de Participanten in 1764 aan den bekenden ingenieur John Smeaton opdracht gaven om een onderzoek in te stellen en advies uit te brengen.
Mr. Smeaton bracht in 1764 rapport uit over het Zuiden, waar een jaar te voren de doorbraak van den dijk bij Idler stop een ravage, onder anderen in de omgeving van Misterton, veroorzaakt had.
Hij adviseerde om een tweede afvoerkanaal te graven, verder om Snow Sewer te verbeteren, meerdere slootente graven, Owston Ferry sluis te herbouwen en den drempel met 1 voet 4 inches te verlagen.
Het tweede onderzoek van Mr. Smeaton') betrof het Noorden en Westen. Op 7 September 1776 werd rapport uitgebracht. Ik laat dit rapport in extenso (George Dunston, The Rivers of Axholme) volgen.
Extracts from Mr. Smeaton's reports on the Hatfield chase drains.
Mr. Smeaton was called in, on two occasions, to give advice as to the construction of locks, and the repair of drains belonging to the Hatfield Chase Corporation. The first report was made on September 19th 1764, and was in response to an enquiry as to whether the enlarging of the waterway at Misterton Soss would give a better drainage, and prevent such an accident as the breaking of the bank at Idlestop, which had just previously occurred. He recommended
') Smeaton was oorspronkelijk geen ingenieur doch een procureursklerk. Het is wel merkwaardig, dat geen enkele der groote Engelsche ingenieurs van vroeger eeuwen in dat vak opgeleid was. Zoo was James Brindley, de groote kanaalbouwer, een wagenmaker, Hugh Middleton, die in het begin der 17e eeuw een drinkwatervoorziening voor Londen ontwierp en uitvoerde, een goudsmid; Bennie de waterbouwkundige, een wagenmaker, James Watt een instrumentmaker, Stephenson, de groote spoorwegingenieur, een stoker en remmer.



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that the waterway be doubled, and suggested three methods of doing it. At the same time he reported on Snow Sewer, and recommended the rebuilding of Ferry Sluice, and the deepening of the Sill by one foot four inches, which was afterwards carried out.
The second report was made on September 7th, 1776 on the Torne river, which was proving entirely inadequate to the draining of the Levels, and is as follows: —
Scheme of Improvement. F a c t s.
Firstly — The threshold of the big sluice at Althorpe, I found to lie six inches below low water of the Trent there, the evening of the 16th of September past; but the preceding season having been showery, I conclude that, in dry seasons, the Trent ebbs down so as to be even with the threshold of that sluice at low water.
Secondly — I found the thickness of the water over Althorpe sluice threshold, one hour before low water, the same day, to be one foot, and in passing the sluice there was one foot f all from the surf ace of the north river, at the slow-running water a little above the sluice, to the surf ace of the Trent at that time. From whence I conclude the sluice was then venting at the rate of 6000 cube feet of water, amounting to 166 tons per minute.
Thirdly — The water's surf ace was then f allen two feet two inches below its mark before the doors opened, which mark was four feet one and a half inches above the threshold.
Fourthly — At the Torne end, 2f miles above the sluise, the water did not settle above nine inches in the whole tide.
Fifthly — In viewing the different parts of the level, I found the ground about the Tunnel Pit, and particularly the part north of the Torne and west of the New Idle, to be the most oppressed with water, and, therefore, relative to its distance from its outfall, the lowestj here they were cutting corn up to the boot-tops in water. What, therefore, will effectually drain this farm, will furnish the means of draining all the rest.
Sixthly — I found the surface of the river Torne, at the Tunnel Pit bridge, two feet six inches upon the said farm, and as I judged it would take a reduction of eighteen inches to run the water well of from the general surface of the lowest parts and one foot more to produce a competent drainage; hence, then, it appears there will be a



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fall of three feet eleven inches from the surface of the drains, necessary to drain this farm, to the threshold of Althorpe sluice.
Seventhly — I found the surface of the river Torne, at the Tunnel Pit bridge, eight feet eleven inches and a half above level of the threshold of Althorpe big sluice, to which I shall constantly refer.
Eightly — The Torne was, during the five days the above levels and observations were taken, within a few inches of overtopping its banks quite away from the east end of the new cut, a mile below Tunnel Pit to the Crooked Dike End, and continued at the same height at Tunnel Pit bridge, within oneeight of an inch.
Now, had the big sluice tunnel at Althorpe been one foot wider, that is, fifteen feet wide instead of fourteen, and its threshold laid two feet deeper, then, with the same descent from the drain into the Trent of one foot, this sluice would have run 21.000 cube feet of water (amounting to 583 tons) per minute, and would have run 6000 cube feet, the quantity discharged as above specified, with one inch of fall. Hence, this circumstance alone would have reduced the water over the whole body eleven inches.
I would, therefore, propose to rebuild the lesser sluice, whose clear water-way is scarce eleven feet, and to make it fifteen feet clear, and to lay its threshold two feet lower than the present big sluice. The south river, which answers to this proposed new sluice, is now diking out a twenty foot bottom, and to be sunk one foot below the present sluice floor head, which is nearly on a level with a big sluice threshold. This enlargement to go from the sluice to Dirtness bridges; but to make this drain, called the South River, suitable to the new sluice, it should yet be deepened one foot more, and widened so\ as to preserve a twenty feet bottom at that increased depth, and to be kept upon a dead level from the sluice to Torne End. The further communication with the south, as well as the north river, to be shut» off by cross banks, so that this part from the south river, from Torne End to the sluice, will be wholly appropriated to the discharge of the River Torne. From Torne End to the Great Elbow at Hurst, I propose to enlarge and deepen the present course of the Torne, answerably to the former, that is, to a twenty feet bottom', with proper batters, carrying the bottom from the south river no further dead level, but upon a plan gently ascending, so as to rise two feet at the Tunnel Pit; that is, the bottom of the river at Tunnel Pit, and the present thres-
11



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hold of the big sluice at Althorpe (or low water mark in Trent) will then be upon a level. *)
In this case, the rock and plaister bottom, near Hurst, will be to deepen in some places four and a half feet, and the water of Torne (running the same quantity as I saw it when near bankful about Tunnel Pit), will have its surface reduced below the present bottom.
From the Great Elbow at Hurst, I propose to make a new cut through the common in a straight line to the elbow below Rossbridge, in length about two miles, which will cut off all the most disadvantageous angles, shorten the whole length half a mile, and leave the present course of the Torne between these two points, to act as a drain for purposes that will be shown hereafter. This new cut to be carried on with a twenty feet bottom, and after joining theElbow of the present course below Ross bridge, to widen and deepen the present course to a twenty feet bottom, inclined as before specified to Tunnel Pit.
At Tunnel Pit, the new river being admitted three feet six inches deep of water, its surface will then be near five and a half feet below its surface when I levelled it the 18th, 19th, and 20th uit. It will be two feet eleven inches below the surface of the stagnant water upon the Tunnel Pit farm before mentioned, and one foot five inches below the lowest parts of the general surface of the said farm, that is, five inches lowerthan as above stated, to produce a competent drainage there; that is to say, coming to a fixed mark of which the country will give an idea; its surface will be within six inches of the threshold of the second stop-gate, entering the tunnel under the bed of Torne, at Tunnel Pit. At the same time there will be a fall of three feet from the new river's surface at Tuimel Pit in Trent's surface at low water, as I found the 16th, and this in a course of eight and a quarter miles, will allow four inches fall per mile, besides a fall into Trent in passing the sluice of three inches, and this is taking the water of Torne to be discharged into Trent (that is Torne bankful) as I found them; whereas, in all dry seasons the surface of the Torne will be considerably lower, as above specified; so that we may say in all ordinary seasons, all the grounds adjacent to Torne on both sides, will drain by stop tunnels,
as they are called, in this level into the course of the river Torne
I would propose that all the soil that will be dug out of the course of the river, which will be a very sufficiënt bulk, to be disposed, bankfashion, on each side of the river, whereby the Torne, thus embanked, will be sufficiënt to hold in the flood waters at all times from ever
') Cursiveering van mij.



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getting upon the surface of any of the lands west of the high grounds
at Hurst Having thus, in all common times reduced the River
Torne at least one foot five inches within soil, at the Tunnel Pit farm above mentioned, and still more so with respect to the grounds on the south side of the river, which I esteem, at an average, to be six inches higher, I propose to remove the tunnel entirely, and to make the new Idle communicate with the river Torne on both sides, by stopgates, so that whenever the surface of the Torne is lower than the surface of the new Idle, the drainage will be into the river, and whenever the contrary, or so on either side, then the respective gate to be shut, and the drainage go on by other means that will be described....
What principally remains is to shew how the internal drainage is to be provided for, when over-rode bij the Torne; and the principal part of this difficulty consists in running off the waters collected in the new Idle at the Tunnel Pit, both on the north and south side of the Torne, when the stop-gates thre are obliged to be shut. I shall begin with the south side, and for this purpose. It is to be observed that the present course of the Torne from the elbow next below Ross bridge, to where the new river will join it at the great elbow west of Hurst, will be deserted; this, I would propose to dike out and scour, which it will want in places chiefly from Shore Nook bridge to the said elbow Ross bridge, and from thence to continue a new drain nearly parallel to the course of the Torne, to join the Gadinstake drain and New Idle near the present stop-gates of the Tunnel. This would be capable of running off the downfall water nearly to the level of the Torne's reduced surface at the Hurst elbow, and where I would put a stop-sluice to prevent the Torne's reverting in floody seasons, at which time all the internal drainages will be stopped, but which, (by the aforesaid provision), having nothing to run off but their own downfall waters, will soon be done; that is, as soon as the flood water is run off in Torne, and that will be as fast as in Trent, upon which last in fact, the whole will then depend.
The most overflowed part of the level south of Torne, and the most difficult to be drained, is generally reckoned to be the Mizen Deeps, and the ground about the Buil Hassocks. The Mizen Deeps is a remarkable, flat tract of land, very far from being the Iowest in the level, but being remote from its outfall, and near that part of the level bordering upon New Idle, where the water runs indifferently towards the Tunnel, and so to Althorpe, or towards Snow Sewer, and so to Ferry Sluice, according as it makes the best descent; and as



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the waters from the New Idle south of Torne are, as I now find, only suffered to run at the Tunnel two days a week, and the works formerly proposed for Snow Sewer are now only executing, but have never been executed with the full effect; this track has hithertoo remained the opprobrium of this level's drainage. Now, from my observations, it appears that the general surface of the track of ground called Mizen Deep lies at least one foot higher than the general surface of the low parts of the Tunnel Pit farms, and two feet five inches above the proposed surface of Torne at Tunnel Pit as above specified, and two feet eleven inches above the threshold of the stop-gate of the present tunnel; and further, when the deserted course of Torne is scoured out, and a suitable drain brought up to the New Idle at Tunnel Pit south side, as already mentioned, the surface of the New Idle will be capable of being reduced by this drain to level of the threshold of the tunnel's stopgate, so that, there being a descent of two feet eleven inches from the surface of the Mizen Deeps along the course of the New Idle, in the space of about two miles (which is already a good and sufficiënt drain), there can be nothing more wanting effectually to drain the Mizen Deeps, and if those, all the grounds less oppressed, of course.
De beide rapporten zijn na den dood van Smeaton in druk verschenen: Reports and Estimates of the late eminent Mr. Smeaton; three volumes, quarto.
De werken, als door hem voorgesteld, zouden echter niet worden uitgevoerd. Men kon het noodige geld niet bij elkaar krijgen daar de Isle Commoners weigerden hun portie in de kosten te aanvaarden en verklaarden, dat naar hunne meening de Participanten de uitsluitende taak hadden voor de behoorlijke afwatering en droogmaking van het waterschap zorg te dragen.
A copy of the agreement and resolution of the principal Land-Owners in the Parishes of Epworth, Owston, Haxey, Belton, and Crowle, at a Meeting held at Epworth, November 8, 1776.
Epworth, Nov. 1776.
At a meeting, here this day, of several of the land owners in the parishes of Haxey, Owston, Epworth, and Crowle, pursuant









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to notice in the York Currant, to take into consideration an advertisement of the participants, published said paper, purporting their intention of applying to this session of parliament, for an act for the more effectual draining and improving certain lands and grounds both within and without the level of Hatfield Chase. It was unanimously agreed and resolved, at the said meeting, to oppose any attempt which shall or may be made, by the said participants, to tax any lands within the Isle of Axholme, or the owners or occupiers thereof, for the purpose aforesaid, or any other purposes other thans such lands, or the owners or occupiers thereof, as are now charged or chargeable with the drainage of the said isle and level, or either of them, or of any lands therein or in either of them. And that for raisihg money to carry on the said opposition it should be recommended, to the several parishes aforesaid, and the rest of the parishes within the said isle, forthwith to call vestry meetings of the land owners within the same, and to order the parish officers to pay, from time to time, in the hands of Mr. John Hutton, of Gainsborough (in case such attempt shall be made), such sum and sums of money as he shall require, not exceeding two pounds ten shillings for every thousand pounds (and after that rate for any greater or lesser sum) of the yearly value of the lands, tenements, tythes, and hereditaments within such parishes respectively, according to the rental valuation and rule observed in the said several parishes in laying the poor rates within the same. And it was further agreed and resolved, that in case the said participants shall not within twelve months, after this date, make an effectual drainage of the lands within the said isle, at their own expence, according to their contract for that purpose, and according to the tenure of the great estate, which was granted to them as a consideration for their making, and for ever maintaining an effectual drainage of the said isle and level. Tat then a meeting of the land owners within the limits of the said drainage, shall be had here again on this' day twelve months, to agree upon proper steps to be taken, such as counsel shall advise, for compelling the said participants to complete and for ever after to support the said drainage in an effectual manner. And for that purpose to apply for an Act of Parliament (if it should be thought necessary) to raise by sale or mortgage of the said participants estate, or so much thereof as shall be sufficiënt, the sum of fifteen thousand pounds, or such other sums of money as shall appear to be neces-



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sary, for making the said drainage effectual, and for making satisfaction for all losses and damages occasioned and to be occasioned, by the insufficiency of the said drainage, and to have an account and proper application of the rents and profits of the said participants' estate, according to the said contract and the terms upon which the same was granted to them.
By order of the meeting,
Robert Pashley. Present: Mr. Alan Johnson of Temple Bellwood; Mr. Stovin, Hurst; Mr. Robert Maw, East Lound; Mr. Gervase Woodhouse, Owston; besides a number of other free-holders.
Wij lezen onder de namen dezer Isle Commoners, die op 8 November 1776 te Epworth vergaderden en het oude geborneerde standpunt, in hun besluit neergelegd, tot uiting brachten, die van Stovin en van Johnson. Stovin, van Hurst Priory by Crowle, was een afstammeling van Stovin van Tetley, wiens naam wij slechts met eenige bitterheid kunnen neerschrijven. Johnson van Temple Belwood by Belton was, in vrouwelijke lijn, ook een afstammeling van lastige Isle Commoners. Al bestond er geen strijd meer tusschen Isle Commoners en Participanten, de eersten bleken bekrompen genoeg om nog steeds vast te houden aan de privilegiën, door Sir John Mowbray in de middeleeuwen, aan hun voorouders bewilligd.
Zoo werd de uitvoering van de Smeaton plannen verhinderd door lieden, die wel de lusten doch niet de lasten der droogmaking wilden aanvaarden.
Wel zijn eenige kleinere werken uitgevoerd, maar dat was lapwerk en sorteerde weinig effect. Om U een denkbeeld te geven van de polderlasten juist in het merkwaardige jaar 1777, verwijs ik naar de bijlage, waardoor U kunt zien, dat het totaal der kosten £ 1486.13 bedroeg voor 12900 acres, dus ongeveer f3.50 per H.A.
Het ging bij Smeaton niet om een klein plan, zooals het verlagen van den drempel van Ferry Sluis in het Zuid-Oosten, of het ophoogen der Torne dijken in het Centrum, Westen en Noorden.



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Het ging om een grootsch, afgerond plan tot grondige verbetering, waarin de heer Smeaton later nog de meest essentieele wijziging aanbracht n.1. het voorstel om een geheele nieuwe boezemuitwaterihg te graven, die bij Waterton nabij de Trent Fall, dus niet ver van waar de Trent in de Humber valt, in de Trent zou loozen.
De Participanten lieten, na de weigering der Isle Commoners, het fraaie plan Smeaton rusten en er kwam verder niets van.
In 1795 kwam de regeling der Epworth Enclosure (Enclosure Award) tot stand.
De Act of Parliament, waarbij dit meentschap opgericht werd, regelde tevens de besteding van £ 20.000.— voor noodige waterwerken. Zoodoende kwam de New Idle River tot stand, die evenwijdig loopt met de Idle Drain tot Tunnel Pit en daar Oostwaarts afbuigt om parallel met de Torne naar Althorpe te stroomen en deels daar, deels bij Derrythorpe in de Trent te loozen.
De toenmalige adviseur der Participanten, de heer Foster, bracht eene verbinding tot stand van Snow Sewer naar New Idle, verder door een sluis naar de South River, bij Althorpe lossend in de Trent. Hij deed de Torne in de North River loozen.
Een nieuwe wetering werd gegraven van Pilfrey naar Keadby, waar een sluis gebouwd werd om het water te loozen, dat tevoren door de North River spuide. Men scheen in de goede richting, doch het resultaat beantwoordde allerminst aan de verwachtingen. Men had steeds met geographische moeilijkheden te kampen, zoodra men de afwatering wilde verbeteren.
Buitendien hadden de nieuwe uitwateringen dezelfde fout als die van Vermuyden; zij losten te hoog op de rivier, of te ver van waar de Trent in de Humber valt. Dit was het geval te Keadby en erger nog te Althorpe. Met springvloed stijgt het water te Keadby tot 8 voet boven het maaiveld der Hatfield Chase.
Althorpe ligt nog 3 voet ongunstiger. Juist bij Althorpe



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lost de Torne, die de voornaamste waterloozing van Hatfield Chase is.
Daarom was het voorstel van den ingenieur Smeaton, om een nieuw loozingskanaal naar Waterton, veel dichter bij den mond van de Trent dus, te graven zoo aanbevelens waard.
Daarmede zou de cardinale fout van Vermuyden hersteld worden, de afstrooming van het water uit Hatfield Chase en Isle Axholme zou veel geleidelijker gaan, men zou bij de uitwaterende sluis veel langer kunnen spuien dan bij Keadby en Althorpe, om van Stockwith maar niet eens te spreken.
De Ingenieur Stone gaf als zijne meening te kennen, dat, indien er geen nieuw groot afwateringskanaal gegraven werd, hetwelk ten zuiden van Adlingfleet in de Trent — zoo dicht mogelijk bij de Humber — of in de Humber zelf zou loopen er geen sprake kon wezen van behoorlijke draineering van een gebied van wel 50.000 acres in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire en Yorkshire. Hij raadde dit werk met klem aan, omdat het goedkooper zou blijken en meer afdoende dan al hetgeen tot heden gedaan was en hetgeen hij lapwerk noemde. De Participanten gaven in 1812 aan Mr. Thackray opdracht om de noodige opmetingen en onderzoekingen te doen en van de hand van den ingenieur Rennie verscheen, in Januari 1813, een op de gegevens van Thackrey gebaseerd belangrijk rapport. (Zie bijlage).
De heer Rennie gaat eerst alle waterloozingen in Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme na, vergelekt de verschillende peilen en wijst op de ongunstige verhoudingen, waardoor het bijna onmogelijk wordt een voldoende laag winterpeil te verkrijgen en aantehouden, tengevolge der waterbewegingen bij Keadby en Althorpe.
Na den toestand van alle kanten te hebben bekeken, meent hij toch te mogen adviseeren om de verbetering der afwatering uit te voeren met behoud der bestaande waterloozingen, doch door het graven van verscheidene slooten en weteringen, die dan op de groote kanalen zullen loozen.



Hurst Priory met de Thorne.






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Hij schatte de kosten der nieuwe werken op £ 25615 — en de verbetering der bestaande werken op £12000.—, te zamen dus £37.615 — wilde men een goed geheel van nieuwe en bestaande werken verkrijgen.
De heer Rennie zegt echter verder, dat hij deze oplossing, ofschoon men het er mede doen kan, allerminst ideaal vindt en absoluut niet in overeenstemming met de groote waarde van het polderdistrict.
De heer Rennie acht het n.1. noodig het winter- en voorjaarspeil 2 voet beneden maaiveld te houden en acht dit onmogelijk, omdat te Althorpe het laagwaterpeil in de Trent 2£ voet beneden het maaiveld der landerijen bij Tunnel Pit staat, de afstand van Tunnel Pit naar Althorpe 8 mijl bedraagt, zoodat, indien er 2 voet wordt afgenomen van het winterpeil beneden het maaiveld bij Tunnel Pit, er nog slechts een verval van $ inch per mijl overblijft.
In Althorpe is de sluis 2\ uur open in omstandigheden, die zich juist voordoen als het waterbezwaar het grootste is, in Keadby 5 uur. Het behoeft dus geen betoog, dat de waterloozing door de Althorpe- en Keadby sluizen algeheel onvoldoende is om een behoorlijk laag waterpeil te krijgen.
De heer Rennie komt dan tot dezelfde conclusie als de heer Smeaton, namelijk, dat voor een nieuw afwateringkanaal Waterton de meest geschikte plek voor loozing in de Trent zou zijn.
De Trent is daar breed, zoodat men geen last heeft van „fresh" zooals te Keadby. *) Het ligt 5 mijl beneden Keadby, het water valt er twee voet meer dan bij Keadby en ten tijde van freshes zelfs 3l/2 voet meer.
De heer Rennie taxeerde de kosten voor een nieuwe afwatering op £80719.— doch wees er op hoe niet alleen Isle of Axholme en Hatfield Chase, doch ook de daarachter gelegen landen, van deze enorme verbetering zouden profiteeren.
ij „fresh" is het hoogwater veroorzaakt door bet afkomend water van de rivier, das door „fresh" (versch, zoet) water, in tegenstelling met hoog water opkomend uit zee, dus zout water.



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De heer Bennie achtte het billijk, {dat ook de Commoners hun portie zouden moeten betalen, al wilde hij zich niet verder in die materie wagen. Wel taxeerde hij dat 34000 acres zouden hebben bij te dragen en het dus £2.10 per acre omslag zou beteekenen, hetgeen hij een zeer bescheiden cijfer noemde, vergeleken bij de enorme verbetering van den toestand, waardoor de waarde per acre land zeker verdubbelde.
Mr. Bennie oordeelde dat geen mensch, die het voor en tegen behoorlijk zou overwegen, zich daartegen zou kunnen verklaren.
Hetgeen echter wel geschiedde.
Er rees eene krachtige oppositie tegen dit plan.
De heer Bennie had als zijn meening te kennen gegeven, dat degenen, die gronden bezaten nabij Thorne, enorm zouden profiteeren bij het werk door waardevermeerdering dier gronden en dat men daarom wellicht den hoofdelijken omslag tot dekking der kosten van het werk zoodanig zou kunnen regelen, dat men eene taxatie van alle gronden voor en na het werk zou laten maken teneinde degenen, die extra geprofileerd hadden, ook extra te laten betalen.
De eigenaren der gronden, waardoor het kanaal zou gaan, dachten er totaal anders over dan de heer Bennie, en verzetten zich met alle macht tegen het graven van een kanaal door hun land.
Er is dan ook weer niets van het groote plan, het graven van een nieuw kanaal tot Waterton, gekomen.
Zelfs Bennie's kleine plan: verbetering van het bestaande, kwam niet tot uitvoering. Slechts werden eenige bepaalde werken uitgevoerd, doch zonder behoorlijk resultaat.
Inmiddels was er wel een belangrijk werk, doch zonder kosten voor de grondeigenaren, anders ware het wel niet uitgevoerd, tot stand gekomen, een werk, dat ook de waterloozing ten goede kwam.
Ik bedoel het graven van het scheepvaartkanaal van Stainforth naar Keadby, een kanaal dus dat de scheepvaartverbinding van Doncaster naar de Trent, welke verbinding



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Vermuyden door het maken van den Ashfield dijk, tegelijk met den Donarm, had afgesneden, weer zou herstellen.
Voordat de Act of Parliament in 1793 aangenomen werd, was er eenige oppositie geweest uit vrees voor de waterwerken in de Isle of Axholme. Door het projecteeren van twee nevenkanalen, een langs de Zuidzijde van het groote scheepvaartkanaal, en wel van Ashfield Bank tot Trent en een ten Noorden van het scheepvaartkanaal, loopende van Thorne langs den ^zuidwesthoek van Crowle Common naar Keadby aan de Trent, werd. dit gevaar bezworen.
Dit kanaal bestaat nog en wordt vrij druk bevaren. Het is thans in naam eigendom van de Sheffield and Yorkshire Navigation Company, doch feitelijk van de langs het kanaal loopende spoorwegmaatschappij.
In aansluiting met het veel vroeger reeds gegraven Sheffield-Don kanaal, dat dank zij een Act of Parliament van 1726 tot stand kwam, verbindt het Don-Keadby kanaal Sheffield met Trent en Humber, feitelijk dus eene waterverbinding van Sheffield naar Huil.
Na de grootsche plannen van ingenieur Rennie hooren wij niets bijzonders tot 1828.
Een Syndicaat van ondernemende lieden kwam met een plan voor den dag, waarmede & 350.000 gemoeid zou zijn.
Het Syndicaat refereert zich aan de uitspraak van de heeren Smeaton en Rennie, dat, bij het bestaande systeem van waterloozing te Althorpe en Keadby, nimmer van afdoende draineering sprake kan zijn en dat de natuurlijke loozing is bij Adlingfleet, waarheen indertijd al het water uit Don, Torne en Idle stroomde, totdat Vermuyden, respectievelijk bij Wroot en Idle Stop, de richting van deze rivieren wijzigde. Het plan van het syndicaat bestond daarin, dat het allereerst een nieuw groot afvoerkanaal wilde graven van Dirtnessbrug tot Ousefleet, twee mijl oostelijk van Adlingfleet aan de Trent. Al het water der verschillende bestaande rivieren en kanalen zou te Dirtness-brug in het nieuwe kanaal vloeien, terwijl het-groote kanaal van Idle Stop tot Dirtness



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de bestaande Idle kanalen zou moeten volgen. Er zou dus één groot kanaal zijn van Idle Stop tot Ousefleet aan de Trent. Men meende zoodoende een ideaal systeem te zullen bereiken, zoowel wat betrof draineering als ook bevloeiing en scheepvaart.
Het verval der afwatering zou daardoor met 8 voet in gewone omstandigheden, en 10 voet bij vloed, wanneer het juist het meest noodig was, verbeteren.
De terreinen, die onder waterbezwaar te lijden hadden, zouden vruchtbaar worden, 15000 acres zouden behoorlijk bevloeid kunnen worden, en door het kanaal dadelijk voldoende diep te graven, zou zelfs bij hoog water scheepvaart mogelijk wezen.
De heer Creyke en Admiraal Sotheron hielden zich onledig met het voorbereiden der Act of Parliament, eene maatschappij zou opgericht worden, waarin alle landeigenaren zouden deelnemen, het geheel zou ongeveer ingericht zijn als bij eene maatschappij voor een scheepvaartkanaal, terwijl de gronden, die van de draineering of be vloeiing zouden profiteeren, daarvan aan de Maatschappij zouden moeten afstaan. Het Syndicaat was overtuigd dat dit plan, waardoor meer dan honderd duizend acres in perfectie gedraineerd, en vijftien duizend acres bevloeid zouden worden, hetgeen alleen reeds een waardevermeerdering van 20.000 Pond zou beteekenen, terwijl buitendien nog de geheele streek een scheepvaartverbinding zou krijgen, zooveel attractie bezat, dat alle eigenaren daarin onmiddellijk deel zouden nemen. De eigenaren waren echter minder enthousiast. Er waren eigenaren, die meenden, dat de geprojecteerde werken bij hooge vloeden zouden worden vernield, anderen hadden bezwaren tegen een kanaal, dat 100 voet breed zou wezen en midden door hun bezitting zou loopen. De promotors antwoordden, dat zulke pessimistische beweringen ook indertijd omtrent de Dutch River geuit en door de feiten gelogenstraft waren, en wezen hunnerzijds op de enorme voordeelen, welke het kanaal, onder anderen reeds als scheepvaartkanaal, voor de daaraan



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grenzende eigenaren zou opleveren. Doch de grondbezitters waren niet voor het plan te vinden, zoodat het bij gebrek aan handteekeningen niet bij het Parlement kon worden ingediend.
Alweer was een grootsch plan mislukt. Het bleef bij kleinere werken en algemeene verbeteringen, waarvan de meesten door Acts of Parliament geregeld waren. Zoo werd in 1811, door een Enclosure Award, een meentschap voor Hatfield Manor opgerichtv3dat 2300 acres van Hatfield, Thorne en Stainforth omvatte en den eigendom daarvan regelde.
In 1813 volgde een dergelijke Act of Parliament — Enclosure Award — voor Crowle. De gemeene gronden werden daarbij als volgt verdeeld: % aan den Lord olthe Manor, den eigenaar van de groote tienden, den predikant, en eigenaren van huizen en erven — uitgezonderd gronden, die bekend stonden als vischgronden en ten behoeve van Participanten belaste gronden —, en Ui aan de eigenaren van los land.
Een andere Act of Parliament van 1816 gaf, door een Enclosure Award, het recht om een deel der gemeente Belton, bekend als de Pilfrey, verder gronden in de gemeente Adlington, bekend als Rainsbutt, en gronden van Crowle en Luddington, te bevloeien en aldus door aanslibbing vruchtbaar te maken.
Het bestuur kreeg het recht om te Keadby en Armcoats, te dien behoeve, sluizen te bouwen en vandaar weteringen en tochten te graven, terwijl zij de noodige gelden, ter bestrijding der kosten, konden opnemen door hypothecair verband op de gronden.
Tweeduizend acres werden aldus bevloeid en vruchtbaar gemaakt tegen £25.— per acre.
Een belangrijke Act of Parliament was die van 1813, waarbij, aan de Level ot the Hatfield Chase autorisatie verleend werd om de uitloozingen aan de Trent te verbeteren en een stoomgemaal op een nader te bepalen plek op te richten. De Level of the Hatfield Chase of, zooals wij zouden zeggen,



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„het Waterschap Hatfield Chase'' was toen reeds in twee helften verdeeld; de Noorder helft tusschen Stainforth, Keadby Canal en New Torne River en de Zuider helft tusschen New Torne River, de Idle en de Bycarrsdike; de beide helften loozen in hoofdzaak door de North en South Doublé River en Hatfield Waste Drain bij Keadby in de Trent.
Het bestuur richtte een stoomgemaal op in het Zuidelijk deel, zorgde voor de uitvoering van de verder noodige werken en regelde den omslag der kosten door een „engine rate" x) te heffen, waarbij het Bestuur ook gebruik maakte van de inkomsten uit de „Decreed lands", als door Vermuyden en zijne deelgenooten aanvankelijk ingesteld.
Het stoomgemaal te Buil Hasock bracht groote verbetering in het zuidelijk deel van Hatfield Chase, maar ook alleen daar; Met dit voorbeeld voor oogen werden dus nog verdere pogingen gedaan en in 1867 een Act of Parliament verkregen, waardoor ook een stoomgemaal in een Noordelijk deel van het waterschap gebouwd en tevens de daarmee verband houdende wijzigingen in de kanalen aangebracht konden worden. Tevens zouden de kosten over de eigenaren, die van het gemaal profiteerden, worden omgeslagen.
Daar twee leden van het Bestuur nalatig waren geweest dezen, omslag, waartoe zij volgens de wet van 1813 gemachtigd waren, te heffen, had men gezorgd, dat meteen beter te regelen door in de wet tevens de oprichting van een Corporation te doen opnemen. Iedere grondeigenaar, in deze corporatie, zou één stem hebben en verder voor elke 50 acres grondbezit nog een stem. Het bestuur zou bestaan uit 9 leden; zes te kiezen door participanten en drie door eigenaren, die geen „scotted" land bezaten.2) Elk jaar traden er 3 leden af.
De eerste handeling der Corporatie was om £1500.— te nemen van het „Decreed Land" fonds, welk geld
') Engine rate = stoomgemaal omslag.
2) Scotted land bezaten de Participanten en hun rechtverkrijgenden.



Buil Hassock stoomgemaal.






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daarin gestort was door de Thorne Moor Improvement Act Commissioners. Dit hield weer verband met een oud recht, dat de Participanten voor eigen gebruik turf mochten steken in 1000 acres van Thorne West. Ofschoon van dit voorrecht vrijwel nooit gebruik gemaakt was, zou het bij deze gelegenheid nog bijna tot een proces aanleiding gegeven hebben. Het liep echter goed af. Tegelijkertijd werden 500 acres land van de Hatfield Moors aan het algemeene londs toegewezen.
Na veel geharrewar over de plek waar het stoomgemaal zou moeten komen, werd het ten slotte gebouwd op Decreed Lands van Participants nabij Dirtness Bridge in de gemeente Belton.
De uitgaven van de Hatfield Chase Corporation zijn door dit tweede gemaal belangrijk gestegen.
Het totaal aantal acres, dat voor polderlasten in aanmerking komt, bedraagt 13.521 a. 3 r. en 23 p. n.1. 6.736 a. 7 p. voor het Noord District, 5.275 a. 3 r. 2 p. voor het Zuid District en 1510 a. 14 p. voor de buitengronden, waarvan ongeveer 10.000 acres in Yorkshire en 200 acres in Lincolnshire liggen.
De Hatfield Chase Corporation heeft dus twee stoomgemalen.
Het Buil Hassocks gemaal voor de South Level heeft twee 48" centrifugaal pompen met een capaciteit van 300 ton per minuut (zie bijlage).
Het Dirtness gemaal heeft twee centrifugaal pompen en een 33'0" diam. waterrad (zie bijlage).
Behalve, in het Noorden, de open waterloozing van de Dutch River in de Ouse, heeft men nog de volgende uitlaten:
in het Zuiden:
a. River Idle of Bycarrs Dyke met 1 paar automatische deuren.
b. Snow Sewer of Old Warping Drain, 3 paar automatische deuren, waarvan er echter twee door aanslibbing niet meer werken.



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in het Noord Oosten:
c. River Torne. South Outlet, 1 paar automatische deuren.
North Outlet, dito dito.
d. New Idle River (waardoor het water van het Buil Hassock gemaal loost), 2 paar automatische deuren.
e. Dirtness Outfall (waardoor het water van het Dirtness gemaal loost), 1 paar automatische deuren.
/. North Doublé River, 2 paar automatische deuren.
De Isle of Axholme heeft verschillende waterloozingen in de Trent.
Allereerst die van de Isle Commons Drainage Board, door middel van de Folly Drain, bij Derrythorpe met twee paar automatische sluisdeuren in de Trent spuiend.
Verder de Haxey en Owston Drainage Commission met 1 paar automatische deuren en twee centrifugaal pompen.
De Black Dykes Drainage Board met een paar automatische deuren en gemaal.
De Newland Drainage Board met een 18" centrifugaal pomp en een 20 H. P. machine, naast een automatische loozing.
De South Common Drainage Board met een automatische deur.
De Rush Carr Drainage Board met een automatische
deur en gemaal.
De Althorpe Drainage Board, met een automatische deur.
De South Soak Drain met een paar automatische deuren.
De North Soak Drain, hetzelfde.
De Middle Common Drainage Board, Keadby, met een stoomgemaal en automatische deur.
De Crowle, Ealand, Belton, Luddington Drainage Board, met een automatische deur en gemaal.
Wat een eindelooze versnippering toch, al die kleine waterschappen met eigen uitlaten in de Trent.



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Tezamen met Hatfield Chase Corporation 17 uitwaterende sluizen.
Indien de wetgeving op waterschapsgebied niet zoo gebrekkig geweest ware, zouden er behoorlijk een of twee heemraadschappen gevormd zijn.
Dan zou ook hetzij het plan Smeaton of het plan Rennie uitgevoerd geworden zijn want die konden indertijd slechts tegengewerkt worden, doordat er geen éénheid van bestuur was en allerlei groepen en groepjes bijzondere belangen en vermeende belangen konden doen gelden.
Heden zou de aanleg van een groot kanaal voor de geheele streek dienst doende, van Idle Stop naar Adlingfleet, ontzettende bezwaren ondervinden. Er zijn sedert meer hindernissen gekomen in den vorm van Keadby Kanaal, Soak Drains en niet te vergeten de spoorwegen.
Maar toch zou mijn advies zijn: 1°. op te richten een hoogheemraadschap dat het geheele
polderland van Vermuyden omvatte; 2°. te bestudeeren de mogelijkheid om alsnog het SmeatonRennie Kanaal geheel of gedeeltelijk uit te voeren. Men zou bij die bestudeering ook vooral aandacht moeten wijden aan de wenschelijkheid dat kanaal tevens als scheepvaartkanaal te gebruiken.
Voor de verscheping van landbouwproducten zou het van de grootste beteekenis zijn.
Uit bijgaand schrijven van den heer Edwin Allen, heereboer in de Isle of Axholme, aan de Daily Mail, kan blijken hoe fnuikend de spoorvrachten voor den landbouw zijn. To the Editor of The Daily Mail.
Sir, — Here is the story of six tons of carrots sold at auction.
I paid 6s. per ton for washing, 3s. per ton for carting three miles to the station.
It took 10 months to produce the erop of 150 tons, during which time I employed (at certain periods) over 20 women to weed them and also paid rent, rates, and taxes on 10 acres of land.
Now I have to remit 4s. 2d. to my salesmen to square the following account.
12



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Amount realised by sale of carrots ... £9 15 0
Railway carriage £6 12 8
Cartage 1 70
Porterage 1 00
Commission 0196
9 19 2
Dr. Balancc 0 4 2
Possibly the Prime Minister will realise how the railway companies are hampering the farmers and inconveniencing the public.
The nation owes a great debt to The Daily Mail for warning the Government about the seriousness of allowing agriculture to go back. If your warning is unheeded we shall in a few years' time wake up to find ourselves victims of the foreign markets.
Edwin Allen.
Belton Grange, Crowle, Doncaster. April 1923.
Men kan in Nederland inderdaad niet dankbaar genoeg zijn behoorlijke water verkeerswegen te bezitten.
De Engelsche landbouw wordt bij elke kleinere of grootere crisis juist zoo intens getroffen tengevolge der spoorvrachten, die het vervoer bemoeilijken naar verafgelegen plaatsen, waar een goede markt voor een bepaald product te vinden zou zijn. Het verschil tusschen scheepsvracht naar een dichter of verder gelegen plaats in Nederland is meestal slechts een quaestie van enkele dubbeltjes en daardoor zelden een rem om van eene betere conjunctuur elders, te profiteeren.
In Engeland heeft men in vroeger jaren wél ingezien, dat waterwegen van groote beteekenis voor het land waren.
Ik wijs hier alleen even op het werk van den Duke ot Bridgewater, die, ter verscheping van zijn steenkool, door James Brindley, een kanaal van Horsley naar Manchester en naar de Mersey tegenover Liverpool liet graven. Hij was daartoe in 1759, bij Act of Parliament, geautoriseerd geworden. Later bracht de Hertog het, door denzelfden ingenieur Brindley ontworpen, Grand Trunk Canal van de Mersey naar Birmingham tot stand.
Men heeft echter bijna alle waterwegen, veronachtzaamd; het Engelsche publiek staat bij de questie van



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waterwegen in Engeland zelden stil, bekommert zich daarom niet. De navigatierechten der meeste kanalen zijn door de Spoorwegmaatschappijen opgekocht. Is het dan verder noodig te vertellen, dat de kanaalscheepvaart in Engeland weinig te beteekenen heeft?
Dit is vooral voor den landbouw te betreuren.
Indien men in de Isle of Axholme en Hatfield Chase een scheepvaartkanaal zou hebben van Zuid naar Noord, ware het ieder jaar terugkeerend profijt daarvan niet onder cijfers te brengen.
Buitendien zou daardoor nog een belangrijk perspectief geopend worden n.1. de oprichting van een aardappelmeel-, een stroocarton- en een bietsuikerfabriek.
Een bietsuikerfabriek in deze streek zou de welvaart bevorderen.
Ten eerste biedt de teelt van suikerbieten altijd een zekere garantie van vaste inkomsten voor den boer.
Ten tweede zijn de afvalproducten niet te onderschatten waardevolle factoren in het boerenbedrijf.
Maar toch verdient het kanaal allereerst de aandacht met het oog op de waterloozing.
Het waterbezwaar, dat zich steeds nog hier en daar doet gelden, als gevolg van het te geringe verval der afvoerkanalen, zou dan voor goed te verhelpen zijn.
Zonder heemraadschap voor het geheele gebied is echter zelfs bestudeering der zaak onmogelijk en nutteloos.
Bij de huidige wetgeving op waterschapsgebied in Engeland, vrees ik echter voor de totstandkoming van een groot waterschap. Het verbaast mij wel eens dat de kampioenen van den Engelschen Landbouw niet tevens de kampioenen zijn voor de Engelsche Waterschappen.
De grootste vruchtbaarheid toch treft men aan in de best verzorgde polders.
De sociale quaestie in Engeland hangt — de uitkomst zal dit leeren — zeer nauw samen met de agrarische questie.
Landbouw is een industrie, de oudste industrie in de wereld.



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Degeen, die zich voor deze industrie interesseert, haar in het welbegrepen algemeen belang bevorderen wil, moet een studie maken van alle belangrijke onderdeelen van die industrie.
Tot een der meest belangrijke onderdeelen behoort de waterschapswetgeving en hare uitvoering.
Dit geldt niet alleen voor een polderland als Nederland, maar ook voor het polderland en de riviergebieden van Engeland.



HOOFSTUK IX.
Wie heden de Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme bezoekt, wordt allereerst aangenaam getroffen door de atmospheer van welvaart. De mooie, rijke boerderijen, goede wegen, nette huisjes van arbeiders en middenstanders, waarvan de ramen prijken met keurig witte gordijnen, omzoomd met sierlijk gehaakte randen, de vroolijke kinderen met dikke roode wangen, dit alles getuigt van voorspoed.
Men passeert de vruchtbare akkers en graslanden en verwondert zich niet lang over de hier heerschende welvaart.
Ik heb dezen polder zoo vaak per rijwiel en te voet doorkruist, dat ik wel gerechtigd meen te zijn een oordeel te vellen.
Voor een Hollander is het hier nog niet een echten polder, zooals wij die bij ons kennen. Er zijn hier op sommige gedeelten heuvels, niet heel hoog, maar toch zoo, dat men van verre reeds de windmolens van Belton, van Epworth en van Haxey op de heuvels ziet liggen.
Belton ligt veel lager dan de twee anderen, maar toch hoog genoeg om reeds eeuwen vóór de droogmaking bewoond te zijn geweest. In de 9e eeuw werd hier een kerk gebouwd en de Tempelridders stichtten in de onmiddellijke nabijheid een landgoed, Temple Belwood, dat thans nog bestaat. Het is echter 30 jaar geleden door Squire*) Johnson, een afstammeling van de Commoners Vavasour, verkocht en raakt nu in verval.
De grijze zandsteen van de kerk werd, volgens de overlevering, te water langs de Don aangevoerd en men ziet
') Squire = landjonker, titel voor een groot-grondbezitter.



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ook nog duidelijk waar indertijd een arm van deze rivier bij Belton geloopen heeft.
Ik bezocht o.a. in Maart 1923 Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme en moet zeggen, dat de waterschappelijke toestand over het geheel niet veel te wenschen overliet, ondanks de in een vorig hoofdstuk geschilderde technische tekortkomingen der waterloozing. Terwijl ik in andere gedeelten van Engeland veel waterbezwaar gezien had, als gevolg van de aanhoudende regens en zwaren sneeuwval, was er, behoudens enkele uitzonderingen, waarover straks meer, noch in Hatfield Chase, noch in de Isle of Axholme van waterbezwaar sprake.
De stoomgemalen van Buil Hassock en Dirtness hadden betrekkelijk gemakkelijk de zaak kunnen bijhouden.
Tijdens mijn bezoek was het water in alle groote afvoerkanalen zeer laag. De heer Bennie zou zijne volle 2 voet beneden het maaiveld vrijwel overal aangetroffen hebben. Ik zeg' „vrijwel", omdat er eene besliste uitzondering te constateeren viel. Dat was de streek in het Zuiden, het Snow Sewer-vallei district.
De streek westelijk van Haxey en Epworth, en begrensd door New Idle en Idle, is grootendeels niet voldoende gedraineerd.
Ofschoon de hoofdafvoerkanalen van het systeem Vermuyden daar veel schuld aan hebben, ligt het ook aan de eigenaren, die niet beseffen dat de Isle of Axholme feitelijk een waterschap is, dat samengesteld is uit meerdere kleinere waterschappen, en omdat al die boerenhofsteden, elk honderden bunders groot, feitelijk ook weer kleinere waterschappen zijn, omdat zij hun eigen peil moeten hebben. Zij moeten dus voor hun eigen boerderij als een polder, loozend op de groote kanalen als hun boezem, zorgen. Dat ziet men in Holland toch ook.
Doch de strijd tegen het water zit den Engelschman nu eenmaal niet, zooals ons Hollanders, in het bloed. Wie Engeland goed kent zal dit dadelijk begrijpen. Waarom zouden de Engelschen zich druk maken over lage landen,



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waar overtollig water allerlei last veroorzaakt, terwijl die mooie Engelsche heuvels en bergen zulke rijke aarde ter gemakkelijke bewerking aanbieden? De Engelschman is niet, zooals de Hollander, eeuwen achtereen aan strijd tegen water gewend. De gevolgen blijven niet uit. Zoo ziet men nu in dat zuidelijk deel van de Isle of Axholme uitstekend land liggen, maar onvoldoende gedraineerd en driekwart begroeid met biezen. Er zijn gunstige uitzonderingen, maar het blijven uitzonderingen. Meestal is de boerderij gewoonweg niet gedraineerd. Soms ziet men een boerderij, van een watermolentje of waterrad voorzien terwijl toch de boel niet in orde is. Hoe komt dat? Wel, die goede man vergeet zijne dijken behoorlijk op te hoogen of in orde te houden. Ik heb gevallen gezien, die ik ternauwernood durf vermelden, omdat zij voor een Hollander ongelooflijk zijn. Toen ik in April 1922 in de Isle was werd mij verteld dat iemand, daar in het Zuiden bij Idle Stop, een boerderij gekocht had, en den grond wilde verbeteren. Ik ging eens kijken. Zij waren bezig een motorgemaaltje te bouwen. Het land, dat er omheen lag, was één troep biezen en rommel. De grond was best. Ik kwam een jaar later, einde Maart 1923, weer eens een kijkje nemen. Een stuk grond, nabij het molentje, was geploegd en bezaaid geworden en men zag door het water, dat er boven stond, het jonge groen van de opkomende aren. Alleen op enkele plekken kwam het groen er boven uit. De akker lag onder water terwijl de motor van het gemaaltje lustig pufte.
Ik liep eens om het geheele bezit heen en bevond nu, dat alleen die eene akker gereed was gemaakt, het andere land lag precies zoo ellendig er bij als verleden jaar, biezen en nog eens biezen. Van een behoorlijk dijkje om het land kon ik niets bespeuren, zoodat het water, dat men er uit pompte er elders weer inliep. „Sait beau mentir qui vient de loin", hoor ik reeds zeggen. Gaat zelf maar eens een kijkje nemen. Trouwens u treft over geheel Engeland ongelooflijke toestanden op waterschapkundig gebied aan.
Nu wil ik echter niet zeggen, dat er daar in het Zuiden



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van de Isle ook niet van wege de overheid naar verbetering gestreefd kon worden, maar zelfs bij de bestaande afwatering, bij voorbeeld door de Folly—eene afwatering, welke ik gaarne toegeef, dat verre van ideaal is — behoeven die gronden er toch niet zoo treurig bij te liggen als thans het geval is.
Ik bezocht einde Maart 1923 eene boerderij in het Zuiden van de Isle of Axholme, aan welke hofstede ik den naam „Biezenlust" zou willen geven. Alle slooten van deze boerderij waren dichtgegroeid, de greppels niet onderhouden en zelfs daarin groeiden biezen, zoodat het water niet weg kon en de toestand elk jaar slechter wordt. Terwijl die boerderij hoog genoeg ligt om, zonder andere dan normale kosten, gemakkelijk gedraineerd te worden.
Nu graasde het jonge vee op land, waar het gewas voor de helft biezen en voor de wederhelft halfgras was.
Bij nader onderzoek bleek de grond van uitstekende kwaliteit, een paar hoogere plekken hadden dan ook heel goed gras, ondanks het jaargetijde. Het jonge vee, dat in het land liep, bevond zich bij voorkeur op die heuveltjes.
Denkt dan zoo'n boer, als hij dat ziet, niet na? vraagt men zich onwillekeurig af.
Wanneer hier in het Zuiden van de Isle een boerderij als een eigen polder bekeken werd en behoorlijke slooten en greppels gegraven werden, zoodat het water naar een wetering geleid kon worden, de terreinen dan verder behoorlijk bedijkt werden en een molentje of rad kregen om te loozen, dan zou zelfs de laagst gelegen boerderij van het Zuiden van waterbezwaar bevrijd kunnen zijn. Ondanks het feit, dat die laagste gronden beneden het peil van de hoofdafvoerkanalen liggen.
Maar zooals gezegd, de overheid zou hier ook kunnen ingrijpen, niet alleen door eigenaren tot behoorlijke verzorging der waterloozingen te dwingen, doch ook door zelf verbeteringen aan te brengen. Ik bedoel hier niet de verbetering door uitvoering van het plan Smeaton-Rennie, zoover durf ik niet te grijpen, maar door praktische samenvoeging van kleinere waterschappen tot éen geheel en



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het gezamelijk verbeteren van bestaande waterloozingen.
Men zou bijvoorbeeld de Folly-boezem kunnen vergrooten, door kunstwerken en mechanische opvoering van het water naar een hooger peil, waardoor het verval belangrijk grooter zou kunnen worden. Maar ook deze werken, waardoor het Zuidelijk deel zoo onberekenbaar gebaat zou kunnen worden, zullen wel illusoir blijven en wel ten gevolge van de gebrekkige waterschapswetgeving in Engeland, door alle eeuwen heen.
Men heeft in Nederland het voorrecht een waterschapswetgeving te bezitten, die gegroeid is tegelijk met land en volk.
In Engeland heeft men een waterschapswetgeving, die te hooi en te gras is neergelegd in wetten, die onderling verband missen.
Tot het jaar 1631 was het een hopelooze verwarring op waterschappelijk gebied. Wel was de Koning immer gehouden voor de veiligheid van land en volk te waken en had hij daarom bepaalde personen aangewezen om de kust tegen de zee en het binnenland tegen overstroomingen van rivieren te beveiligen, weliswaar had Koning Hendrik VI in zijn 6e regeeringsjaar bepaald dat gedurende tien jaren verschillende Commissioners of Sewers het land zouden inspecteeren, maar het bleef een doode letter.
Totdat in 1531 door Koning Hendrik VIII het Statute of Sewers bekrachtigd werd. Hierdoor kon do Koning leden van een Commission of Sewers (waterschapsbestuur) benoemen en deed dan door die benoeming afstand van zijne bevoorrechte positie ten behoeve der Commissioners, die echter wederkeerig de koninklijke plichten ten opzichte van de betrekkelijke waterschapszaken op hunne schouders namen.
Ofschoon men in het dagelijksch leven onder sewer een riool verstaat, is do beteekenis van het woord sewer hier geheel iets anders en vervangt ons woord wetering of verlaat of tocht.
In den loop der eeuwen zijn door de Kroon vele



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Commissions of Sewers ingesteld, verscheidene daarvan bestaan heden nog.
Deze Commissions of Sewers hadden niet alleen juridische, doch ook wetgevende en uitvoerende macht met betrekking tot het waterschap, waarover zij gesteld waren, doch slechts binnen de grenzen daarvan.
Zij hadden het recht nategaan welke personen onderhoudsplichtig waren, en konden ingeval van nalatigheid, door middel van een jury, strenge straffen toewijzen.
Zij hadden het toezicht over alle rivieren, weteringen, tochten, slooten en dijken in hun gebied, konden arbeidskrachten en materialen opeischen en de kosten over de eigenaren omslaan,
Indien zij reglementen en verordeningen ten opzichte van het onderhoud der afvoerkanalen maakten en dit, op perkament geschreven, in the High Court of Chancery deponeerden, dan hadden die reglementen kracht van wet.
Meestal zijn de Commissioners lieden van groot aanzien geweest, veelal zonder grondbezit in het waterschap.
Heden ten dage zijn het dikwijls leden van Parlement of County Council, die, soms uit vrees vijanden in den kieskring te maken, wel eens nalaten maatregelen door to zetten, die geld zouden kosten en ontevredenheid scheppen, terwijl het algemeen belang een doorzetten vordert.
Een andere instelling was de Enclosure Award. Daarbij werden zekere rechten en plichten vastgelegd voor een bepaald poldergebied.
Ik ben geen bewonderaar van dat Award systeem. Het heeft de zaak veel te veel verbrokkeld. Buitendien blijkt iederen keer weer, dat hetgeen geschikt was in de 18e eeuw, om niet nog verder terug te gaan, voor onze dagen bedenkelijk blijkt te zijn.
Ik wil een voorbeeld noemen. In 1775 kreeg een plaatsje nabij de rivier de Aire een Enclosure Awaid, waarbij het recht verleend werd afvoerkanalen te graven en verplichtingen opgelegd werden ten opzichte van het onderhoud daarvan.



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Er waren 7 afvoerkanalen, alle loozende door een uitlaatsluis. Een en ander moest onderhouden en gerepareerd worden door 18 eigenaren die bijdroegen in de lasten volgens eene bepaalde schaal, opgenomen in de Award, en varieer end van <2l\ d. tot 17 sh. 3 d.
De verplichting om schouw te houden, werken te doen uitvoeren en de lasten te verdoelen en te innen rustte op de twee grootste eigenaren. Weigeren deze twee hun verplichtingen natekomen, dan Wentelt die verplichting af op de twee eigenaren, die dan het meeste land hebben en zoovoorts, zoodat er eindelijk niemand zou kunnen zijn, die de zaak in orde hield.
De zaak is heden natuurlijk hopeloos in de war, want •alleen al de verdeeling der kosten onder de eigenaren, die van zelf geheel andere stukken hebben dan in 1775, kost veel zorg en tijd, terwijl de twee grootste eigenaren beginnen kunnen de kosten uit te schieten, vóór zij mogen gaan vragen om terugbetaling.
Een ander geval betreft het onderhoud van een stuk dijk, dat indertijd, toen de Enclosure Award verleend werd, kwam ten laste van den eigenaar wien één acre land toegekend werd. Die acre werd hem gegeven als schadeloosstelling voor den onderhoudsplicht.
Indien de eigenaar van die ééne acre de verplichting niet nakomt, kan de meerderheid der eigenaren hem dagvaarden en blijft hij in gebreke, dan vervalt de acre (0.4 H. A.) aan de Kerk en berust het onderhoud vervolgons bij Kerkvoogden.
Waar het hier gaat om een rivierdijk, die een groot gebied beschermen moet, behoeft het zeker geen betoog, dat deze Award uit den tijd is.
Na de droogmaking van Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme zijn verschillende van die Enclosure Awards verleend o. a. aan de Thorne Owners, die nu midden in de Hatfield Chase liggen. Verder aan de Crowle, Ealand, Belton en Luddington Drainage Trustees en aan de Haxey en Owston Drainage Board, die in en voor de Isle of Axholme



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liggende, eigenlijk tot de droogmakerijen van Vermuyden behooren en dus, hetzij in het Waterschap van de Hatfield Chase Corporation of in dat van de Isles Commons Drainage Board opgenomen dienden te zijn. Dit is niet gebeurd tot schade van de geheele streek.
Laat ik mij eerst bepalen tot The Thorne Owners. (Zie kaart.)
De afwatering geschiedt langs twee wegen, hetzij door •de Hatfield Waste Drain naar de twee Soak Drains en zoo in de Trent of door de Old Boating Dyke en River Don naar de Humber.
In beide gevallen parasiteert het waterschapje „de Thorne Owners" op de Hatfield Chase Corporation. Er is enkele jaren geleden door de Hatfield Chase Corporation eens een poging gedaan om een grooter gebied onder haar beheer te krijgen, doch dat plan is niet tot rijpheid gekomen. Men was reeds bezig om door middel van een z.g.n. Private Bill in Parliament het doel te bereiken, toen de Hatfield Chase Corporation, aanvankelijk zeer voor de zaak geporteerd, zich op de eerste de beste vergadering van belanghebbenden terugtrok.
Bij onderzoek is nog gebleken, dat vooral vrees voor hoogcre polderlasten en beperking van macht bij een groot aantal grondbezitters zoo zwaar woog, dat zij zonder zich verder veel rekenschap van de zaak te geven, zich er tegen verklaarden.
Toch vind ik niet, dat de grootste schuld ligt bij den Engelschen boer of grondbezitter. De fout schuilt hoofdzakelijk in de gebrekkige Engelsche waterschapswetgeving.
Ik moet dat hier nogmaals naar voren brengen.
Wil men mij tegenwerpen, dat ik dan wellicht bedoel een wetgeving, die de grondeigenaren bij tegenstand dwingt en dat dit de vrijheid zou aantasten, dan is daarop mijn antwoord als volgt. Ik wil het wettelijk zoodanig regelen, dat dwang van overheidswege alleen dan zal toegepast worden, indien individuen niet willen inzien, dat geen individu het recht heeft de gemeenschap te benadeelen.



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Buitendien zal in mijn — het Hollandsche — systeem het bestuur door ingelanden verkozen worden. Mocht dit bestuur nalatig blijven dan zal volgens de wet ingegrepen worden.
Bijgaande staat zal U een beeld geven van de toenmalige plannen der Hatfield Chase Corporation.
Een groot bezwaar werd ook geacht, dat er drie graafschappen bij deze gebiedsuitbreiding betrokken waren, n.1. Yorkshire, Lincolnshire en Nottinghamshire. De Hatfield Chase Corporation omvat. . . 19328 acres.
Er zouden bijkomen: in het graafschap York , . . . . 23476 „ „ „ Nottingham . . . 2387 | „ „ Lincoln . . . 7738
tezamen . . . 33601 33601 „ totaal van het geheele waterschap zou zijn: 52929 acres.
De bekwame Ingenieur W. Thornber van de West Riding of Yorkshire County Council had de plannen uitgewerkt.
Ik drukte mijn spijt uit, dat in dit plan niet meer rekening met de historie der droogmakerijen was gehouden, waardoor de combinatie Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme tot éen heemraadschap, tot stand had kunnen komen.
Nu echter van do geheele zaak niets gekomen is, verdwijnt de beteekenis van mijn opmerking, behalve dan wellicht als wenk voor de toekomst. Zal het zoover komen? Ik betwijfel het. De publieke meening in Engeland is ten opzichte van waterschapszaken volkomen onverschillig.
In regeeiïngskringen heeft men evenmin veel belangstelling voor Waterschaps- en Binnenscheepvaartzaken aan den dag gelegd. Zou het anders mogelijk wezen, dat in een land als Engeland Waterstaat eene onderafdeeling vormt van het Ministry of Agriculture and Eisheries, inplaats van door een eigen departement te worden beheerd?
Niet dat de atdeeling Waterstaat van het Ministry of Agriculture and Pisheries te kort schiet in haar taak. Ik



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zal de laatste zijn orn dat te zeggen, daar ik eene groote bewondering gekregen heb voor de ambtenaren van die afdeeling, die onder waarlijk niet zeer gemakkelijke omstandigheden hun moeilijke taak met onvolprezen ijver en toewijding volbrengen.
Ik heb twee jaar geleden de prachtige draineeringsdemonstratie gezien, die het Ministerie gegeven heeft nabij Lincoln.
Op een terrein, dat jaren lang onvoldoende gedraineerd en dus uiterst geschikt voor zulk een proef was, werd de demonstratie gehouden.
Allerlei machines waren aan het werk. Men zag slooten graven met een Priestmanbagger, greppels maken met verschillende soorten greppelploegen, waarbij de nieuwste uitvindingen uit Amerika en Noorwegen op het gebied van greppelen te zien waren.
Er waren ondergrondsploegen aan het werk en tevens speciale ploegen om in klei een ronde draineerholte te trekken op bijvoorbeeld anderhalve of twee voet onder het oppervlak, waardoor men de kostbare draineerbuizen kan missen. De klei zelf vormt hier een draineerbuis.
In groote ;tenten kon men door photographien, monsters enz. zien het enorme succes van behoorhjke draineering. Vooral uit Canada en Australië had men mooie gegevens ontvangen.
Het waren de herstellende gewonde soldaten uit de Dominions geweest, de Canadeezen en de Anzacs, die hun verbazing en ontzetting hadden te kennen gegeven over de achterlijkheid van het moederland op gebied van landbouw en vooral van draineering.
Het ministerie heeft haar de opmerkingen der zonen uit de dochterlanden van het Britsche Rijk geluisterd eh heeft niets nagelaten om de belangstelling der belanghebbenden in de meest gewichtige zaken, waaronder draineering, wakker te schudden.
Het is echter een heel moeielrjko taak in Engeland, want Engeland is een conservatief land, het Engelsche



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volk een conservatief volk. Het liefste volgt men geheel de stappen van ouders en voorouders.
Toch moet ge niet denken, dat er op het punt van draineering niets gedaan is of gedaan wordt. Zeker, maar liefst op hooger gelegen terrein. Men treft op hooger gelegen landgoederen dikwijls eene zeer goede gelijkmatige afwatering aan. Het bestaat uit een voortdurende golving in het terrein. Goedkoop kan de aanleg niet geweest zijn, maar de arbeidsloonen waren vroeger in Engeland bijzonder laag, dus wellicht is het nog meegevallen.
Gedurende den oorlog, toen het er om ging de voedselproductie in Engeland te vermeerderen, heeft het Ministry of Agriculture veel gedaan op draineeringsgebied. Mijn vriend C. H. J. Clayton, M. S. E., A. M. I. Mech. E., Chief Drainage Engineer to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, vertelt in zijn boek „Land Drainage", uitgegeven door Country Life, London, W. C. 2, bijzonder interessante staaltjes van zijne daarbij opgedane ervaringen.
Gij kunt gerust aannemen, dat er in Engeland door het Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries wel aan de verbetering der toestanden gewerkt wordt en ik wijs in dit verband op de Land Drainage Act van 1918 (8 & 9 Geo. 5, c 17) en op de daarbij aansluitende Land Drainage Regulations van 20 November 1918.
Maar ondanks al mijne sympathie voor mijn tweede vaderland moet mij van het hart, dat deze wetten uit oorlogsnood zijn ontstaan en niet uit de behoefte om waterschapszaken eens goed en voor goed te regelen.
Het is gelegenheidswetgeving.
Ditmaal gelegenheidswetgeving voor het geheele Koninkrijk, zooals er te hooi en te gras gelegenheidswetten gemaakt zijn voor „plaatselijk gebruik".
Ik noem in dit verband een Thames Valley Drainage Act van 1871 en een Somerset Drainage Act van 1877.
Maar om volledig te zijn, moet ik gewag maken van pogingen, in de 19a eeuw gedaan, om voor het geheele Koninkrijk de waterschapswetgeving te regelen.



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Allereerst de Sewers Act van 1833. Deze wet gaf een grondeigenaar het recht om, indien hij tengevolge van onvoldoende zorgen van zijn buurman waterbezwaar ondervond, op het terrein van dien buurman, doch voor eigen rekening, de noodzakelijke werken uit te voeren. Die wet wordt hier en daar nog toegepast.
De Land Drainage Act van 1847 behelsde het zelfde principe als de wet van 1833, doch gebood den eigenaar om zich te onderwerpen aan het toezicht van de Enclosure Commissioners.
Deze wet werkte stroef en onvoldoende. In 1861 volgde de Land Drainage Act, waarbij het oude instituut Commissioners of Sewers als basis genomen en de Koning gemachtigd werd om, op aanbeveling van de Enclosure Commissioners, Commissioners of Sewers te benoemen. Die Commissioners of Sewers kregen het recht om werken te doen uitvoeren ten behoeve der waterloozing, zoowel onderhoudswerken als nieuwe werken. Buitendien mochten zjj, indien een bepaald district meer democratische denkbeelden huldigde, daar een waterschapsbestuursinrichting creëeren, gebaseerd op verkiezing door belanghebbende
eigenaren. ... „
In 1877 werd door een Select-Committee of the Mouse of Lords in verband met rivier- en waterschapsonderhoud de opmerking gemaakt, dat het noodig was „to secure uniformity and completeness of action".
In de waterschapswetgeving waren uniformiteit en handelingsvoUedigheid ver te zoeken. De wetgeving rammelde. Zoo naderde het jaar 1914 en de oorlog brak uit.
Als een der oorlogsmaatregelen ontstond de Land Drainage Act of 1914, waarbij aan het Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, voor een tijdperk van twee jaar, machtiging verleend werd om tijdelijke Commissies te benoemen met de uitdrukkelijke bevoegdheid om land droog te maken. Ten slotte werd de Land Drainage Act of 1918 ingevoerd.
Deze wet houdt eindelijk rekening met de juiste opmerking der Lords van het 1877 Select Committee.



193
Ik laat hier den verkorten inhoud van de wet volgen : CHAPTER 17.
An Act to amend the Land Drainage Act, 1861, and to make A.D. 1918. further provision for the drainage of agricultural land.
[30th July 1918.]
Be it enacted by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembied, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Part L
Amendments of Principal Act.
1—(1) Subject in the case of opposed orders to confirma- power to
tion by Parliament in manner provided by the First Schedule make orders
to this Act, the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries may by constit"ting
j drainage order— . . ? r
districts, tSc.
(a) constitute any area a separate drainage district for the purposes of Part II. of the Land Drainage Act, 1861 ^ (in this Act referred to as the principal Act), and c> 133, include therein the whole or any part of any existing drainage area, and provide for the constitution of the drainage board for the district and the appointment or election of the members thereof;
(6) alter the boundaries of any drainage area;
(c) define the limits of any commission of sewers;
(d) confer on any drainage authority such additional powers
of levying drainage rates or borrowing powers as may be necessary or expediënt, or alter or supplement in any' other respect the provisions of any local Act or of any award made under any such Act where in the opinion of the Board such alterations or supplemental provisions are necessary or expediënt for enabling the area for the benefit of which drainage works are authorised by the local Act or award to be drained effectually.
(2) Where the council of a county or county borough in



194
which the drainage area of any drainage authority is situate, or if such area is situated in more than one county or county borough, the councils thereof present a petition to the Board for the purpose, the Board may by a like order, made after consultation with the Local Government Board, transfer to the council or councils the powers, duties, property, and obligations of the drainage authority, and thereupon the council or councils shall become the drainage authority for the area for the purposes of this Act, and any expenses incurred by the council or councils as such authority shall be defrayed under and in accordance with the powers so transferred and not in any other manner.
(3) Any order under this section may contain any incidental, consequential, or supplemental provisions which appear to be necessary or proper for the purposes of the order.
(4) An order under this section may make any river, canal, or inland navigation or the cuts, reservoirs, feeders, or other works belonging thereto liable to the control of a drainage authority, notwithstanding the provisions of any local Act exempting the same from such control and of section fiftyseven of the principal Act, subject nevertheless to the provisions of section fifty-four of the principal Act.
(5) References in Part II. of the principal Act as amended by this Act to provisional orders shall be construed as including references to orders so made.
Procedure 2.—(1) The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries may on the
for the receipt of such a petition as is hereinafter mentioned, or, in
Orders ° the case °* tne constitution of a separate drainage district or of the alteration of the drainage area of any drainage authority, on their own initiative without any petition, after making such inquiries as theij think necessary, and after consultation with the council of any county or county borough affected by the proposed order or any committee thereof appointed for the purpose, prepare a draft order to carry the petition into effect, or, as the case may be, to constitute the district or alter the area.
(2) A petition for an order may be presented, in the case



195
of a proposal for the definition of the limits of a commission of sewers, by the commission, and in the case of a proposal to alter or supplement a local Act conferring powers on a drainage authority, by that authority, or by the council of any administrative county or county borough in which any part of the drainage area of that authority is situate, and in other cases by—
(aj the proprietors of one-tenth of the area proposed to be constituted a separate drainage district, or of the area proposed to be added to or excluded from a drainage area; or
(b) the drainage authority of a drainage area proposed to
be altered; or
(c) the council of any administrative county or county
borough in which any part of the land proposed to be affected by the order is situate.
(3) Where the Board have prepared a draft order the proedure thereon shall be in accordance with the First Schedule to this Act.
(4) An order constituting an area a separate drainage district or including in any drainage district any drainage area or any part of any drainage area shall not be made if within the prescribed period after publication of the draft order the proprietors of one-third of the proposed drainage district signify to the Board their objection to the making of the order.
(5) An order altering the boundaries of a drainage area or including in any drainage district any part of a drainage area shall not be made without the consent of the drainage authority for the area, or if within the prescribed period after the publication of the draft order the proprietors of one-third of the area proposed to be added to or excluded from the drainage area signify to the Board their objection to the making of the order.
(6) An order or provisional order made under this Act or the principal Act may be repealed, altered, or amended by an order made by the Board under and in accordance with the provisions of this Act.



196
Expenses 3.—(1) The expenses of the Board of Agriculture and
making the Fisheries, and, if and so far as the order so directs, the or expenses of the petitioners, in relation to the making or con-
firmation of an order, shall be defrayed as follows:—
[d] Where a petition has been presented for the order and the order is made and comes into force, then—
(i) if the order is made on a petition for the constitution of a separate drainage district, the expenses shall be a first charge on the rates leviable in the district constituted by the order;
(ii) if the order is made on a petition for the alteration or definition of the boundaries of a drainage area, the expenses shall be a first charge on the drainage rates leviable by the drainage authority in the area as altered or defined by the order, or where more than one area is so altered on the drainage rates leviable within those areas in such proportions as the Board direct;
(iii) if the order is made on a petition for altering or supplementing the powers conferred on the drainage authority by a local Act or award the expenses shall be a first charge on the drainage rates leviable by the drainage authority;
(iv) if an order is made on a petition for the transfer to the council of a county or county borough, or to two or more such councils, of the powers, duties, property, and obligations of a drainage authority by the petitioners:
(6) Where a petition has been presented for the order and the order is not made or does not come into force, the expenses shall be paid by the petitioners:
(c) Where a petition has not been presented for the order, the expenses shall, if the order is made and comes into force, be defrayed if and so far as the order so directs in the same manner as if a petition for the order had been presented, and subject as aforesaid the expenses shall be defrayed by the Board.



197
(2) The petitioners shall give such security for expenses as may be required by the Board.
4. —(1) The powers of a commission of sewers or of a Provisions drainage board constituted under the principal Act or this Act as to ratingshall included, and shall be deemed always to have included,
powers of levying drainage rates on the basis of acreage or on the basis of annual value of the lands liable to be rated.
(2) An order made under this Act may provide for differential rating of part of any drainage district (wether constituted under the principal Act or this Act), or any area within the limits of a commission of sewers, and for total or partial exemption of buildings, railways, canals, inland navigations or any other special class of land within the district or area.
5. Where it is shqwn to the satisfaction of the Local Govern- Powers of ment Board that the execution or maintenance of any drainage '?ca' autnc-riworks is desirable in the interests of the public health of any trtoute to"" area, or for the protection or better enjoyment of any highways, drainage the Board may authorise the local authority of the district expenses. for the purposes of the Public Health Act, 1875, in which the
area to be benefited is situated, or the highway authority, as c 55 'Ct'
the case may be, to contribute qr undertake tb contribute to
the expenses of the execution or maintenance of the drainage
works by a drainage authority, such an amount as the Board,
having regard to the public benefit derived therefrom, may
sanction and may direct how and out of what fund or rate such
contributions may be defrayed.
6. Any drainage authority may with the consent of the Arrangedrainage authority of any adjoining drainage area execute and jj1^8 maintain in that adjoining area any works which the firstmen- drainage tioned drainage authority might execute or maintain within authorities. their own area on such >terms as to payment or otherwise as
may be agreed on between the drainage authorities, or may agree to contribute to the expense of the execution or maintenance of any works by the drainage authority of any adjoining drainage area, and any expense incurred by any drainage authority under this section shall be defrayed as if the expense had been incurred in their own drainage area.



198
Power to enter into arrangements with navigation authorities.
Power of drainage authorities to execute works outside their area.
10 & 11 Vict. c. 38.
Reports by
drainage
authorities.
7. —(1) A drainage authority and a navigation authority may, if authorised in that behalf by an order made by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries after consultation with the Board of Trade, and, if opposed, confirmed by Parliament, in accordance with the First Schedule to this Act, enter into arrangements for—
(a) the transfer to the drainage authority of the whole or any part of the undertaking, powers, duties, and obligations of the navigation authority with a view to improving the drainage area of the drainage authority; or
(6) the alteration or management of the works or undertaking of the navigation authority or any parts thereof with a view to improving the drainage of the drainage area of the drainage authority; or
(c) payment by any party to any such arrangement to the other party as the consideration for any matter or subject to which the arrangement relates.
(2) Notice of the intention to make an order under this section shall be given to the Postmaster-General.
(3a Nothing in this section shall be construed as prejudicing or affecting any powers of entering into such arrangements which any such authorities may possess independently of this section.
8. A drainage authority desiring to execute drainage works for the benefit of their drainage area in lands outside that area shall have the like powers in that behalf as are conferred by the Land Drainage Act, 1847, or Part III. of the principal Act, on persons interested in land which is capable of being drained or improved and desiring to execute drainage works for such purpose, and any expense incurred by a drainage authority under this section shall be defrayed as if the expense had been incurred in the drainage area of the drainage authority.
9. —(1) Every drainage authority shall, before such date in every year as the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries may fix, send to the Board a report of their proceedings during the preceding year, and shall at the same time send a copy of such



199
report to the council of any administrative county or county borough in which any part of the drainage area of the authority is situate.
(2) Such report shall be in such form and shall contain such information as the Board may, by regulations to be made under this Act, direct.
10. The councils of any two or more counties or county Joint action boroughs may combine for the purpose of the joint exercise of by councilsany powers conferred on them by or under this Act, and may
for those purposes appoint a joint committee and may agree as to the proportions in which the several councils represented on the joint committee are to contribute towards the expenses of such joint comittee
11. Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Act anv ExDenfes of
councils
sums payable under this Act by the council of a country or county borough shall, in the case of a county, bepaid out of the county fund and, in the case of a county borough, be paid out of the borough fund or rate.
12. Where the proprietors of any land comprised within a Power to
drainage area are authorised to invest money on real security, invest money
l ,1 / , ,, . on secunty
they shall (unless the contrary is provided by the instrument 0f drainage
authorising such investment) have power to invest money on a rates.
first mortgage of the drainage rates leviable by the drainage
authority for that area.
13. For the purposes of this Part of this Act, unless the Definitions. context otherwise requires, the expression "drainage authority"
mcans any commission of sewers, any drainage board constituted under the principal Act or this Act, and any body of persons authorised by any local Act or any award made under any such Act to make or maintain works for the drainage of land; and the expression "drainage area" means the area within the limits of a commission of sewers, the district of such drainage board as aforesaid, and the area within the jurisdiction of such body of persons as aforesaid.
14. The provisions of the principal Act mentioned in the Minor first column of the table in Part I, of the Second Schedule to amendments this Act shall be amended in the manner specified in the second a" repea s'



200
column of that table, and the principal Act shall be repealed to the extent specified in Part II. of that schedule.
Part II.
Further Provisions for the Improvement of the Drainage of Agricultural Land.
Powers of 15.—(1) For the purpose of enforcing in relation to agri-
Board to cultural land any liability to repair which is enforceable under
enforce per- ,
formance of section fifteen of the Sewers Act, 1833, any officcr appointed
duties. by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries may exercise on
3 224 4 kena^ °^ ^e Board the powers conferred by that section on
an officer appointed by a court of sewers.
(2) Where, in the opinion of the Board, any agricultural land is injured or likely to be injured by flooding or inadequate drainage which might be remedied wholly or partially by the exercise of drainage powers which are conferred by any general or local Act or an order having the force of an Act of Parliament, or by any award made under any Act, or by any commission of sewers, and which are not being exercised or, in the opinion of the Board, are being insufficiently exercised, the Board may exercise any such power and also any power conferred by any such Act, order, award, or commission for defraying the expenses so incurred or for any purpose incidental to the exercise of any such power: Provided that this subsection shall not apply to powers conferred upon any railway company or navigation authority for the purposes of their undertaking.
Schemes for 16.—(1) Where the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries are drainage of Q£ opjnjon that anv agricultural land is capable of improvement small areas. f . . , *i
by drainage works, but that the same cannot be convemently
dealt with by an order under Part I. of this Act, and that the expenses of executing and maintaining such works will not exceed the increase in the value of the land arising therefrom the Board may, in accordance with the provisions of a schema made under this section, enter on the lands and execute such drainage works as appear to them desirable.
(2) Before executing any works under this section the Board shall prepare a draft schema stating—•



201
(a) the works proposed to be executed;
(b) the area to be improved thereby;
(c) the estimated cost of the execution of the works, which
shall not exceed an amount equal to five pounds for each acre in the area to be improved, or five thousand pounds in all, and the maximum amount to be recoverable by the Board in respect of the costs thereof;
(d) the manner in which the expenses of executing and
maintaining the works are to be apportioned amongst
the lands comprised in the area; and shall give to the owners and occupiers of land comprised within the area, and to any navigation authority or other body or person appearing to the Board to be affected by the scheme, notice in the prescribed manner of the making of the draft scheme, and of the place where it can be inspected and of the time within which objections to the scheme may be presented to the Board, and the Board shall, before settling the scheme, consider any objections which may have been duly made.
(3) Copies of the scheme when settled shall be served on the owners and occupiers of land in the area to which the scheme relates.
(4) For the purpose of executing any works under a scheme and maintaining the same the Board shall, within the area to which the scheme relates or in which the works are to be executed, have all the powers of a drainage board under the principal Act as amended by this Act, but subject to the restrictions thereby imposed on the exercise of such powers.
(5) Any expenses incurred by the Board under this section in the execution of drainage works to an amount not exceeding the amount declared by the scheme to be the maximum amount of expenses recoverable by them, or in maintaining any such works, shall be recoverable by the Board in a summary manner from the several owners of the lands to which the scheme relates according to the apportionment in the scheme:
Provided that if any owner so requires in writing the sum payable by him shall be recoverable by the Board by means of a rate to be made and levied by the Board in like manner, subject to the like provisions and with the like incidence, as



202
Delegation of power of Board to committees.
Works below highwater mark.
Crown rights.
are applicable in the case of a private improvement rate for private improvement expenses incurred by a local authority under the Public Health Act, 1875, with this qualification, that the Board shall, on the application of the owner or occupier of any land subject to the rate, determine the proportion of the rate to be borne by them respectively, having regard to the benefit derived from the works, the contract of tenancy, and all other circumstances of the case, but the local authority may on the application and on behalf of the Board collect the rate and pay over the proceeds to the Board after deducting such reasonable costs of collection as may be agreed with the Board, or, in default of agreement, settled by the Local Government Board.
17 (1) The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries may, with
respect to any area consisting of one or more counties or country boroughs, authorise any body of persons constituted in the prescribed manner, to exercise on behalf of the Board, subject to such appeal to the Board as may be prescribed, any of the powers of the Board under this Part of this Act, and may, if they think fit, prescribe the procedure and the method of authentication of any notice or other instrument issued by any such body.
(2) At least a majority of the members of any body of persons constituted in accordance with the provisions of the foregoing subsection shall consist, in such proportion as the Board may fix, of members of the councils of the counties and county boroughs comprised in the area for which such body is constituted.
18. Nothing in this Part of this Act shall authorise the execution of any works on, over or under tidal lands below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides, except in accordance with such plans and sections, and subject to such restrictions and regulations as previous to such works being commenced have been approved by the Board of Trade in writing under the hand of one of the secretaries or assistant secretaries of the Board of Trade.
19. —(1) Nothing in this Part of this Act affects prejudicially any estate, right, power, privilege or exemption of the Crown,



203
and in particular nothing thereih contained authorises the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries to take, use or in any manner to interfere with any portion of the shore or bed of the sea or of any river, channel, creek, bay or estuary or any land, hereditaments, subjects or rights of whatsoever description belonging to His Majesty in right of the Duchy of Lancaster or in right of His Crown and under the management of the Commissioners of Woods or of the Board of Trade respectively without the consent in writing of the Chancellor of the Duchy or of the Commissioners of Woods or the Board of Trade, as the case may be, on behalf of His Majesty first had and obtained for that purpose (which consent the said Chancellor of the Duchy, Commissioners and Board are hereby respectively authorised to give).
(2) Nothing in this Part of this Act affects prejudicially any estate, right, power, privilege or exemption vested in or enjoyed by the Duke of Cornwall or the possessor for the time being of the Duchy of Cornwall.
Part III. General.
20. Any person authorised in that behalf by the Board of Powers of Agriculture and Fisheries or by any body of persons exercising ?™7 on any powers of the Board on their behalf may, for the purpose
of carrying this Act into effect, on the production (if so required) of his authority, enter on and inspect any land.
If any person prevents or obstructs the entry for the purpose of this Act upon any land of any person authorised under this section, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds.
21. The principal Act and this Act shall, subject as herein- Crown and before expressly provided, apply to land belonging to His ?UCjy Majesty, in right of the Crown, or the Duchy of Lancaster, and
to land belonging to the Duchy of Cornwall and as respects—
(a) land belonging to His Majesty in right of the Crown, the Commissioners of Woods;
(6) land belonging to His Majesty in right of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Chancellor of the Duchy;



204
Expenses of Board.
Short title, construction, and definitions.
(c) land belonging to the Duchy of Cornwall, such person as the Duke of Cornwall or the possessor for the time being of the Duchy of Cornwall appoints;
shall, for the purposes of the principal Act, be deemed to be the proprieter of the land.
22. The expenses of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries under this Act so far as not recovered in manner provided by this Act shall to such an amount as the Treasury may sanction be defrayed out of moneys provided by Parliament.
23. —(1) This Act may be cited as the Land Drainage Act, 1918.
(2) This Act shall be construed as one with the principal Act.
(3) In this Act the expression "prescribed" means prescribed by regulations made by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, the expression "drainage" includes defence against water, and the expression "navigation authority" means any person or body of persons having powers under any Act of Parliament to work or maintain a canal or other inland navigation.



205
SCHEDULES. A.D. 1918.
FIRST SCHEDULE. Sections 1,
2(3), 7(1).
Part I Procedure for making Orders.
(1) Before making an order the Board shall cause notice of the intention to make, the order and of the place where copies of the draft order may be inspected and obtained, and of the time within and manner in which objections to the draft order may be made, to be published in the London Gazette and in such other manner as they think best adapted for informing persons affected, and to be sent to the council of every county be affected by the order is situate and to every drainage authority, or navigation authority which is- known to the Board to be affected by the order.
(2) Before making an order the Board shall consider any objections which may be duly made to the draft order and may in any case cause a public local inquiry to be held with respect to any objections to the draft order.
(3) After an order has been settled and made by the Board it shall be published in such a manner as they think best adapted for informing persons affected with notice that the Board have settled the order, and that the order will become final and have effect as an Act of Parliament unless within such period, not being less than thirty days as may be stated in the notice, a memorial is presented to the Board by some person or body affected by the order and having such interest as may be prescribed as being sufficiënt for the purpose praying that the order shall not become law without confirmation by Parliament.
(4) If no such memorial has been presented within such period as aforesaid or if every such memorial has been withdrawn, the Board shall confirm the order and the order shall thereupon have effect as if enacted in this Act, but if any such memorial has been presented and has not been withdrawn



206
the order shall be provisional only and shall have no effect unless and until confirmed by Parliament.
Part II. Provisional Orders.
(1) The Board may submit to Parliament for confirmation any provisional order made by them in pursuance of this Act.
(2) If, while the Bill confirming any such order is pending in either House of Parliament, a petition is presented against any order comprised therein, the Bill, so far as it relates to such order, may be referred to a Select Committee, and the petitioner shall be allowed to appear and oppose as in the case of Private Bills.
(3) The Board may revolte, either wholly or partially, any provisional order made by them before the order is confirmed by Parliament, but such revocation shall not be made whilst the Bill confirming the order is pending in either House of Parliament.
Part III. General.
(1) The making and confirmation of an order shall be prima facie evidence that all the requirements of this Act in respect of proceedings required to be taken previously to the making and confirmation of such order have respectively been complied with.
(2) The Board may make regulations in relation to the publication of notices and advertisements under this Schedule and to the holding of and procedure at public local inquiries under this Schedule and to any other matters of procedure respecting the making of orders under this Act.



207
A.D. 1918. SECOND SCHEDULE.
Section 14. Part I.
Amendmenis of the Land Drainage Act, 1861.
Section amended. Amendment.
1
I After "one thousand pounds" there shall be inserted "or an
Section 29 - - ) " amount equal to one pound for each acre in the area
Section 38 - - f " within which a rate will require to be levied to meet the
\ " expenditure involved, whichever amount is the greater."
Section 34 - - At end there shall be inserted "Provided that if the person " whose obligation is proposed to be commuted does not " assent to the proposed commutation, notice of the proposed commutation and of the time within which " objection thereto may be presented shall be given to " that person, and before such consent as aforesaid is " given to the commutation any objection which is duly " presented shall be considered."
Section 47 - - There shall be omitted the words "it is made" and the words "nor unless" where they first occur.
Section 67 - - After "cease" there shall be inserted "except so far as the " provisional order constituting the district may otherwise " provide."
Section 71 - - After the words "Part two of this Act and" there shall be inserted the words "the order or."
Part II.
Provisions of the Land Drainage Act, 1861, repealed. Section 15, from "sewers" to the end of the section, and sections 59, 63, 64, and 65.
Printed by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Ltd., for
Sir Frederick Atterbury, K.C.B., the King's Printer of Acts of Parliament.
To be purchased through any Bookseller or directly from H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses: Imperia! House, Kingsway, London, W.C.2, and 28, Abingdon Street, London, S.W.I ■ 37. Peter Street, Manchester; t, St. Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff; 23, Forth Street, Edinburgh; or from E.'PONSONBY, Ltd., 116, Grafton Street, Dublin.



208
Deze wet van 1918 huldigde het denkbeeld: initiatief, uitvoering en controle.
Gedurende den oorlog heeft deze wet uitstekend gewerkt. Zij was bedoeld ten behoeve der voedselvoorziening — Engeland produceert slechts zooveel (of zoo weinig) voedsel, dat de bevolking er een „week end" van kan leven, dus moest, met het oog op den duikbootoorlog, eigen productie vermeerderen — en er is vooral door goede samenwerking tusschen waterschapsambtenaren en boeren-organisaties heel veel bereikt. Maar na den oorlog bemerkt men van de Land Drainage Act van 1918 niet veel meer.
De wet heeft een groot gebrek. Het is een gelegenheidswet, gemaakt om een wereld-oorlog te helpen winnen.
De wet in werking kost geld; zooals de oorlog en alles wat daarmee verband houdt nu eenmaal geld verslindt, is ook de uitvoering van deze gelegenheidswet zeer kostbaar.
Na den oorlog moest er bezuinigd worden.
De uniformiteit en geconcentreerde actie zijn weer zoek.
De meest heterogene verzameling van waterstaatswetten en instellingen werken remmend op het algemeen belang.
De Kroon, bij wie het oppermachtig toezicht op de waterschappen diende te berusten, heeft die bevoegdheid deels door middeleeuwsche decreeten, deels door de macht van het Parlement verloren.
De Minister van Landbouw, waaronder Waterstaat ressorteert, kan geen afdoend gebruik van een bevoegdheid, hem door het Parlement in 1918 verleend, maken, omdat het Parlement die wet zoodanig heeft ingekleed, dat bij eene "Waterschapsregeling, die van eenig ingrijpend belang is, altijd weer voor bepaalde punten het Parlement gekend moet worden.
De wet van 1918 is dan ook allerminst ideaal.
Deze wet regelt de zaak niet afdoende. Er heerscht op waterschapsgebied in Engeland anarchie.
Daaraan dient een einde gemaakt te worden, want



209
degenen, die het goede beoogen worden de dupe van degenen, die om de een of andere reden nalatig zijn.
Willen de goeden en voortvarenden heden iets goeds bereiken, dan moeten zij zich wenden tot het Parlement.
Dit is een zoo kostbaar en omslachtig proces, dat men zich wel heel wat keeren bezint vóór men met het indienen van een „Private Bill" begint. Voor particulieren en kleinere waterschappen is zooiets feitelijk onbegonnen werk. Ten eerste veel te kostbaar.
Het gevolg is, dat thans lichamen, die het algemeen belang inzien, dit willen dienen en niet voor kosten behoeven terug te schrikken, de zaak aanpakken, ofschoon uit een oogpunt van publiek recht die lichamen juist allerminst daartoe aangewezen zijn en men nu weer allerlei conflicten en moeilijkheden ziet ontstaan, waardoor het feitelijke doel „betere waterschapsregeling" toch niet bereikt wordt. Men moet daarbij ook niet uit het oog verhezen dat bijv. de „wet 1918" heel goed kon werken in een tijd, dat alle Engelschen de tanden op elkaar klemden, omdat de oorlog gewonnen moest worden.
Engeland had nog nooit een oorlog verloren, dus alles werd er op gezet dezen oorlog ook te winnen. Er was dus de noodige samenwerking, die de uitvoering van de „wet 1918" vergemakkelijkte. Maar toen de oorlog voorbij en gewonnen was, verviel men weer in de oude jsleur. Tot die sleur behoort nu eenmaal in Engeland het veronachtzamen van rivieren, kanalen en waterafvoer.
Het is te hopen, dat spoedig de oogen van de Regeering open gaan, want juist weer als gevolg van den oorlog zal de toestand steeds bedenkelijker worden.
Gedurende den oorlog en daarna hebben verscheidene groot-grondbezitters hunne goederen verkocht, meestal aan de pachters.
Het gevolg is dat een groot terrein, dat vroeger door één eigenaar bestuurd werd, nu versnipperd is. Terwijl de groot-grondbezitter voor zijn geheele bezit de waterloozing regelde en onderhield en er dus een behoorlijk onderling
ïi



210
verband bestond, heerscht er thans een soort anarchie, met het natuurlijk gevolg dat de waterloozing schromelijk in de war loopt en de boer, die wel geld wil en kan uitgeven om de waterloozing van zijn eigendom behoorlijk in orde te hebben, daarin verhinderd wordt, door onwil of onmacht van een buurman.
De goede moet nu met den kwade lijden, want hij staat in Engeland machteloos.
In Nederland kan de grondeigenaar zich tot Provinciale Staten wenden en met betrekkelijk geringe kosten en moeite gedaan krijgen, dat er een waterschap wordt opgericht.
De eigenaren (ingelanden of geërfden of hoe ze ter plaatse genoemd worden) krijgen een bestuur, dat verder, onder toezicht van het Provinciaal bewind, de noodige voorzorgen moet treffen.
Toch is in Nederland de Waterstaatswet en hare toepassing natuurlijk niet volmaakt.
Doch al bestaan er in Nederland nog leemten op waterschapsgebied, dan meen ik toch te mogen zeggen, dat, indien de Engelsche Regeering bij eene wettelijke regeling het Hollandsche principe en systeem zou volgen — gewijzigd en verbeterd en voor Engeland pasklaar gemaakt — het tot zegen voor Engeland zou strekken.



Steenkolenmijn bij Hatfield.






HOOFDSTUK X.
Wanneer men Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme heden bezoekt, dan kan men bijna niet gelooven, dat deze streek, waar men onwillekeurig moet denken aan onzen boerdiohter Poot:
„Hoe genoeglyk rolt het leven Des gerusten lantmans heen."
vroeger zooveel aanleiding tot strijd en oproer gegeven heeft.
Vrede, welvaart en berusting. Men kan zich niet anders voorstellen of zoo zal het nu eeuwenlang blijven.
Toch zullen de bewoners van Hatfield Chase en van de Isle of Axholme nog bijzondere tijden tegemoet gaan.
Het is indertijd belanghebbenden bij steenkolenmijnen gebleken dat er onder Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme steenkoollagen liggen. Zelfs hadden vóór den oorlog Duitsche steenkoolmagnaten — het Stinnes consortium — in Hatfield Chase minerale rechten der grondeigenaren opgekocht en waren in vollen gang hun mijn in gereedheid te brengen toen in 1914 de oorlog uitbrak.
Reeds zijn er twee steenkolenmijnen in de Hatfield Chase in volle werking, één nabij Hatfield, een ander ten zuiden van Doncaster bij Rossington, terwijl men bezig is drie mijnputten te boren, één nabij Thorne, één in Lindholme en één bij Markham.
Zooals u uit de kaart zult zien nadert de Lindholme mijn de grenzen van de Isle of Axholme reeds bedenkelijk. Trouwens reeds heeft men enkele jaren geleden nabij Idle Stop, in. de Isle zelf dus, naar steenkool geboord, terwijl men ook doende is geweest om de minerale rechten op te koopen van de eigenaren in en nabij Belton, dus in het hartje van de Isle of Axholme.



212
Hier in Belton ben ik getuige geweest van het verzet van bewoners, die gewend zijn aan bestaande toestanden, tegen nieuwigheden, waarmede indringers van buitenaf aankomen.
Ik heb gezien hoe een oude middenstander weigerde zijn minerale rechten te verkoopen aan de rijke mijneigenaars, die hem daartoe kwamen overhalen. Het was weer het verzet van Ouden tijd tegen Nieuwen tijd, precies als driehonderd jaar geleden in de dagen van Vermuyden.
Het contract, hetwelk de brave Beltoniaan weigerde te teekenen, druk ik in de bijlage af, omdat het juist zoo eigenaardig is om de feiten uit het contract tusschen Karei I en Vermuyden met de feiten uit het contract tusschen de mijnmagnaten en de grondeigenaren te vergelijken.
Beide contracten, al liggen er drie eeuwen tusschen, beteekenen „Evolutie". Doch er is iets anders. Onwillekeurig is de eenvoudige boer, die zich thans verzet tegen het boren van den steenkolenmijn, de verdediger van de tradities van Vermuyden. Onbewust komt hij op voor de instandhouding der droogmakerij, der waterschappen door Vermuyden's genie tot stand gebracht.l)
De steenkolenmijn is de vijand van het akker- en weiland en is dus ook de vijand van dit welvarende polderland.
Men ziet het in Yorkshire hoe prachtige boerderijen, waar goudgeel graan placht te groeien, nu in verval zijn geraakt, poelen geworden, waar slechts halfgras en biezen welig tieren.
De mijn graaft als een mol gangen onder de akkers en weilanden, zoolang de mineralen, waarvan de mijneigenaar de rechten gekocht heeft, nog onder die landerijen zijn. Maar die mijngangen storten later in, wat daar boven is zakt mee, het peil van de akkers en weilanden daalt,
*) De Sunday Express van 10 Februari 1924, bevatte het volgende bericht: A syndicate of coal experts, formed at Doncaster, has applied to Lincoln city Corporation for a lease of the Belton coalfield, amounting to 535 acres, at Belton Grange Farm, in the Isle of Axholme, of which the Lincoln Corporation are owners. With coal mining here and at Donington and other places there is every prospect of the industrialisation within a few years of a large portion of England's premier agricultural county. '-'.'«<



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met het niet te vermijden gevolg, dat de gronden onder waterbezwaar beginnen te lijden en langzaam maar zeker te niet gaan.
Wordt daar niets tegen gedaan? vraagt de Hollander onwillekeurig, daar hij zich herinnert hoe reeds in de middeleeuwen degenen, die veenderijen begonnen, geld moesten storten om later het afgeveende en daardoor onder water geraakte terrein, weer droog te maken. Neen, er wordt in Engeland niets aan gedaan. De steenkool is heilig. Ik wil niet ontkennen, dat Engeland buitengewoon veel aan de steenkool te danken heeft, doch het een sluit het ander niet uit, men had ook voor het akker- en weiland kunnen zorgen. Doch ik heb reeds gezegd: strijd tegen het water zit den Engelschman niet in het bloed. Er worden bij verkoop der minerale rechten, geen bepalingen ten opzichte van droogmaking gestipuleerd. De eigenaar of gebruiker der boerderij geeft bijna onmiddellijk den strijd tegen het water op, de gronden worden door hem verlaten en worden „derelict" (onbeheerd) verklaard.
Men constateert dien toestand in Yorkshire, in de kolencentra van West Biding, voortdurend.
Ik heb over deze aangelegenheid dikwijls met waterstaats-ingenieurs in Engeland gesproken, heb onze wetten voor hen vertaald en heb bij een debat van het Institute of Engineers mijne meening kunnen zeggen.
Het heeft mij dan ook aangenaam getroffen, dat men in de West Riding of Yorkshire County Council tot het inzicht is gekomen, dat het zoo niet langer gaat.
Ten einde aan deze en andere misstanden een einde te maken heeft genoemde County Council gebruik gemaakt van de bevoegdheid om bij het Parlement een zoogenaamde „Private Bill" in te dienen.
Het wetsontwerp heet: A Bill to constitute the County Council of the West Riding of Yorkshire the Drainage Authority for the Administrative County of the West Riding of Yorkshire and for other purposes.
Het wetsontwerp bedoelde dus om den Graafschapsraad



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van de West Riding van Yorkshire tot Waterschapsautoriteit te promoveeren voor de administratie genaamd de West Riding of Yorkshire en voor andere doeleinden. Toen ik den naam van dit ontwerp en daarna het ontwerp zelf gelezen had, kon ik niet nalaten te denken: Er wordt te veel hooi op de vork genomen.
Allereerst kan ik onmogelijk vrede nemen met het verleenen van het recht van dagelijksch bestuur over een waterschap, aan een lichaam als een County Council.
Zulk een lichaam moet toezicht houden over besturen, doch niet zelf bestuursbevoegdheid uitoefenen.
Naar mijne meening zit .daar de zwakste plek van dit ontwerp, (mie uylage).
Hot eigenaardige is, dat men hier eigenlijk ook weer met gelegenheidswetgeving te maken heeft.
De County Council van de West Riding of Yorkshire ziet misstanden en wendt zich tot het Parlement met een Private Bill om te trachten aan die misstanden een einde te maken- Tot die misstanden behoort de schade door steenkolenmijnen berokkend. Deel III van het Ontwerp handelt over: Drainage Works necessitated by Mining Operations (waterloozingswerken te verrichten als gevolg van mijnexploitatie).
Men is de County Council of the West Riding dank verschuldigd voor het initiatief om deze aangelegenheid wettelijk te . willen regelen.
Bij de eerste lezing van het Wetsontwerp in het Lagerhuis is een eigenaardig ding gebeurd. Reeds dadelijk waren verscheidene voor- en tegenstanders, zoowel van het geheele wetsontwerp als van de onderdeelen aan het woord.
Tegen Deel III kwamen natuurlijk de Kamerleden op, die door mijneigenaren bewogen waren zich tegen een wetsontwerp te verzetten, waardoor mijneigenaren en andere bij het mijnbedrijf betrokken personen, in de toekomst lasten te dragen zouden hebben.
De Minister van Landbouw het woord verkrijgende, verklaarde dat het Kabinet zich wel met het Wetsontwerp









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zou kunnen vereenigen, mits deel III daaruit gelicht werd.
De Minister wees er in zijne toelichting op dat het Kabinet meende, dat een zoo belangrijke aangelegenheid als de wettelijke regeling der aansprakelijkheid van mijnexploitanten e. a. tegenover eigenaren van gronden, welke door de ondergrondsche werken waterbezwaar ondervonden, niet in een Private Bill voor een bepaalde streek thuis* hoorde, doch ten behoeve van het geheele land in een Regeeringswetsontwerp diende vastgelegd te worden.
Ik kan mij uitteraard slechts over deze Regeeringsopvatting verheugen, doch hoop nu maar, dat de Minister ten spoedigste een betrekkelijk wetsontwerp bij het Parlement zal indienen, want zooals de toestand thans is, is het meer dan treurig, terwijl, indien behoorlijk wettelijk geregeld, het voor de mijnexploitanten slechts geringe kosten en voor den landbouw een enorm belang beteekent. Buitendien wordt het rechtsgevoel bevredigd, want het is niet meer dan billijk dat degenen, die abnormale toestanden verwekken ook weer zorgen voor het herstel. Wij kennen hetzelfde bij ontveeningen.
Zoo werd dus Deel III uit het Wetsontwerp gelicht en kwam dit, ter voorbereiding van de tweede lezing, in handen van een Select Committee of the House of Commons.
Deze Commissie bestond uit vijf Kamerleden behoorende tot verschillende partijen.
In Engeland is de gewone procedure, dat de Commissie voor- en tegenstanders van het ontwerp hoort.
Er waren in het geheel 28 petities tegen het wetsontwerp bij de Kamer ingekomen.
Daaronder bevonden zich petities van de graafschappen van Lindsey (deel van Lincoln) en van Nottinghamshire, van vereenigingen van mijneigenaren, van eenige gemeenteraden, van naamlooze vennootschappen, van 12 waterschappen en van enkele particulieren.
Al die lichamen waren door procureurs (sollicitors) vertegenwoordigd, de meesten ook door advocaten (counsels).
De mijneigenaren warén weliswaar door het verdwijnen



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van deel III feitelijk uitgeschakeld, doch toch nog door procureurs vertegenwoordigd ten einde, zoo noodig, een advocaat namens zich te doen intervenieeren.
De West-Riding County Council was vertegenwoordigd door twee advocaten, hun griffier, die tevens hun procureur is en door zoogenaamde Parliamentary Agents, procureurs, die zich speciaal bewegen op het gebied van Private Bills in Parliament.
Verder was de heer W. Thornber, de bekwame ingenieur der West Riding County Council, de geestelijke vader van het keurig uitgewerkte technische deel der Wet, aanwezig. Enkele graafschapsraadsleden, ingenieurs en grondeigenaren waren gekomen, ten einde ten behoeve van de Wet inlichtingen aan de Commissie te geven.
De petitioneerende partijen hadden zich wat technische voorlichting betreft evenmin onbetuigd gelaten.
In de ruime vergaderzaal had de Commissie, schuin voor zich den stoel bestemd voor de getuigen. Links en rechts zaten de procureurs en tegenover de Commissie zaten de advocaten met hun eigenaardige staartpruiken.
Rondom zaten of stonden getuigen en belangstellenden.
Na eene keurige inleiding van den advocaat der West Riding County Council begon het getuigenverhoor.
Allereerst werd de griffier der County Council, de ontwerper van de Wet, gehoord.
De tweede advocaat der West Riding begon hem vragen te doen, de voorzitter en de leden der Commissie stelden de hunne en later begon het zoo typisch Engelsche kruisverhoor door de advocaten der tegenpartij.
Langzaam maar zeker werd het ontwerp geamputeerd.
Het speet mij voor den heer Thornber, die de groote technische moeilijkheden had weten te overwinnen op eene wijze, die door de tegenpartij naar waarde werd geschat, maar het speet mij niet voor het ontwerp zelf, dat zich voor amputatie als het ware aanbood. Ik had dan ook niet kunnen nalaten om aan het verzoek der Corporatie van de Hatfield Chase te voldoen om als hun deskundige



217
schriftelijk en zoo noodig mondeling mijne zienswijze kenbaar te maken.
In het ontwerp werd onvoldoende rekening gehouden met historie, gebruiken en feiten. Er werd niet gedacht aan bestaande instellingen, die prat gaan op hun traditie en die eenvoudig zouden worden overheerscht door een lichaam, dat geen waterschappelijke traditie bezit.
Er werd niet aan gedacht dat de West Riding zou overheerschen een lichaam als de Hatfield Chase Corporation en nog meer water door de waterloozingen der Chase zou kunnen gaan sturen dan reeds van oudsher, als gevolg der ligging van de Chase, geschiedt. Zonder dat de Hatfield Chase Corporation zich zou kunnen verzetten, want de County Council van de West Riding zou volgens dit wetsontwerp de zeggenschap, de arbitraire autoriteit, bezitten.
Dit tast het rechtsgevoel aan.
Ware hier sprake van een voorstel der West Riding om in de graafschappen Yorkshire, Lincomshire en Nottinghamshire ten behoeve van betere waterloozing etc. een groot waterschap op te richten, waarin de grondeigenaren stem zouden hebben, onder controle der County Councils (graafschapsraden), dan zou ik persoonlijk bijzonder veel voor de zaak voelen, omdat zij in het algemeen belang zou wezen en belanghebbenden medezeggenschap zouden verkrijgen.
Volgens dit Wetsontwerp echter zou alle macht bij den graafschapsraad van de West Riding liggen.
De Hatfield Chase Corporation verzette zich en kreeg haar zin. Moet men zich verwonderen dat ook de andere waterschappen hunne oude rechten gewaarborgd wilden zien!
Buitendien zou de West Riding ten gevolge van deze wet zeggenschap krijgen in andere graafschappen.
Ik zal de eerste zijn om toe te geven dat waterschapszaken breed en krachtig geregeld moeten worden en wijs in dit verband op mijn voorstellen in de Staten van Noord Holland ten opzichte van de verbetering van



218
de afwatering van de Vecht *), doch hier gaat de West Riding toch verder dan vergeeflijk is, buiten de grenzen der billijkheid.
De graafschappen teekenden tegen het wetsontwerp protest aan. Met het denkbeeld van het stichten van een groot-waterschap zouden zij wellicht meegegaan zijn.
lederen dag moest de advocaat der West Riding zoowel gedurende als na de zittingen aan de tegenpartijen punten toegeven, in speciale paragraphen hare rechten vrijwaren. Slechts de graafschappen Lindsey en Nottingham zijn als oppositie overgebleven.
De wet zal — in ge wijzigden vorm —zeker in tweede en derde lezing door het Lagerhuis goedgekeurd worden, want de Commissie zal de Wet aanbevelen. Dan gaat de Wet naar het Hoogerhuis en zal daar waarschijnlijk aangenomen worden.
De wet zal dan 1 Januari a.s. van kracht worden en naar mijne meening onuitvoerbaar blijken.
Ik geloof dat dit werkelijk het beste zou zijn èn voor de wet èn voor de West Riding èn voor Engeland. Want de Regeering zal dan wellicht inzien dat niet meer sprake mag zijn van Private BUI-wetgeving, van gelegenheidswetgeving doch een Drainage Act voor Groot-Brittannië doen ontwerpen, die rekening houdt met de eischen des tijds en let op de essentieele factoren, die een waterstaatswetgeving moeten beheerschen.
Onze Nederlandsche Wet zou daarbij zeker tot voorbeeld kunnen strekken.
Dan zou ook het instituut „Private Bill" niet meer in waterschapszaken noodig zijn met al den kostbaren rompslomp van advocaten, procureurs en deskundigen, die
') Het is naar mijne meening een hoogst betreurenswaardig feit, dat in de verbetering van de afwatering van de Vecht nog steeds geen voorzieningen getroffen zijn.
Hier heeft men nu met een geval te doen, waar men in de toepassing van onze overigens goede waterschapswetgeving te kort schiet. Nota bene reeds Mn eeuw lang.



219
dagen lang, behalve hunne onkosten nog een honorarium van £ 25.— tot £ 100.— per persoon genieten, gezwegen nog van de enorme kosten aan de voorbereiding verbonden. Ik kan niet nalaten te zeggen dat Engeland toch wel een heel rijk land moet zijn om zulke onkosten te kunnen maken, kosten, die door alle betrokken instellingen moeten worden betaald.
Wat zou men dat geld uitmuntend voor kunstwerken hebben kunnen gebruiken.
De hoofdfout schuilt bij de onvoldoende Waterstaatswetgeving in Engeland.
Bij een goede Waterstaatswetgeving zouden al die kosten vermeden worden, zou, eerder dan thans, op historischen grondslag samenwerking gezocht worden tusschen verschillende waterschappen, zou door de Overheid leiding gegeven kunnen worden in die richting en zou men bemerken, dat door samenwerking, door het stichten van heemraadschappen zoowel de gemeenschap als het individu profiteeren.
In de plaats van Commissions of Sewers en van Enclosure Awards zouden waterschapsbesturen treden, verkozen door de grondbezitters en gecontroleerd door civiele en technische ambtenaren van de overheid. Die controle en eene bevoegdheid om bij nalatigheid in te grijpen is noodzakelijk.
Alleen al om er voor te waken dat de zuinigheid de wijsheid niet zal bedriegen en dat de ingelanden, uit angst voor hoogere polderlasten, de noodzakelijke verbeteringen zouden tegenhouden.
De polderlasten in Engeland zijn, vergeleken met Hollandsche cijfers, zeker niet hoog.
Er is geen vast bedrag per eenheid, maar de verschillende terreinen betalen naar verschillenden maatstaf, gebaseerd op ligging. Dit is vooral een gevolg van het hoog en laag in het Engelsche Polderland.
In 1871 werd de schaal voor de Hatfield Chase Corporation vastgelegd.



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Zoodoende zijn er gronden die 1 penny (6 cents) per acre (0.4 H.A.) betalen, andere gronden 6 pence, weer andere 1 shilling (60 cents), terwijl men bijdragen van 2 shilling en van 5 shilling aantreft.
5 shilling (f3.—) per acre, dus f7.50 per H.A., is wel het maximum, zoowel voor Hatfield Chase als Isle of Axholme.
De waarde van het land in Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme varieert nogal. De slechtste grond, veen, lijdende van waterbezwaar brengt £ 10.—, betere veengrond £ 30.—, lichte klei £ 50.—, zwaardere grond £ 80 — en de allerbeste grond *ëlOO.— per acre op. De allerbeste grond is dus f3000.— per H.A., de allerslechtste f 300.— per H.A. waard. Die allerslechtste- grond is zoo slecht, omdat de eigenaren der beste gronden geen lust hebben te betalen voor het verminderen van het waterbezwaar der slechte landerijen.
Het spijt mij, dat ik het zeggen moet, maar de Engelsche boer gaat harder te keer over zijn 6 pence per acre, dan de boer uit de Purmer over zijn f20.— per H.A.
Daarom wordt het hoog tijd, dat de Engelsche* Overheid met krachtige hand de zaak aanpakt en een einde maakt aan een toestand, die werkelijk niet in overeenstemming is met het hooge geestelijk peil, waarop het Engelsche volk staat.
Er is wellicht geen enkel gebied, waar, door alle eëuwen heen, het egoïsme van den mensch zoo sterk op den voorgrond is getreden als bij het bestrijden van waterbezwaar.
Dat egoïsme ligt ook reeds vastgelegd in het oudHollandsche gezegde en principe:
„Wien water deert, die water keert."
Dit grondbeginsel werd gehuldigd door de Hollanders en de Zeeuwen der 17" eeuw, door de familieleden van Cornelis Vermuyden en door dezen zelf.
Uitgaande van dit grondbeginsel heeft Vermuyden, gedurende de droogmaking van Hatfield Chase, zich verzet tegen eischen van schadevergoeding door de inwoners van Fishlake en omgeving, toen door zijn mooie nieuwe waterkeering aan den Don, hun oude bestaande dijken te zwak



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bleken om weerstand te bieden aan den grooteren watertoevoer.
Ik vind dit egoïstische gezegde en principe niet fraai, en acht het buitendien thans geheel uit den tijd.
Het vasthouden aan dit principe heeft Vermuyden, wij hebben het gelezen, geld, goed en eer gekost.
Wat is er in die drie eeuwen sedert Vermuyden's stout ondernemen veel veranderd.
Wat zouden wij, indien wij thans voor het zelfde werk stonden, een veel gemakkelijker taak hebben, dank zij de talrijke en belangrijke technische hulpmiddelen.
Wanneer wij beseffen hoe weinig overigens wij menschen veranderd zijn, nog steeds behept met groote en kleine, goede en slechte eigenschappen, dan voelen wij zeker allen onwillekeurig eene neiging om in deze dagen, aan den vooravond van den driehonderdjarigen herinneringsdag, een eeresaluut te brengen aan den man, wiens naam voor immer verbonden zal blijven aan de groote droogmakerijen van Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme, aan den grondlegger van Engeland's Polderland, aan den stoeren Zeeuw:
CORNELIS VERMUYDEN.



ERRATA.
Dank zij de vriendelijkheid van den heer J. Rus, koster van de Hollandsche Kerk te Londen, is mij gebleken, dat op een lijst van Zondag 16 December 1638 zoowel Cornelius Vermuyden als zijne huisvrouw, Catharina Vermuyden als leden der kerk genoemd werden.
Op eene lijst van leden van 1639—1641 zien wij vermeld: „Sir Cornelis Vermuyden ende sein sohn." De huisvrouw Catharina komt daarin niet meer voor.
Blz. 16, 5e al., lees: bijlage 1, inplaats van bijlage 12.
Blz. 29, 6e regel, lees: bevorderen.
Blz. 36, 21e regel, lees: Wien.
Blz. 44, 5e al., lees: bijlage III + IV, inplaats van bijlage I. Blz. 47, lees: bijlage IV + V.
Blz. 64. Het dient nog vermelding, dat Joachim Liens getrouwd geweest was met Cornelia Vermuyden, zuster van Cornelis. Liens ging in 1618 met de heeren van der Dussen en van Goch in buitengewoon gezantschap naar het Hof van St. James om over de zaken der O. I. Compagnie, de Haringvisscherij en de Groenlandsvaart te onderhandelen. Joachim Liens werd by die gelegenheid door Jacobus I tot ridder geslagen.
Blz. 90, 6e al., lees inplaats van: de actie van Van Wely tegen Vermuyden: de actie van Van Wely tegen Cats.
Blz. 135, laatste alinea, lees: Zijne.



LIJST DER BIJLAGEN.
Nummer Bladzijde
I .... 225 vgl. blz. 16
II 229 „ „ 29
III 234 „ | 44
IV 260 „ „ 44, 47
V 269 „ „ 47
VI 281 „ „ 62
VII 284 „ „133
VIII 296 „ „134
IX 298 „ „140
X 335 „ „ 153
XI 345 „ „ 154
XII 351 „ „168
XIII 363 „ „175
XIV . 365 „ „212
XV 370 „ „214
XVI 384 „ Hoofdstuk VI
XVII 399
XVIII 409 „



LIJST DER ILLUSTRATIES.
Bladz.
Het Wapen van Vermuyden ' VIII
Romeinsche voorwerpen Kinniard Castle 6
Het charter van Karei I 30
Sandtoft en Belton 48
Gedenkplaat graf Stovin 54
De oude Don en Temple Bellwood nabij Belton 56
Het Huis Vermuyden te Tholen 64
De woningen van Cats en Vermuyden in de Engelsche Polders 78 Brief van Vermuyden aan den Kerkeraad van de Nederl. Herv.
Kerk te Londen 90
Epworth en het graf van den vader van John Wesley den kerkhervormer (John sprak staande op dit graf de gemeente toe) 164
De Torne 168
De Torne en Trent. Buil Hassock stoomgemaal 174
Het Keadby Kanaal met den spoorweg. De Hatfield steenkolenmijn 210
LIJST DER KAARTEN.
Kaart van Hatfield Chase en Isle of Axholme gemaakt op last
van Koningin Elisabeth (15%) 23
Kaart gemaakt voor de droogmaking (1626) 33
Kaart gemaakt voor en na de droogmaking (1626—1629) . . 38
Kaart gemaakt door Arelebout (1639) 119
De origineele kaart van Arelebout 128
Kaart gemaakt door de West Riding County Council (1923) . 214



Bijlage No. I.
A true copy of the ancient deed of JOHN de MOWBRAY, some time Lord of the Isle of Axholme, and the Honour of Bremher, made to the Freeholders there, after he had made an approvement to himself of some of the Wastes within the Manor of Epworth in the said Isle; and is now translated out of French into English by William Rytey, keeper of the records, in the Tower of London. The said Mowbray and his predeoessors, and also successors, Dukes of Norfolk, were a long time lords of the said manor.
This indenture, between their thrice honoured lord Sir John Mowbray, lord of the Isle of Axholme and of the honour of Brember, of the one part; RAWLYN of BRUMHAM, WILLIAM of BRUMHAM, ROGER of BRUMHAM, JOHN of THETILTHORP, THOMAS MELTON, JEOFFERY LUNDELS, VINCENT BAVANT, JOHN GARDNER, JOHN CUTWULF, RICHARD of BELWOOD, and JOHN at HAGH, his tenants of the Isle of Axholme, and all the tenants and resiants within the said isle, on the other part, Witnesseth that all the said tenants and resiants, have supplicated their said lord, Sir John Mowbray, to remedy divers claims touching their right, and divers debates and grievances to them made by the'ministers of the said lord Sir John Mowbray, upon which supplication it is agreed, that the said Sir John, lord aforesaid, hath granted for him and for his heirs, to the said Rawlyn, William, Roger, John, Thomas, Jeoffery, Vincent, John, John, Richard, and John, tenants aforesaid, and to their, and to all having their estate, or parcel of their estate, and to all the other tenants and resiants, within the Isle of Axholme, and to their heirs, and to all that hereafter shall have their estate, all the things underwritten, that is to say: that the said Sir John, nor his heirs, shall not approve any waste, moors, woods, waters, nor make or shall make any other manner of approvement of any part within the said Isle of Axholme. And that the said Rawlyn, William, Roger, John,
15



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Thomas, Jeoffery, Vincent, John, John, Richard, and John, and their heirs, and those that shall have their estate, or parcel. of their estate, and all other tenants and resiants with the Isle of Axholme, shall have their common which is appendent to their Iree tenements, according to that which they have had and used time out of mind.
And also that the aforesaid Rawlyn, William, Roger, John, Thomas, Jeffery, Vincent, John, John, Richard, and John, arid their heirs, and all those which their estate, or parcel of their estate, shall have, and all other the tenants and resiants within the aforesaid isle, may dig in the moors and marshes, turfs, trees and roots found within the soil of the said moors and marshes. And that one pound, containing one half acre, be made at the cost of the said tenants, and maintained hereafter by the said lord and his heirs, in Belton Carr, and one other in Haxey Carr, containing as much, and that they be made in places for the most ease of the said tenants. And that no chase of beasts of commoners be made but once a year, and the said beasts be not otherwise driven but to the pound of the pasture where they shall be taken, and there the beasts of the said tenants to be delivered by the tenants aforesaid, and by their servants; and saving al way s to the said tenants, and to their heirs, and to their servants, that they may take their beasts, and receive them in the drift, or before the drift, so that the drift of beasts of strangers be not thereby disturbed.
And that in the severalities of the said lord adjoining to the places ia which they have common, which are open and not inclosed, no beasts of the said tenants and commoners be taken nor impounded, but easily driven out. And that the said tenants and resiants and their heirs, and all those which their estate, or parcel of their estate, shall have, may dig, and take turf, or other earth, for the walls ol their houses, and for all other necessaries of the said houses, and for to inclose the walls of their messuages and mansions. And to dry flags in all the said wastes, for to cover the ridges of their houses and walls, and for bringing the trees to repair the river of Trent, when cause of repairing is, and to make them new.
And that the said Rawlyn, Wiliam, Roger, John, Thomas, Jeoffry, Vincent, John, John, Richard, and John aforesaid, and all other the tenants and resiants, their heirs, and all those which shall have their estate, or parcel of their estate, hereafter, be not for the



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future amerced or grieved for default of not appearing to ring their swine. And that they may put hemp to be rated in all the waters of the isle, (except the skires which are severed to the said lord, Sir John Mowbray), and that the said lord, nor his heirs, nor his ministers, make no molestation nor grievance to the dogs of the fore-named tenants and resiants aforesaid, nor to their heirs, nor to those which have their estates, or parcel of their estate, and if they do, the tenants shall have their recovery at the common law.
And that the aforesaid Rawlyn, William, Roger, John, Thomas, Jeoffery, Vincent, John, John, Richard, and John, tenants aforesaid, and all the tenants and resiants, their heirs, and all those which hereafter shall have their estate, or parcel of their estate, may fish through all the waters and wastes of the said isle, without impediment of the minister of the said lord Sir John Mowbray, except the skires aforesaid; and also that they may dig turf, and all other manner of earth, in all the wastes aforesaid to carry and improve their land at pleasure. And that none of the tenants aforesaid, or of their heirs, or of those having their estate, impeached or trespass by the ministers of the said lord, be amerced for trespass without answer given in court, and then by their peers to be fined and taxed if they be amerciable.
And the said John granteth, that all the tenants, and their heirs, and all those which shall have their estate, which are bound to inclose the woods of the lord, may take underwood to make them new hedges, or to repair them, as much as shall be necessary, that is to say — the places of the said woods.— of the said tenants, their heirs, and of those which shall have their estate, without being impeached or grieved by the ministers of the said lord Sir John Mowbray. And the said John granteth, for him and his heirs, that all the things and articles aforesaid be of effect and force in the law, as well to those which are generally named tenants, and their heirs, as those which shall have their estate, or parcel of their estate, as to those which are named by proper names, and their heirs, and those which shall have their estate or parcel of their estate. And if in the articles aforesaid there be any point which may have divers interpretations or intendments, that it shall be taken to the best advantage of the names, or of the tenants aforesaid, and of their heirs, and of those which shall have their estate, and not otherwise.



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Tn witness whereof the parties aforesaid have interchangeably put their seals. Given at our Manor of EPWORTH, the First day of May, in the year of the reign of EDWARD the Third (after the conquest) Thirty-Three.
This copy agrees with the original French deed, translated and examined by WILLIAM RYLEY, clerk of the records, in the Tower of London, 1652.
(W. PECK: Isle of Axholme.)



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Bijlage No. II.
Agreement between Charles I. and Vermuyden, respecting the drainage of Hatfield Chace.
ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT indented, made, and concluded upon the Four and Twentieth day of May, in the second year of the reign of our most gracious sovereign Lord CHARLES, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c. Between our said sovereign Lord the KING'S MAJESTY, of the one part, and CORNELIUS VERMUYDEN, of London, esquire, of the other part.
Whereas the king's most excellent Majesty now is and standeth seized in his demeasne as of fee, as in the right of his crown of England, duchy of Cornwall, or duchy of Lancaster, of and in the chase called Hatfield Chase, and Ditch-marsh, and of and in the manors and lordships of Wroot and Finningley, in the county of York, and of the Isle of Axholme, in the county of Lincoln, and of divers other lands, tenements, and hereditaments, and of divers wastes, waste grounds, and commons to the same belonging thereto, near, adjoining, situate, lying, and being in the counties of York and Lincoln aforesaid. And whereas, also divers other persons are seized of and in divers other lands, tenements, and hereditaments lying and being within the counties aforesaid, and in the county of Nottingham, or some of them, next or near adjoining to his Majesty's said lands, wastes, commons, and waste grounds situate, lying, and being upon each side of the river of Idle and abutting upon the rivers of Dunn and Ayre to the north, and the river of Trent towards the south, belonging to or being parcel of the said premises, containing, by estimation, three score thousand acres, or thereabouts, are subject to be surrounded and drowned with water in such manner that little or no benefit is or can be made thereof, unless especial care be taken for inging and draining the same. And whereas our said sovereign lord the King, having regard as well to his own benefit as the good and welfare of his subjects inhabiting near or about the places aforesaid, is desirous that the said drowned and surrounded



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grounds may, by the good endeavours of those who shall undertake the same, be laid dry and made useful. Now the said Cornelius Vermuyden, doth here promise and undertake that he will do his best endeavour, both by himself and such others as he shall employ in the said work, to drain and lay dry the said drowned and surrounded grounds in such manner as to make the same fit for tillage or pasture, and the same being so gained shall for ever maintain fit for tillage or pasture in manner aforesaid. And the said Cornelius Vermuyden doth hereby further promise, covenant, and grant to and with our said sovereign lord the King, that he, the said Cornelius Vermuyden, shall and will set on workmen and begin the said work within three months next after our sovereign lord the King's Majesty shall have agreed and concluded with such person or persons as have or claim to drain any estate, interest, or common of or in the said grounds, or of or in any parcel thereof. And that he the said Cornelius Vermuyden, shall finish the same with as much convenient expedition as possible may be, and according as the season of the weather and time of the year shall permit and give leave in that behalf. In consideration whereof our said sovereign lord the King, for himself, his heirs and successors, doth, by these presents, promise and grant that the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, or such other person or persons as he shall nominate and appoint in that behalf, and their heirs and assigns, shall have, hold, and for ever enjoy one full third part in three parts, to be divided of all and singular the said surrounded and waste grounds; which said third part shall be of equal value with each of the said other two parts. And that his Majesty, his heirs and successors, upon the gaining thereof, shall and will grant and procure the said third part to be granted and lawfuily conveyed and assured unto the said Cornelius Vermuyden and his heirs, or to the parties by him to be nominated as aforesaid and their, to be holden of his highness, his heirs and successors, as of his manor of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, in free and common soccage. And it is agreed, that the division of the said grounds, so to be laid dry and free from water as aforesaid, shall be made and done by an exact survey thereof, to be made by his Majesty's surveyor general, or such as his Majesty, his heirs or successors, shall nominate or appoint. And if no such nomination or appointment shall be made, or if any division shal be made by such person or persons as shall be so nominated within three months next after the said grounds shall be so drained or dried, that then it shall



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and may be lawful to and for the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs, to divide and set out the same lands into three equal parts; and that his Majesty, his heirs and successors, shall within three months next after such division, elect and choose two parts of the said three parts, and the other third part shall remain and be to the said Cornelius Vermuyden and his heirs. And if his Majesty, his heirs or successors, shall make no such election within such time as aforesaid, then the said Cornelius Vermuyden shall elect and choose one of the said three parts for his third part. And such person or persons as shall divide the said lands, shall also make and set forth convenient ways and passages into and through the said grounds.
And it is agreed, that the said Cornelius Vermuyden, and other the parties by him to be employed as aforesaid, in all such places as he or they shall think fit, necessary, and expediënt, shall and may leave without the said work and grounds so to be by him and them gained as aforesaid, some small parcels of land on each or either sides of the said several rivers, for receptacles of the sudden downfals of waters, so as the said lands, so to be left out of the said work, do not exceed the quantity of three thousand acres in the whole at most.
And it is further agreed, and his Majesty doth hereby declare, that he the said Cornelius Vermuyden, and other the parties aforesaid, shall and may at their wills and pleasures, and as to him shall be thought most necessary and expediënt, cut, dig, and make, or cause to be made, such and so many channels, watercourses, banks, highways, sasses, sluices, and other receptacles for water, and have, for himself and his servants and workmen, with carts and carriages fit and convenient free ingress and regress for the perfecting and performance of the said works and draining the lands and grounds aforesaid, without the let, denial, hindrance of interruption of any person or persons whatsoever, and shall and also have and take such quantity and proportion of earth, reed and other things and materials within the said grounds for perfecting the said work as by him or them shall be thought necessary and useful. And shall also have for his and their use and uses, freely without interruption, the benefit of all and singular channels, watercourses, and sluices, which are now already made or digged within the said lands or grounds, and the same to turn, change, or alter for the most necessary draining of the said grounds, and perfecting of the said work, as he or they shall think fit.



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And it is hereby further concluded and agreed, that if the said Cornelius Vermuyden, and other the parties and undertakers by him to be employed as aforesaid, shall have cause at any time or times to use any lands or grounds lying or being within the compass of the grounds, hereby intended to be drained and laid dry as aforesaid, and not subject to surrounding for any passage of water or otherwise, that then it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Cornelius Vermuyden, and other parties aforesaid, to use the same so far as shall be necessary in and for the performance of the said works. In consideration whereof, the said Cornelius Vermuyden, for himself, his heirs, executors, and administrators, doth covenant, promise, and grant to, and with our said sovereign lord the King, his heirs and successors, by these presents that the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs, executors, and administrators, shall and will from time to time pay and satisfy to the owners of the said lands, such sums of money as the said lands shall be thought to be worth by four commissioners to be named and appointed; two of which commissioners shall be named and appointed by the Lord High Treasurer of England, for the time being, on his Majesty's behalf, and the other two by the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs or assigns.
And whereas, after the said works shall be perfected and the said grounds laid dry, especial care must, from time to time, be had and taken for the maintenance and preservation thereof, our said sovereign lord the King, doth hereby promise and declare that immediately upon the finishing and perfecting of the said work, there shall be a Corporation elected and made to consist of such persons to be nominated by the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs or assigns, who shall have power and authority to make orders, constitutions, and acts, and give directions for the maintaining and preserving of the said work, so to be perfected as aforesaid, and for the making and directing of new and other works as occasion shall hereafter require. And that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, and to and for such other person or persons as he or they shall name or appoint, to maintain all and every the said works, and to take earth and turf of and out of the said lands and premises, in fit and convenient places, for making and maintaining of the same works according to the said orders and constitutions to be made as aforesaid.
And it is above further deel ar ed and agreed, that within three



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years after the said works shalle be perfected, six sufficiënt and understanding commissioners shall be appointed; three whereof shall he named by the Lord Treasurer for the time being, and the other three by the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs or assigns, to view the said works, and to make a true estimate, as well as they can, what the maintenance of the same work will yearly cost, according to such estimate so to be made, the said Cornelius Vermuyden doth by these presents covenant and agree to assure and convey to the said corporation or six persons aforesaid, and their heirs and successors, such and so many lands as shall be of the yearly value sufficiënt to uphold and maintain the said works, the said conveyance to be made and devised in such manner that the inheritance of the said lands and premises so to be assured and conveyed as aforesaid, and the revenue thereof, shall be and remain unto the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs or assigns, or unto such other person or persons who shall be estated therein in trust for him or his use or by his nomination until default of reparation shall be made for any thing belonging or appertaining to the said works undertaken as aforesaid. And it is also covenanted and concluded by these presents, that all person and persons who shall be so appointed to have any of the said lands conveyed unto them, their heirs and assigns, shall be enabled by his Majesty to hold and enjoy the same without let or interruption of any person or persons whatsoever, according to the intent, purport, and true meaning of these presents. And further, his Majesty for himself, his heirs and successors, doth hereby promise and agree, that all materials needful and necessary to be brought out of the low countries, or from any the parts beyond the seas, for the furtherance of the said work, until the same be brought to perfection, shall be brought in freely without paying any custom or import for the same. And further, his Majesty is contented and doth hereby declare, that the said work and premises shall be made, done, and perfected in his own, and that he will from time to time direct that assistance shall be given to the said Cornelius Vermuyden and his partners, their workmen and servants, as need shall require, for the due execution and perfecting of the said work. And for that divers persons do claim common of pasture in some part of the said lands so to be drained and dried as aforesaid, it is agreed, and his Majesty is pleased to grant and agree, that his Majesty's commission shall go forth under the great seal of England, to certain persons to be named and appointed to treat and deal, agree and



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conclude with the said persons concerning the said common and claim to the same: And his Majesty is further pleased, and his highness, his heirs and successors, will be pleased to give their royal assent to any act of parliament to be made and passed for the conveying and assuring the same third part of the lands and premises to the said Cornelius Vermuyden and his heirs, or to such other person or persons and their heirs, as he or they shall name and appoint according to the intent and true meaning of these presents. In witness thereof to the one part of these articles, our said sovereign lord the King hath caused the great seal of England to be put, and to the other part thereof the said Cornelius Vermuyden hath set his hand and seal, the day and year abovesaid.
(STOVIN M. S.)
Bijlage No. III.
The Royal Grant of King Charles the First, made in the Fourth Year of his Reign.
CHARLES, by the Gr ace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, defender of the faith, etc. To all whom these presents shall come GREETING,
WHEREAS we by our letters patents under the great seal of England, dated at Cambury the sixteenth day of July last past before the date of these presents, in performance of a certain covenant and agreement on our part, contained in a certain indenture of articles under the great seal of England bearing date the Twenty-Fourth day of May in the Second year of our reign.
And also, for in consideration óf the sum of ten thousand pounds, of lawful money of England, at the receipt of our Exchequer, at Westminster, to our use, by Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, by the name of Cornelius Vermuyden Esq. of London, and for other considerations expressed and contained in the same letters patents, We have given



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and granted to the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns for ever, all that demesne or manor of ours of Hatfield, in our county of York, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, and all lands, tenements, rents, and hereditaments whatsoever in the said county of York, called or known by the name of the demesne or manor of Hatfield: and also all that third part of our manor of Brampton, called Graites, at Gate, in the said county of York, with the appurtenances: and also all that our park of Hatfield, at Hatfield aforesaid, with all its appurtenances, and all the lands and tenements inclosed called and known by the name of the Park of Hatfield, at Hatfield aforesaid; and all that our manor of Fishlake, in the said county of York, with all its rights, members and appurtenances: and also all that our manor of Thorne, at Thorne, in the said county of York, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances: and also all that our manor of Stainford, in the said county of York, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances: and also all that our manor of Dewcethorpe, in the said county of York, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances and also all that parcel of waste land, marsh lands, moorish lands, now and before that time overflown or covered water, parcel of the said desmesne or manor of Hatfield, in the said county of York, called or known by the several names of Dishmarsh, Haines, Totiets, Nunmoore, Northtofts, Midlings, Smythy Green, Bromwith Marsh, Broadhill, Stawker's Rushhills, Dartness, Moorside, Rainbutts, Uggin Carr, and Uggin Lings, Raugh Carr, Alders Carr, and Thorne Carr, with all their appurtenances, and all their waste lands, and lands overflowed and covered with water, parcel of the said demesne or manor, containing in all, by estimation, ten thousand two hundred and six acres, more or less; and divers other messuages, houses, rents, reversions, services, royalties, liberties, privileges, lands, tenements, hereditaments, particularly mentioned and expressed in the said letters patents, except as in the said letters patents are excepted for or under the annual rent of one hundred and fifty pounds of lawful money of England, as by the same letters patents more fully appears.
And whereas we, by our indenture under our great seal of England, bearing date the Fourteenth day of June last past before the date of these presents, for the considerations in the same indenture expressed, we have given to farm and let to the said Cornelius Vermyden and his assigns, for the terms of the several lives of



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Cornelius Vermuyden, Sarah Vermuyden, Katherine Vermuyden, children of the said Cornelius Vermuyden, and for the term of the longer liver of them, for and under the yearly rend of one hundred and eighty pounds, the moity or half part of the two thousand six hundred acres of waste lands, marsh lands and lands surrounded, in Misson, in our county of Nottingham, commonly called Misson Waters and Commons, parcel of our Duchy of Cornwall, as by the said indenture of lease more fully appears:
And whereas, notwithstanding by a certain other indenture bearing date the Sixteenth day of July last past before the date of these presents, made between us, on the one part, and the. said Cornelius Vermuyden, on the other part: It was consented to conclude, and fully agreed upon between us and the said Cornelius Vermuyden, that if we, our heirs, successors or assigns, at or before the Twenty-Fifth day of September also last past and before the date of these presents, at that place in our hall at Westminster, where the Court of Chancery was usually held, should pay or cause to be paid to the said Cornelius Vermuyden, executors, administrators, or assigns, the said intire sum of ten thousand pounds of English money, together with the sum of two hundred and eighty pounds for the usury of lending it from the Eighteenth day of March last past from the date of these presents, to the Twenty-Fifth day of September now also last past, together with all such sums of money and charges as the said Cornelius Vermuyden had expended in procuring and perfecting the said grant and these letters patents: that then from and after such f uil payment of the said sum of ten thousand pounds, and the said sum of two hundred and eighty pounds for the use thereof, and the said charges and expenses, he the said Cornelius Vermuyden, and his heirs, should grant and convey to us, our heirs and successors, the said manor or demesne of Hatfield, and all the said lands, tenements, hereditaments, and premises whatsoever, to the said Cornelius Vermuyden, by the said letters patents before recited mentioned, to be granted: also that he the said Cornelius Vermuyden, upon the payment and performance made by us as aforesaid, should grant and assign unto us, our heirs, successors, or assigns, thé said moiety of the premises in Misson aforesaid, mentioned by the indenture of lease to be let to the said Cornelius Vermuyden, as by the said indenture of lease, amongst other things fully appears: And whereas we have not paid, or caused to be paid, to the said Cornelius



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Vermuyden, the said sum of ten thousand pounds, or the sum of two hundred and eighty pounds, nor the said other sums of money, nor any part or parcel thereof, according to the true meaning of the said indenture last mentioned, but the said sums of money remain as yet unpaid:
And whereas thereupon, by another indenture or contract under our great seal of England, bearing date the Twenty-Seventh day of September last past before the date of these presents, made between us, with the advice of the lords and others of our privy council of the one part, and the said Cornelius Vermuyden on the other part, It is agreed and covenanted that we, in consideration of the said sum of ten thousand pounds before mentioned, and the farther sum of six hundred and eighty pounds (the use or interest of the said ten thousand pounds from the said Eighteenth day of May last past to the day of the date of this indenture or contract last mentioned, being deducted therefrom), to be paid at our receipt of Exchequer by the said Cornelius Vermuyden, in form following, viz. three thousand pounds thereof immediately after the date of the said indenture last mentioned, and the residue to be paid at the Feast of St. Michael actual now next following, or within twenty days next after the said feast, we should grant, bargain, confirm and sell the said Cornelius Vermuyden, and his heirs, or any other person or persons, their heirs and assigns, that the said Cornelius Vermuyden, I or his heirs, should nominate and appoint, the said demesne or manor of Hatfield, and the said manors of Fishlake, Thorne, Stainford, and Dowcethorpe, and the said park called Hatfield Park, together with the said chase called Hatfield Chase, and all those lands called the Severalls, and all other our demesne lands within the demesne and manor aforesaid, and all lands overflowed, and common lands and moors lying within the said demesne and manor aforesaid, together with our right of turbary, and the said demesne and manor of Hatfield and Thorne, under the annual rent of one hundred and ninety-five pounds three shillings and fivepence halfpenny, and one red rose, being the ancient anuual rent now in the charge and to us duly answered and paid, and under the yearly rent of four hundred and twenty-five pounds increase, to hold to us our heirs and successors, in free and common soccage, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, acquited and discharged of and from all title and interest of common and other claims whatsoever, belonging and



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appertaining to the tenants and inhabitants of the said demesne or manor of Hatfield, or any or either of them, or to any other person or persons and freed and discharged of and from all rights, liberties, and privileges of the forest:
And whereas, by the indenture or contract last mentioned, it was covenanted and agreed, that the said annual rent of one hundred and ninety five pounds three shillings and five pence halfpenny, and one red rose, (being the ancient yearly rent and now reserved to us and payable as aforesaid,) from this time should be reserved to us, our heirs and successors, payable from Michaelmas last past before the date of these presents, or two terms in the year, (to wit) Lady-day and Michaelmas, by equal portions for ever: and that the said annual rent of fur hundred and twenty-five pounds, of a new increase, should be reserved to us, our heirs and successors payable from Christmas 1630, and not before, at the two terms in the year (to wit) at Midsummer and Christmas, by equal portions for ever, as by the said indenture or contract dated the Twenty-Seventh day of December last past (amongst other agreements, covenants, and grants contained in the same) more fully appears: And whereas in and by the said identure or contract dated the said Twenthy-Seventh day of December last pas before the date of these presents, it is mentioned that the said sum of ten thousand pounds was paid at the receipt of the Exchequer by the said Cornelius Vermuyden, the Eighteenth day of May now last past, when in truth the said sum of ten thousand pound was paid to our use, and by our especial command, and for our service, the said Eighteenth day of May, but the payment thereof (being as money lent to us) was not recorded in the receipt of our Exchequer before the Eighteenth day of July then next following, whereupon a damage or predudice might happen to the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, we, in consideration of the premises and also esteeming the said Cornelius Vermuyden to be in anywase oppressed it would not be just and honourable, we confess, by these presents, that the said sum of ten thousand pounds was paid by our especial command, and for our service, the said eighteenth day of May last past, although it was not paid the said eighteenth day of May as in the said indenture is specified, and although no mention thereof be made, or record made, before the Eighteenth day of July: And therefore we, for us our heirs and successors, do acquit, release, and discharge, the said Cornelius Ver-



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muyden, bis heirs and assigns, of and from all damages, molestations, and demands to whomsoever for the same by these presents:
Know ye, that we in part of the performance, covenants, and agreement, on our behalf, contained in the said indenture or agreement bearing date the Twenty-Seventh day of December: And also for and in consideration of the said sum of ten thousand pounds of lawful money of England by the said Cornelius Vermuyden, before this time well and truly paid and recorded in our Exchequer as aforesaid the Eighteenth day of July: and in consideration of the sum of three thousand pounds, of like money of England, at the said receipt of our Exchequer to our use by the said Cornelius Vermuyden, (in satisfaction of the said sum of three thousand pounds by the said indenture or agreement limited to be paid immediately after the date thereof) bef orehand well and truly paid; of which several sums of money we confess we are truly satisfied and paid: and the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs, executors, and administrators thereof, and of several parts thereof, to be acquited and discharged for ever by these presents.
And also, the further sum of the said last mentioned agreement to be paid to us by the said agreement appears; and also for and in consideration of the annual rent reserved by these presents, and for divers other good causes and considerations us at present especially moving, we, of our especial favour, certain knowledge, and meer motion, have given and granted, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, do give and grant to the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns for ever, all that our desmesne or manor of Hatfield, in our county of York, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, and all lands and tenements, rents and hereitaments whatsoever belonging to us in our said country of York, called or known by the name of the demesne or manor of Hatfield: And also all those our rents of assise, of our free and bondsmen tenants payable there at the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Michaelmas, equally together by a particular thereof, with thirteen shillings and fourpence a year for rent of Jon Bushtey, for forty acres of land of our waste there: and with twenty-one shillings and eightpence a year new rent of Alice Chamber, for fourteen acres of land of our waste there: and with the rent of twenty acres of land purchased of the earl, twenty-eight pounds, nine shillings and four pence a year. and all



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that our increase of rent with several parcels of land of our waste there, as appears by the account of the overseer of Hatfield of the Fifth year of the reign of King HENRY the Fifth, together with the particular thereof amounting to eight pounds two shillings and one penny a year: and also all those our new rents of divers parcels of land of waste, in charge of our overseer there, as they lie in several places and fields of the town of Hatfield aforesaid, as in the account of the Twenty-Fourth year of the late King HENRY the Eighth appears, together by a particular thereof, amounting to twentysix shillings and one penny a year: and also all that our new rent of one halfpenny a year issued out of or reserved of or for one parcel of land of our waste of Wood House, containing, in length seventy feet; in breadth, to the west end, twenty-four feet to the east end feet, late in the tenure or occupation of William Barker, or his assigns: and also all that our new rent of six pence halfpenny a year issuing or reserved of or for one feeding within the park called Lee Carr, now or late in the tenure or occupation oo John Hunt, or his assigns: and also all that agistment of the whole common of pasture within the survey of Hatfield aforesaid, with the appurtenances, now or late in the occupation of the tenants and inhabitants of the demesne or manor of Hatfield aforesaid, by particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of three pounds six shillings and eight pence: and also all that our Grainge near the church yard, with the appurtenances, now or late in the tenure or occupation of the vicar there, by particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of two shillings: and also all that liberty of having and taking partridges within the whole demesne of Hatfield aforesaid, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of three shillings and four pence: and also all that ferry or passage called Stainford Ferry, within the demesne aforesaid, now or late in the tenure or occupation of Richard Richam, or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of twelve pence: and also all that our farm of Thorne Banks there now or late in the tenure or occupation of Richard Webster, or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of two shillings: and also all that demesne or tenement, with its appurtenance there, called Home House, late in the tenure of John Horn, and now or late in the tenure or occupation of Gervas Clifton, or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of yearly rent or value of twenty shillings: and also, all those our customs of bondage tenants



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there of their hogs payable at the Feast of St. Martin only, by a particular thereof amounting to twenty-six shillings and nine pence halfpenny yearly: and also all those our customs of the same hondages for bailiffs and stewards of loke, payable at Christmas, by a particular there- of amounting to four shillings a year: and also all those our customs of native tenants there, for liberty of having and baking their bread wheresoever they will, payable at the said term, by a particular thereof, amounting to six shillings and eightpence per annum: and also all that our fishery in the marsh and new ditch within the demesne aforesaid, now or late in the tenure or occupation of John Atkinson, or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of three shillings and four pence: and also all that agistment and pasturage of the hogs as well of the demesne aforesaid as of Stainford going upon the moor, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of twelve pence; and also all that third part of our manor of Brampton called Graits, otherwise Gate, in the county of York, with its appurtenances, formerly in the tenure or occupation of Thomas Silver, or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of forty shillings: and also all our part of Hatfield, at Hatfield aforesaid, with all its appurtenances, and all the lands and tenements inclosed, called or known by name of the Park of Hatfield, at Hatfield aforesaid, with the conies thereof and profits thereof: the herbage and agistment of which park, with the conies there and profits of the same, were formerly let to Edmund Lord Sheffield, now Earl of Malgrave, for the term of the life of the said earl, under the annual rent of sixpounds two shillings: and also all that messuages, with the appurtenances, and all those twentythree acres and three roods of lands and thirteen acres of meadow, with the appurtenances, within the demesne of Hatfield aforesaid, now or late in the tenure or occupation of John West, or his assigns, by a particular thereof, mentioned to be of the yearly value or rent of twenty shillings and one halfpenny; and also till the goods and chattels of fellows and fugitives within the demesne there, now or late in the tenure or occupation of the said Edmund Lord Sheffield, now Earl Malgrave, or his assigns, by a particular thereof, mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of ten shillings, and all and singular the perquisites and profits of the courts of the said demesen or manor of Hatfield, one year with another, by a particular thereof, valued at six pounds, fifteen shillings, and twopence yearly except a wheat wind mill there,
16



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and all annual rents of or for the said mill, issuing out thereof or reserved: and also all that manor of Fishlake, in the said county of York, with its rights, members, and appurtenances, and all lands, tenements, rents, and hereditaments of us whatsoever in the said county of York, called or known by the name of the manor of Fishlake: and also all those our rents of assise of our free tenants there, payable at Lady Day and Michaelmas, equally, by a particular thereof amounting to forty-four shillings and ninepence halfpenny yearly: and also all that our rent of one halfpenny per annum issuing or reserved of or for one parcel of land at Hedge Green there, containing in langth fifty feet, parcel of our waste, now or late in the tenure or occupation of Robert Belgrave, at Besgrave, or his assigns, and also all' that our rent of one halfpenny per annum issuing or reserved out of or for one other parcel of land of our waste, lying in Fellonden there, now or late in the tenure or occupation of John Clarke, of Eastingthorpe, or his assigns: and also all that our rent of one penny yearly, issuing or reserved out of or for the fishery towards the demesne of Belgrave, now or late in the tenure or occupation of Robert Wright, or his assigns: and also all that our rent of twelve pence yearly, issuing or reserved of or for two acres of land on the north part of Marting there, now or late in the tenure or occupation of John Clark, or his assigns: and also all that our new rent of one halfpenny yearly, issuing or reserved of or for lands at Sekehoüse there: and also all that our rent of four pence yearly, issuing or reserved of or for divers parcels of lands of our waste there, now or late in the tenures of sundry persons and lying in sundry places and fields of the town of Fishlake aforewaid, and also all that our rent of two pence per annum, going out of or reserved of or for that parcel of our land at Worsley Hill in Fishlake aforesaid abutting upon a common there on the east and west parts, and the messuage of Margaret Hodson on the north part, and now or late in the tenure or occupation of the said Margaret and also all those our customs of bondage tenants there for hogs, payable at the Feast of St. Martin yearly, by a particular thereof amounting to thirty three shillings a year: and also all that custom of the same tenants for libertyt to grind ther corn whereroever they please, by a particular thereof amounting to fifteen shillings and ninepence yearly: and also all those four acres of meadow called Earsing, in Fishlake aforesaid formerly in the theure or occupation of Robert Allott, or his assigns by 'a particular thereof mentioned to be of the annual rent or value of twenty-six shillings and eight pence,.



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and also all that our grange called Earlinleigh, in the said county of York, with the appurtences now or late in the tenure or occupation of the said Robert Allott, or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of four shillings: abd what also all that meadow of ours called Martening, within the said manor of Fishlake, now or late in the tenure or occupation of the vicar of the parish church there by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of sixteen shillings and eightpence: and also all those perquisites and profits of the profits of the court of the said manor of Fishlake by a particular thereof, one year with another, valued at five pounds nineteen shillings and ten pence halfpenny: and also all that our manor of Thorne, at Thorne, in the said county of York with its right, members and appurtences universal; and all lands, tenements, rents and hereditaments whatsoever in the said county, called or known by the name of the manor of Thorne: and all those our rents of assize of free tenants there at lady Day and Michaelmas, payable yearly, by a particular thereof amounting to twenty-two pounds nine shillings and seven pance yearly: and also all those our rents of service tenants there, and rents for twenty-two binders at bonds, and nine sticks of payable at Lady Day only, by a particular thereof amounting to five pounds five shillings one penny and a farthing yearly: and also all those our rents issuing or reserved of or for divers parcels of land of our waste and moors with one fishgate, at Fishgarth, in Sterker, at Sterkes, within the said manor of Thorne, by a particular thereof amounting to six pounds nine shilkings and three pence halfpenny by the year: and also all those new rents issuing or reserved of or for sundry parcels of land of our waste there, in the tenures of sundry persons as they lie in sundry places and fields of the town of Thorne aforesaid, by a particular thereof amounting to seven shillings and ninepence three farthings per annum: and also all those other our new rents issuing or reserved of or for divers other lands, parcel of the land of our waste there, in the tenures of sundry pérsons, as they lie in divers places and fields of the said town, by a particular there of amounting to one and twenty pence halfpenny per annum: and also all that our new rent of four pence per annum, amounting or reserving of of for sundry other parcels of land there: and also all that our new rent of one penny a year issuing out of certain other lands there; and also all those our new rents of one halfpenny farthing a year issuing out of two parcels of land there, one now or late in the tenure of John Heyton, at one halfpenny



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a year, and the other now or late in the tenure of Thomas Reder, at one farthing a year: and also all that our new rent of one halfpenny and one farthing issuing out of one parcel of land there: and also all that custom of four pence a year for pennage of hogs of the tenants there, payable at Martinmas only: and also all our customs of the same tenants for twenty-seven balls of lake, payable at Christmas only, by a particular thereof amounting to four shillings and fourpence per annum: and also all those our customs of the same tenants for liberty to grind their corn where they please, by a particular thereof amounting to eighteen shillings a year: and also all our court there, with the appurtenances, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of four shillings: and also all that our bakehouse within the said manor of Thorne, by particular thereof mentioned to be of the yeraly rent or value of six shillings and eightpence: and also all that our messuage or chamber called the Kings chamber there, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly value or rent of five shillinsg: and also all that our stable there, now or late in the tenure or occupation of John Willner, or his assigns: and also all that our chamber over the Outward Gate there, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of twelve pence; and also all that our fishery of Sandraught in the water of Idle at Joile, within the said manor of Thorne, now or late in the tenure or occupation of John Green, or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly value or rent of five shillings: and also all that our fishery of Brathmere, at Thurmere, at Countsmere, within the demesne of Hatfield and Thorne tigether, with old and young swans there, and the profits arising: and all other profits, commodities, advantages, and emoluments belonging to the said fishery, or otherwise relating thereof, now or late in the tenure or occupation of Edmund Earl of Malgrave, or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of thirteen pounds eight shillings and four pence: and also all and singular perquisites and profits of the court of our said mannor of Thorme, from time to time, happening or arising, by a particular thereof, of one year with another, valued at six pounds one shilling and eleven pence halfpenny yearly: and also all that our manor of Stainford in the said county of York, with its rights, members, and appurtenances, and all lands, tenements, rents, and hereditaments whatsoever in the said county of York, called or known by the name of the namor of Stainford: and also all those our rents of assize of our free tenants there,



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to be paid at Lady Day, Whit Sunday, and Michaelmas equally, by a particular thereof amounting to eighteen pounds two shillings and eight pence halfpenny yearly; and also all those our rents of sundry tenants in Bramwith, in the said county, to be paid at Lady Day only, by a particular thereof amounting to seventeen shillings per annum: and also all those our rents called Greenwell, of sundry tenants in Stainford, and the fishérey of the water of Dunn, by a particular thereof amounting to eighteen per annum: and also all that increased rent of sundry of our tenants there, (to wit.) for sundry lands let to the same, and which the duke there recovered by writ of fieri facias against certain tenants there, so that John late Earl of Warwick, alienated the said lands and tenements, and after the alienation did grant to EDWARD, King of England, the reversion of all the manors, lands, and tenements of his, in Warborough, Hatfield, and Wakefield, by a particular thereof amounting to five pounds seven shillings and eightpence farthing per annum: and also all that our rent of six acres and half a rood of land formerly or now lately let to Thomas son of Hugh Capell, according to the custom of the said manor of Stainford, by a paticular thereof amounting (beyond the ancient rent) to two shillings abd sixpence halfpenny per annum: and also all that increase of rent of ours of seven shillings and eight pence per annum, issuing or reserved of or for forty-six acres of lands there, which before now were Richard Mortons: and also all that our rent of four shillings and three pence per annum, upon examination of the rental there, in the Thirty-Second of HENRY the Sixth, King of England, it is found: and also all those our rents of divers other parcels of land of our waste, let to sundry persons as they lie in sundry places and fields of the old town of Stainfor, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the amount of eight shillings and a penny per annum: and also all that passage of water of Stainford of the water of Brarfsb Ferry, within the said manor of Stainford, by a particular thereof mentioned to the of the annual rent of value of four shillings and four shillings and four pence: and also all that watercourse of Stainford aforesaid, now or late in the tenure or occupation of Sir John Carr, or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of twenty four shillings: and also all that our fishgarth of Stainford, lambake and hencrofte in the county of York, now or late in the tenure or occupation of William Layton or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of «ght pence: and also all that our toll within the demesne of



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Hatfield aforesaid, now or late in the tenure or occupation of Jon. Downing or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the annual rent or value of sixpence: and also all that fishery of East End late in the tenure of Robert Morton, and afterwards in the tenure or occupation of Harding, or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly value of twelve pence: and also all that our fishery in Stainford aforesaid, called Sandraugh, now or late in the tenure or occupation of Henry Holcombe, or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of three shillings and eightpence: and also all that fishery of ours there, Mar Lady Hill, late in the tenure of occupation of Waite, or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of eightpence: and also all that parcel of land there, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of one halfpenny: and also all those sixty-seven acres and a half of land, with the appurtenances, in Eshfield, in the territories of Stainford aforesaid, now or late in the tenure or occupation of John West, or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of thirty shillings: and also all those four acres of land and meadow in Stainford aforesaid, of the lands and tenements formerly of William Hill, and now or late in the tenure or occupation of John Hutchinson, or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value (beyond three shillings and a penny of ancient rent) of sixteen shillings: and also all those perquisites and profits of the court there, by a particular thereof, one year with another, valued at forty-shillings and nine pence three farthings per annum: and all that our manor of Dowcethorp, in the said county of York, with the rights, members, and appurtenances, and all our lands, tenements rents, and hereditaments, whatsoever in the said county of York, called or known by the name of the manor of Doweethorp: and also all those our rents of assize of our tenants freemen and bondsmen there as well in fenny land as in our waste, to be paid at Lady Day, Whitsuntide, and Michaelmas, equally, by a particular thereof amounting to twenty-four pounds five shillings three pence and half of a farthing pera nnum: and also all those our rents of the tenants there for liberty of gringing there corn where they will, to be paid at those terms by particular thereof amounting to four shillings and seven pence per annum: and also all that our fishery of the water of Wetyte there, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of eight shillings: and also all those our new



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rents payable by the tenants there, for sundry lands and tenements of the said manor of Dowcethorp, which the lord hath recoveredby writ of fieri facias against the tenants so that John Warren, late earl of Surry,. hath alienated the said lands and tenements, and after the said alienation granted to our sovereign Lord EDWARD, King of England, the reversion of all his lands and tenements of Conisborough, Hatfield, to be paid at the said terms, by particular thereof amounting to forty-four shillings and sevenpence per annum: and also all those our new rents of divers other Parcels of land of our waste within the said manor of Dowcethorpe, in the tenure of sundry persons as they lie in divers places and fields of the same town, by particular thereof amounting to three shillings and ninepence per annum: and also all that our rent of one red rose per annum, issuing or reserved of or from nine acres of arable land there, formerly or late in the tenure or occupation of Robert Norton, or his assigns: and also all those perquisites and profits of the court there, one year with another valued at three pounds six shillings and three pence per annum.
We have also given and granted, and by these presents for us and for our heirs and successors, do give and grant to the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, all those parcels of land, waste ground, marshes, moors, and lands now in before this time overflowed or covered with water, parcel of the said demesne or manor of Hatfield, in the said county of York, called or known by the several names of Ditchmarsh, Haines, Tatlets, Nunmore, Northofts, Middlings, Smythy Green, Bromwith, Marsh, Broadhill, Stawker's Rushill, Dartness, Moorside, Rainbuts, Uggin Carr and Uggin Lings, Rough Carr, Alder's Carr, and Thorne Carr, with all their appurtenances and all those waste grounds and lands overflowed and covered with water, parcel of the said demesne or manor, which said premises, together last mentioned, to be granted bij virtue of our commission under the great seal of England, for the —prising and approvment of the said demesne of Hatfield were exposed and assigned to us for our two parts, and to the said Cornelius Vermuyden for his portion and allotment upon the approvement aforesaid, according to the tenor and true meaning of the said indenture Of articles dated the twenty fourth of May in the second year of our reigh on that behalf, so as aforesaid mentioned to be made; And all and singular which premises above bij these presents before granted,



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the particular thereof are mentioned to be or lately to have been parcel of the possession of the Duchy of Lancaster: and also all that our rent of assize of fourteen pence per annum, of or for our messuage in Wroot, in our county of Lincoln, and eight acres of land in the fields there, now or late of Brian Drewryf yearly issuing out or payable: and all that our rent of assize of two pence per annum, of or for one toft with five acres of land there, now or late of John Drewrie, yearly issuing or payable: And all that rent of assize of four shillings and two pence per annum of or for one toft with a croft and four acres of land and meadow there, now or late of Thomas Barker, yearly issuing or payable: and all that our land of assize of one pair of gloves or four pence, of or for certain parcels of land in the fields there, now or late of Vincent Tankerley, yearly issuing or payable: and also all that toft with a croft, in Wroot aforesaid, with the appurtenances, now or late in the tenure or eccupation of Thomas Drewry, or his assizns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of three shillings and two pence: and also all that toft with a croft, and all those fifteen acres of land and meadow there, now or late in the tenure or occupation of John Drewrie, or his assighs, by a particular thereof menitoned to be of the yearly rent or value of twenty shillings: and also all that toft with a croft, and all those five acres of land there, with the appurtenances, now or late in the tenure or occupation of Thomas Drewrie, or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of eight shillings and two pence: and also allthose three and a half of land, and also all those our meadows there with the appurtenances, now or late in the tenure or occupation of Richard Thompson, or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the annual rent or value of five shillings; and also all that toft with a croft, and all those two acres and a half of arable land and half an acres of meadow there, with the appurtenances there, now or late in the tenureor occupation of Roger Jaques, or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the annual rent or value of four shillings and eight pence: and also all that toft built upon, and all those three acres of land lying together in Wroot aforesadi, and all those twenty-four acres of meadow and seven acres of land and meadow, and all that one other toft and all those seven acres of land and meadow there, and all that piece of demesne land called the Coningarth there, lat e in the tenure or occupation of Robert Hall, or bis assigns by a particular



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there of mentioned to be of the annual rent or value of twenty-four shillings andnine pence: and also all that one acres of land meadow and pasture with appurtenances and also all that those four of neadow lying at the Woodnook, and all that one toft built upon at Woodstall, with one pigthle containing seven acres and a half of meadow, one piece of measdow, land at Hallinkacke, and all those two acres of land and one other toft build upon, with another pighcell containing one acres of and a half of meadow, and allthose two acres of land with all other lands there, now or late in the tenure or occupationof Alexander Hall, or his assigns, together with a particular thereof mentioned to be of the annual rent or value of twelve pence: and also all that toft built ypon, and all those four acres öf land, twnety six of neadow, and eight actes of land with meadow thereof belonging with the appurtenances there, now or late in the tenure or occupation of John Drewrie or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the annual rnet of value of four te en shillings and eleven pence: and also all that toft with a croft and all those two acres of arable land, twenty-four of meadow there, with the appurtenances, now or late in the tenure or occupation of George Hall, or his assigns, bij a particular thereof mentioned to be of the rent or yearly value of twenty-three shillings and four pence: and also all that our toft and all those three acres of arable land, and one intacke called State Intacke there, with the appurtenances now or late in the tenure or occupation of John Harrison or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the annual rent or value of four shillings and four pence: and also all that marsh or pasture lying at Wroot aforesaid, called the Geiste Carr there, containing fifty acres, late in the tenure of Edward Lord Clinton, and now or late in the tenure or occupation of Sir George St. Poole, or his assigns, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of forty shillings: all and singular which premises in Wroot aforesaid together, by a particular thereof mentioned to be of the annual rent of value of eight pounds six shillings and eight pence, and one pair of gloves or four pence: and to be parcel of the manor of Epworth, in the said county of Lincoln, and to have been parcel of the pessession of Edward Lord Clinton exchanged:
We have also given and granted, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, to give and grant to the said Cornelius



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Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, all and singular the messuages, mills, houses, edifices, structures, barns, stables, dove houses, gardens, orchards, lands, tenements, meadows, feedings, Pastures, common demesne lands, glebe lands, wastes, heaths furze, moors, marshes, woods, underwoods, and trees: and all the ground and soil of the same woods and underwoods and trees, fruits, profits, waters, watercourses, living waters, aqueducts, lakes, rivers, fisheries, piscations, suits, sockes, mulctures, warrens, mines, quarries, rents, revenues, and services, rent charges, rent sakes, and rents and services, as well of free as customery tenants, worjs of tenants, of farms, fee farms, annuities, knights fees, wards, marriages, escheats, reliëfs, heviots, fines, amercements, courts leet, and view of frank pledge courts and leets, perquisites, and profits, and all that belong to courts leet, and view of frank pledge, chattels, waifs, estrays, goods and chattels of felons and fugitives, felonw of themselves, and put in the gent natives and villians with their followers, estovers, and commoners, of estovers, turbaries, and commons of turbaries, firs, markets, tolls, tol lage, custons, rights, jurisdictions, franchises, liberties, privileges, profits, commodities, advantages, emoluments, and hereditaments whatsoever with their rights, members, and appurtenances whatsoever, of what nature, kind, or species, or by whatsoever names they are adjudged declared or known by; situate, lying, and bieng, arising, growing, renewing, or increasing within the counties, places, fields, parishes, or hamiets aforesaid, or in or within any or either of them, or elsewhere wheresoever the said demesne, manor, park, messuage, lands, tenements, and hereditaments, and other the premises, above by these presents before granted or mentioned to be granted, or to any or either of them, or either part or parcel thereof, in any manner whatsoever belonging, appertaining, incident, appendant, or incumbent, or in member, part or parcel of the said demesne, manor, park, messuages, lands, tenements, and hereditaments, and other premises above by these presents before granted or mentioned to be granted, or any or either of them before this time had, known, accepted, occupied, used, or reputed: And also the reversion and reversiins, remainder and remainders whatsoever in the said demesne, manor, park, messuage, lands, tenements, and hereditaments, and other the premises above by these presents before granted or mentioned to be granted, and every parcel thereof depending or expentant of, in, or upon any lease or grant, leases or grants, for term or terms of life or lif es or years, or otherwise of the premises by these presents mentioned



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to be granted, or of any parcel thereof, being made of record or not of record, and the rents and yearly profits of all and singular the same premises and every parcel thereof:
And further, of our most especial gracious favour, certain knowledge, and meer motion, do will, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, do grant to the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, from henceforth forevermay have, hold, and enjoy within the said demesne, manor, park, messuage, land, tenements, and hereditaments, and all other and singular the premises by these presents before granted, and within each pareel thereof, so many such of this sort, and the like courts leet, view of frank pledge, lanedays, assize and assay of bread, wine, and beer, deodands, escheats, reliëfs, heriots, knight fees, wards, marriges, free warrens, hawking, hunting, and all other rights, jurisdictions, liberties, franchises, customs, privileges, profits, commodities, advantages, emoluments, and hereditaments whatsoever, how many, what like, and which, and so fully, freely, and intirely, and in such ample manner and form as any Duke of York, or any other or others the said demesne, manor, park, messuage, lands, tenements, hereditaments, and other of these premises by these presents before granted, or mentioned to be granted, or any parcel thereof now having possession or being seized thereof ever had, held, used, or enjoyed, or ought to have, hold, use, or enjoy in the premises by these presents before granted or mentioned to be granted or in any parcel thereof, by reason or pretence of any charter gift, or grant, or confirmation by us, or any of our progenitors, or ancestors, late kings or queens of England, before this time had, made, granted, or confirmed, or by means or prtence of any act or acts of parliament, or by reason or pretende of any lawful prescription, use, or custom hefere this time had or use, or otherwise by whatsoever lawful manner, right, or title: and so fully, freely, and intirely, and in such ample manner and form as we, or any of our progenitors or ancestors, late kings and queens of England, have had or enjoyed, or ought to have and enjoy the said demesne, manor, park, messuage, lands, tenements, hereditaments, and other the premises before granted by these presents, or mentioned to be granted, or any parcel thereof:
We further give and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, do grant to the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, all and singular the said demesne, manor, park, messuage,



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lands, tenements, and hereditaments, and other the premises by these presents before granted, or mentioned to be granted, and every pareet thereof, with all their appurtenances so fully, freely, and intirely, and in such ample manner and form of all these and singular the said demesne, or any parcel thereof, by our hands, or to the hands of any of our progenitors or predecessors, late kings and queens of England, by the reason or pretence of any act of parliament, or acts of parliament, or by reason by any exchange or perquisite, or any gift or grant, or by reason of any attainder or forfeiture, or by reason of escheat, or by any other lawful manner, right or title they came or ought to come and are now in our hands, or ought to be there;
And further, of our more gracious favour, certain knowledge, and meer motion, do will and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, do grant unto the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, from this time for ever, may have, hold, and enjoy, and may be able and have power to have, hold, and enjoy, within the premises by these presents before granted, and within each parcel thereof, all singular the goods and chattels, waifs, estays, goods and chattels of felons and fugitives, out lawed persons, felons of them-
selves, and of those put in the gent: And also he, his heirs and
assigns, the said lands, tenements, and other premises before granted, or any other parcel thereof, to impark, inclose, and reduce into severalty, and the same imparked and reduced into severalty, and inclosed to retain and there to use and enjoy to him and his assigns: And also he, his heirs and assigns, may have free charge and free waters warren in the premises by these presents before granted, and in every parcel thereof, and all that which free chase and free warren, any statute, act, or order, or provision to the contrary thereof in anywise notwithstanding:
Wherefore our will is, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, do grant to the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, the said free chase and free warren, freely, lawfully, and qy quietly may have and hold, and may be able to have power to have, hold, use, and enhoy the same forever, together with all and singular liberties, privileges: and commodities which belong to the chase and warren, and may in any wise belong thereto:
We will also, and by these presents for us, our heirs and succ-



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essors, do charge and command that none do enter, or preseume to enter, the chase or warren aforesaid, to put to flight, hunt, hawk, or to chase, or disturb the deer or wild beasts there, or to do anything there which belongs, or may or ought ot belong, to the said chase or warren, nor do or commit anything in the said chase or warren which may be, or shall happen to be, to the damage, hurt, or prejudice, of the chase or warren aforesaid, without the will or licence of the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, under the penalty of our forfeiture of ten pounds; yet always accepted and together reserved out of this our present, grant, all that mill in Hatfield aforesaid, of the anuual rent of thirteen shillings and foupence: and all that mill in Fishlake aforesaid, of the yealy rent of sixteen shillings: and all that mill in Thorne, at Thorne aforesaid, of the yearly rent of fifteen shillings, which said several mills, with the appurtenances, were before this time granted to Edward Ferrers and Francis Phillipps, Esq. their heirs and assigns, under the severl yearly rents of or for the said mills as were before granted: And also accepted all the several rents of or for the said mill appurtenances issuing or reserved: and also excepted all that mill, with the appurtenances, in Stainford aforesaid, by letters patents of our dearly beloved Father JAMES, King of England, dated the Twenty-Eighth day of April in the Ninth year of his reign, granted to Felix Wilson and Robert Morgan, of London, gentlemen, their heirs and assigns for ever, under the annual rent of thirteen shillings and four pence, and all that annual rent of thirteen shillings and four pence issuing or reverved of or by the said mill: and all advowsons, donations, free dispisitions and rights of patronage of all and singular rectories, churches, vicarages, chapels and other ecclesiastical benefits whatsoever of the premises by these presents before granted, or any or either of them, or any part or parcel thereof, in any manner, regarding, belonging, incident, appertainant, appendant, or incumbent: And also excepting all mines royal, and lead and tin being or to be found within or upon the premises, and all prerogatives to the same mines belonging, To have, hold, and enjoy the said demesne, manor, park, chase, messuage, lands, tenements, meadows, feedings, pastures, woods, underwoods, courts leet, view of frank pledge, profits, commodities, liberties, plheminenas, advantages, emoluments, and hereditaments, and all and singular other the premises by these presents before granted, or mentioned to be granted, with their rights, members, and appurtenances whatsoever, except above excepted, to the said Cor-



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nclius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, to the only and proper use and benefit of the same Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns for ever, to hold of us, ours heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our County of Kent, by faulty only, in free and common soccage, and not in chief, nor by knights service, and rendering yearly to us, our heirs and successors, oi or for the said demesne or manor of Hatfield, and the said manor of Fishlake, Thorne, Stainford, and Doweethorpe, and Hatfield Park, together with the said chase called Hatfield Chase, and the said lands called the Severalls, and all the demesne lands within the said demesne and manor, and other the said lands and moors within the said demesne of Hatfield aforesaid, the ancient yearly rent of one hundred and ninety-six pounds three shillings and five pence halfpenny of lawful money of England, and one red rose, at the receipt of our Exchequer of Westminster, our heirs and successors, or to the hands of the hailiffs or receivers of the premises for the time being, at Lady Day and St. Michael, by equal portions, to be paid yearly for ever, the first payment thereof to begin at Lady Day next following after the daté of these prements, and also rendering thereof further yearly to us, our heirs and successors, four hundred and twenty-five pounds of lawful money of England, of increase, at the said receipt of Exchequer at Westminster, of our heirs and successors, as to the hand of our bailiffs or receivers of the premises for the time being, at Midsummer and Christmas, by equal portions, to be paid yearly for ever, the first payment to begin at Midsummer which shall be in the year 1631, and rendering yearly to us, our heirs and successors, of and for the premises in Wroot, parcel of the said manor of Epworth, in the said county of Lincoln, with the appurtenances, the aforesaid ancient annual rent of eight pounds six shillings and six pence lawful money of England, and one pair of gloves or four pence, at the receipt of our Exchequer at Westminster, and of our heirs and successors, or to the hands of the bailif fs or receivers for the time being, at Lady Day and Michaelmas, by equal portions. to be paid yearly for ever, the first payment thereof to begin at Lady Day next following the date of these presents: and also rendering thereof further yearly to us, our heirs and successors, sixty pounds lawful money of England, of increase, at the receipt of our Exchequer of Westminster, our heirs and successors, or to the hands of the bailliffs or receivers of the same premises for the time being, at Midsummer and Christmas, by equal portions, to be paid yearly for ever, the first payment of the



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said rent of increase, to begin at Michaelmas 1631, for all other rents, services, exactions, and demands whatsoever, for all the premises before granted, or any or either of them in any manner whatsoever, to be rendered, paid, or made to us, our heirs and successors:
And the said Cornelius Vermuyden, for himself his heirs and assigns, doth covenant and grant to and with us, our heirs and seccessors, by these presents, that he, his heirs and assigns, shall well and truly convey and assure all and singular the parcels of land waste lands, marshes, lands overflowed, and other parcels of land whatsoever, parcel of the said demesne or manor of Hatfield, which by virtue of any commission fours for the survey and approvement of the said demesne, to the tenants of the said demesne or manor for or in respect of their common within the said demesne, before' this time were esposed or assigned to the same tenants, their heirs and assigns, truely and entirely freed and acquitted of and from all nghts and liberties of the forest by such and such like conveyances and assurances in the laws by the said tenants or their counsel learned m the law in the said part shall be reasonably devised or advised or required any thing in these presents continued in any thing notwithstanding: To hold nevertheless the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, according to the custom of the said demesne or manor of Hatfield, under the anual rent of three pounds to be paid yearly to the said Cornelius Vermyden, his heirs and assigns, the said rent of three pounds to be paid and charged severally and respectively upon each manor, hamlet, or village within the said demesne or manor of Hatfield, according to the profits to be taken by the said tenants respectively by exposing and assigning the same:
And also of our especial favour, certain knowledge, and meer motion, for us, our heirs and successors, have granted to the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, that he, his heirs and assigns, may be able to have to hold the said demesne, manor, park, chase lands, lands, tenements, and hereiditaments, and other the premises by these presents before granted (except before excepted) and to use and enjoy to them and their heirs, for ever, freely and quietly entirely discharged, freed, and acquitted, of and from all nghts, statutes, laws, or orders of the forest, although the premises befoce granted, or any or either of them, before this time was or were of the forest, or within the motes or bounds of any of our forests, any



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statute, act, order, or provi&ion before this time made, published, ordered, or provided to the contrary notwithstanding:
And that we, our heirs and successors, from time to time from hencef orth f orever, shall acquitt, exonerate, and preserve indemnif ied, as well the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, as the said demesne, manor, park, lands, tenements, and hereditaments, and oher the premises by these presents before granted, and every parcel thereof, with all the appurtenances, (except before excepted) of and from all and all sorts of coroderies, rents, fees, services, annuities, pensions, sums of money, and charges whatsoever of the premises by these presents before granted, or any parcel thereof, except before excepted, issuing or to be paid to us, our heirs and successors, or thereupon charged or to be charged against us, our heirs and successors: and of and from all rents, decayed and other rents whatsoever which are not answered or paid at the receipt of our Exchequer at Westminster, or to the hands of the bailif fs or receipts of the premises by the space of twenty years last past before the date of these presents were not answered or paid, although the rents were before this time or now r'emote in super, and of and from all claim, title, right, interest, and demands of all the presons in the premises, or any parcel thereof, (excepted before excepted) having or hereafter shall have, besides what is reserved of the rents, services, and tenures above by these presents, and besides of the covenant above in these presents expressed, and besides of arrears of rent of all and singular the premises, if any be due or payable to us, and besides of the lease and grant of the premises, or any parcel thereof, before this time made, and the covenant and condition being in the same, and the covenant and charges which any farmer or farmers of the premises by means of any of their indentures or leases is or are bound to do and discharge:
We being willing, and by these presents for us, our heirs, and successors, charging and conunanding, as well the trear chanceller and barons of our Exchequer, as well and singular itinerant justices and justices of the forest, and all and singular auditors, rectories, bailiffs, and other officers and ministers of us, our heirs and successors, and all other whatsoever, that they, and every one of them, upon only shewing of these our letters patents, or the enrolment thereof, without any other writ or warrant from us, our heirs or succ-



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essors, in any kind of manner to be desired or prosecuted, not only full, intire, and due allowane, and manifest discharge of and from all sorts of these kind of corodaries, rents, fees, services, annuities, pensions, portions, sums of money and charges whatsoever, issuing or to be paid out of the premises so as aforesaid to us our heirs or successors, or thereupon charged or to be charged against us our heirs or successors, besides of the said rents, services, tenures, arrears, of rent and others the premises by these presents reserved to the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, from hence forth for ever, well and truly and peacefully to have, hold, and enjoy all and singular the premises by these presents before granted (except before excepted) with the appurtenances and also the whole, intire, and fit and benefit of these our letters patents, according to the true meaning of the same, without molestation and disturbance whatsoever: And these our letters patents, or the enrolment thereof, shall be yearly, and from time to time, anufficient warrent and discharge in thie behalf, as well to the said trear chanceller and barons, and the said justices, itinerant justices in eyre, and the said auditors, receivers, bailiffs, and other officers and ministers aforesaid, as to all other to wh om it shall belong:
And further, of our especial favour, certain knowledge, and meer motion, we covenant and grant to and with the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, by these presents, that we, our heirs and successors, shall pay, or cause to be paid, all and singular fees by virtue of any letters patents by us or by our said father or by our lady ELIZABETH, late Queen of England, before this time made to any steward, bailiff, or other officer of the premises, or any or either of them, due or payable from time to time, or we will acquit, discharge, and save harmiess for ever, the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, thereof and of every parcel thereof:
And that at the next or any other parliament, or session of parliament, of us our heirs and successors, to be held within the our kingdom of England, we, our heirs and successors, will give and grant and vouchsafe our royal and free assent and consent of us, our heirs and assigns, to any, act, bill, or petition by the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs or assigns, or by any or either of then in the said parliament, or session of parliament, exhibited and to be preferred and by the lords spiritual and temporal and commons of the said afi'/ 17



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parliament, to be approved and allowed for the better security, assurance, and secure conveyance of all and singular the premises above by these presents before granted, to the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, according to the true meaning of these our letters patents:
And whereas the said Cornelius Vermuyden, out of the singular devotion of mind and piety, proposed and intended to erect and constitute one or more chapel or chapels, within the said limits of the said demesne or manor, in places more convenient, and in the same to maintain, at their own costs and charges, ministers able to celebrate divine things there to the glory of Almighty God, and humbly beseeched our royal licence or assent to the finishing of this work: We highly f avouring the said pious and laudable institution of the said Cornelius Vermuyden, and being willing they should obtain a happy effect, of our especial favour, certain knowledge, and meer motion, have given and granted, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, do give and grant to the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, or to any other person or persons by him named and appointed and his heirs, full ability, licence, power, and authority, that he or they, or any or either of them, at any time hereafter, and in any convenient place or places withim the said limits of the demesne or manor before granted, or any or either of them, where it shall seen most expediënt to him or them, with the consent and approbation of the ordinary of that place may be able power to found, erect, and build up one or more chapel or chapels, and in the said chapel or chapels from time to time for ever, to put in, allow, and maintain one or more minister or niinisters to read and celebrate divine and sacramental things there, to the praice and honour of Almighty God, either in the English or Dutch language according to the form of the established religion in this our kingdom of England: And this without any other warrant or commission to be procured and obtained from us our heirs and successors, on that behalf any thing, cause, or matter whatsoever to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding:
And it is our further pleasure, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, do grant to the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, that these our letters patents, or the enrolment thereof, shall be in all things and through all things firm, baild, good, sufficiënt, and effectual in the law, towards and against us, our heirs



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and successors, as well in all our courts as el se where within our kingdom of England, without any confirmation, licence, or toleration to be procured or obtained of us, our heirs or successors: Notwithstanding the ill naming or not naming, the ill reciting or not reciting the said demesne, manor, park, messuage, lands, tenements, and hereditaments, and other the premises above before bythese presents before granted, or mentioned to be granted, or any part or parcel thereof: And notwithstanding the not finding or ill finding the edifice or offices, or inquisition or inquisitions of the premises, or any parcel thereof, by which our title ought to be found, before the making of these our letters patents : And notwithstanding any defects or defects in not reciting or ill reciting any lease or grant, leases or grants, gift or gifts, or concerning the premises, or of or concerning any part or parcel thereof, or of any profits thereof of record or not of record, before now made ! And notwithstanding the ill meaning, or not right meaning or not meaning town, hamlet, place, parish, or county, in which the premises or any part or parcel thereof is or are: And notwithstanding any defect or defects in ill meaning or mot meaning any tenant, farmer, or occupier of the premises or any other parcel thereof: And notwithstanding any variation, disagreeing, or difference in any thing, matter, name, or form between these out letter patents and any particular or survey of the premises, or any parcel thereof, before now made, or between these our letters patents or any letters patents of the premises, or any parcel thereof, before now made or between these our letters patents and any record or records, account or accounts, touching or concerning the premises aforesaid, or any parcel thereof, in any kind of manner whatsoever: And notwithstanding any defect ore defects in not mentioning, or not rightly or ill mentioning the true yearly value of the premises, or any parcel thereof, or the true yearly rent reserved of, in, and upon the premises, or any parcel thereof, specified in any particular survey or account befoer this time or hereafter to be made of the premises, or any or either of them ! And notwithstanding that the same premises, or any profits thereof, ever were better or of a greater yearly value than is specified in these letters patents, or in any particular of premises: And notwithstanding the statute made in parliament in the First year of the reign of our sovereign Lord HENRY the Fourth, King of England: And notwithstanding any other defect in not naming or not rightly naming the natures, kinds, species, quantity or quantities of the premises or any parcel thereof, for any person or persons who



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before this time was or were seized of the premises, or any or either of them, or any state tailed to us or to. any of our progenitors or ancestors before this time made, or any indenture or annexation by our most dear father of blessed memory, or any other of our progenitors or ancestors late kings or queens of England, or any covenant, agreement, or grant concerning the same, or any part thereof before this time made to the contrary of the premises in anywose notwithstanding:
And the said Cornelius Vermuyden covenants and grants to and with us, our heirs and successors, by these presents, that these our letters patents shall ne enrolled before the several auditors of the premises, as to the premises respectively, within the space of six months next following after the date of these presents: We will also, &c. so that express mention &c. In witness whereof, &c. Witness myself at Westminster, the Fifth day of February.
By Writ of Privy Seal.
Bijlage No. IV.
Charles R.
A Contract indented, made and concluded Between our most gracious Sovereign Lord Charles by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, def ender of the faith &c by and with the advice of the Right Honorable the Lords and others Majestys most Honorable Privy Counsel of the one part and Cornelius Vermuyden of London, Esquire of the other part.
Whereas the Kings most excellent Majesty being seised in his demesue as of fee as in right of his Crown of England, Duchies of York, Cornwall and Lancaster or some or one of them of or in the Lordship or Manor of Hatfield and the Chase called Hatfield Chase and c-f divers waste grounds and commons to the saïd Lordship next adjoining situate lying and being in the counties of York, Lincoln and Nottingham subject to surrounding and drowned with waters in such



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manner as that little or no benefit hath or could be made there of And whereas the said Cornelius Vermuyden did heretofore undertake to drain and make dry the said drowned lands and surrounded grounds in such manner as to make the same fit for tillage or pasture In consideration whereof His Majesty by Indenture of Articles under the Great Seal of England bearing date the twenty fourth day of May in the second Year of his said Majestys reign did promise and grant that the said Cornelius Vermuyden his Heirs or Assigns or such other person or persons as he should nominate and appoint in that behalf and their heirs and Assigns should have hold and for ever enjoy one full third part in three parts to be divided of all and singular the said surrounded and waste grounds which said third part should be of equal value with each of the said other two parts and that his said Majesty should grant and lawfully convey and assure the said third part unto the said Cornelius Vermuyden and his heirs or to such other person or persons their heirs and Assigns as by him should be named To be holden of his Majesty his Heirs and successors as of his Manor of East Greenwich within the County of Kent in free and common socage. And whereas the said Cornelius Vermuyden hath already expended great Sums of Money and bestowed his panis and industry in and about the drainage and laving dry the said ground and with good hope and expectation of success therein. And whereas his Majesty, by his Highness Letters Patent under the Great Seal of England dated the sixteenth day of July in the fourth Year of his reign, in consideration of the sum of ten thousand pounds of lawful money of England by the said Cornelius Vermuyden truly paid into the Office of Receipts of the Exchequer the eighteenth day of May last past before the date of the said Letters Patent did for him his Heirs and successors give and grant imto the said Cornelius Vermuyden his Heirs and Assigns for ever. All that his Majestys Lordship or Manor of Hatfield in the County of York with all and singular the rights members and appurtenances there of. And all his Lands tenements, rents and hereditaments whatsoever in the said County of York called or known by the name of the Lordship or Manor of Hatfield. And all that the third part of the Manor of Brampton called Grat and Gate in the said County of York with the appurtenances. And all that his Park of Hatfield with the appurtenances. And all those inclosed grounds and tenements called or known by the name of the Park of Hatfield. And all that his Highnes Manor of Fishlake in the said County of York with the rights members and appurtenances there of.



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And all that his Highnes' Manor of Thorne alias Thurne in the said County of York with all and singular the rights members and Appurtenances there of. And all that his Highnes Manor of Stainford in the said County of York with all and singular the rights members and appurtenances there of. And all that his Highnes' Manor of Dowesthorpe in the said County of York with all and singular the rights members and appurtenances there of. And all those parcels of Land Waste ground moors marshes and Surrounded grounds or Lands covered with water parcel of the said Lordship or manor of Hatfield in the said county of York called or known by the several names of Ditchmarsh, named Tofletts Nun moor, North Toft Middlings, Arrowsmith Marsh, Broad hill, Stampers Rushill, Durtnest, Meereside Raines, Hutt Huggin Carr, and Huggin Lyings Rough Carr, Alvers Carr and Thorne Carr with all and singular their appurtenances. And all those other Lands wastes and Grounds surrounded or being subject te be covered with water parcel of the said Lordship or manor containing inthe whole by estimation Ten thousand two hundred and six Acres more or lefs and divers other messuages, houses, rents, rackrent services, royalties, liberties, privileges, Lands tenements and hereditaments in the said Letters Patent particularly mentioned and expressed. (Except as therein is mentioned to be excepted). As in and by the said Letters patent amongst divers other things therein mentioned more at large it doth and may appear. And whereas also his Majesty by bis Highnes' Indenture under the Great Seal of England bearing date the ninteenth day of June last past for the considerations therein expressed did demise and to farm let unto the said Cornelius Vermuyden and his Assigns for the term of the natural lives of Cornelius Vermuyden, Sarah Vermuyden and Catherine Vermuyden, Children of the said Cornelius Vermuyden and for the life of the longest liver of them at the Yearly Rent of One hundred and four score Pounds. All that full Moiety or one half part of Two thousand and six hundred Acres of Waste Marsh and surrounded grounds in Meisson in the County of Nottingham commonly called Meisson Waste and Commons, parcel of his Highnes' Duchy of Cornwale As by the said Indenture of Lease is expressed and in Law appertains thereto. And whereas by Indenture bearing date the said sexteenth day of July in the fourth year of his Highnes' Reign made between his said Majesty of the one part and the said Cornelius Vermuyden of the other part It was nevertheless conditioned and the said Cornelius Vermuyden did Covenant promise and grant for himself, Heirs, Executors, Administrators and Assigns



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and for every of them to and with his said Majesty his Heirs and Successors by the said Indenture in manner and form following that is to say that of his said Majesty his Heirs and successors should on or before twenty fourth day of December next ensuing the date of this said Indenture at that placement d in the premès or where the Court of Chancery is usually kept will and truly pay or cause to be paid unto the said Cornelius Vermuyden his Exors, Adm0"" and Assigns the Sum of Ten thousand Pounds of lawful money of England to and with the said Sum of Two hundred and eighty Pounds and interest in forbearance thereof from the said day op May until the said twenty fifth day of September then next ensuing the said Indenture of Lease aforesaid from his said Majesty were charged and Sums of Money should be considered of and allowed by .the Lord Treasurer of England and Chancellor of the Exchequer or one of them that then from and after such full payment made of the said sum of ten thousand pounds and of the said sum of two hundred and eighty pounds for the forbearance thereof and of all the costs and charges aforesaid he, the said Cornelius Vermuyden and his heirs should and would regrant convey and assure unto his Majesty his heirs and successors the said Manor or Lordship of Hatfield and all other the lands, tenements, hereditaments and premises whatsoever before mentioned to be granted unto him, the said Cornelius Vermuyden, in and by the said letters Patent before recited and likewise that he, the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns upon full payments and performance made by his Majesty as aforesaid should and would reassign and set over unto his Majesty, his heirs and successors or his and their assignée or assigns the said moiety of the Premises in Missen to him demised by the Indenture of Lease also recited as in and by the said last recited Indenture amongst other things therein contaned more at large it doth and may appear.
And whereas the Kings Majesty hath not paid unto the said Cornelius Vermuyden the aforesaid sum of ten thousand pounds nor the said sum of two hundred and eigty pounds nor other the said sums of money nor any part or parcel thereof, according to the Indenture of defearance last mentioned, but the same and every part and parcel thereof remaneth wholly unsatisfied.
It is agreed between his Majesty and the said Cornelius Vermuyden, by and with the advice aforesaid, that his Majesty shall and will, in consideration of the said sum of ten thousand pounds before mentioned and of the sum of six thousand eight hundred pounds



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more (thé Interest of the said ten thousand pounds from the eighteenth day of march last when it was paid to his Majesty until the date of this Contract being therout deducted), to be paid into the Receipt of his Majesty's Exchequer in manner and form following that is to say the sum of three thousand pounds to be paid presently and the residue upon the feast day of St. Michael the archangel now next ensuing or within twenty days after the said feast absolutely grant bargain confirm sell and convey unto the said Cornelius Vermuyden and his heirs or such other person and persons and their heirs as the said Cornelius Vermuyden shall nominate and appoint the said Lordship or Manor of Hatfield and the manors of Fishlake, Thorne, Stainford and Dowsethorpe and the Park called Hatfield Park, together with the Chase called Hatfield Chace, with the Grounds called the fenalls and other His Majesty's demesnes within the said Lordship and manors aforesaid and all the surrounded grounds and commonable grounds Meadows and moors lying within the said Lordship and Chace together with his Majesty's right of Turbary in the Lordship or manors of Hatfield and Thorne under the yearly rent of one hundred and ninety five pounds three shilling two pence halfpenny and one red rose, being the whole rent now in charge and now duly answered to his Majesty and under the yearly rent of four hundred and twenty five pounds de miremento to be holden of his Majesty and his heirs and Successors in free and common Socage as of his said manor of East Greenwich in the said County of Kent freed and discharged of and from the title and interest of common and other claims whatsoever belonging to the tenants or inhabitants of the said Lordship or manor of Hatfield or of any of them or of any other person or persons whatsoever and freed and discharged of from all Laws of For rest and liberties and privileges of Forrest.
And it is agreed that the said rent of one hundred and ninety five pounds three shillings and five pence half penny and one red rose, being the whole rent, now answered as aforesaid, shall be reserved and payable to his Majesty his heirs and successors as from Michaelmas last to be paid half yearly at said Lady day and Michaelmas and that the said new increased rent of four hundred twenty five pounds shall be reserved and continunes, payable unto his Majesty his heirs and Successors for ever from the feast of the birth of said Lord Christ, which shall be in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred and thirty, payable likewise half yearly, at the feast of Midsummer and Christmas.



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And shall likewise convey and assure unto the said Cornelius Vermuyden his heirs and assigns all that part, which by the said agreement was to remaih and be to his Majesty for which the said Cornelius Vermuyden hath concluded and as aforesaid as also all that third part, which was by the said agreement to be conveyed to the said Cornelius Vermuyden as aforesaid or to such other person or persons and their heirs as the said Cornelius Vermuyden shall nominate or appoint in all those waste and surrounded grounds lying being and belonging to the manors of Epworth, Belton, Haxey, Wroote together with the Parish or village of Wroote and Wroote Croft Carr, Crowle, Misson, Misterton, Gringley, Snaith, Cowick and Wrotley within the counties of York, Lincoln and Nottingham containing by estimation twelve thousand six hundred acres or there abouts which said grant or Conveyance shall be made within three months next after his Majesty hath agreed and compounded with such person or persons as have or claim to have any estate interest or Common of or in the said grounds or of or in any part or parcel thereof or that has been or might be determined and settled by decree in any of his Majesty's Courts of Justice or otherwise under the yearly rent of eight pounds six shillings six pence and a pair of Gloves or four pence in money, being the ancient rent reserved for the township or hamlet of Wroote. And also, under the several rents hereafter mentioned de miremento that is to say, out of the surrounded Grands belonging to the manor of Epworth, Belton and Haxey and the members theof with the appurtenances two hundred and forty pounds and out of the surrounded Grounds, belonging to the said Parish, Village, Township or Hamlet of Wroote three score pounds and out of the surrounded Grounds, belonging to Misson one hundred and eighty pounds and out of the surrounded Grounds belonging to Gringley and Misterton ninety pounds and out of the surrounded Grounds, belonging to Snaith, Cowich and Rawcliffe sixty pounds and out of the surrounded Grounds belonging to Crowle forty five pounds, all which said several rents de miremento for the said Lordship and manor of Hatfield and other the Premises do amount in the whole to eleven hundred pounds to he likewise holden of His Majesty, his heirs and successors in free and common socage as of his Majesty's Manor of East Greenwich in the said county of Kent freed also and discharged of and from the Title or Interest of common, belonging or claimed or pretended to belong unto any town village or Hamlet or to any person or persons whatsoever and of and from all Forrest laws and liberties and privi-



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leges of Forrest yet nevertheless the said Cornelius Vermuyden and his Heirs shall have free warren within all and every the said Lordships, Manors and Premises and power to enclose and impark any part there of at his and their will and pleasure with enjoyment of all waifs, estrays, felons, goods, felodese deodends.
And it is hereby agreed that if the tenants or inhabitants of the said Manor of Crowle or any other person or persons have any right of common in and of the surrounded or waste Grounds being within the said Lordship of Hatfield and manor of Thorne and for their recompence for the right of common said Manor of Hatfield and Thorne to be allowed but then so that it have the two commissioners thereunto appointed for allotting and dividing parts of the said grounds within the specified.
His Majesty his Heirs and successors shall allow unto the said Cornelius Vermuyden and his heirs and assigns such recompence and privilege considered as shall equal the same both in quality and quantity to be assigned and appointed unto him and them respectively by commissioners to be indifferently nominated and appointed in that behalf
It is further agreed that all decayed rents and such rents shall be paid into his Majesty's receipt or Exchequer, Bailiffs and received within twenty years last past before the date of these presents altho the same have stood insuper are not to be answered to his Majesty nor Charged upon the said Cornelius Vermuyden his heirs or assigns or the said Lordship or manor of Hatfield.
That his Majesty shall discharge the said Cornelius Vermuyden and his heirs of and from all Stewards' .Bailiffs' and other Officers fees which hold these offices and fees by Patent or grant from his Majesty or the late King James or Queen Elizabeth or any of them.
It is further agreed that if the said Cornelius Vermuyden and his heirs shall not have and enjoy one full moiety or half part of all the surrounded and waste or commonable ground lying within the said Manors of Epworth, Misson and Gringley and the members thereof, according to a division to be made thereof by indifferent commissioners or by any other legal course, Except the hamlet or township of Wroote, that then the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns shall upon his assurance thereof to be made as aforesaid have an abatement and deduction out of the said fee farm rent, according to the value or proportion of the rent for such lands as shall fall short of a full moiety as aforesaid having respect to the quantity thereof.



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It is further agreed that if the said Cornelius Vermuyden shall not have to him and his heirs the full number of eight hundred acres, out of the waste and surrounded grounds of Crowle aforesaid, and six hundred acres, out of the surrounded and waste grounds of Snaith, Cowich and Rawcliffe, that then his said Majesty shall and will be pleased to give and allow unto the said Cornelius Vermuyden and his heirs such recompense and valuable consideration as shall equal the same, both in quantity and quality to be assigned and appointed by indifferent Commissioners as aforesaid.
It is likewise agreed that if his Majesty's Comm", in that behalf appointed, shall compound with the Tenants of Epworth, Misson and Gringley and the members thereof, except the hamlet or township of Wroote, for a greater proportion of land than the half or than is expressed as aforesaid that then the said Cornelius Vermuyden his heirs and assigns shall pay an increase of rent to his Majesty proportionable for the overplus of such lands aforement".
And it is also agreed that if the said Comm" shall compound with the persons therein interested for more than eight hundred acres out of Crowle and six hundred acres out of Snaith, Cowick and Rawcliff that then the said Cornelius Vermuyden shall pay so much more increase of rent proportionable unto his Majesty for the overplus of such land so being above the said eight hundred and six hundred acres.
It is further agreed that the said improved fee farm rents to be reserved for all and every the said surrounded commonable and waste grounds lying and being in Epworth, Belton, Haxey, Wroote and Wroote Geist Carr, Crowle, Misson, Misterton, Springley, Snaith Cowick and Rawcliff and the members thereof within the said counties of York, Lincoln and Nottingham shall be paid half yearly at Midsummer and Christmas by even and equal portions to commence from Christmas one thousand six hundred and thirty and the first payment to be made at Midsummer then next ensuing but the whole rent being eight pounds six shillings and six pence and a pair of Gloves or four pence in money preferred out of the said Hamlet or Township of Wroote is to continue payable as it now doth.
And it is agreed that all such of the waste surrounded and commonable grounds as are allotted and assigned by his Majesty's Commissioners to the tenants, commoners and inhabitants who claim interest of common and other profits in the said waste and commonable ground within the said Lordship or manor of Hatfield and



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other the Manors and premises, lying within the said Lordship of Hatfield, shall and may in lieu and recompence of their pretended right and claim of common as belonging to their freehold and Copyhold lands, within the said Lordship and Manor be continued and enjoyed by the said tenants and inhabitants and their heirs to be holden severally and respectively by them, according to the custom of the said Lordship and Manor of Hatfield under the yearly rent of three pounds per annum and the same to be proportionably charged upon every Manor, Hamlet or township respectively, according to their respective profit they receive by the said allottments and to have the same free from all forest laws and liberties of forest and Game of Deer, and master Vermuyden is to make them such assurance theof accordingley.
It is further agreed that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns or such other person or persons as he the said Cornelius Vermuyden shall nominate and appoint and their heirs, at any time here after in any such Convenient place as he or they or any of them shall choose by the approbation of the of that peace to erect or build one or more chapel or chapels for the exercise of religion and divine service to be used or read in the English or Dutch language.
It is further agreed and His Majesty is graciously pleased to declare that he will give his royal assent in Parliament to any Bill or act to be made or passed for the confirming and better assuring of all and singular the said lordships, manor, lands, tenements, hereditaments and Prennses to the said Cornelius Vermuyden and his heirs or to such other person or persons and their heirs as the said Cornelius Vermuyden or his heirs shall nominate and appoint according to the true intent and meaning of these present.
That this Grant shall be drawn and be effectual and with such clauses and Covenants as the Counsel of the Patentee shall reasonably require and his Majesty's Attorney General shall think fit for His Majesty and that the feoffers in trust for his Majesty whilst he was Prince having any Estate in the Premises or any part ther of shall also join in this assurance hy surrender assignment or otherwise in such manner as the said Cornelius Vermuyden or his counsel and the King's Majesty's Attorney General shall think fit.
That this Contract shall be a sufficiënt warrant to his Majesty's Atty Gen', for passing the Premises, according to the true intent of these presents.



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In witness whereof to the one part of these present remaining with the said Cornelius Vermuyden our said Sovereign Lord the King's Majesty by and with the advice of the Lords and others of His Majestys most honorable Privy Council hath caused the Great Seal of England to be put and to the other part theof remaining with our said Sovereign Lord the Kings Majesty the said Cornelius Vermuyden hath put his hand and seal hereunto the twenty seventh day of dec' in the fourth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith etc. etc.
Bijlage No. V.
The Royal Grant of King Charles the First, made in the Eleventh Year of his Reign.
CHARLES, By the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth, to all whom these presents shall come GREETING,
Know ye, that we, as well on pte of our compleating and performing of a certain contract and agreement of ours, by our indenture under our great seal of England, bearing date the TwentySeventh day of December in the fourth year of our reign, made between us, with the advice of our LORDS and others of our privy council, on the one part; and CORNELIUS VERMUYDEN, Esq. on the other part, as for and in consideration of a yearly rent, reserved to us by these presents. As for divers other good causes and considerations, especially moving us thereof at present. We, of our especial royal favour, and our certain knowledge, and meer motion, have given and granted, and by these presents for us, our heyrs and successors, at the nomination and request of the assigns of the said CORNELIUS VERMUYDEN, DO GIVE AND GRANT to our well beloved SIR WILLIAM CURTEINE, Knt. and ROBERT CAMBELL, Alderman, of the City of London; and our faithfull and well beloved servants CHARLES HARBORD, Esq. our surveyor general; THOMAS



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BRINLEY, Esq. one of the auditors of our revenues; JOHN LAMOTE, merchant; and TIMOTHY VANULETEREN, clerk, their heirs and assigns, all those parts, portions, and parcells of land, lying and being within or near HATFIELD CHASE, in the county of York, or within the plain called the level of the same chase, in the county of York aforesaid, or Lincoln, and Nottingham, or any of them, and within the manor or parish of Snath, Cowick, and Rawcliff, Epworth, Belton, Haxey, Stockwith, Crowle, Missen, Misterton, and Gringley, or either of them, or in any of our said countys of York, Lincoln, and Nottingham, or either of them, or any lately inclosed or to be inclosed, and certian watercourses digged and divided in severally, reduced or to be reduced by the said Cornelius Vermuyden, or his partners or assigns, of the waste lands thereby them lately delivered and improved, besides all the parts of the said waste lands, several towns and persons having common within the chase and plain aforesaid, belonging or allowed by means of the said contract or agreement, for and concerning the delivery and improvement of the said chase and levell, (To wit.) ALL that portion or parcel of the land called HAXEY CARR, lying in Epworth, Haxey and Stockwith aforesaid, vor in either or any of them, in the said county of Lincoln, lately as aforesaid inclosed, abutting upon a water called Bickersdike, and certain inclosures of Misterton aforesaid, on the south part; and upon the waste or common called STOCKWITH COMMON, OWSTON and HAXEY COMMONS, on the east and nothern parts; and upon the old water-course of IDLE on the western part; and all those other parts or parcells of land called HOLMES CARR, STAR CARR, and BELTON PLAINES, lying and being in Epworth aforesaid, in our said county of Lincoln, lately also inclosed as aforesaid; on each part of the new way or trench leading from the lake aforesaid called IDLESTOPP, towards, Crowle Causeway, and abutting upon the said old watercour se of Idle towards the west; and upon the waste ground called ROLL COMMON, and other common lands and inclosures of Epworth aforesaid, towards the east and south; and upon the manor of Crowle aforesaid, and the old watercourse of D towards the north; to be inclosed within the bounds aforesaid, a certain lake called MESSEY MOOR, and a place or close called SANTOFTE and BEN INTACK. All and singular which premises in Epworth, Belton, Haxey, and Stockwith aforewaid, in the said county of Lincoln, certain in the whole seven thousand four hundred and seven acres of land or thereabouts. AND all that other part or parcell of



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land called STAR CARR, lying and being in Crowle and Belton aforesaid, in the said county of Lincoln, lately inclosed as aforesaid, abutting upon the said way or trench leading from Idlestop aforesaid to Crowle Causeway toward the south; and upon the said old wat ercour se of D aforesaid towards the west; and upon the common and other lands, and inclosures of Crowle aforesaid towards the north and east, containing in all seven hundred and eighteen acres of land, or thereabouts. AND all those other parts or parcels of land lying and being in Missen aforesaid, in the said countys of York and Nottingham, or one of them, lately inclosed as aforesaid, on each part of the said new way leading from Idlestop aforesaid, and abutting upon the said old watercourse of Idle aforesaid, to a certain place called PARSONS CROSS, towards the east; and upon pcell of the mannor of Wroote towards the north; and upon the common lands of Missen aforesaid, towards the west and north, containing one thousand five hundred and eighteen acres of land, or thereabouts. And a certain other part or parcell of land lying and being in Missen aforesaid, not as yet inclosed, but to be inclosed, severally to be reduced from the waste lands there next adkoining to the said last mentioned premises, and containing two hundred and eighty-two acres at the least, by measure thereof to be made. All which premises in Missen aforesaid, by particular thereof are mentioned, to be parcell of the possessions of the Duchy of Cornwall.
AND also a certain other part or pcell of land lying and being in Misterton and Gringley aforesaid, in the said county of Nottingham, lately as aforesaid inclosed, abutting on a certain water called Bickerdike, and parcell of the manner of Everton towards the north, west; and upon the common lands and inclosures of Misterton and Gringley aforesaid towards the south-east, containing two thousand one hundred thirty-three acres of land, or thereabouts. AND all that part or pcell of land lying and being in Snath, Cowick, and Rawcliff aforesaid, or one of them, in the said county of York, abutting upon a great bank called Dikesmarsh, towards the west; and upon pcell of the mannor of Hatfield towards the south; and upon the common lands of Snath aforesaid, towards the east and north, containing four hundred and one acres of land or thereabouts. ALL and singular which premises by these presents granted, or mentioned to be granted, by a particular thereof are mentioned to be pcell of the lands lately delivered and improved, or to be delivered and improved, within or



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near Hatfield Chase, in the said countys of Lincoln, York, and Nottingham, or within the level of the same chase, in the said countys or any of them.
We have also given, granted, released, and confirmed, and ratifyed, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, for the considerations aforesaid, Do give, grant, release, confirm, and ratify to the said Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, their heirs and assigns, all and singular the messuages, houses, edifices, structures, barns, stables, dove-houses, orchards, gardens, lands, meadows, pastures, feedings, commons, wastes, heaths, and furze, moors, marshes, waters, watercourses, mines, quarryes, goods and chattels, waise goods and chattels of selfmurtherers, and other fellows and fugitives, persons outlawed, attained, condemned, deodends, bondsmen and bondswomen, and villians with their followers, estrays, and common of estovers, privileges, royalties, fruits, profits, commoditys, ways, waste grounds, easments, emuluments, and hereditaments whatsoever to the said waste lands, tenements, and all others and singular the premises aforesaid, by these presents before granted, or either or any, or either pcell thereof, in any wise belonging, appertaining, incident, appendant or incumbent, or as members, parts, or pcell of these premises, or any or either of them, before now had, known, accepted, occupied, ased, or reputed. And also, and singular, woods underwoods, woodlands, and trees whatsoever; and all the land, ground, and soil of the same woods, underwoods, and trees of, in, and upon all and singular the pmeses before granted by these presents, or mentioned to be granted, or, of, in, and upon each or any part or pcell thereof growning and being. AND also the reversions and reversions, remainder and remainders wtsoever the said lands, wastes, tenements, and hereditaments; and all and singular other the premisses as above by these presents before granted, or mentioned to be granted; and every parcel thereof dependant or expectant of, in, or upon any gifts, or gifts in fee tayle, or any lease or grant, leases or grants for term or terms of life, lives, years or otherwise, of the premisses by these presents before granted, or mentioned to be granted; or of any pcell thereof, being of record or not of record. AND alsoall and singular rents, increase of rents, and yearly profits wtsoever, of, in, or upon any lease or grant, leases or grants of, in, and upon the premises by these presents granted, or mentioned to be



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granted, or, of, in, or upon any pcell thereof, being made of record, or not of record. AND the rents and annual profits of all and singular the said premises and ever pcell thereof. AND further, of our more gracious and especial, favour, certain knowledge, and meer motion, We will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, DO grant to the said Sir William Corteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, their heirs and assigns, the said lands, tenements, and other the pmisses before granted, or any pcell thereof, may impark, inclose, and reduce into severalty, and the same so imparked and reduced into severalty and inclosed, to retain and to use, and enjoy them to them the said William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, theirs heirs and assigns, AND also that they, their heirs and assigns, may have free warren in the premises before granted to these presents, and in every pcell thereof, and all that which belongs to free warren, any statute, leet, ordinances, or provision to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding. WHEREFORE our will is, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, DO grant to the said Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, theirs heirs and assigns, that they, their heirs and assigns, may freely lawfully, and quietly have and hold the said free warren and beadle, and have power to have, hold, use, and enjoy the same for ever, together with all and singular libertys, priv' and commoditis which in any manner of ways belonging, or may belong to the warren. ALSO our will is, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, DO charge and command that no one enter, or presume to enter, the said warren, to chase, hunt, hawk, or take, chase, or disturb the deer, or wild beasts there, or commit anything which may or can be to the damage, hurt, or prejudice of the said warren, without the consent and license of the said Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, their heirs and assigns, under the penalty in the said statute and ordinances, for preserving the free warren, made and provided, and also under the penalty of the forfeiture of ten pounds. We further by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, Do give, grant, release, confirn, and ratify to the said Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, their heirs and assigns, all and singular the premisesby these presents before granted,
18



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or mentioned to be granted, and every pcell thereof, with all their appurtenances so fully, freely, and intirely, and in such ample manner and form as all and singular these premises came, or ought to come to our hands, or now are or ought to be in our hands by means or prtence of the agreements or covenanats aforesaid, or ought to be by any other means whatsoever. AND further of our more gracious especial favour and certain knowledge, and meer motion, We will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, Do grant to the said Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, their heirs and assigns, that they, their heirs and assigns, may have, hold, and enjoy, and every of them may have, hold and enjoy the said waste lands, hereditaments, and all and singular other the premises by these presents before granted, or mentioned to be granted, lawfully, freely, and quietly, of and from all and all manner of common claimed to be claimed by us, our heirsoor successors, of and from all livertys, offieers, and ministers, of ye forest and custody of deer, by us or any other person or psons claining any estate, title, interest, or demand by us, our heirs and successors of, in, or to the prisses, of, in, or, to ye prses or, of, in, and to any part or parcell thereof. AND further, know ye, that we,' out of our more gracious facour certain knowledge, and meer motion, all and singular ye premisses, by these prsents before granted, or mentioned to be granted, with all their appurtenances, for us, our heirs and successors, We do, by this our present charter, disforest and diswarren of vendane and hunting deer and wild beasts by the swiftness of dogs, and of all things which belong to a fforest chase a warrenand of their attachments, so that the tustices, fforesters, venderers, or other offieers and servants of us, our heirs and successors, do not concern themselves in the premises, or any of them in any thing which belongs to a fforest, chast, or warren, yet alwaijs excepted and altogether reserved to us, our heirs and successors out of this present grant, all advowsons, donations, free dispositions, and right of patronage of all and singular ree tori es, churches, vicarages, chappels, and other ecclesiastical benefices whatsoever, in anywise belonging, appertaining, incident, appendant, or incumbent on the premises above by these presents before granted, or any or either of them, or any pcell thereof. AND also excepted, all royal mines, and lead mines, and the estate being or to be found within Or upon the pmisses and all prerogatives belonging to the same mines, together with and all singular knights, fees, wards, marriages, to have, hold,



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and enjoy the said several parts, porcdns, or pcell of land before mentioned, and every pcell thereof; and the said free warren and all and singular other the premises by these presents before granted, or mentioned to be granted, with all and singular their rights, members, libertys, and all appurtenances, (except before excepted) to the said Sir William Cuteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, theirs heirs and assigns for ever, to the obly proper use and behoof of them the said Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, their heirs and assigns for ever: to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our mannor of East Greenwich in our county of Kent, for fealty only, in free and common soccage, and not in chief, nor by knight service. AND yielding to us, our heirs and successors, for the said lands in Epworth, Belton, Haxley, Gringley, Misterton, Snath, Cowick, Rawcliffe, and Crowle in the s" countys of Lincoln, York, and Nottingham, four hundred sixty two pounds and seventeen shillings; and for the said premises in misson afores'1 two hundred eighty-one pounds of lawful money of England, at the receipt our excheq' at Westminster, or at the hands of several baliffs or receivers of the same prenisses for the time being respectively at the feasts of the nativity of St. John Baptist, and the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, by equal portions to be paid yearley for all other rents, services, exactions, and demands whatsoever for the same, to us, our heirs and successors, in any sort of manner to be rendered, paid or made. And if it so happen that the said several annual rents for four hundred sixty-two pounds and seventeen shillings, and two-hundred eight-one pounds, above by these presents as aforesaid reserved, or any part of them, shall be in arrears and unpaid, in part or in the whole, by the space of thirty days after any feast of the said feasts in which as aforesaid they ought to be p", that then and so often the said William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, their heirs and assigns, shall forfeit and pay, or cause to be paid, to us, our heirs and successors twenty pounds of lawfull money of England (inthe name of a penalty) beyond the said several rents above by these presents respectively reserved for every month after each of the said feasts in which the said rents, or any pcell thereof, shall be in arrear and unpaid in manner and form afores". Or if the said Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timoth Vanuleteren, their heirs or assigns,



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shall nor inroll or cause to be inrolled, thses our letters patents before one of the auditors of us, our heirs and successors, for our said several countys for the time being as aforesaid respectivelij, between the spaces of six months next ensuing the dates of these presents; That then the sd Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, their heirs and assigns, shall forfeit and pay to us, our heirs and successors, twenty pounds of like lawful money of England (noie panae) and so downwards for ever; six months to begin from the date of these presents, until these lres patents to be inrolled in manner and from aforesaid; and from and after that time, from time to time, as often as the case shall so happen, it shall and may be lawfull for us, our heirs and successors, by our receiver general, or of our heirs and successors, of our several countys aferes" for the time being' or their sufficiënt deputy, into the said premises, or any part or parcell thereof, to enter and distrain and to take, carry away, and retain the distress and distresses there found, or to be found, until we, our heirs and successors, shall be fully satisfyed and payd for ye s" rents and sumes of money, together w,h the arrears and forfeitures, in the name of the several penalties afores" as well for not payment of the rent afores" as for not inrolling these our letters patents, any thing in these presents to the contrary thereof notwithstanding. AND further, omof our more gracious favour, certain knowledge, and meer motion, We will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, Do grant to the said Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, their heirs and assigns, that we, our heirs and successors, for the future we shall yearley, from time to time, acquit, discharge, and indemnify, as well the said Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, their heirs and assigns, as the said parts, pcells, and porcons of the waste lands, marshas, tenements and hereditaments, and all and singular other the premises by these present before granted, or mentioned to be granted, and every parcell thereof, with all their appurtenances, towards, us, our heirs and successors, of and from and all manner of corrodary' ffrees, rents, services, and annuitys, pencons, porcons, sums of money, and charges whatsoever, of the premises, or any pcell thereof, going out, or to be paid in any manner to us, our heirs or successors, or there upon charged or to be charged ag' us, our heirs or successors, besides of the rents, services, and tenures above



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by these presents reserved; and besides of the arrears of rents of all and singular the premises, if there be any due or payable to us. AND besides, of the lease and grant of the premises, or any pcell thereof, before this time made; and the covenants and conditions being in the same, and covenf and charges which any formers of the prisses by reason of any of their indentures of lease is or are bound to do and discharge. AND morover, of the coven" above in these presents made and by the s" Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, and their heirs and assigns, to be made and pformed, Wherefore we will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, We strictly :enjoy and command, as well the trear chance and barrens of our exchq' and of our heirs and successors, for the time being, as all and singular our auditors, receivers, and other offieers and serv'whatsoever of us, our heirs and successors, for the time being, that they, and every of them, upon the sole demonstacon of these our letter patents, or the inrollment thereof, without any other writ or warren from us, our heirs or successors, to be obtained or prosecuted, full intine and due allowance and manifest discharge of and from all such like corrodys, rents, ffees, services, amitys, pencons, pencons, of sumes of money and charges whatsoever, of the said several rents, services, tenures, arrears of rents, cobenants, and other the premmises above in these presents reserved, and by the said Sir William Curtenne, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, their heirs and assigns, so as afores* to be payd and pformed to the said Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, their heirs and assigns, shall do, and from time to time shall cause to be done. AND these our letters patents, or the inrollment thereof, shall yearly, and from time to time, as well to the trear chanc* and barons of our excheq' and of our heirs and successors, as to the s4 auditors, ree" and other offic" and ministers of us, our heirs and successors w'soever for the time being a sufficiënt warrant and discharge on his behalf. AND our further will is, and by these presents for us, our heirs. and succ" We command and also give and grant absolute power and authority to our trear chancr and barons of our exq' aforesaid for the time being, that they, and every of them, from time to time, at the request of the said Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, their heirs and assigns, shadll do and execute,



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or cause to be done and executed, according to the course and custom of our said court of excheq' all and every reasonable act and acts, thing and things, which to them shall seem to be requisite for the better establishment and confirmacon of the premisses, according to the true intent and meaning of these our letters patents of and in the premisses, and every pcell thereof, and their quite and peaceable possession in the same. AND that they the said Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, their heirs and assigns, may have and take the full and intire profit and benefit of these our letters patents, according to the true menaing and pressed and declared in the same. And these our letters patents, or the inrollment thereof, shall be a sufficiënt warrent and discharge inthis behalf to the s" trear chanc' and barons of our exchq' aforesaid for the time being, and to every of them. AND further, of our more gracious and especial favour and certain knowledge, and meer motion, for ye considerations aforesaid, We have agreed and granted for us, our heirs and successors, to and with the said Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, their heirs and assigns, that at the next parlim' or session of parliament, of us, our heirs and successors, to be held within this our kingdom of England we, our heirs and successors, upon the humble request to be made to us, our heirs or successors, we will give and grant, or we are willing to give and grant, and we will vouchsafe our royal and free assent and our consent to any act of parliament or petition or bill in the same parlim' or session of parliament, to be exhibited or brought in for the better conformacon, assurance, security and safe granting of all and singular the s" waste lands, moors, marshes, and other the pmisses above by these presents before granted, or mentioned to be granted, and every part of parcell thereof, according to the true intent, effect, and meaning of these our letters ptents and contract before mentioned. AND further, We will and by these prsents for us our heirs and succ" Do grant, unto the said Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, their heirs or assigns, that if and as often as any doubts or question shall happen, do arise about the validity of these our letters patents in any clause, matter, or thing w'soever, or of the estate, title, or interest of the said Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, their heirs or assigns of, in, or to the s4



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premisses before granted, or mentioned to be granted, or any pcell thereof; that then, and as often as upon the humble peticon of them the said Sir William Cureine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanuleteren, their heirs or assigns respectively, to be exhibited to us, our heirs and succ" and upon notice and upon certificate to us by our attorney general, and of us, our heirs and succ" for the time being, of any defect that ought to be mended, we our heirs and succs" will graciously vouchsafe to grant others letters patents to the same Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanleteren, theirs heirs and assigns, with such and such like amendm' axplanacon, amplification, and addition as to the attorney general for the time being, in that behalf, shall seem adviseable and convenient to be done, AND whereas the said Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, Thomas Vanleteren, out of their singular devotion and piety, have pposed and intended to erect and build one or more chappell or chappells within the limits of the said lands and other pmisses, in places most convenient, and therein to maintain ministers most sufficiënt to perform divine worship there, at there own expences, to the glory of Almighty God, and have humbly implored our licence and royal assent to the compleating of this their work. We give great incouragement to the sain pious and laudable design of them the said Sir William Vurteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanleteren, and willing that it should attain a happy effect, of our especial favour, certain knowledge and meer motion, have given and granted, by these present for us, our heirs and successors, Do give and grant to the s" Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanleteren, their heirs and assigns, full licence, power and authority, that they, or any or either of them, at any time hereafter, and in any convenient place or places within the bounds of the said lands and other the premises before granted, or any or either of them, where it shall seem most expediënt to them, with the consent and approbation of the ordinary of that place, may and have power to found, erect and build one or more chappell or chappells. And in the said chappel or chappels, from time fore ever, to keep and maintain one or more minister or ministers to read and celebrate holy things there, to the honour and praise of Almighty God, in the English or Dutch tongue, according to the form of religion established



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in this our kingdom of England. And this without any other warrant or commission to be procured or obtained from us, our heirs or successors, in that behalf, any cause, matter, or thing w'soever to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding.
AND further, Our will and pleasure is, and by these presents for us, pur heirs and successors, Do grant to the said Sir William Curteine, Robert Cambell, Charles Harbord, Thomas Brinley, John Lamote, and Timothy Vanleteren, their heirs and assigns, that these our letters paten or the inrollment thereof, shall be in 'and through all things firm, valid, good, sufficiënt, and effectual in the law, for and against us our heirs and succ" as well in all our courts as elsewhere, within this our kingdom of England, w'hout any confirmacons, licences or tollerations to be pcured or obtained from us, our heirs or successors. Notwithstanding the wrong named, or not naming, wrong renting of the said waste lands, moors, marshes, lands, tenem" hereditam" and other the pmisses as above by these prsents before granted, or mentioned to be granted, or any part or pcell thereof. And notwithstanding the not finding or wrong finding the office or offices, or inquisition or inquisitions of the pmisses or any pcell thereof, by which our title ought to be found before making of these our letters patents. And notwithstanding any defect or defects in not reciting or wrong reciting any lease or grant, leases or grants, gift or gifts, or of concerning the premisses or of or concerning pcell thereof, or of any thereof, before this time made of record or not of record. And notwithstanding the wrong naming or ill naming or not naming, any town, hambiet, place, parish, or county in which the prmisses, or any pte or pcell thereof is or are. And notwithstanding any defect or defects in wrong naming any tenant farmer or occupier of the premisses or any pcell thereof. And notwithstanding any variation, incongruity, or difference in any thing, matter, name, or forme before this time made between these our letters patents, or any particular or survey of the premisses or any p" or pcell thereof, or between these our letters patents or any record or records account or accounts of the said premisses, or any pcell thereof, in any wise notwithstanding belonging, touching, or concerning. And notwithstanding any defect or defects in not mentioning, or not rightly menconing, or wrong or ill mentioning the true yearly value of the pmisses, or any pcell thereof, or the true annual rent reserved of, in, or upon the prmisses, or any pcell thereof, specified in any particular or survey or account before this time made or hereafter to be made of the



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prmisses or either of them. And notwithstanding that the same prmisses, or any profits thereof, were ever of a better or greater value yearly than is specified in these letters patents or any particular of the premises. And notwithstanding the statute in parliament made and published in the Eighteenth year of the late king HENRY the SIXTH of England, our predecessor. And notwithstanding the statute in parliament of HENRY the FOURTH, late king of England, made and published in the First year of his reign. And notwithstanding any other defects in not naming, or not rightly naming the natures, kinds, quantities, and qualities of the premisses, or any pcell thereof, or any pson or psons who before this time was or were seized of the premises or any or either of them, or any estate before this time intailed to us or to any of our progenitors or ancestors, or any indenture or annexation by our most dear late father of blessed memory, or any other of our progenitors or ancestors late kings or queens of England, or any covenant, or grant concerning the same, or any pcell thereof, before this time made to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding. Our will is also, &c. without fine in the hannaper, &' so that express mention, &c. In witness, &c. T. R. at Westminster, the Twenty-Fourth day of March.
Bijlage No. VL
"At WHITE HALL, the 26th of April 1633. Present.
LORD PRIVY SEAL,
EARL OF DANBY,
EARL OF DORSETT,
LORD VISCOUNT WENTWORTH,
LORD VISCOUNT VALKLAND,
LORD
LORD COTTINGTON, LORD NEWBROUGH, Mr.
Mr. CONTROLLER,
Mr. Secretary COOK,
Mr. Secretry WINDEBANK.
„WHEREAS a complaint was heretofore preferred to his majesty by Sir Philibert Vernatti, knight, Samual Vanpan (Van Peen), his majesty's servants, Matthew Valkenburgh esquire, and John Corselis,



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gentleman, which complaint his majesty was pleased to refer to the Lord Keeper, the Lord Wentworth, the Lord Cottington, and Mr. Secretary Windebank, who thereupon made report to his majesty touching the said complaint, which report his majesty having considered of, did command that the same should be read at the board, and order given them to the same effect, if their lordships should think fit, which was accordingly read as follows, in his verbis:
"May it please your Majesty,
"According to your reference made unto us at White-Hall, the Seventeenth of December, 1632, under the hand of me Francis Windebank, knight, one of your majesty's principal secretaries, upon the petition of Sir Philibert Vernatti, knight, Samuel Vanpeen, your majesty's servants, Matthew Valkenborch, esquire, and John Corselis, gentleman, complaining against Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, knight: we have several times called the parties on both sides before us, and heard their allegations by their counsel, and we find the differences betwixt them to be so many and so intricate, and their allegations one against another so full of contradiction, as we hold them no way fit to be determined by a reference, but to be left to be decided by a judicial course in any of your majesty's ordinary courts of justice, by such suits or actions as either party shall think fit to pursue. But in regard we do find as well by the relatión of me the lord president of your majesty's council established in the north, who have by direction in mine own person viewed all the works, and several parts of the drains of Hatfield chase in the presence of al the parties interested therein, as by our own view of the map of the said drain is, and by the testimony of and complaints of divers others your majesty's subjects, and upon consideration of the reasons alledged by both the parties themselves, that the said drains are yet imperfect, and through their default have already drowned, and daily do drown, and are likely to drown hereafter, a great quantity of other lands belonging to divers others your majesty's subjects, except there be a good and sufficiënt drain made for carrying clear away the waters of the Rivers of Dun and Trent, from Turnbridge to the river of Ouse; which drain is well and sufficiently begun and already to be made, as we are informed, by all the participants, who do alledge that they have already exceeded therein ten or twelve thousand pounds, and that it will cost four or five thousand pounds more to finish the same: which we do hold very requisite to be finished, together with the other



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works now in hand and lying within the banks of the Level, with all convenient speed. We do think fit to advise that the finishing, as well of the said great drain as of the inwork aforesaid, should be charged j and imposed, provisionally, upon all the participants which have j begun the same for the public good and for the discharge of all parties I interested in the said drains of Hatfield chase, and for that end, that the said Sir Cornelius, and all the participants pretended by the aid of Sir Cornelius to be liable thereunto, shall forthwith pay in their rates and scots for the charge already expended in the making of the said great drain from Turnbridge, and the other inland works for the perfecting of the main work, together with all arrears due by the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and all the participants as the said Sir Cornelius pretends to make appear, according to every mans 23d August, proportion of acres, and according to the order of
1632. the lord president and council of the north; and
that particular commissioners of sewers, for that level requisite, may issue forth, as well for ordering and maintaining the said works as for apportioning and leading of the said scots and rates for which the parties have been earnest suitors; and as well to induce the said complainants to proceed in the finishing the said great drains and ironworks, as in justice to proceed for their satisfaction in case a court of justice shall adjudge or decree unto them any great sum of monies against Sir Cornelius Vermuyden. We do think fit and advise, that all such assurance as is now to pass from your majesty to the said Sir Cornelius of any of the lands contracted for in Hatfield chase, or places adjacent within the level now drained, or to be drained, shall be conveyed and assured by your majesty to the four clerks of the council in ordinary. as fitting and indifferent feoffees, for security of performing whatsoever shall be adjudged or decreed, to the complaints, of them, from the said Sir Cornelius as aforesaid. And that in like manner the complainants shall give security by sufficiënt bond, of some reasonable sum, to pay unto the said Sir Cornelius whatsoever shall be adjudged or decreed to him against the said complainants as aforesaid. And we do further think fair and advise, that the said Sir Cornelius shall by or before the Feast of Ascension next, convey and assure unto the said indifferent and fitting feoffees, all such lands contracted for in Hatfield chase, or the places adjacent within that level now drained, or to be drained, which remain in his own hands unconveyed, or conveyed to any others to the use and behalf of the said Sir Cornelius, for further security as



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aforesaid, free and discharged from all incumbrances by the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, over and above such remedy as by virtue of any such judgement or decree the complainants might otherwise have.
"And in case the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden should fail or refuse to convey and assure the said lands for security as aforesaid. We do think fit and advise, that your Majesty be pleased to cause the said Sir Cornelius to be sued in your own name, for breach and nonperformance of his contract or contracts with your majesty concerning the said drainage; and that all advantages which may be recovered to your majesty thereby may be transferred to the benefit of the complainants, over and above such remedy as by virtue of any such judgment ando decree as aforesaid the complainants may otherwise have: provided that the complainants, before they receive the benefit aforesaid by breach of contract by the said Sir Cornelius with his majesty, do give security for the maintenance of the aforesaid works hereafter, and for the indemnity of the possessors of the said drained lands, and the country adjacent, through their default in maintaining the said works in time to come.
"Forasmuch as their lordships, upon reading and consideration had of the report, did find cause well to like and approve thereof, they did ratify and confirm the same in all parts therefore, willing and requiring that it should be put in execution and fully performed accordingly.
(Signed) LORD KEEPER,
LORD VISCOUNT WENTWORTH, LORD COTTINGTON, Mr. Secretary WINDEBANK, WILLIAM BEACHER.
Bijlage No. VII.
Term of St. Micheal in the 6th year of King Charles.
WHEREAS Sir Cornelius Vermuyden of London, Knight, Fee Farmt. To his Majesty of the Lordships or Manors of Hatfield in the County of York, and of Divers other Manors, Lands, and Tenements



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in the said County of York, did this present Term, esihibit his English Bill into this Court thereby shewing that whereas our sovereign Lord the King's Majesty that now is being in the second Year of his Reign lawfully seized in his Demesne, as of Fee, as in the Right of his Crown of England and Dukedom of York, of and in, the said Lordships, or Manors of Hatfield, and Thorne, and the Chace called Hatfield Chase and Ditch Marsh with the Appurtenances and of divers Water, Waste Grounds, and Commons to the said Lordships and Manors of Hatfield and Thorne belonging or there unto near adjoining situate, lying, and being within the said County of York, a great Part whereof was then submitted to be surrounded and drowned with Water in such a Manner that little or no Benefit at all could, or might, be made thereof unless special Care was taken for Inning and Draining the same; and whereas the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden by Articles of Agreement indented, made, and concluded upon, the four and twentieth Day of March, *J in the said second Year of his majesty's Reign between his Majesty of the one Part, and the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden of the other Part, the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden did promise and undertake to do his best Endeavours both by himself and such other Persons as he shou'd employ in the said Work to drain and lay dry the said drown'd and surrounded Grounds in such Manner as to make the same fit for Tillage, or Pasture, in Manner aforesaid. And his Majesty in Consideration thereof did by the same Articles of Agreement for himself,v his Heirs, and Successors, promise and grant, that the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, his Heirs, and Assigns, or such other Person, or Persons as the faid Sir Cornelius Vermuyden shou'd nominate and appoint in that Behalf and their Heirs and Assigns shou'd have, hold, and for ever enjoy, one full third Part, in three Parts to be devided, of all and singular the said surrounded and Waste Grounds, to be of equal Value with each of the said other two Parts; and that his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors upon the gaining thereof shou'd, and woud grant and procure the said third Part to be granted, and lawfuhy convey'd, and assured unto the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and his Heirs, or to the Parties by the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden to be named as aforesaid and their Heirs, to be holden of his Highness, his Heirs and Successors, as of his Manor of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, in free and common Soccage, with Divers other Liberties and Privileges granted to the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden
1) lees: May.



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and in the same Article mention'd. And for that, Divers Persons did claim common of Pasture in some Part of the said Lands to be drain'd and dried as aforesaid, his Majestey by the same Articles did agree, and was graciously pleased to grant, and agree, that his Majesty's Commiss" shou'd go forth under the great Seal of England to certain Persons to be named and appointed to create, and deal, agree, and conclude, with the said Persons claiming Commons concerning the said Commons and Claim to the same as by the said Articles ready to be shewed to the Court may appear; and by his said Bill shewing, that according to the said Articles to be performed on his, the Sir Cornelius Vermuyden's Part, he the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden employed a great Number of Workmen, and expended extraordinary great Sums of Money, in and about, the Inning and Draining, laying and keeping Dry, of the said Wastes and surrounded Grounds: For that the said Grounds are made more fit for Tillage and Pasture than formerly they were, and so more profitable according to his Majesty's Desire express'd in the said Letters Patent; and that his Majesty hath accordingly conveyed the third Part unto him the said Sir Cornelius Vermyden and his Heirs, and to others appointed by the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden thereunto; and that his Majesty likewise in further persuance of the said Articles was also graciously pleased to grant, and did grant Divers Commissions under the great Seal of England directed to Divers honourable Persons, and others of Worth and Quality; whereof one was directed to the Right honourable William Lord Viseount Ayre, John Lord Savile of Pontefract, Sir Ralph Hansby, and Sir Thomas Fanshaw, Knight, to treat, deal, conclude and agree with the Tenants and Inhabitants of all the Townships, Villages, Hamiets, Parishes, and Precincts, in and adjoinin the same Waste and surrounded Grounds, which did claim to have Right of Common in the same, touching what Part of the Commons to be improved they wou'd accept of as in full Satisfaction of their Right, and Title, in and to, the Residue of the said Waste and commonable Grounds; which Commissions last named, after much Labour and Pains by them taken in that Business, did make a final conclusion and Agreement with the greater Part of the said Tenants and Inhabitants concerning the same, and did allot, divide, and set out, unto them several Quantities and Proportions of the same Waste and surrounded Grounds to be by them held and enjoyed in severalty divided from the other two Parts as by the Certificate of the said Commissions concerning their Doings and



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Proceedings in that Behalf returned into this Court and here remaining amongst the Records it doth and may appear. And the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden further shewed, that the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, since the Time of the Contract made with his Majesty as aforesaid, having purchased of his Majesty in Fee Farm for valuable Consideration, at a great improved Rent, the said Manors, or Lordships of Hatfield and Thorne, and the Residue of all and singular the said Wastes and surrounded Grounds, divers Controversies, and Differences, did arise between the said Cornelius Vermuyden and his Assigns and his several Parts of the said Manor of Hatfield of the one Part, and the Tenants and Inhabitants of the said Manor and of the Tows of Hatfield, Dunscroft, Woodhouse, Tudsworth, Thorne, Sykehouse, Fishlake, and Stainforth, in the said County on the other Part; as well concerning their Copyholds within the said Manor and Towns, as Demands of further perfecting of the said Work undertaken by the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden for draining the surrounded Grounds their and the Proportions and Allotments claimed to be due to the said Inhabitants and the securing of their Grounds from further Damage by Pretence of Draining by Reason of a new Bank, or Wall, by him the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden lately made, by Occasion whereof Divers Complaints where made before the Right honourable the Lords of his Majesty's most honourable privy Counsel; and that thereupon it pleased their Lordships in, or about, the Month of June last past to refer the same to the Right honourable Thomas Lord Viscount Wentworth, Lord Precident of his Majesty's Right honourable Counsel established in the North Parts, and one of his Majesty's most honourable privy Counsel; John Lord Darcy, and Mr. Justice Hutton, or any two of them, whereof the said Lord Viscount Wentworth was appointed to be one; and by Virtue of which Reference the said Lord Viscount Wentworth, and Lord Darcy, met at Hatfield aforesaid on the eleventh Day of September, in the Year of our Lord 1630, and viewed the Works made by the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden for draining the said Grounds, and also Wall, or Bank, lying in the North West Side of the River Dunn beside Fishlake and Sykehouse; and having heard the Allegations on both Sides at large, with the Assistance of Sir Robert Hearth, Knight, his Majesty's Attorney General, and of Sir Thomas Fanshaw, Knight, his Majesty's Surveyor, and upon Advisement had concerning the Premises they the said Viscount Wentworth, and Lord Darcy, did set down some Prepositions and Conclusions in



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Writing such as they then thought fit and necessary to be observed and kept in all Parts and published the same as their first Order and Award concerning the said Premises; but by Reason of some Exceptions taken in some few Points thereof there arose some Oifference between the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and the said Tenants; howbeit the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden sheweth, that shortly after, viz; in this present Month of November, he the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and the said Tenants have made a mutual and final Agreement amongst themselves touching the Parts of the said Award to be performed by him the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and have fallen upon some other and further Agreement amongst themselves to be performed; and to the End the Tenants and Inhabitants of the said several Townships for the Time now being, and such as hereafter shou'd be, or might be, ordered and decreed by this Court to stand to and perform the Part of the said Award and the said further Agreements on this Behalf to be observed, the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden exhibited his said Bill into the Court against Robert Portington, Thomas Todd, Robert Foster, Richard Taylor, Samuel Wilkinson, and Robert Shann, Tenants and Inhabitants of the said Manor or Lordship of Hatfield and Thorne, who are such as undertake, as well for themselves as for the Rest of the Tenants and Inhabitants of the several Towns, Villages, and Hamiets of Hatfield, Thorne, Stainforth, Woodhouse, Dunscroft, and Tudworth, to which said Bill the said Defendants appeared and answered, and by the said Answers confessed all the several Articles of the said Award in the said Bill expressed; that they, for their Parts, and their Heirs, and the Rest of the Tenants and Inhabitants of the several Towns, Villages, and Hamiets, aforesaid and for their several Heirs, did, consent to, and allow of, such Parts of the said Award, and such further Agreements as in the said Bill of Sir Cornelius Vermuyden is mentioned and where and are ready and willing to stand to, abide and perform, the same, in all Points according to the true Intent and Meaning of the same; and that such Part of the same Award, and such further Agreements as are expressed, and set forth, in the said Bill may be ratified and confirmed by the Order and Decree of this honourable Court accordingly. And all Parties, their Heirs and Assigns, to be bound and concluded thereby, if this honourable Court shou'd so think fit and order the same. And to the End also that the said Sir Cornelius Vermyden might be ordered and decreed by this Court to perform the Part of the said Award and Agreement on his Part to



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be performed, divers, the Tenants and Inhabitants of the said Manor, or Lordship, and of the Towns, Villages, and Hamiets, aforesaid viz; Robert Portington, Esquire; Robert Yarborough, and Thomas Vincent Esquires; Thomas Bosvile, Gentleman; Roger Portington, Gentleman; Robert Leagent, Francis Ricarde, John Welt, Robert Beaumont, Thomas Moor, Richard Hartley, John Moor, and Francis Hanson, Tenants and Copyholders in the Towns of Hatfield and Dunscroft within the Manor of Hatfield aforesaid in the County of York: William Woodcock, John Elwick, John Madue, William Todd, Robert Chester, and Charles Wommuke, Freeholders, Copyholders, and Tenants in the Township of Woodhouse in the said Manor; Henery Parkin, Park Cressye, and Thomas Jackson, Gentlemen; Henry Cutlif, Robert Smith, Thomas Marloche, and Thomas Ashley, Freeholders, Copyholders, and Tenants, in Stainforth within the said Manor; Henry Cook, Tenants, Freeholder and Copyholder in Tudworth in the said Manor; Thomas Todd, Clerk; Edward Stear, Richard Taylor, Samuel Taylor, John Stear, Robert Foster, and John Sterkey, Gentlemen; Thomas Darlinge, Edward Ballance, Anthony Empringham, Thomas Darlinge the Younger, Henry Pool, Edward Foster, James Ferreby, Robert Stevenson, Steven Walker, Edward Ferye, Thomas Lawsling, and Thomas Margrave, Tenants, Freeholders, and Copyholders of Thorne within the said Manor, did likewise exhibit their English Bill into this Court against Sir Cornelius Vermuyden thereby seting forth that his Majesty was seized aforesaid, of and in, the Lordship or Manor of Hatfield and Thorne and the Chace called Hatfield Chace, and Ditch Marsh, with the Appurtenances, and of divers Wates, and Waste Grounds, and Commons to the said Lordships or Manors of Hatfield and Thorne belonging, and thereunto adjoining in the said County of York; and that a great Part thereof was in the second Year of his Majesty's Reign subject to be surrounded and drowned with Water, and that in Consideration Sir Cornelius Vermuyden aforesaid, did undertake to drain and dry the said Grounds, his Majesty did agree to convey to him and his Heirs the third Part thereof, and that they the said Tenants did claim right of Commonage in Part of the said Lands, and that his Majesty was pleased his Commission shou'd go forth to deal, and agree, with the said Tenants and Commoners touching the Common by them claimed as formerly expressed in the Bill of the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden; and that one Commission was directed to the Right honourable William Lord Viscount Ayre, John Lord Savile of Pontefract, Sir Ralph Hansby, and Sir Thomas
10



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Fanshaw, Knights; and that the said Commissions did al lot, and set out, unto them the said Tenants for themselves, and the Reft of the Tenants and Inhabitants of Hatfield, Thorne, Stainforth, Dunscroft, Woodhouse, Tudworth, Fishlake, and Sykehouse, Parcels and Quantities of the said Wastes and surrounded Grounds, to be by them enjoyed as by the Certificate of the said Commissioners returned into the Court appearin. And that the said Cornelius Vermuyden having purchased the said Lordships and Manors and all the said Wastes and surrounded Grounds of his Majesty; Controversies did arise between the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and them the said Plaintiffs, and the Reft of the said Tenants and Inhabitants, and that Complaints thereof was made before the Right honourable the Lords of his Majesty's most honourable privy Counsel; and that they in and about June last were pleased to refer the Same to the Right honourable the Lord Viscount Wentworth, the Lord Darcy, and Mr. Justice Hutton, or any two of them, whereof the said Lord Viscount Wentworth to be one; and that the said Lord Viscount Wentworth, and Lord Darcy, met at Hatfield the eleventh Day of September last; and having viewed the said Work, and herd the Allegations on both Sides, they did set down such Propositions and Conclusions in Writing as they then thought fit and necessary as a final Order and Award therein; and that some Exceptions being taken to some Points thereof, some Differences did arise between the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and them the said Plaintiffs and others, and that notwithstanding afterwards viz; in this present Month of November, they, the said Tenants in behalf of themselves and the Rest of the said Tenants, have made a material, absolute, and final Agreement, touching some Parts of the said Award to be performed as well by them the said Tenants as by the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, and touching some other Demands and Propositions of the said Plaintiffs not mentioned in the said Award, the Parts of which said Award, and the said further Agreement, are in the said Bill at large expressed, and by the said Bill further shew that altho' the said Tenants are ready and willing to perform the Parts of the said Award and the said Agreements for themselves and the Rest of the Tenants and Inhabitants of Hatfield and Thorne, Dunscroft, Stainforth, Tudworth, and Woodhouse; albeit the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden did agree to the Part of the said Award, and further Agreement yet the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden doth refuse to stand to and perform the Contents thereof unto which said Bill the said Defendant Sir Cornelius Vermuyden



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answered; confessing all the material Points and Parts of the said Bill and denyeth that he doth refuse to stand to and perform the said Part of the said Award and the said further Agreement, but saith that he is willing and ready for his Part, to stand to, abide, and perform the Parts of the same Award, and the said further Agreement made after the said Award, in such a Manner as is set down in the said Tenants Bill, according to the true Intent and Meaning thereof; and that the said Defendant, his Heirs and Assigns, shall be bound, and concluded thereby, so as the said Tenants, and the Rest of the said Tenants and their several Heirs and Assigns respectively, may be likewise tied and concluded by some. And to that End, the said Defendant is willing that the Parts of the same Award, and the said further Agreements, may be decreed by this honourable Court to be observed and performed of all Sides in all Points accordingly as by the said several Bills and Answers thereunto remaining in this Court doth more at large appear, upon opening of which said several Bills and Answers this present Day in Court in the Prefence of the Counsel on both Sides, and the Court, being humbly desired that a final Order and Decree might be made therein, do thereupon appoint, that the Parts and Points of the said. Award and the said further Agreements be set down as they are agreed to be observed on each Side, the Part of which said Award and the said further Agreements followeth in those Words viz; IMPRIMIS; that as well the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and his Assigns of any Part or Parts of the said Manor, as the said Tenants and Inhabitants and every of them shall be acquitted and discharged of all Trespasses, and Damages, done by them, or any of them, to, or against, the adverse Part, or any of them, and that all Suits depending, or prosecuted in any Court of Justice between the said Parties, or any of them, by Occasion of any of the said Differences, shall cease, and be no further proceeded in; and such of the said Parties as had, or have, any such depending, or prosecuted against them, at the Suit of his Majesty, for any thing done about the Premises, shall attend his Majesty's Attorney General, who was requested by the said Viscount Wentworth, and the Lord Darcy to take Orders for with drawing those Suits. Item that the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, his Heirs, or Assigns, shall confirm unto the said Tenants and Inhabitants; their Heirs, and Assigns respectively, their Copyhold Lands and Tenements held of the said Manor without Admeasurement, and their Customs together with the Certainty of their Fines, and Liberty to cut Wood in their Copyholds,



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and to sell and dispose of the same at their Liking, according as hath been accustomed; and that no Forfeiture of any of the said Copyholds shall be taken for any Cause given before the Tenants grant of the said Manor from the Kings Majesty, nor that the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, his Heirs, or Assigns, shall take Advantages of any Cause of Forfeiture given until that present by any of the said Tenants for Breach of Fe alty in opposing their Lord, Item that the said Tenants, their Heirs and Assigns shall have their Turf Moors with all the Profits thereunto belonging throughout the Waste of Turbary in such Manner and Form as they usually heretofore had, and their Copyhold Lands their without Admeasurement and that there may be sufficiënt Ways left to the said Moors for Carriage and the Ways betwixt Bridge Dyke and Lane Close to be enlarged if there appears upon Vieuw of Persons to be appointed by the said Viscount Wentworth, Lord Darcy, and Mr. Justice Hutton, or two of them, whereof Lord Viscount Wentworth to be one; that there is Caufe of Enlargement, and those that come to build, or dweil, upon the Grounds of the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, his Heirs, or Assigns, are only to have Liberty to cut Turf on one thousand Acres of Turf Moor towards Crowle, and five hundred Acres towards Sandtoft, next adjoining to Wroot or Wrodcarr to be set out by Metes and Bounds by the Consent of the said Parties, or by Persons appointed by the said Referrees, or two of them, whereof Lord Viscount Wentworth to be one; and the Turbary called the Lords Moors are likewise reserved to the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and his Assigns. But the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and the new Inhabitants are to take Turf in the said Places only for their own burning and not for Sale. Item; that the Tenants of the said Manor and the Members thereof shall have unto them and their Heirs, or such Persons and their Heirs as they shall appoint, their former Allotments for their Common confirmed unto them according as they were first set out by the first Commissioners John Lord Savile and others on the fourteenth Day of March in the Year of our Lord 1627, with an Addition of 200 Acres more in Dick Marsh, and 403 Acres of Land in Fern Carr, to be assured unto the said Tenants in Exchange for 403 Acres in West Moor: All which Parcels of Ground alloted, and to be alloted and exchanged with the said Tenants, shall be drained, and so kept, according to the Articles made between his Majesty and the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden; and the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and his Heirs, upon Request shall convey, or cause to be conveyed, unto such Feoffees and their Heirs as the said



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Tenants, ör the most Part of them, shall nominate; such of the said Moors not holden by Copy of Court Roll and other Grounds within the said Manor as are alloted to, and for the said Tenants to be holden in Fee and common Soccage. Item; that the said Tenants cause Ditch Marsh to be surveyed, so as it may appear that they shall have the full Moiety thereof and 200 Acres more; and the same to be st forth by the said Referrees, or any such two of them as aferesaid, or by such Persons as they shall appoint; so as it may be conveniently for Sykehouse and Fishlake, as well as for Thorne; wherein Reguard shall be had to accommodate the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and his Assigns with Conveniency, as well for any new draining to be made therein as otherwise, without Prejudice to the said Tenants. And if thereupon any Grounds sown with Rape shall be alloted to the Tenants, the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden shall hold them until after the Time for gathering in the Rape the next Summer. Also the said Tenants shall dispasture such of the said Lands in Ditch Marsh as by the said Order or Award shall be assigned unto the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, enly until the fifth Day of June next, and then the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden to enter thereunto. Item; that the said Tenants and Inhabitants shall have Ways and Passages continue to them, their Heirs and Assigns, in Common as formerly they had, and that they benot charged with Payment of any Toll or Passage thro' the Locks, or any other Passage, by Water, or by Land. Item; that the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, his Heirs and Assigns, shall cause all their Grounds to be sufficiently fensed and inclosed against the Allotments of the Tenants. Item; that the said Tenants and Inhabitants, their Heirs and Assigns, shall at all Times hereafter be discharged of the Deer, and all the Laws of Forest and Chase. And the further Propositions and Demands of the said Tenants, and assented unto by the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, not mentioned in the said Award, are as follows; viz; That such of the Tenants and Inhabitants as at any Time formerly have Paid any Rent to the Crown, or any other Rents, or other Duties, for the new inclosed Grounds commonly called Thorne Ings, or Middlings, lying near Hains Hill, shall be for ever hereafter fully and wholly discharged and freed from paying any more any such Rents, or Duties. And it is further agreed, that in such Places as the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, his Heirs, or Assigns, have digged, or shall at any Time hereafter dig up Passages, he the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his Heirs and Assigns, shall make, and for ever maintain, Passages again in all



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Places near adjoining to the former and as convenient as they were. And it is likewise agreed, that the said Tenants and Inhabitants, their Heirs and Assigns, shall be for ever hereafter discharged of all Rents heretofore granted to his Majesty for any Adjustments in any Part of the said Wastes. And it is also agreed that neither the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and his Tenants of the two Parts improved, nor their Heirs and Assigns, shall have any Common in the third Part alloted and set out for the Use of the Tenants and Commonry, and that the Tenants and Inhabitants of the several Towns, Villages, and places aforesaid, their Heirs and Assigns, shall have free Liberty to dig Clods Earth and Gravel in, and upon, the said High Ways and Lands, in Places fit and convenient for their necessary Uses. And that the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and his Heirs shall convey, and and assure, unto the said Tenants and Inhabitants, their Heirs and Assigns, a Parcel of Marsh Ground called by the Name of Braimwith March, over and above the several Parcels of March Ground alloted to them by the Certificate of the said John Savile and others, and that the Tenants and Inhabitants of the Manor of Crowle shall have, and enjoy, to them and their Heirs, 400 Acres of the said Turf Moors for their Turbary; In which said 400 Acres the said Tenants and Inhabitants of the said Manors and Lordships of Hatfield and Thorne, are not to cut, or Grave, any Turfs; and the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden is to allow unto the said Tenants and Inhabitants, by Way of Exchange, 100 Acres of Ground lying in the severals, for 100 Acres of Ground lying in Ditch Marsh, formerly alloted unto them; And that the Drain, which by Agreement is to be made by the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden about the West Moor, shall be made and finished before the tweny fourth Day of August in the Year of our Lord 1631; and that the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and his Heirs, and his and their Tenants and Farmers of such Copyhold Tenements as he hath lately purchased from.
Zamquere, one of the Daughters of the said Viscount Ayre, shall enjoy common of Pasture and Turbary within the said Wastes and Moors alloted unto the said Tenants according to the Custom of the said Manors. Also is agreed between the Parties of both sides, that according to the Certificate of the said Lord Viscount Ayre, Lord Savile, and others, in that Behalf made, and remaining of Record in the Court, the said Tenants and Inhabitants of the said Manors, or Lordships, shall and may have and enjoy these Parcels of Common following viz; the West Moor, containing 893 Acres; the Lings, con-



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taining 210 Acres; Woodfree Carr, Brickhill Carr, and Hall Hill Carr, containing 347 Acres; the Rample Carr, containing 84 Acres; the Clowns, containing 467 Acres; East Tramlings, containing 202 Acres; Brier Holm and Kirton Carr, containing 380 Acres; Bramwith Marsh, containing 35 Acres; Burger and Hatfield Moor, containing 130 Acres; Hatfield Hills, containing 66 Acres; One Piece of Ground known by the Name of Common on the further Side of the Water, containing 65 Acres; the West Nabb, containing 138 Acres; Kirk Town Nabb, containing 15 Acres; the Moiety of Ditch Marsh and 200 Acres over; over all which said several Parcels of Ground the said Tenants and Inhabitants are, by the said Certificate, to hold to them and their several Heirs in Lieu and Recompence of their several Claims of Common in all the Reft of the said Wastes and commonable Grounds; upon Consideration had of the said Part of the said Award and of the said further Agreements, and of the several Parts thereof. It is this present Day ordered and Decreed, by this Court, in the Presence of the Counsel, and the Parties on both Sides, and with their mutual Consents and Agreements, that the Parts of the said Award, and the Agreement before particularly expressed, and Certificate of the said Viscount Ayre, Lord Savile and others, and every Part and Parcel thereof, as are before expressed; shall from henceforth in all Things be observed and performed, fulfilled and kept, as well by the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, his Heirs and Assigns, as by the Parties, Tenants and Inhabitants, in this present Decree before named; And all other the several Tenants and Inhabitants of the several Towns of Hatfield, Thorne, Dunscroft, Stainforth, Woodhouse, and Tudworth, and their several and respective Heirs. And it is also ordered and decreed by the like Consent of Parties aforesaid, and of their Counsel learned, that as well the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, and his Heirs and Assigns, as the Tenants and Inhabitants before named, as all other the Tenants and Inhabitants of the several Towns, Villages, and Hamiets, before mentioned, that now be, and that hereafter for the Time being shall be, and their Heirs and Assigns shall for ever hereafter bebound to observe and perform the said Award and Agreement by Virtue of this present Decree.
(15 Nov. 1630.)
(D. BOYS, Doncaster 1794.)



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Bijlage No. VUL
Sir Arthur Ingram sells land in Armyn to Vermuyden etc, to cutt the Dutch River.
May 26 1632.
Indenture bearing the 26th May in the 8th year of Car. I (1632) between Sir Arthur Ingram of the City of York, Knight of the first part, John Tayler of Newland in the County of York, yeaman and Thos. Pocket of the City, yeaman of the second part and Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, Knight; Sir Philibert Vernatti, Knight; Samuel van Peenen Esq.; one of the gentlemen of his Majesties Privy Chamber, Matthew van Valckenburgh, Knight; and John Corsellis, gentleman of the third part witnesseth that the said Sir Arthur Ingram the Elder for and in Consideration of a competent sum of money in hand paid by the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, Sir Philibert Vernatti, Samuel van Peenen, Matthew van Valckenburgh and John Corsellis Grants and confirms, bargains and sells to them the said John Tayler and Thomas Pocket their Heirs and assignes for ever. one parcel of pasture ground lying in one pasture called Armyn Pasture containing by from a place called Willow causey to a place called Sandbridge Dyke and leading through certain grounds called Hale Ends and Block Headings within the manor of Armyn aforesaid. To the said John Tayler and Thomas Pocket their Heirs and assignes for ever and the said Sir Corn. Vermuyden, Sir Ph. Vernatti, Samuel Vanpaine, Matthew van Valckenburgh and John Corsellis and every of them do for themselves and every of theirs and every of their Heirs exed and do for themselves their Heirs and assignes covenant promise and grant to and with the said Sir Arthur Ingram his heirs etc, and every of them by those presents that the Sluice and Floodgates of the premises shall be opened at the appointment of the Right Honourable the now President of the North Parts. Or by the appointment of such other Person as he shall nominate and appoint and so from Tyme to Tyme by the said Lord President of the Times being. In witness whereof in 1632 sealed and delivered in the presence of Marcelis van Dueren.
John Nilly Ar. Ingram.
Thos. Morys.
At any time within the space of thirty years next coming after



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the day of these presents shall receive any prejudice loss or damage in their or any of their grounds well adjoining to the said banks or in any other of the said Sir Arthur Ingrams Grounds in Ayremin aforesaid by reason of the insufficiency of the said banks or neglects or default of the said Sir Cornelius, Philibert, Samuel, Matthew and John or any of them their or any of their heirs, exe" or assignes or any of them in not repairing them (and not otherwise) said Sir Cornelius, Philibert, Samuel and Matthew and John and every of them their and every their heirs, ex" and assignes shall and will from Tyme to Tyme and at all Tymes during the said forme make, give and allowe the said Sir Arthur Ingram, his heirs and assignes and his and their. tennants of Ayremin severaly and respectively, who shall sustain any such prejudice loss or damage by the said water through the insufficiency of the said Bank such reasonable and sufficiënt satisfaction and allowance as shall be eqivalant and amount to the loss and damage which he and they shall sustain by reason thereof or which may happen through the negligence of the said Sir Cornelius, Philibert, Samuel, Matthew & John or any of them their or any of their héirs and assignes in not repairing the said banks and the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, Sir Philibert Vernatti, Samuel Vanpain, Matthew van Valckenburgh and John Corsellis and every of theirs and assignes covenant and promise and grant to and with the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, Sir Ph. Vernatti, Samuel van Paine, Sir Matthew van Valckenburgh and John Corsellis or some of them their or some of their Heirs and assignes shall and will from time to time will and sufficiently make repair uphold and maintayne and keep the Banks of the River and the saidwatercourse soe to be made by them the said Sir Cornelius Vermyden, Sir Philibert Vernatti, Samuel van Paine, Sir Matthew van Valckenburgh and John Corsellis or any of them. Their or any assignes in and through the said premises or any parcell thereof so strong and sufficiënt that the said Arthur Ingram his heirs or assignes or their tennants of any messuages or iduements within the said manour of Ayrmin or any of them shall not suffice or sustain any prejudice, loss or damage in his their or any of their grounds next adjoining to the said bankers of the said water course nor in any other of the Grounds within the said manour of Ayrmin by reason of the river to be made in or through the premises or any part thereof as af re said for through or by reason of the insufficiency of the said banks or any of them and through any default of them the said Sir Cornelius, Philibert, Samuel



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Matthew and John or any of them or any of their heirs, exce" or assignes or any of them and if the said Sir Ingram or his heirs of assignes or any of his or their tenants of any lands within the said manour of Ayremin or any of them.
(STOVINS M. S.)
Bijlage No. IX.
To the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England and every individual member thereof.
THE DECLARATION OF DANIËL NODDEL, Solicitor for the FREEHOLDERS and COMMONERS within the Mannor of Epworth, in the Isle of Axhohn, in number about 1,200 besides new erected Cottages, on the behalf of himself and all the said Commoners: discovering the plot and design of Master JOHN GIBBON and his fellow-projectors to gain a possession of the said Freeholders ancient inheritance in their commonable grounds there, contrary to law. 1653.
Right Honourable,
You are under God, the suprème power of this Commonwealth of England, and the grand Trustees thereof, to preserve the lives, liberties and estates of all the people therein, according to law; and therefore I come unto you, and lay before you once more the cause concerning the livelihood of many thousand men, women, and children within the Manor of Epworth, in the Isle of Axholm, for whom I have been intrusted now almost eight yeers as Solicitor, and as the case now stands, am bound in conscience not to keep silence, lest by that means destruction come upon them and me through ignorance.
I make no doubt but your honors have all heard of a pretended great Ryot some years past, committed in the said Isle, for that hath been cryed up into the late Act of Oblivion, wherein there is an exemption from pardon touching the pretended Ryots in those parts; but I am perswaded that you have not heard half so much of the proceedings that have been at law by the Freeholders there, for the



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recovery of their ancient right to 7,400 acres of commonable grounds (being the ground in controversie between the Freeholders and certain Undertakers, who now term themselves participants in the Level of Hatfield-Chase), but are no part of the said chase, of which about twenty yeers since the Freeholders were dispossessed by force of Armes, under colour onely of the late Kings illegal Patent, by those great Ryoters the first Undertakers, or rather projectors when divers of the Commoners were murdered and shot death, and many wounded, who did but turn againe (as worms trod upon will do) in the just defence of their undoubted right of possession, when they could have no proceedings at law, Replevins being forbidden them by order of the Exchequer; and the possession wrested and held from them by Star-Chamber orders; their persons many of them being imprisoned, and many inforced by Pursuivants and Serjeants at Arms to lye from their habitations in the fields under hedges, being usually termed rebels and threatened to be hanged at their doors, and plagued with multitudes of Star-chamber proces; some forced to flye out of the kingdom at that time, having their goods illegally distrained, and sold for issues out of the then Kings-bench, others to sell and morgage their lands to purchase an untust peace against the villanous and tyranical forcible entries, and intrusions, arrestt, and imprisonments brought upon them by the said participants contrary to law.
No, Right honorable, The plot and design of the Undertakers (espedalty that Machiavel Master John Gibbon, who both is Solicitor for himself and his fellow-projectors) is not to teil you of those things, but to keep you hoodwink'd (I desire to use it with révérence) to the intent you shall but onely see an ugly shape of a late pretended Ryot, held forth before you in a most partial, wicked, and erroneous report of Master Say and Master Henry Darley (two members of the Committee (at the least of fifty) of the late Parliament for the Isle of Axholm, and Master Gibbons great coached and feasted friends), for by that report of theirs your Honours shall never see the title of the Freeholders to the said lands, nor the proceedings that have been at law, whereby they have recovered them. No, these must all lye whist and damped with the great ndse of a Ryot, and throwing down houses, though built upon the Freeholders own ground, and with their own wood, which the projectors and their tenants got and digged out of the said grounds, and were fitter for dog-kennels (as my friend Master Spittlehouse hath set forth) then to come in corn-



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petition with those great Ryots committed by the projectors at their first entrance upon those grounds, in the horrid massacres, forcible entries, intrusions, imprisonments, and oppressions aforesaid. I say, the said report will present onely to your eye the mention of a Ryot, nothing at all of the title and proceedings at law; for that Master Say and Master Darley would not suffer to be made forth, when it was offered by the Freeholders; neither durst Master Gibbon and the rest of his fellow-projectors produce any, although they set forth and teil the late Parliament in their petition, the lands are setled upon them by good assurances, and that it will so appear upon the examination of the business: and although the whole matter of the petition was referred to the Committee, which was also the Committee for Sir Arthur Haselrige and Primate, with some addition of late Members to it. And therefore because Master Gibbon and his fellow projectors have now no remedy either in law or equity are got into a By-way (a Ryot, the only fig-leaf to cover their nakedness) to gain possession in those grounds which they never yet legally had; and by delusion (if possible) to draw in your honors extraordinary power to effect it, insinuating as if the whole drainage in those parts, containing 60.000 acres lying in the Counties of York, Lincoln, and Nottingham, will for want of a settlement be overtbrown, and so aime at an Act of Parliament, and therein to hedge the ancient inheritance of the Freeholders in the said grounds; through which the Undertakérs did but at their first coming into those parts, desire to cut a drain, because else they could not drain Hatfield-chase, and many other Mannors, as is cleared by the proofs.
I do again humbly entreat leave to tender the Freeholders title, and to clear up the more fully to your honors, against any information of Master Gibbon or bis counsel whatsoever; humbly beseeching you, on the behalf of all the Freeholders, and Commoners, to secure the same and their possession unto them, for no other end, but as your honors shall direct, by way of a just and equitable improvement, for their own and the Commonwealths good, against the vialation of those that against law and equity endeavor to usurp a possession. And next thereunto, I shall humbly and truly inform your honors of the prodeedings, that have of kate years been in your ordinary Court of Justice, concerning the grounds in question.
And lastly, Shall set forth the Participants petition in the late Parliament, verbatim, whereby they hope (now all their hopes are gone both in law and equity) to gaine a possession meerly upon the



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score of a Ryot committed by some few of the inhabitants, upon which petition the report of Master Say and Master Darley, which is to come before you is grounded.
The Freeholders title is as followeth.
The Freeholders and Commoners within the Manor of Epworth, in the Isle of Axholm, have time out of minde had common appendant to their several tenements, for all manner of cattel, levant and couchant thereupon, at all times of the yeer, in and through all the waste and commonable grounds within the said Mannor (whereof the grounds in controversie are the greatest part, and are alwayes of the best nature); and in confirmation of this their ancient right, Sir John Mowbray, sometime Lord of the said Isle, having made an aprovement of a great part of the said grounds to himself as Lord, did about three hundred yeers since, grant unto the Freeholders by an ancient Charter in French, but here translated into English by William Riley, keeper of the Records in the Tower, as followeth:
This Indenture between their thrice honored Lord Sir John Mowbray, Lord of the isle of Axholm, and of the honour of Brember, of the one part; Rawlin of Brumham, William of Brumham, Roger of Brumham, John of Thetilthorp, Thomas Melton, Jeoffery Laundels, Vincent Bavant, John Gardner, John Cutwulf, Rich. of Belwood, and John at Hagh his Tenants of the Isle of Axholm, and all the Tenants and resiants within the said Isle, on the other part, witnesseth, That all the said Tenants and resiants have supplicated their said Lord Sir John Mowbray to have remedy of divers claims touching their right, and divers debates and greviances to them made by the Ministers of the saad Lord Sir John Mowbray; upon which supplication it is agreed that the said Sir John, Lord aforesaid, hath granted for hin and for heirs to the said Rawlin, William, Roger, John, Thomas, Jeoffery, Vincent, John, John, Richard and John, Tenants, aforesaid, & to their heirs, & to all having their estate or parcel of their estate, and to all the other tenants and resiants within the Isle of Axholm, and to their heirs, and to all that hereafter shall have their estate, all Ihe things underwritten. That is to say, That the said Sir John not heirs shall not approve any waste, Moors, Woods, Waters, nor make or shall make any other approvement of any other part within the said Isle of Axholm. And that the said Rawlin, William, Roger, John, Thomas, Jeoffery, Vincent, John, John, Richard and John, and their heirs and those that shall have their estate, or parcel of their estate, and all other Tenants and Resiants



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within the Isle of Axholm, shall have their Common, which is appendant to their Free-tenement, according to that which they have had and used time out of minde, q)
And also that the aforesaid Rawlin, William, Roger, John, Thomas, Jeffery, Vincent, John, John, Richard and John, and their heirs, and all those which their estate, or parcel of their estate shall have, and all other the tenants and resiants within the aforesaid Isle, may dig in the Moors and Marshes, Turfs, Trees, and Roots, found within the Soil of the said Moors and Marshes. And that one pound, containing one half acre, be made at the cost of the said tenants, and maintained hereafter by the said Lord and his heirs in Belton-car, and one other in Haxey-car containing as much, and that they be made in places for the most ease of the said tenants. And that no chase of beasts of commoners be made but once a yeer, and that the said Beasts be not otherwise driven but to the Pound of the Pasture where they shall be taken, and there the beasts of the said Tenants to be delivered by the tenants aforesaid, and by their servants: and sa ving alwayes to the said tenants, and to their heirs, and to their servants, that they may take their beasts and receive them in the Drift, or before the drift, so that the drift of beasts of strangers be not thereby disturbed.
And that in the severalties of the said Lord adjoyning to the places in which they have Common, which are open and not inclosed, no beasts of the said tenants and Commoners be taken nor impounded, but easily driven out. And that the said tenants and resiants, and their heirs, and all those which their estate, or parcel of their estate shall have, may dig and Turf, or other Earth, for the walls of their houses, and for all other necessaries of the said houses, and for to enclose the walls of their Messuages or Mansions. And to dry Flags in all the said wastes, for to cover the ridges of their houses and walls; and for bringing of Trees to repair e the river of Trent, where cause of repairing is, to to make them new. And that the said Rawlin, William, Roger, John, Thomas, Jeoffery, Vincent, John, John, Richard and John aforesaid, and all other the Tenants and Resiants, their heirs, and all those which shal have their estate, or parcel of their estate hereafter, be not for the future amerced or grieved for default of not appearing to ring their swine. And that
q) 33 Ed. 3. Note that at that time the Freeholders had had common time out of mind.



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they may put hemp to be rated in all the waters of the Isle (except the Skires which are severed to the said Lord Sir John Mowbray), and that the said Lord nor his heirs, nor his Ministers make no molestation nor grievance to the dogs of the forenamed Tenants and Resiants aforesaid, nor to their heirs, nor to those which have their estate, or parcel of their estate; and if they do, the Tenants shall have their recovery of the common law. And that the aferesaid Rawlin, William, Roger, John, Thomas, Jeffery, Vincent, John, John, Richard and John, Tenants aforesaid, and all the other Tenants and Resiants, their heirs, and all those which hereafter shall have their estate, or parcel of their estate, may fish through all the waters and wastes of the said Isle, without impediment of the Ministers of the said Lord Sir John Mowbray, except the Skires aforesaid. And also that they may dig Turf, and all other manner of earth, in all the wastes aforesaid, to carry improve their land at their pleasure. And that none of the Tenants aforesaid, or of their heirs, or of those having their estate impeached of Trespass by the Ministers of the said Lord, be amerced for Trespass without answer given in Court; and then by their Peers to be fined and taxed if they be amercible. And the said John granteth that all the Tenants and their heirs, and all those which shall have their estate, which are bound to inclose the Woods of the Lord, may take Underwood to make them new hedges, or to repair them, as much as shall be necessary, That is to say,
in the places of the said Woods r) of the said Tenants, their heirs, and of those which shall have their estate, without being inpeached of grieved by the Ministers of the said Lord Sir John Mowbray. And the said John granteth for him and his heirs, that all the things & Articles aforesaid be of effect and force in the law, as well to those which are generally named Tenants, and their heirs, as those which shall have their estate, or parcel of their estate, as to those which are named by proper names, and their heirs, and those which shall have their estate, or parcel of their estate. And if in the Articles aforesaid, there be any point, which may have divers interpretations or intendments, that it shall be taken to the best advantage of the names, or of the Tenants aforesaid, and of their heirs, or of those which shall have their estate, and not otherwise.
In witness whereof, the Parties aforesaid have interchangeably
r) This blank place cannot be read in the Deed.



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put their Seals. Given at our Mannor of Epworth the first of May, in the yeer of the Reigne of Edward the Third, after the Conquest, thirty three.
The testimony of ancient witnesses in depositions upon record in the Exchequer, nake it clearly appear that all things have gone according to this Deed within the said Mannor till now of late that the projectors usurped a possession against law. Upon that Deed, when I first undertook to Solicite this business for the Freeholders, I took the several opinions of Sir Robert Berkeley, Master Maynard, and Master Hale, not making any of them aqquainted with the others opinion, because I would be certain of the validity of the said Deed; and the chief question I put in writting to them was whether the Deed did debar the King of improvement; to which I had their several judgements it did, Sir Robert Berkeley giving it thus under his hand, which I have yet to shew: saith he.
I think it doth, if the Lord Mowbray had estate in Fee. For as I conceive it is more than a covenant and makes the improvement by the King unwarranted by Merton or any other Statute.
Ro. Berkeley.
Master Hale gave his answer (which I have also under his hand) thus: saith he, I conceive the Deed is al real discharge, and bindes the lands into whose hands soever it comes, and consequently the king cannot improve. He further adds, — That he conceives the benefit of this Deed extends to all the tenants, aswell those that are not named, as those that are named, and gives his reasons:
1. Because the Lord cannot inclose against those that are named, and conSequently there can be no improvement against any.
2. Which he saith he principally doth rely upon, because it is
a real discharge of the wast of that liberty of improvement, which
the statute gave him; and that though tenants be not a sufficiënt
name of purchase at this day in point of interest, it is in point of
discharge. ». ,, TT ,
* Math. Hale.
Master Maynard gave his opinion, that it past an interest, and therefore the King could not improve against it.
It is clear by several impoisitions upon record in the Tower, First, That the said Sir John Mowbray dyed seised of all the said Isle; and namely.



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In bundello Escaet. de Anno Regni Regis Edw. tertii quadragesimo tertio, par. 2. num. 7, sic continetur.
Inquisitio capta apud Kirton in Lyndsey die Sabbati prox. ante festum Annunciationis beatae Mariae virginis, Anno Regni Regis Edw. tertii post conquestum quadragesimo tertio, coram Waltero de Kelsey Escaetore Domini Regis in Com. Lincol. virtute brevis Domini Regis eid. Escaetori direct. & huic inquisitioni consuti per sacramentum Richardi de Belwood, s) Willihelmi de Burnham, Johannis Fowler, Thome de Melton, s) Johannis Tanchard de Eppworth, Will. Gray de eadem, Will. Billingham de eadem, Will. filii Gilberti de eadem, Will. Elers de eadem, Johannis Bird de eadem, Henrici Whithe de eadem, & Roberti de Swynton de eadem, Jurat. qui dicunt super sacramentum suum quod Johannes de Mowbray Chivalr. defunctus, obiit seisit de Insula de Axholm.&c. Et dicunt, quod Johannis filii praedicti Johannis de Mowbray est filius & hae res predijti Johannis de Mowbray Chr. defunctus propinquior, & est aetatis quinque Annorum & amplius. In cujus rei testimonum predicti jurat huic Inquisitioni sigilla sua apposueris, &c.
In bundello Escaet. de Anno sexto Richardi secundi num. 58. continetur sic.
Inquisitio capta apud Gaynsburgh die Martis prox. post festum sacrae Petronellae virginis, Anno Regni Regis Richardi secundi post conquestu sexto coram Will. de Skipwith Escaetore domini regis in com. Lincol. virtuto brevis dict. Domini regis eidem Escaetor direct, per sacramentum Roberti Sheffield de Butterwick, &c. Qui dicunt super sacramentum suum, quod Johannes Mowbray Chr. obiit seisit de Manerio de Epworth cum pertinent, ut de feodo in Insula de Haxiholm, &c. post cujus mortem dominus Rex Edwardus avus Regis nunc seisivit manerium predictum cum pertinen. qc. ratione minoris ae tatis Johannis Mowbray comit. Nottingham til. & hae red. dict. Johannis Mowbray Chr. qui mortuus est &c.
The long continued race of the Mowbrayes, Dukes of Norfolk, also appears in the Tower to be Lords of the said Mannor, and how John Lord Mowbray, father of this John that made the Deed, being in rebelHon with those Barons that accompanied the Duke of Lancaster, who was beheaded at Pomfret, was amongst all the rest of
s) This Belwood and Melton are two named in Deed of Mowbray.
20



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the Lords in that insurrection, restored by Act of Parliament Ann. 4 Ed. 3. to all his lands. And how Eiizabeth dowager of Thomas lord Mowbray, who was grandchild to this John that made the Deed, had her assignation of dower through all the Mannor of Epworth Ann 2. R. 2.
The manner of keeping this Deed, hath been in a Chest bound with iron in the parish- Church of Haxey, being the greatest town within the Mannor, by some of the chief Freeholders, who had the keeping of the keys, which chest stood under a window, wherein was the portraicture of Mowbray set in ancient glass, holding in his hand a writing which was commonly reputed to be an emblem of the Deed, till now of late that the glass was broken down; this also appears in the depositions in the Exchequer,
That the said Mowbray did in his time approve to himself much of the wasts as lord, appeareth by many ancient Deeds, bearing date before this Deed, yet extant in the Isle; whereby after he had inclosed the same, he granted to others those inclosures.
The Freeholders had a Tryal, Verdict, Judgement, and Execution upon it in Michaelmas Term, 1651, at the Exchequer Bar, by order of that Court, in the name of Thomas Vavasour, a gentleman of an ancient family, son of Henry Vavasour, son of Thomas Vavasour the Grandfather, son of Henry Vavasour the great Grandfather, who married Joane one of the daughters of Robert Att-hall, to whom by partition made between her and Eiizabeth and Mary he sisters, the same place called Belwood did come. Robert Attall was son and heir to Oliver Att-hall, who was son and heir of Margery one of the daughters and co-heirs of Thomas Beltoft and Emmott his wife, to whom by partition with Eiizabeth her sister the said place called Belwood came. Emot was daughter and heir to Richard de Belwood, who is one of the eleven specially named in the said Deed of Mowbray, and lyeth intombed in the Parish Church of Belton, in a Tombe, called Belwood Tombe; so as it is clear the said Thomas Vavasour, in whose name the Freeholders had their Verdict, hath both the same estate that Richard de Bellewood now about three hundred years since had, derived to him by Deeds under seal; and is also of blood unto him lineally descended from him.
This is the first Tryal that the Freeholders could ever obtain in twenty yeers time; at which Tryal it did also appear by the testimony of ancient witnesses, that the Freeholders has also common in gross, against which no improvement can by law be made; neither was this



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tryal had before there was an hearing in equity of an English bill. which the Participants exhibited in the Exchequer to stay the Freeholders suits at law, which bill was four or five yeers in hearing; and the Decree made upon the full hearing thereof in Feb. 1650 doth establish the possession no otherwise with the Participants then it was when that bill was exhibited, which was but in Trinity Term, 1646, at which time there was four thousand acres of the said seven thousand four hundred acres in controversie in the possession of the Freeholders, and that decree gives way to go to Tryal at law for the rest; and therefore I desire that the equivocation of Master Say and Master Darley in the third folio of their report as to the possession by that Decree, may be observed when the report shall be brought in.
And now may it please your honors, I shall truly inform you of the proceedings at law, in a brief thus, viz.
In Hillary Term, 1645, the Freeholders commenced their suites at law against the Participants, to try their title to the said lands.
In Trinity Term following, viz. 1646 (and not in 1642, as the Participants in their Petition to the late parliament falsely suggest), the participants exhibited an English Bill in the Exchequer to stay those suites at law, and to have the possession of the whole of the seven thousand fourhundred acres in controversie established with them.
In Michaelmas Term, 1650, that Bill came to full hearing, and the Decreet) then made doth establish the possession no otherwise with them then it was when that Bill was exhibited.
Where pray Note, That about four thousand acres of the said seven thousand four hundred acres had been then about five yeers before the Bill was exhibited in the Freeholders possession, in which case all restitution of possession, under colour of a Ryot. is by law excluded.
Note also, That Decree gives way to the Freeholders to go to tryal at law for the rest.
There being now about one hundred charged as Ryoters, It is humbly submitted.
Whether all the rest of the Freeholders and Commoners, being above a thousand, shall suffer the loss of their possession so left unto
t) Quere, Whether Mr. Say hath not conceaied this Decree from the Committee of the Counsel of State, and vide the Decree and Mr. Say"s equivocation thereupon in folio 3 of his report touching the possession.



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them as aforesaid by the said Decree, upon the full hearing of the Participants own Bill in equity, and afterwards wholly recovered by the Freeholders at law, upon a Verdict, in the name of one that was no Ryoter.
And two things there are observable touching that windemill mentioned in the Act of Oblivion, wherein the inhabitants are exempted from mercy, as touching the Ryots committed in the Isle of Axholm.
The first is, That it was taken in execution at the suit of the said Vavasour, for eighty pounds costs and twelve pence damages, given unto him by the Jury, and the money was paid.
The second is, that a tenant to the Participants, who was owner thereof, did in his heat of blood, presently after it was thrown down, bring his action of trespass at law against a Freeholder in the Isle for throwing down that windemill, three houses, and one barn: to which the Freeholder (being defendant) having pleaded, the Participants durst neither let the plaintiff (their tenant) try the cause himself, nor let the Defendant try it, prays upon record to discontinue their own action, and to pay the Defendant costs (lest he should try it); which they did accordingly, and paid four shillings costs to the Defendant.
Right honorable, now I have informed your honors of the legal part, give me leave, I humbly beseech you on the Freeholders behalf to lay down before you their equitable part to the grounds in question, no otherwise then was proved before the late Committee of Parliament by many witness es no way interested, if Master Say have taken the depositions, or rather returned them aright, as they were or ought to have been taken, whereof to this day the Freeholders never had copies, although Master Gibbon long since had copies delivered out; Nay, 'tis like I shall prove Master Say delivered out the very Original to him to copy forth, by which means Master Gibbon and his friends qouted such witnesses where depositions made best for them upon the margent of the report, or a copy thereof, thereby to delude the Honorable Committee of the Councel of State, and left out many of the witnesses whose testimonies make against them, and by concealing the Decree and other writings in Master Sayes hands, and other the means aforesaid, have obtained a second report; of all which I am bound in conscience to inform your Honors, lest by silence ignorance destroy this cause, and lose the Freeholders possession, which must needs attend those reports to your Honors, if nothing else should appear but the ugly shape of a pretended Ryot; for by Master



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Sayes report onely, the plot is so laid that your Honors cannot possibly see the truth, and the Freeholders have cause to fear an Honorable and brave Worthy, seeing nothing but a pretended Ryot (and being joyned with Master Scobil your Clark, as of the Committee of the Counsel of State, and never knowing how the proceedings at law are gone) hath been misled to sign a report, which whether it be contrary to law and equity as to the Freeholders loss of possession in the said grounds, or not, is humbly submitted to your honors when it shall come to your view, being compared with the depositions, which on the Freeholders part (if rightly taken by Master Say, whereof they have just occasion to doubt) will clearly appear to be thus in point of equity, viz.
1. That the grounds before the pretended draining, which the Participants took from the Freeholders, was most of it worth fifteen shillings and twenty shillings an acre per ann. and ten shillings an acre one with another throughout.
2. That it did feed all manner of Cattel, fat for the Butcher.
3. That the very best ground was taken from the Commoners.
4. That the Freeholders cannot keep half the cattel winter and summer, levant and couchant, upon their several tenements as they could before that pretended draining. u)
5. That they are compelled to joyst their cattel out in foraign places,' and to turn their Meadow grounds into pasture.
6. That divers of the Freeholders sold their estates in the Isle, and provided themselves habitations elsewhere in foraign places, merely because of oppressions in these particulars.
7. That the Participants have taken away the very heart of the ground.
8. That the South part of the Mannor of Epworth, left to the inhabitants, is as subject to be surrounded with waters vince the pretended draining, as it was before.
9. That the ground before the draining was better in Summer for the overflowings of waters that had been in Winter.
10. That the Participants at their first coming into these parts did but desire to cut through the Mannor of Epworth, to drain Hatfield Chase, and many other Mannors that lye on the West of the said Mannor, inti the river of Trent that runneth on the East. And that
u) Thomas Tailer, Thomas Farr, Isaac Chapmah, Thomas Todd, Thomas Philips, William Maw, John Brown, Robert Dyneley Esq., John Clarke, John Jervais, and others.



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without cutting into the Mannor of Epworth, Hatfield Chase, and those other Mannors could not be drained. v)
11. That when the projectors gained their possession, divers of the Commoners were murdered and shot to death, and terrified and affrighted from their habitations by Serjeants at Armes and Pursuivants, and inforced to lye in the fields under hedges, and many wounded. w)
12. That the Participants have been at no more charge in the Mannpr of Epworth, than cutting a drain of fur miles: And that they have stopped up some ancient sewers that were as useful to the Mannor. x)
And now grave Senators, though the business be clear in law for the Freeholders, and that there should be also all the equity that could be imagined for them in it; yet if Master Say have been such a man to mince, conceal, omit, and wrest the testimonies of the Freeholders witnesses in the depositions, either as he was Chaireman in the first penning of them, or in the returning of them in to the honorable Committee of the Councel of State, and withholding any essential writings, or denying any to be made out that ought and was offered by the Freeholders to have been made forth in this matter (which the Freeholders doubt not but to prove, having once copies of depositions, as Master Gibbon long since had from Master Say), Isay in this case, though the case was never so good, and before never. so righteous Judges; yet being lodged in a report so partially and wickedly, as this of Master Darley is, and presented to your honors in no other shape and form than Master Say hath drest it, I cannot but see how ruine and destruction should unavoidably fall upon those those that before God, and in the eye of the law are clear. And therefore I beseech you to blame me not, though I have presumed thus to write, for it concerns many thousands, men, women and children, for whom I have been intrusted now almost eight yeers as Solicitor, and it concerns also myself for this cause sake very neerly, as your honors may perceive by that last plotted and contrived device of Master Gibbon and his participants (when it was clear that neither law nor equity would relieve them) in their petition to the late Parliament, which followeth verbatim:
v) Thomas Farr, Timothy Ellis, Clarke, Thomas Todd, and Thomas Tailor. w) Timothy Ellis Clarke, John Tompson, William Wells, Thomas Farr, John Francis. ■< x) Thomas Tailor, Thomas Todd.



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To the suprème authority, of this nation, the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England.
THE HUMBLE PETITION OF THE PARTICIPANTS in the Draining of the Level of Hatfield Chase, in the Counties of York, Lincoln, and Nottingham, whose names are hereunto subscribed, on the behalf of themselves and others.
Sheweth,
That the Petitioners, and those under whom they did claim, did about twenty four yeers since, at the expence of near two hundred thousand" pounds, drain and lay dry sixty thousand acres of ground in the said Level, then drowned and of small value, and made the same Worth ten shillings, twelve shillings, and sixteen shillings the acre. And as a recompence for their said charge, hazard and travel in so publike a work, the proportion of about twenty four thousand acres of the said lands, whereof seven thousand four hundred acres of the wasts of the Mannor of Epworth was part, was settled upon them by good y) assurances in the law, as will appear to your honours upon the examination thereof, and are too long here to insert: and according to the said assurances the Petitioners had quiet and peaceable possession of the lands, and so injoyed the same for many yeers, and divided, improved and planted the same, and in particular, upon the seven thousand four hundred acres of Epworth, built a Church z) and about one hundred and sixty habitations, and have constantly paid the rent of 12281. per ann. which was then reserved upon the said whole proportion, and now payable to the State for ever.
That in the yeer 1642 in time of the war, some of the inhabitants of the Mannor of Epworth, by the instigation of one Daniël Noddel, an Attorney at law, did rise in tumults, and laid wast about four thousand acres of the said seven thousand four hundred acres; demolished the buildings, and destroyed the crops of corn and Rapeseed, growing thereupon: for redress whereof, and establishing
y) Notee that the Participants, notwithstanding this, durst not produce either their Patent or any other pretended assurance at the time of the examination; neither were the Freeholders suffered to make forth their title.
z) This church is yet unpaid for; the man that built it, was undone by it.



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of Exchequer, who granted several injunctions, and made several Orders to the Sheriffs for quieting the possession; but the tumults growing too great to be suprest by the ordinary Courts of Justice, the Petitioners had recourse to the Parliament, who were pleased to make several Orders b) therein for relieving the Petitioners, which likewise were contemned, and the petitioners by force still kept out of possession of the said four thousand acres.
That the Rioters seeing them go unpunished for their former insolencies and rebel Iions against the law and government of this state, and having now got the countenance of Lieutenant Colonel Lilburn, and Major Wildman, did in October 1650, whilst the cause was hearing in the Exchequer, rise in tumult, and destroyed the Corn and cropps growing upon the residue, being about three thousand four hundred acres of the said seven thousand four hundred acres; whereof the Court being informed, granted a c) Writ of assistance to the Sheriff, to quit the possession, who comes upon the place, and is there resisted, and in his presence the fences thrown down.
In Hilary Term 1650. the Court upon full hearing d) Decree and establish the possession with the petitioners, which decree coming to be published on the place (having now the influence of Master Lilburn) these Ryoters with high and reproachful language, contemne it: and being advised to give obedience, or else the Parliament must be acquainted with it, they answered it was a traiterous order, and that they would obey neither Barons nor the Parliament, and that they could make as good a Parliament themselves; and that if the Parliament sent forces against them they would raise forces and resist them; and then proceeded to demolish the houses of the town their possession the Petitioners exhibited a) their bill in the Court
a) This bill was exhibited for stay of the Freeholders suits at law in Trinity Term, 1646, when the Freeholders had had possession about four yeers before.
b) They never had any order of Parliament, but out of the House of Lords upon a supposed Ryot, which being heard at the Lords Bar, the parties comolained oh were dismist, and are now for that very thing complained on.
c) This writ gave no power to the Sheriff, but against such as were parties to adecree in the Exchequer, in the twelfh yeer of the late King, which Master Gibbon dare not produce, and those which then put down the banks, did it in a peaceable and legal way, and were no parties to that Decree.
d) By this Decree the court does establish the possesion no otherwayes with the Participants then it was when the Bill was exhibited, at which time the four thousand acres aforementioned in this petition had been in the possession of the Freeholders neer five yeers.



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of Santoft, with a e) windemill, and deface the Church, f) all built by your petitioners and their tenants. Then your petitioners appUed themselves to the Councel of State, who were pleased to send an order to the Sheriff of the County of Lincoln on the petitioners behalf, but during those transactions the ryoters in contempt of authority and law brake the houses, fetch away the tenants cattle and impound them, and would admit of no g) Replevines, but forced them to redeem them at what rate they pleased; and proceeded to demolish all, both houses and baros, and all other buildings, and destroy all the corn there growing, and fetch away the materials of those buildings by force, to the damage h) of the petitioners and their tenants, in the whole forty thousand pound, besides the damage to the Commonwealth in general, by destruction to so many habitations and plows for tillage and husbandry.
The whole proportion of the seven thousand four hundred acres within this Mannor being laid wast, the said Lilburn, Wildman and Noddel, with divers of the Ryoters, ride and view it and then they make agreement with divers of the most notorious ryoters, that for two thousand acres of that land to be given to Lilburn, where he would make election, and 200 toi) Noddel, j) they would defend them against all fines and other troubles concerning the Ryots before mentioned, and defend them against these petitioners, for the other five thousand two hundred acres. And presently after this, they took
e) And was not the windemill, and all the houses worthy to be removed (though not at manner) when there was neither law nor equity they should stand? Alas poor commoners! the fault (if any) was in this, that (after twenty yeers time you could have no tryal. and Master Gibbon saying you should never have any so long as you were quick) I say the fault of a few of you was in this, that you did it by force, for which I hope there is mercy to be had.
f) The houses were built of the Freeholders own wood, taken out of the ground.
g) The Participants dare not try the cause either by replevir or otherwise at law; if they will, we offer it when they will.
h) What damage can be done to those who have no title?
i) I refer this to the contradiction of the Participants' own witness in the depositions, and upon a fair examination shall produce many witnesses, that there was no such agreement made; and God will one day reveal it, whether any such agreement was made, and how the witnesses were in that point wrested.
j) Neither is there the least proof, that the 200 acres were given to me upon any such score, if the depositions were truly taken, whereof yet I never had copies.



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the same two thousand two hundred acres into their possession, worth at least 1600£ per an. and so made at the charge of the petitioners, and have contracted to let proportions, and have entered upon one house, and re-edified the same, and keep possession threof. And on the 19. of October last, being the Lords day, Lilburn with a grat number armed, came to the Church, and there forc't away the Minister and congregation, saying, He should not preach there unless they were stronger than he; and now makes it a place to lay his hay, and a slaughter house to kill Cattel in. And during his abode in the Country practised with the inhabitants of other Mannors to do the like as Epworth had done, saying the decrees were illegal. And to make the present Government odious, speaks high reproachful and seditious language against the Parliament and present government, as will appear upon examination.
The Petitioners most humbly beseech your honors to take into your consideration.
1. The great disobedience to the Parliament and Courts of Justice, and contempt of present Government.
2. The great damage to the Commonwealth in general, and in partirular to your Petitioners and their tenants, to the value of at least forty thousand pounds.
3. The consequence of such unparallel'd and rebellious ryots, and to direct such a way for the Petitiones reparation and damage, and future preservation of this level, as to your grave wisdom shall be thought meet.
And your Petitioners shall pray, &c. This petition being signed by Master Gibbon, and four or five more, who term themselves participants; It is humbly desired on the Freeholders behalf, whether any besides Master Gibbon (who is the onely visable prosecutor) will so own it, as to be answerable for those great expences that the inhabitants have been and are drawn unto in this business: and that the manifold illegalities extravagancies and incertainties therein may be considered, especially herein, that under the charge of these general words (some inhabitants of Epworth) many persons are now mixed together in the report, as rvoters, without knowing their particular charges, which certainly is contrary to all proceedings at law, which hath propided so wisely and tenderly for the lives and estates of all in this Commonwealth, that in things criminal every man ought to have bis particular charge



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given, as touching the matter of crime, the time when, place where, and the person by whom it was committed, with his name and sirname, his addition and place of abode; to th' intent the party accused may make his legal defence thereunto: but in the report of Master Say and Master Darley, all are wined so confusedly together, as every man hath just occasion to say it was impossible for him to make his defence, Nay, it was so carryed on by the late Committed of Parliament, that when some of the homest party of that Committee had made an order that every person should have his particular charge given in writing, the very next day after it was again overvoted and nullified; so that Master Luke Robinson that honest Gentleman, who was of that Committee, then said it was in vaine for to sit.
And howeoever for my own particular I may lye under censure by reason of this petition, and the proceedings thereupon, yet it will be for your honours to cause the depositions to be thoroughly perused, aswell on the Freeholders part as on the other, whereby you will then come to know how Master Say and Master Darley have in ten knes lockt up and imprisoned the truth of above twenty witnesses, Which the Freeholders had attending here in London about a twelvemoneth since, neer half a yeer before they could be examined, and yet Master Gibbons witnesses in a months time at the most, had a quick dispatch, and Master Say and Master Darley have stretch't out neer two hundred lines, in the report out of their depositions for the Participants advantage. and you will then come to know (if Master Say have dealt feirely in taking the depositions) how the witnesses on both sides are related, and whether those Master Gibbon produced were not tenants and farmers to the Participants, and swear in expectation to receive damages from the inhabitants, and the several ages of the witnesses on both sides, and how long they have known the grounds.
And now after I have shown both the legal and equitable part of this business on the behalf of the Freehulders, accórding to proof upon record, I beseech your honours give me leave to take notice of Master Gibbon throwing dirt at the Freeholders, and of Master Say and Master Darley, how ready they are in their report to mention the least- unbeseeming word that any particular inhabitant hath spoken, but altogether omit to make out the inhabitants defence, wherein it was clearly made appear how they have k) raised and maink) Witnesses Robert uynely, John Barnard Esq., Timothy Ellis, ctark, and others.



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tained at their own charge two foot companies for the Parliament for a long time in the Isle, and afterwards both at Belvoir and elsewhere in England, and divers of them since in Scotland did good service.
As for my own particular, I have this to say to their report, they have past my defence very sleightly over, which I refer to the depositions: and since Mr. Say hath been so cruel as not to af ford me the benefit which the House of Lords did, but that my own constrained examinations to interrogatories in the Exchequer must be used against me (a thing the House of Lords refused), I beseech you let all my examination be taken notice of, aswell as that part they make use of to do me hurt. For Master Say (as a cruel man), though I and the other persons with me were after a moneths imprisonment here in London, upon a full hearing of Councel on both sides, at the Bar of the House of Lords, dismissed for that very offence mentioned in their report; yet is it revived and made use of again, and though I offered to prove the dismission by sveral witnesses, yet would not Master Say admit thereof, because the order of dismission was not to be found; and therefore the just and honest defence that might have been made thereunto, had it been before any competent Judge, cannot by the report appear to your honours: and though I desire not to recriminate, yet I submit that any, whether it was not as fit Master Say and Master Darley should have reported the several proofs 1) that are against Master Gibbon, whereby his readiness of inclination to the King of Scotts appears, expecting through his prevalency to be revenged against the inhabitants, and giving forth words, that he will raise three hundred men with horse and Armes in his assistance; I say, whether that was not as fit to be reported as some words they do report; howsoever, it is their injustice they have not afforded me the benefit of the Cross examination of the witnesses that swore against me, or the benefit m) of the testimony of those that were brought for me, of purpose to make their threats good against me; but I conclude with this, God forgive them.
And one thing (may it please your honours) I crave leave to publish for my own vindication against the impudence of Master Gibbon, who before the honorable Committee of the Councel of State taxed me with perjury, in an Affidavit I once made in the Exchequer; upon the reading whereof, he said, Baron Thorpe affirmed upon the
1) Marmaduke Hardy and Ric. Glew, cross examined. m) Rich. Glew, William Wells, Thomas Todd.



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Bench it was false, which Affidavit being made upon occasion of an order which Master Gibbon strongley laboured for (after the verdict which the Freeholders had in Master Vavasours name) to re-inforce the Decretal order of Febr. 1650. mentioned in Master Sayes report; in the drawing up thereof, the Clarks on both sides attended at Baron Thorp's Chamber with the draught of it, and then Baron Thorpe with his own hand first inserted an exceution in the order as to Vavasour, who had obtained a verdict in affirmation of his right: whereupon the Clarks at that time departing with the order, Baron Thorpe at another time sent for the order againe and struck those words forth which he had formerley so inserted concerning Vavasour. This being the substance of my Affidavit, and I being in the Country when it was read in Court, do you know whether Baron Thorpe said it was false, or not otherwise than by hearsay. But if he did say so (as Master Gibbon taxed me he did) I do here affirm that Baron Thorpe did make that alteration of the order in his study within his chamber in Sergeants Inn in Fleet Street (Master Hillary and Master Payne, the two Attorneys in the cause, being present, and I in the room behinde) and if he do deny it, he may aswell deny his daughter in law (his wives daughter, the widdow of Master Abraham Vernat, who was a Participant, and a Captaine in Armes for the late King against the Parliament); I say he may aswell deny her to claim an interest in the grounds in question, as part of her fifth part for her maintenance.
I beseech your honours blame me not, for it is truth I write, and it is my credit I live by; and though I be endeavoured to be rendered odious and clamarous by Master Gibbon, yet I am entrusted by the Country, and the cause is of consequence to them, and so is my credit to me; and if I bring you anything but truth, let me answer for it.
I should not have been forward thus to have vindicated my self against Master Gibbon, if his estate had been answerable; but finding him a listed prisoner in the upper Bench, upon several Executions, Outlawries after Judgment, and mean process, he is charged as followeth, viz.
1. With Execution to satisfie George Shires, Esquire, one thousand two hundred pounds debt, and nine pounds damages.
2. And with Execution to satisfie Sir John Littcott, Knight, six hundred pounds debt, and six pounds damages.
3. With Execution to satisfie Thomas Squire, two hundred pounds debt, and thirty shillings costs.



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4. With Execution at the suit of Richard Read, for four and forty pounds debt.
5. With Execution at the suite of William Willett, for two hundred pounds debt, and thirty shillings costs.
6. And at the suit of William Denton, and Katherin his wife, Executors of John Bert, for two hundred pounds.
7. And at the suite of Richard Lane, Gentleman, for two hundred pounds.
8. And at suite of William Browne, Esquire, in trespass upon the case, for a thousand pounds.
9. And at suite of James le Roy for fifty pounds,
10. And at suite of Jesseben Sabbatt for fifty pounds.
11. And at suite of James Leonards for thirty pounds.
12. And at the suite of Henry Cromwell, and Dame Eiizabeth his wife, late named Eiizabeth Lucy, for four hundred pounds.
13. And at suite of Thomas Drinkwater for six hundred pounds.
14. And at suite of same for sixty pounds.
15. And again at the suite of the same for sixty pounds.
16. And at suite of the same for sixty pounds.
17. And at suite of the same for sixty pounds.
18. And at suite of the same for sixty pounds.
19. And at suite of Edward Dixon, Esquire for an hundred pounds.
20. And at suite of the Lady Katherin Dyer, widdow, for two hundred pounds.
21. And at suite of John Curson for two hundred pounds.
22. And in Execution at the suite of Edward Dixon for an hundred pounds.
23. And at suit of Henry Cromwell, and Eiizabeth his wife, late named Eiizabeth Lucy, for four hundred pounds.
24. And at suite of the Lady Dyer for two hundred pounds.
25. And at suite of Barth. Hall for eight hundred pounds.
26. And at suite of Iohn Marsham and Ferdinando Marsham for fifteen hundred pounds.
27. And with Execution at suite of Edward Dixon, Esquire for an hundred pounds debt and seven pounds damage.
28. And with Execution at the suite of Barthol. Hall, Esquire for eight hundred pounds debt and one pound one shilling costs.
29. And with Execution at the suite of Iohn Marsham, and Ferdinando Marsham, for fifteen hundred pounds debt, and seven pounds and one shilling damage.



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30. And upon a judgment at the suite of Isanbar Savatt for twenty three pounds four shillings and sixpence.
31. And with an Order from the Committee of Revenue for several sums.
32. And with Execution at the suite of Sir Edward Fish, Baronet, for two hundred pounds debt, and one and twenty shillings costs.
At the suite of Humphrey Schalcross for debt, one thousand pounds.
34. At thé suite of same for four hundred pounds debt.
35. At the suite of Francis Williamson, Knight, in the plea of trespass upon the case, damage five hundred pounds.
36. And suit of Benjamin Thornton, Esquire for an hundred pounds.
37. At the suite of Sir John Lucas for eight hundred pounds.
38. At suite of Sir Thomas Dawes for a thousand pounds.
39. At suite of Henry Williams, alias Cromwell, Esquire, and Dame Eiizabeth Ferrys, lately called Eiizabeth Lucy his wife, for four hundred pounds.
40. In Execution at the suite of Sir Thomas Dawes for five pounds costs according to the Statute.
41. Againe, at the suite of Henry Williams, alias Cromwell Esquire, and Dame Eiizabeth Ferryes &c. for four hundred pounds.
With Execution at the suite of Isanbar Savatt for twenty three pounds four shillings and sixpence.
At the suite of Thomas Lying, Gentleman for forty pounds.
With Execution at the suite of Sir Thomas Dawes for four pounds.
And with an Outlawry after Judgment at the suite of Rachell Cambell widdow and others for two thousand and one poünds debt, and thirty one shillings damage.
And with an Habeas Corpus upon an Outlawry, at the suite of James Cambell in a plea of debt.
And with an Outlawry at the suite of Michael Fawkes, 200 £.
And upon a Judgment at suite of Thomas Squire for two hundred pounds and thirty shillings costs.
And at the suite of Jahn Atkins in a plea of trespass.
And at the suite of Robert Johnson in a plea of trespass.
And besides all these, he was to pay in to the Committee for publike debts the last Saturday, but hath not, one thousand three hundred and odd pounds.
And now because I know he that is a Michiavell will teil all



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his creditors. that it is the pretended ryoters in the Isle of Axholme, that holdeth his hand from him, that should pay his debts, I shall first show you how this Master Gibbon hath sold and convered asmuch lands upon the drainage, within the level of Hatfield Chase and parts adjacent, in the Counties of York, Lincoln and Nottingham, as for which he hath received above three score thousand pounds; and namely he sold:
To John Godbold then Serjeant at law, William Say, n) Edward Walrond, and Mich. Hutchinson of the Middle Temple Esquires, land there, for which he received twenty eight thousand pounds. Vide the conveyances inrolled, dated 5. Dec. 1637, and others.
Note that Master Say sells all his part again to Hugh Awdley of the Inner Temple London Esquire, and others therein named, and joyns Gibbon named with him, whereof much is of the land in controversie; and having received his mony or securety for it, enters into warranty to make good the sale. Vide the enrolment in Chancery 6. Martii 1649.
Item, Gibbon sold to the said Hugh Awdley and others, land there, for which he received twenty three thousand pounds. Vide the several inrolled Conveyances in the yeer 1650.
Item, Gibbon sold to Francis Russell Esquire, &c. land in that drainage, though none of it of the land in controversie, for which he received two thousand and five pounds. Vide the inrolled Conveyance, Anno. 14 Car.
Item, Gibbon sold to Sir Edward Osburn the Mannor of Hatfield, for which he received ten thousand pounds.
Many other Conveyances there are, upon which he received several great sums, as between Gibbon and Osburn, 12 Car. Gibbon and Vernat, 12. Car. Gibbon and Gerard. 12. Car. Gibbon and Johnson, 13. Car. Gibbon and Master of the Rolls, and Richer, 13. Car. Gibbon and Cambell, 14. Car. Gibbon and Hampe, and others, 14. Car. Gibbon and Metcalfe, 14. Car. Gibbon and Manwood, 14. Car. Gibbon Io. and Gibbon Nic, 15. Car. Gibbon and Shering, 16. Car. Gibbon Io. and Arthur Samuel, for land in the Forest of Galtry, and Gibbon and Sir Abraham Dawes, for land there also, 16. Car. Gibbon and Gale Robert, 18. Car. Gibbon and Nokes, 19. Car. Gibbon and Shering, 19. Car. Gibbon and Lechmore, 19. Car. Gibbon and Nokes, 22. Car.
n) Note, Mr., Say a fit Chaireman and Reporter.



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So many indeed are the vast, gross, and small sums, that this man hath received, wasted, and spent, that I am confident that it is not in the power of himself to enumerate, muchless in me, that can but only teil what those reports speak forth that are extant: and truly had there not been a necessity laid upon me, out of duty to the country for whom I Solicit, and myself (Master Gibbon himself giving the occasion) I should have been sparing thus to have writ.
Upon consideration of all which, I humbly submit it on the behalf of the Freeholders, whether it be not a thing fit that some of those that pretend themselves Participants in the ground, should not make their visible appearance, and own the prosecution of this business, aswel as Master Gibbon, who standeth thus outlawed, and in that respect ought not to have the benefit of the law in things just, how much less in things vexatious and unjust? and being a man of this condition, from whom can the Freeholders extrect reparation, having no other visible prosecutor but Master Gibbon, and the general name Participants and who they are, it is not known, but Master Gibbon it is well known stops bis creditors mouths with the noise of his hopes of these lands: and what will not they every one do but drive on their own designs, thereby to make good their desherate debts as much as possible they may ? for can it be thought, that if Master Cambell have a friend, he will not engage him as much as he can ? and that if Sir John Littcot have a friend he will not do the like? and so of all the rest of his creditors (but thanks be to God I finde a change; I believe no such friendship of that kinds, will finde, acceptance among your honours); my desire is but to discover the truth, and that too by matter of record, wherein I may soon be found a lyer if I do not: the Decree of Febr. 1650. proceedings at law, and the Depositions (if rightly taken by Master Say, whereof I desire copies aswell as Master Gibbon hath had) will decide the business, as to the possession which he hungers after, and by delusion hath made a stop unto: and when I had discovered the truth, and studyed how to bring it to you, I could not teil possibly how to do it at present better to prevent dang er, as the case stands, than this way, and by lodging the Freeholders petition in the hands of the Lincolnshire Members which is humbly desired to be called for, when the business is peported: for what order the honorable Councel of State have made in it, and how or when this business may come before your honors, I cannot certainly teil, although it is now above a moneth since something was done in it; and the Freeholders have good hope that
21



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care is taken for them by the honorable Councel: but all that I can learn at the Office is, that Master Thurle hath taken the care of drawing ito himself; but I must humbly beseech you all (as the safest refuge that every Freeholder in England in this case hath to flye unto) to take care of it, for there is much of the Freedom of the laws and liberties of England, in my judgment, either to be preserved or lost in it. n)
And now I have thus written I am at quiet (being as confident of Justice as ever I was in my life from any), a comfort I wanted the last Parliament: and truly if I should be asked the reason, I am able to say no more than this, That I verily perswade my self the fear of God is amongst you, to distribute reighteousness to all the people of this Commonwealth, and in particular, to this long oppressed people within the Mannor of Epworth, that could never obtain a tryal at law this twenty yeers (justice being formerly ogstructed by orders of several Courts); and now of late, although within this eight yeers they had two several dayes by special order, first in the Common Pleas, and then in the Exchequer set down for tryal, and several Juries returned; 6et before Michaelmas Term 1651. (being the third time they had a day set down, and a Jury returned) they could not obtain it; and then also Master Gibbon endeavoured to make good his several sayings, that the inhabitants should never have a tryal as long as they were quick (as is proved), for the Jury was then adjourned from day to day at the Exchequer Bar, and staid in town neer a moneth before the tryal was permitted to go on, yet in conclusion the Plaintiff being no ryoter was permitted to go on, but Master Gibbon and his Councel departed the Court, and bing able to make no defence let the verdict go by default purposely that he might have this to say, That the Participants made no defence. And I have this to say more for them, that although the cause should be tryed never so of fen, they will never do otherwise; and have this found by experience, that a multitude shall never be righted so long as their remedy lyes by suites of this length and continuance (if pretence of ryot by a few shall take away the possession of all), for 'tis not possible but some of the ruder sort will goow disorderly, and indanger both themselves and those that deal for them, upon which score the Star-chamber formerly took away their possession, making the people ryoters, whereas the projectors where indeed the ryoters, both in the sight of God and the ey of the law, and I hope may in time be so looked upon; now the people themselves have signified



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their wiltingness under their subscribed hands, to joyn with the present Lords of the Mannor in a legal improvement of the said grounds for their own and the Commonwealths good; and are ready, if there be anything due either in law or equity to Participants to yeeld it to them: and as to matter of pretended ryot, they hope, in case your honors take cognizance of it, you will be pleased to let evry man complained against have his particular charge, and then he that cannot defend himself, having once a legal way prescribed to do it, must suffer, if there be no more pardon to be had then the Act of Oblivion of the late Parliament gives unto him.
I have thus far discharged my duty to God and my Country in the place I stand imployed; the great God of heaven direct your honours, that this cause may come before you with a right understanding of it, which the report of Master Say and Master Darley can never bring; and against which, as partial, wicked, and most unjust, many thousands of men, wamen and children, within the Isle of Arholm, have as just cause of complaint, as ever had people in any cause whatsoever. All which I onw under my hand, and upon a reasonable time, given, shall be ready, either to make good, at least in the substance, or suffer.
DANIËL NODDEL.
To the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England and every individual member thereof.
THE GREAT COMPLAINT AND DECLARATION of about 1,200 FREEHOLDERS and COMMONERS, within the Mannor of Epworth, in the Isle of Axholm, and County of Lincoln, setting forth the plot and design of Mr. JOHN GIBBON, and his Fellow-Projectors, to gain a Possession of the said Free-holders ancient Inheritance, in their commonable grounds there, contrary to Law. Humbly presented, and desired to be perused. 1654.
The business of the Isle of Axholm, under the notion of a Riot, hath been rendered famous by that exception in the Act of Oblivion of the late Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, wherein



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there is an exemption from pardon, touching the pretended Riots committed in the said Isle; as also by the proceedings that have been upon a Petition of Certain Undertakers, who call themselves Participants in the Level of Hatfield Chase, prosecuted by Mr. John Gibbon, the visible Prosecutor for himself and his Fellow-Participants, which Petition was by the Parliament referred to a Committee thereof, and from thence strange proceedings have grown, and by high crying up to a Riot, and noysing it all abroad, the whole case of the Isle of Axholm is misrepresented, and endeavoured to be rendred odious, though as just, honest and warrentable by the Law of England, in point of Title at Law, or matter in equity, touching the grounds in controversie, as any; and therefore because the Freeholders there foresee some reports drawn up concerning the manner of Epworth in the nature of a Riot, attending a bill to be brought into Parliament for settlement of Hatfield-Chase by an Act of your Honors, they humbly crave leave to acquajnt you, that there is no report cometh or made, that mentioneth their Title at all to the grounds in question, neither that truly stateth the equitable part, as indeed it is, but are drawn up and dressed in the ugly form of a Riot (to gain a possession) with all advantage to the Participants, on purpose excluding the Title and proceedings that have been now within these nine years in the ordinary Courts of Justice, and to remove apossession of thirteen years now late continuance, from the ancient and true owners (the Freeholders) who are now legally inpested in it, to give it to chose thae neverye legally had it; and therefore in order to the discovery of the whole truth in this business of the Isle of Axholm, it is necessary to be known, that there are about 60,000 acres (said to be drained ground) lying contiguous within the several Counties of York, Lincoln and Nottingham, and that the grounds in controversie are 7,400 acres, lying in the Mannor of Epworth, in the County of Lincoln onely, and not extending into, or being parcel of Hatfield-Chase, and the rest of the grounds in the grounds in the other Counties. It is also necessary to know the situation of the Mannor of Epworth, which lyeth in length about six miles, having Hatfield-Chase, and divers other wasts (parcel of the said 60,000 acres, and belonging to other Mannors) on the West and the River of Trent adjoyning and running all along towards Humber on the East; so as by consequence (as well as by Proof in the depositions) it appears, ehat without cutting through the Mannor of Epworth, Hatfield-Chase, and the other wasts lying on the West



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could not have been drained; and therefore the Participants did but at their coming into those parts, desire to cut through the Mannor of Epworth, without any further or other incroachment upon the inhabitants there, for drawing the waters in to the said River of Trent, through the said Mannor, to drain the Chase.
And although the Free-holders had such a right in the said grounds within the Mannor of Epworth, as hereafter will appear, could not by Law be improved against by any Lord af the Mannor; yet upon the draining of the said Chase, and the other Mannors lying on the West of Epworth, the Participants by colour of the late King's illegal Patent, did about twenty years since, by force of Arms, murdering some, and wounding and imprisoning others of the Commoners, violently enter upon their said grounds, and have for divers years much abused and greviously oppressed them, fordng from them the said Lands (being the Free-holders ancient inheritance, and lying without the said Level of Hatfield), granted to them about 300 years since by a former Lord of the Mannor, in confirmation of the ancient right, which the Free-holders in those times had (for it is observable, that the Deed makes mention, that at that time they had had right in those grounds, time out of mind); and these Participants detained the same Lands from them in the times of tyranny, by means of the •Councel-Table and Star-Chamber, not suffering the Commoners to enjoy the benefit of the Law: yet some of the said Participants by their Agents so much abused the Commoners that even in those times some of them were censured in the Star- Chamber to stand in the Pillory, and by duress of imprisonment, sore Fines, ussues estreated, threats and menaces against the Commons, and bribery (for they bribed the Solicitor with 80£), some few of the Inhabitants (the major part, and those of tse most considerable, being free) were forced to subscribe to Papers, the Contents whereof many of them never know, as they answer upon their oaths in the Exchequer, but the substance thereof indeed was, that they should stand to the award of the Kings Attorney-General whose award (without hearing the merits of the cause) was ratified and confirmed by the Decree of Court of Exchequer, in the twelfth year of the late King, as by the Decree it self, if Mr. Gibbon durst but shew the inside of it, would appear, for further then the outside of it, it hath not been shown to any Committee: and yet there is some mention made of it in the late Councels Order, wherein Mr. Gibbon was certainly beholden to the Clark that drew it; as if that Decree should hold place, notwith-



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standing the Participants own last Decree of the 10 of Febr 1650 and the Free-holders verdict at Law to the contrary. Now though Mr. Gibbon cannot abide to hear of the Title, and the proceedings that have of late been at Law in this business (thinking to dam all up with the noyse he hath made of a Riot), and though the title hath hitherto been refused to be heard or meddled with by any Committee of Parliament, yet the Free-holders rely upon that as their main strength, and do look upon your Honors as the only refuge they have under God to preserve their rights according to Law, from the violation of those that against Law endeavour to usurp a possession: and having several rights to the ground in question, as not onely common appendant, but also common in gress (though the former be certainly, included in the latter), they humbly lay down their several Titles as followeth, and first as to common appendant.
The Free-holders and Commoners within the Mannor of Epworth, have time out of mind, had common appendant to their several Tenements, for all manner of Cattel, Levant and Couchant thereupon, at all tunes of the year, in and through all the wasts and commons within the said Mannor (whereof the grounds in controversie are the greatest part, and was alwayes of the best nature), and in confirmation of this their ancient right, Sir John Mowbray, sometime Lord of the said Isle, having in his time made an approvement of part of the said wasts to himself, as Lord, did about 300 years since grant unto the Free-holders by an ancient Charter in French, but here translated into English by William Riley, Keeper of the Records in the Tower, as followeth.
(Here followed the Indenture as before printed). So as now, Right Honorable, the case in short is this: The Land in controversie is 7400 acres of ground, whereof 4000 acres have been now thirteen years in the possession of the Freeholders, and is left unto them upon the full hearing of the cause, by the Participants own last Decree own last Decree in eqifity, of the 10 of Febr. 1650, which Decree gives way to the Free-holders to go to a ryal at Law; and in pursuance thereof, they have had a Verdict by special Order of the Court of Exchequer, in the name of one tsat was no Rioter; and since that Verdict, the Free-holders have been in possession of all the 7400. acres (being their ancient inheritance, and they the true owners thereof) now three years this Michaelmas-Term 1654.
It is therefore now humbly submitted, whether after the said



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Decree in equity, and proceedings at Law, the miscarriage of a few in a pretended Riot shall occasion a quiet possession' of the Lands in question (of so long continuance, and so recovered) to be given from the Free-holders to the Participants, who never yet legally had it: Or that the Free-holders, who are willing to stand or fall by their title, either in Law or equity, shall not be admitted in a just and equieable way to improve the said grounds themselves for the best advantage of the Commonwealth, having now testified their willingness thereunto, under the major part of their hands, subscribed to a Petition ready to be presented to your Honors for that purpose.
And now, Right Honorable, since Mr, Gibbon will not set forth his Title, or indeed dare not let it appear, be pleased to take notice of what he tells all abroad, and that is, that they have the late Kings Patent, and that 370, of the people have consented to a Decree in the Exchequer.
The answer is soon given to them both: For as the first, The late King could not by Law improve fcausa palet); The second is, first, as to the consentes, there is not one person that in a legal way consented: For by the Statute of 43. Eliz. it ought to be under their hands and Seals indented for the draining of such Lands as are hurtfully surrounded, not Lands of 15s, and 20s, an acre: for therein is the cheat, that under pretence of draining a little moorish ground, they (the Projectors) ingross ten times more of the best ground from the people, and all must go under the notion of draining: And besides, over half of those that are named in the Decree, never had right of common, and some are named two, three, and four times over, to «well up the number, but admit that they all had had right, yet they were all forced and constrained, and there are above 1100 Commoners, so as there are more then twice as many that never consented at all, and divers of the most considerable is estate. Indeed Mr. Gibbon hath been very busie to shew the outside of that Decree to every Committee j and it is true the Parchment, and the Seal annexed, are very fair to look upon, and strange things Mr. Gibbon labours to pers wade with the sight thereof: but to shew the inside thereof, how it is bue the award of the Attorney-General, that was in those times decreed, without ever hearing the merits of the cause; or to shen their own last Decree of the 10 of Feb. 1650, which shews how the first was obtain'd, of these things Mr. Gibbon will never speak: but give him his due, he tells (and rings it all abraod) of great and



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notorious Riots committed in the Isle of Axholm, and calls the Inhabitants there Rioters and notorious Rogues (though honester men then ever will stand on his legs, if they were good ones); and many of their actions that they have really done for the Parliaments service (such is his impudence) he calls them Riots, and no doubt but if it were in his power, would make all the Parliaments battels Riots, witness his giving out that the King of Scots should not want for 300 men, he himself would furnish him with them, together with horse, arms, and ammunition; and saying! If the Scotch Army prevailed, and got the better of it, he would then take a course with the Isle-men, and put them to fire and Sword; and witness the report of raising a Troop of Horse upon the Level in aid of the Scotch King when he came against Worcester: are not these things proved ? Yes, and much more, but he may thank his good friends Mr. William Say, and Mr. Henry Darley, who have drawn up a report (none but Mr. Gibbon knowing a third man that was at the doing thereof) as partial, and with as much advantage to him and his fellowParticipants, as possibly they could, and that report, together with other reports that have been drawn up meerly about pretended Riots, without taking notice of any title or proceedings that have been at Law, are now foreseen to be approaching your Honors consideration, to fetch away the possession again, now recovered at L aw, from the ancient true owners, and give it to those that never yet legally had it: Now to remove a possession in 4000 acres of thirteen years continuance with the Free-holders (being their ancient inheritance), left unto them by the Participants, own last Decree of the 10 of Febr. 1650, and a possession of the whole 7400 acres, now of three years continuance, after a Verdict at Law, in the name of one that is no Rioter, surely this cannot but be thought strange, and therefore worthy notice taking, how the design was first framed, and whether it is not much savouring like those in former times (times of Tyranny), for then it was the manner to make the People Rioters, even before they had ever lost the possession, on purpose to weary and vex them, to bring them under fines, and to base submissions, to give away their right; and it is humbly submitted, whether this be no a plot of the same nature, upon perusal of the Participants' last refuge, in heir Petition to the former of the late Parliaments, which followeth in these words, verbatim — (Here followed the humble Petition of the Participants, as previously printed.)



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This petition being referred to a Committee at least of fifty of the late Parliament (for it was the Committee in the business Sir Arth. Haslerig and Primate) to hear and report the whole matter when it came to examination: the Free-holders offered to make out a good title, and some worthy Gentlemen of the Committee gave way to it, but (Mr. Gibbon labouring to prevent the title) others over-voted it in the Negative, and so Mr. Gibbon hath with credit failed to make good the words towards the beginning of his Petition, wherein he telleth the late Parliament that the Lands are setled upon them by good assurances in the Law, as will appear upon examinationj and so hath rendered this Petition in that point no better then a cypher. But at the last, after three quarters of a year, or thereabouts, attendance in London of neer thirty Witnesses for the Free-holders, a Report was cunningly and privately drawn up by Mr. William Say and Mr. Henry Darley (none of the rest of the Committee that was ever heard of, being privy), the former being a Lawyer, a Drainer, and Mr. Gibbons usual Chapman for Land in those parts, and Chairman, and Penman of the Depositions (for he would not suffer the Clerk chosen by the Committee to pen them, such was his zeal to promote the Participants complaints), and the other his great coached and familiar friend. Now surely this report of theirs is worthy some examination: First, to know how they have reported the equitable part of the Freeholders case (for that was heard). And secondly, the pretended Riot. And lastly, touching the conceating of papers that were given in to Mr. Say, as Chairman, and the delusions thereby drawn upon those that should judge in the case. Never could any have thought that two men intrusted should deal so treacherously, as almost to omit all the equitable parts of the Free-holders defence. As for example, whereas it is proved on the Free-holders part, as followeth. (Here followed the Free-holders' Depositions, which have been before printed.).
All those twelve heads (and many more), whereof nine concern the equitable part of the Free-holders defence, hath Mr. Say not at all reported; which being compared with all thathe hath reported, will shew which way he set his byass. Now to set down his own words in the report verbatim, consisting but in ten lines which is all he affordeth the Free-holders, for almost thirty witnesses, half a year here in London.
li The Inhabitants (saith he) in their defence say, That the Lands before the draining fed Cattel fat for the Butcher; but the



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Witnesses being cross interrogated, say, that it was overflown with water in sumber before the draining, and that in May, June, and July, and all the Summer long they took Fish there in several places, unless in a very dry summer.
2. They also say, that Snow Sewer was pulled up to defend the Isle from the coming of Sir Ralph Hansby, then of the Kings Party.
3. They also say, that the Sass was pulled up by the command of one whom they knew not, but he told the Inhabitants, he was a Captain of Sir John Meidrums.
Those three Heads are all that Mr. Say hath reported. Now the Free-holders humbly beseech your Honours to note but how he hath darkened and imprisoned the truth in all those three Heads.
As to the first, It plainly appeareth by those nine Heads before mentioned, to be by him omitted in his report.
And as to the second and third, was it not plainly proved, that the inhabitants of the Isle rose in Armes for the Parliament, raised two Foot-Companies, and maintained them at their own charge for them; and that what was done as to the Sewer and Sass, was clearly for the Parliaments service, and by command ? And was it not offered to be proved by the Free-holders, (but denied by Mr. Say) that the Participants raised upon this Level a Troop of Horse for the late King, against the Parliament, and how they hazarded the life of the late-brave General, now Lord Fair fax, being upon his return thorow that Level in his sad condition from Adderton-Moor, by taking up the Bridges, and preventing his passage in those parts ?
Now as touching matter of Riot, if it be put to the question between God and the Conscience, who have been the grand Rioters in the Isle of Axholm, that is, Whether the Participants, that came in against Law, when divers of the Commoners were murdered and shot to death, and many wounded, who did but turn again (as worms trod upon will do) in the just defence of their undoubted Right of possession, which was wrested from them by Councel-Table, and Starchamber-Orders, their persons many of them imprisoned, and many inforced by Pursuivants and Serjeants at Arms to lie from their habitations in the field under hedges, having their houses broken to be apprehended, being usually termed Rebels, and threatned to be hanged at their doors; and plagued with multitudes of StarchamberProces, some forced to flee out of the Kingdom at that time, having their goods illegally distrained and sold, for Issues estreated out of the then-Kings Bench; others, to sell and mortgage their Lands, to



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purchase an unjust peace against the villanous, tyrannical, and forcible entries, & intrusions, arrests, and imprisonments, brought upon them by the said Participants, contrary to Law. And their possession thus forced from them, was as unjustly detained for divers yeers. Whether therefore now the Participants or the Inhabitants be the Rioters, who all along have desired Tryals at Law, but could not have them; nay, Gibbon himself several times saying (as is proved) they should never have any so long as they were qtdck. Certainly, let but Self-interest be laid aside, and Conscience must needs conclude the participants to be the Riothers, and the cause both of former and late disturbances. And Mr. Gibbon and his first fellow-Participants in these parts, or whosoever they were that had their hands in these horrid things, are well they have hitherto escaped the Rope, for committing such unparallel'd actions against the Law.
All which notwithstanding, be pleased to see the impudence of him, how under the notion of Riots he condemns the Parliametns service, and seeks to gain damages to himself, even as for Riots, through things done for the Parliaments service. And his good old chapman and friend, Mr. Say, in the drawing up his Report, hath helped him all he can. To instance one particular: let his Report it self, about the middle thereof, shew his partial dealing, where he saith touching the possession, That upon full hearing of the cause, the possession was established with the Participants: whereas it is but established as it was at the time of the Bill. Wherein he tells the truth, but not the whole truth, as appears by the very Decree it self, of Feb. 10. 1650. which also gives way to the Free-holders to go to Tryal at Law; and they accordingly had a Verdict, and both were returned in to Mr. Say as Chairman; but he, in stead of sending them in to the Councel, Iets them lie in the Clerk's hands, and by delusion hath caused others (honourable persons) to approve of his Report, and to certifie their opinions against the Freeholders possession, answerable to the Participants designe, which is, to reach the possession in the grounds in question, and fetch away the same by your Honours extraordinary power, upon the score of a pretended Force committed by the people, and to make null, and at least drown all mention of the proceedings that have been at law, and take away the benefit of the Freeholders Verdict, under predence it was but a Verdict by default: whereas indeed, the Participants can never make any good defence, and therefore seek holes and corners, and cover their naked Title with excuses no better than fig-leaves. For, was it not a Verdict



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at the Bar ? nay, at the Exchequer-Bar too; and by special order of Court, after a tedius suit in Equity upon the Participants own Bill fully heard. And were not their Counsel at Law all present ? But if this be not answer sufficiënt, it is offered to be tried again and again.
Now what is it that these Participants would have ? If it be but as they at first desired, to cut thorow the Freeholders grounds to drain Hatfield-Chase, the Freeholders are not against it; for they desire to do the Drainage no hurt, (nor ever did:) but to yeeld the Participants an Inch, and they to take an Ell, this the Freeholders deny: for they, under your Honours favour, will cut cut their own Cloth themselves, and improve the grounds both for the good of the Commonwealth and themselves.
And for any charge that the Participants have been at within the Mannor of Epworth, although it might be answer sufficiënt that they did it for their own ends, yet, upon a just Account, the Freeholders will allow them for every penny, two-pence out of the profits which the Participants have received and taken: and when that is done, they must needs be still great debters to the Freeholders. For as to the great charge that the Participants pretend they have been at in the whole drainage, let them take it again upon the whole Drainage, where they laid it forth; for they prove no particular charge they have been at that way within Epworth. And as to Damages, what damages ought to be given to those that have no Title, nor have made any 'improvement in the grounds ? and if no Improvement, this turns the scale of recompence to be given to the Inhabitants, for all the time they were illegally outed out of the possession. And if it be true, (as is affirmed) that the Participants did raise a Troop of Horse, and fought for the late King against the Parliament, and so were the original cause of the Sluce and Sass taking up, mentioned in Mr. Say's Report, whereby they pretend a great deal of damage done to them by the Inhabitants, who raised two Foot-Companies for the Parliament, and for their defence, and the Parliaments service, and by their authority, took up the Sluce and drowned their own Corn as wel as the Participants. And if it be also true, that the Sass was taken up upon a designe which Sir John Meidrum against the late King's party; then certainly it is as clar, that the Participants and their tenants ought to have no damages allowed for those things, till Mr. Gibbon, according to his saying, with his 300 men and horse armed in assistance of the Scotch King, came to put the Isle of Axholm to fire and sword.



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By this which hath been said, it may appear that the Mannor of Epworth differeth much in the Title from other draynings, which no doubt in some places are lawful and laudable, as being created by Law of Sewers, which this of Epworth never was; or by lawful and warrant able ways, according to the Statutes of Improvement; which this never was; for neither had the Lord a power to improve, neither was there any legal consent of any of the Free-holders to make it good.
And now if Mr, Gibbon, according to his usual manner, cry out of Scandal or Riot, (for he is excellent at it) thereby to blemish or undermine the Truth, the Records that have been cited are extant, (if Mr, Say have yet returned them in) whereby it may appear whether these things be so.
The nature also of the grounds in controversie within the Mannor, differeth much from those in many other places, most of it being a clay and sand, and not so much Moory and Marish as elsewhere in other places.
Now these things being so, the Free-holders pray and hope that your Honours will not interpose with your extraordinary power to remove a possession of their ancient Inheritance, or any part thereof, thus by Law recovered, continued, and setled, without due course of Law; whereunto they shall humbly submit, and therein willingly acquiese.
The Lord direct your Honours to hold forth the Law te them; for there is nothing in this case that is not determinable at Law. So shall the hearts of many thousand men, women and children in the Isle of Axholm have occasion to bless God for his deliverance, when they see that through your means the Law of the Land is become their protection in their estate, against usurpers and wrong-doers.
Signed by me
DANIËL NODDEL. Solicitor for the Freeholders.



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25 EDW. 3. Chap. 4.
Amongst other things. It is thus enacted, viz.
Item, Whereas it is contained in the great Charter" of the Franchises of England, That none shall be imprisoned, nor put out of his Free-hold, nor of his Franchises nor free Customs, unless it be by the Law of the Land: It is accorded, assented, established, that from henceforth none shall be taken by petition or suggestion to our Lord the King or his Councel, unless it be by Indictment or presentment of his good and lawful people of the same Neighbourhood where such deeds be done, in due maner, or by process made by Writ original at the Common Law; nor that none be out of his Franchise or Free-hold, unless he be brought in answer, and forejudged of the same by the course of Law. And if anything be done against the same, it shall be redressed, and holden for none.
!5 Edw. 3. cap. 3. 28 Edw. 3. cap. 3. 7 Hen. 3. cap. 9.
Divers precedents may be produced in former Parliaments, shewing that no matter for which there is reliëf in the Courts of Justice, ought to be complained of in Parliament.
Prov. 23.
Vers. 10. Remove not the old landmark, and enter not into the fields of the fatherless.
Vers. ft For their Redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.
(TOMLINSON; Hatfield Chase and Parts adjacent.)
o) 10 Edw. 4. fol. 6. Dyer fol. 104. Cook 1. 5. fol. 6. 1. 10. fol. 74 Cook 1 11. fol. 99.



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Bijlage No. X.
A Bill put in Parliament on Behalf of CORNELIUS VERMUYDEN, respecting the Incorporating the Participants of the Level of Hatfield Chase, and their Privileges.
Whereas his late majesty being owner of about three score thousand acres of waste bogs and surrounded grounds, belonging to his several manors of Hatfield, and one third part of the manor of Brampton, at Gate, and his manor of Epworth, and fourteen other contiguous manors within the several counties of York, Lincoln and Nottingham, or some or one of them, did by articles under the great seal of England, bearing date the Four and Twentieth day of May, in the Second year of his reign, contract with Cornelius Vermuyden, esquire, now knight, for draining of the same: and thereby agreed to allow him one third part of the said wastes for his pains and charges: And whereas the said Cornelius Vermuyden did, at the expence of two hundred thousand pounds, perfect the said work:
And whereas, upon another contract under the great seal of England, made by advice of bis late majesty's most honourable privy council, bearing date the Seven and Twentieth day of December, in the Fourth year of his reign, his said majesty reserved sixteen thousand and eight hundred pounds fine, and was to have reserved to him the yearly fee-farm rent of twelve hundred twenty-eight pounds, and seventeen shillings per annum for ever for his majesty's propórtion therein. And did agree well and sufficiently to convey to the said Cornelius Vermuyden, and his heirs and assigns for ever, the said proportions freed and discharged from all claims of common and pretences whatever: And his said majesty did also agree with the said Cornelius Vermuyden, that his said late majesty, his heirs and successors, should and would give his royal assent to a bill in parliament for settling and confirming the same: And would incorporate the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his participants and assigns, for the better order and government of the said drained grounds: And his said late majesty did further grant several other privileges and advantages in encouragement of the said notwithstanding :
And whereas, in pursuance of the said contracts, his said majesty,



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did by letters patents, bearing date the Fifth day of February in the fourth year of his reign: and by other letters patents, bearing date the Four and Twentieth day of March, in the Twentieth year of his reign, grant and convey to the said Cornelius Vermuyden and his heirs, or to others by his nominations for trust for him and his participants and their heirs, the said several proportions accordingly: And whereas the respective commoners did freely submit to the several proportions which were set out and allotted to his said majesty and the said Cornelius Vermuyden, (those only within the Isle of Axholme excepted) who would not submit till a decree in the Court of Exchequer was, in the Twentieth year of his said late majesty's reign, obtained for the establishment of the proportions lying within the said isle: and the said decreed proportions being seven thousand and four hundred acres, or there-abouts, were peaceably enjoyed till the beginning of the late wars; at which time some of the said commoners, under pretence of not being bound by the said decree, did therefore invade the same and destroyed great quantities of corn, and damaged above one hundred and fifty habitations and a church erected by the said participants for the French and Dutch protestant strangers, their tenants, and maliciously drowned the same: so that the whole improvement was in great danger to be lost thereby.
Now, to the end that the said contracts and letters patents may be confirmed and made good in every part for ever, and that works of the like nature, being of so public use and benefit, may receive all full encouragement. Be it enacted by the king's most excellent majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the lords spiritual and temporal and commons in this present parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, that the said several letters patents and the estates and interests thereby granted or intended to be granted and all conveying estates, trusts and interests decreed under the same, or either of them, shall from their respective dates be for ever taken and held for valid and firm in law to all intents and purposes: and are hereby adjudged and shall be deemed and taken sufficiënts in law to vest, sell, and convey the lands thereby respectively granted unto and in the several patentees, and their heirs, and all persons claiming in law and equity from, by or under them or any of them, or by or under such awards, conveyances or assurances, or any of them, notwithstanding the said letters patents were passed under the great seal of England only, and not under the seal of the Duchy



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of Lancaster, or that due examination was not thereupon had: And notwithstanding the said lands, or any of them, now parcel of the possessions of the dukedoms of Lancaster and Cornwall, of or either of them, or mentioned to lie in one or more towns, parishes or counties, and in truth do lie in some other town, parish, or countyj and are mentioned to be parcel of one manor, and in truth are parcel of some other manor, and notwithstanding any misrecital or defect in the same or any other matter or things whatsoever. And that the several patentees, and their heirs and assigns, and all persons claiming or deriving any estate, right, or title, in law or equity, by, from, or under them or any of them, shall hold and enjoy the lands by the said letters patenis granted, or intended to be granted, freed and discharged from all title of common or other claim, pretence, or title whatsoever.
And be it further enacted, that all the lands lying within or adjacent to the late chase called Hatfield Chase, which have been drained and improved by the said Cornelius Vermuyden, or his assigns and participants, shall be from henceforth taken and esteemed to be the Level of Hatfield Chase: And the respective owners of the said improved lands shall be and are hereby incorporated, and shall be a body poliitic and corporate in deed and name, and have succession for ever by the name of the governor, bailif fs, conservators and commonalty of the Level of Hatfield Chase: which Corporation shall consist of one governor, three bailif fs, and twelve conservators and commonalties, and shall have and use a common seal to be appointed by themselves, and shall and may assemble when and where they please, and shall and may as well demand, reserve, and levy all arrears of taxes by the commissioners of sewers since the Four and Twentieth day of June, One Thousand Six Hundred Fifty and Six, imposed by any law of sewers now in force, on the participants' lands in the said level, (except those lands in the Isle of Axholme), and call all receivers, collectors, and other offieers to account for the same: as also assess and tax all the improved lands within the said level (the commoners' part excepted) for support and preservation of the said level, and works concerning the same, and for defraying all other charges tending to or depending upon the same: and for nonpayment of the said taxes or arrears, to levy and recover the same by all such ways and means as taxes imposed by commissioners of sewers may be levied and recovered by virtue of any statute or statutes now in force: And shall and may appoint a treasurer, clerk,
22



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sergeant at mace, and other offieers, and allow them such salaries as they shall think meet, and remove them at pleasure, and upon death or removal appoint new ones in any of their places: And Sir George Savile, baronet, shall be the first governor: and Edward Waldron, John Gibbon, and John Bradbourne, shall be the three first bailiffs: and Sir Thomas Abdye and John Anthony Van Valkenburgh, baronets, Sir Charles Harboard, Sir John Ogle, knights, William Ramsden, Walter Rea, Mark Van Valkenburgh, Robert Hampson, John Hattfeild, George Johnson, John Hanbliett, and Alexander Broom, shall be the first twelve conservators: and the said governor, bailiffs, and conservators to continue until the Sixteenth day of February, One Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-Two, and until new election by the said Corporation or the major part then present shall be made: And that the governor conservators, and commonalty of the Level of Hatfield Chase, shall be capable to sue and be sued by the name, and without licence to purchase manors, lands and tenements, not exceeding the value of two hunderd pounds per annum, and goods and chattles, and to dispose thereof, in the name and to the use of the said corporation; And the said governor, bailiffs, and conservators, or any four of them, whereof the said governor and bailiffs, or any of them, to be one, shall and forever hereafter be and are hereby made and constituted commissioners of sewers of, for, and concerning the said level and all the works belonging thereunto, wherein no other commissioners of sewers whatsoever shall in any wise intermeddle: And shall in all cases have and exercise within and concerning the said level and the works thereto belonging, all and every such powers and authorities which any other commissioners of sewers, by the laws and statutes of this kingdom, may or can exercise: And shall and may make new works for preservation of the said level, and assess and tax all the lands within the same (except the commoners' part) to the doing the doing thereof, and levy the said tax or taxes by all or any such ways or means as any tax imposed by commissioners of sewers may be levied or recovered by virtue of any statute or statutes now in force, and may proceed by one or more juries to be summoned by the said sergeant at mace, the good and lawful men inhabiting within the said level, though in several counties, and if the said level lies in one county only, and the jurors were sufficiënt freeholders and were returned by the sheriff, and as if the same commissioners were six in number, and six of the quorum, and shall and may make bylaws and ordinances for government and preservation of the said level,



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according to the laws and custons of Romney Marsh, or otherwise according to their good discretion: And if any person shall cut, throw, down, or destroy any works made or to be made within or corcerning the said level, the party offending shall answer treble damages to the said Corporation, besides costs of suits. and if each cutting, throwing dwn, or destroying shall be maliciously done, the same shall be punished as for cutting the podike in marsh lands: Saving, notwithstanding, to all power of this realm, that upon any act by them or any of them, to be done against the tenor of this act, they shall have their trial by their peers and not otherwise, anything in this act to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding:
And be it further enacted, That the said governor, and every other unto that office chosen, shall, before he execute the same, take an oath that he will well and truly execute the office of governor of the said level, which oath may be administered by the Lord Chancellor of England, or by any one of the judges of bench, or justices of the assizes within the said counties of York, Lincoln, and Nottingham: And the said bailiffs, and conservators, and every of them unto those offices chosen, shall, before they execute the same office take the like oath for the true executing of the said respective offices, which oath shall and may be administered by the governor, or in his absence by any one of the bailiffs and conservators, or to any other of them respectively: Aand the said governor, bailiffs, conservators, and commonnalty, upon the Sixteenth day of February, which shall be in the year of our Lord One Thousand Six Hindred Sixty-Two, and from henceforth upon the Sixteenth day of February yearly for ever, unless the same shall happen to be on the Sunday, and then upon the next day following, and at any other time upon death of any the said governor, bailiffs, and conservators, may at a public meeting to be holden for the said Corporation by the greater number then present, whereof the governor or one of the bailiffs to be one, elect a new governor, bailiffs, and conservators: Provided that none be capable to be or continue governor or bailiffs, that hath not three hundred acres or more of the said lands in freehold: nor to be a conservator that hath not the quantity of one hundred and fifty acres or more of the said lands in freehold: nor to have a voice in any such election that hath not one hundred acres or more of the said lands in freehold:



340
And be it further enacted, That the said governor, bailiffs, conservators, and commonalty, and their successors, shall and may hold and keep one weekly market, to be holden at Santofte within the said level, on every Friday in every week for ever: And also shall and may hold and keep at Santofte aforehaid, two public fairs, that is to say, one of them upon the Tenth day of April One Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-Two, and the other upon the Tenth day of September then next following: and so from henceforth two fairs yearly, upon every Tenth day of April and Tenth day of September yearly for ever unless either of the said days happen to be on the Sunday, and then upon the next day following: And shall and may have demand, and take to the use of the said Corporation all toils and duties for stellage pinage, and other duties, and use and exercies all privileges and jurisdictions in the said markets and fairs, or in respect of the same as to markets for fairs are any ways incident or belonging:
And whereas the yearly rents reserved upon the before recited letters patents, made by his said late Majesty to the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden as aforesaid, bearing date the Fifth day of February, in the Fourth year of his reign, amounting together into four hundred eighty and five pounds per annum, were, by other letters patents dated the Ninth day of September in the Fifth year of his reign, granted unto Katharine late Duchess of Buckingham and Sir George Manners, Knight, aforesaid Earl of Rutland, and to their heirs in trust for George now Duke of Buckingham, his heirs and assigns for ever asbythe same letters patents particularly doth appear'
Be it therefore enartoA a-nA /4o«la.«J Tl * :x _i_ 11 i
— —^wcww, jtimi 11 snaii ana may
be lawful to and for the said duke, his heirs and assign, or his or their trustee or trustees, their heirs and assigns for ever, to demand and collect the several proportions of the rents aforesaid, and all arrearages thereof, upon all or any of the lands granted to the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden by the said letters patents, bearing date the Fifth day of February in the Fourth year of the said late kings reign, belonging to the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and
o -, — — . wuwmi, uaiuuuams ui mp sa n nnno n aimittit
trftm hv s\«- ai _;j cv f* i. . -
, „7, uuuci me saia oir cornelius Vermuvrlen hic hoi^c
ur assiuns. aernrninii tn th/> -^™„„t:,.„ mt i . , .
o f---—.~ ,,,ujiui uuus wiutu inev nave
Deen tormerly charged withal, by two several decrees made in the court of the exchequer concerning the same, the one ir the Term



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of St. Michael in teh Thirteenth year of the reign of the said late Kink CHARLES: the other in the Term of the Holy Trinity, in the Fifteenth year of the reign of the said late King CHARLES: And if it shall happen the said yearly rents, or either of them, or the seyeral proportion of the said rents, or any part or parcel of them or either of them, shall be in arrears for the space of twenty days next after the usual days of payment thereof in the said letters patents to that purpose mentioned and appointed: that then it shall and may be lawful to and for the said duke, his heirs and assigns, or his or their trustee or trustees, and his and their heirs and assigns, and his, their, or any or either of their agent or agents, collector or collectors, receiver or receivers, into any part of the said proportions of the lands aforesaid, belonging to any of the said participants, their heirs or assigns, who shall so happen to be in arrear, to enter and distrain, and the distress or distresses by him or them taken, to load, drive, take carry away and impound, and in pound to detain and keep until the said rents due for and upon such proportions of lands, with all arrearages thereof, shall be fully satisfied and paid:
And whereas aslo the yearly rents reserved upon the before recited letters patents, made by his said late majesty to the trustees or partners of the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden as aforesaid, bearing date the Four and Twentieth day of March in the Eleventh year of his reign, amounting together into seven hundred forty-three pounds and seventeen shillings per annum, were, by other letters patents bearing date the Twenty-Sixth day of August in the Twelfth year of his said late majesty's reign, granted unto Philip late Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery, and Sir Robert Pye, knight, and to their heirs, in trust for the said Duke of Buckingham and his heirs for ever, as by the same letters patents particulary doth appear:
Be it therefore enacted and declared by this present parliament and the authority thereof, and it is hereby enacted and declared, That the said several letters patents last herein mentioned, and every clause, article, and sentence therein contained are hereby confirmed and made good: and that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said duke, his heirs and assigns, his and their trustee and trustees, and his and their heirs and assigns, to take and use all ways and means, remedies and advantages for the demanding, collecting and receiving the said yearly rents of seven hundred fortythree pounds



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seventeen shillings, and every part and parcel thereof, as are particularly and at large mentioned anl expressed in the said several letters patents, or in either of them, as fully and amply to all intents and purposes as are herein mentioned and expressed:
And whereas Ruth Rogers, now the wife of Anthony Gilbye esquire did in or about the years of our Lord one Thousand Six Hundred Thirty-seven and One Thousand Six Hundred Thirty and Eight, upon default of payment made by some of the participants of their several shares and scots assessed upon them, purchase of the commissioners of sewers (for the sum of six hundred ninetythree pounds, or thereabouts,) three hundred acres of land or thereabouts, parcel of the said level, and late belonging to some of the said participants: which money was expended for the necessary preservation of the said level; And by reason of some disturbances happening in the said level, and the wars shortly after coming on the royal assent could not be then obtained thereunto: And several great sums of money have since been expended in scots within the said level for the said lands by the said Anthony Gilbye and Ruth his wife, who are, nevertheless, kept from the possession thereof, and no satisfaction given for the same: And for as much as the money so expended did rebound to the benefit and preservation of the whole level:
Be it therefore provided and enacted by the authority aforesaid the said governor, bailiffs, conservators, and commonalty, incorporated by virtue of this act, and their successors, shall be and are hereby declared to be charged and chargeable for their respective shares in the said level, with the payment of the said sum of six hundred ninety three pounds to the said Anthony Gilbye, his executors, administrators, or assigns: and also with the payment of all such sum and sums of money as have been expended by the said Anthony Gilbye and Ruth his wife, or either of them, for scotts taxed or imposed on the said lands: And the said Governor, Bailiffs conservators and commonaly, or any four of them for the time being' whereof the said governor and bailiffs, or any of them, to be one' are hereby authorised and required, forthwith to impose such rates or scots upon the several improved lands within the said level, by the acre or otherwise will suffice to satisfy the same, according to such proportionable ways and means as they ar hereby impowered to do, for the raising of any other monies by virtue of this act within



343
the said level: And the said monies so imposed to levy, collect, and pay into the hands of the said Anthony Gilbye, his executors or assigns, within three months next after the day on which the king's majesty shall actually give his royal assent to the passing of this act- And the receipt of the said Anthony Gilbye, his executors or assigns for the same, shall be to them or any of them a sufficiënt discharge: And in default of payment of the said monies, at the time aforesaid, or of such sufficiënt security to be then given for payment of the same, within six months then next ensuing, by the said governor, bailiffs, conservators, and commonalty, to the said Anthony Gilbye, bis executors or administrators, as the said Anthony Gilbye, his executors or administrators shall be satisfied with together with interest for the said six months forbearance thereof: That then, in such default, it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Anthony Gilbye, his execuyors and administrators, to commence and maintain an action of debt in any of his majesty's courts of record at Westminster, against the said governor, bailiffs, conservators, and commonalty, and their successors, as well for the said sum of six hundred ninety-three pounds and scots aforesaid, as for the recovery of all interestst and damages incurred for the same since the respective time or times that the same was so paid and expended by the said Anthony Gilbye and Ruth his wife, or either of them, for the purchase of the said lands or scots so laid out as aforesaid, unto which said interest and damages the said governor, bailiffs, conservators, and commonalty are hereby in such default as aforesaid enacted and declared to be liable: And in which action or actions, so to be commenced as aforesaid, no essoine, protection, or wager of law shall be admitted or allowed, anything in this act mentioned to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding:
And whereas Isaac Belloe, merchant, deceased, in pursuance of and agreement with Sir Matthew Vankenburgh, baronet, John Lyens, esquire, and several others, the participants, of the said level, did, in the fourteenth year of the reign of his late majesty of blessed memory, erect and build a church within the said level, for the celebration of divine service in the French and Dutch language: And whereas the said Isaac did afterward obtain several judgments against the said Sir Matthew Valkenburgh and John Lyens for the monies he had expended in the same: And they, the said Sir Matthew Valkenburgh and John Lyens, obtained an order from the commissioners of



344
sewers for the said level, that forasmuch as the charge of building the said church concerned the participants in general, the burthen thereof should not lie upon particular men: and thereupon a tax of sixpence per acre was imposed on all the lands witbin the said le vel, but by reason of the late wars the said Isaac could not receive the same: And whereas the participants of the said level, by writing under several of their hands, bearing date the Nineteenth day of December One Thousand Six Hundred and Sixty, did desire the commissioners of sewers for the said level, that a tax of sixpence per acre should be laid upon all the lands as aforesaid, in order to the satisfaction of the said debt, promising withal to pay what monies upon account should appear to be further due:
Be it therefore enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the said governor, bailiffs, conservators and commonalty incorporated by virtue of this act, and their successors, shall be and are hereby declared to be charged and chargeable with the payment of all such sums of money unto Leticia Bedloe, widow, as administratrix of the said Isaac Bedloe, her executors, administrators or assigns, together with interest for the same, at the rate of eight pounds per cent per annum; for three years ending in Onv Thousand Six Hundred Forty-One: and at the rate of four pounds per cent, per annum for the said debt for nime years next ensuing, the said nine years interest to be charged on such lands, parcel of the said seven thousand four hundred acres, as were last invaded by the commoners within the said isle, shall upon full account remain unsatisfied for building the church aforesaid, as also for building the minister's house, and stone bridge leading and belonging thereunto: The several sums formerly paid to the said Isaac Bedloe, and likewise those monies raised by the said tax and paid to the said Luticia Bedloe, or her assigns, being first computed and deducted: And in default of payment of the same, it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Leticia Bedloe, her executors or administrators, to commence and maintain an action of debt, in any of his majesty's courts of record, against the said governor, bailiffs, conservators, and commonalty, and their successors, wherein no essoine, protection, or wager of law shall be admitted or allowed, anything in this act contained to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.
(W. PECK: the Isle of Axholme.)



345
Bijlage No. XI.
To the Honble Commissioners of Sewers lor the Levels of Hatfield Chase within the counties of York, Lincoln and Nottingham.
Petition of Nath Reading, Esq Thc HumMe petition of Nathanial
seting forth the ancient and , , u . ,
then estate of the Level. A- Reading, Esq on behalf of the said Dom. 1702. Level and Parts and himself.
Theweth that King Charles I being Lord of Hatfield, Epworth, Misterton and 14 other contiguous manours extending into the said counties the domains whereof consisted of a level of above sixty thousand acres of overflooded wastes, whereon he had a chase of Red Dear, which exceedingly prejudiced the tenants in their cornfields and then ways for the increase of his revenues, the ease of his tenants and the Good of all His subjects contracted with Vermuyden and his Dutch participants about the beginning of his reign to dischase and drain the same reserving to himself one third part thereof, as Lord of the soil; allowing to the Drainers one third part for their charges and of meer grace granting the Remainder to his respective tennants for their common, and his Majesty covenanted with the undertakers that theyshould have all encouragement and convensing for their works and should have the perpetual management of their lands without control of commissioners of sewers. That the said levels was dischased and drained at the expense of above 300.000 Pounds and the tennants being overjoyed at their deliverances from their severe enemies the Deer and the waters accepted the third part with all the acknowledgement (it being much better for them than the whole before, had it been all their own) and the allotments were by consent decreed in the Exchequer and bis Majesty sold the drainers ' his share under fee farm rent of one thousand twohundred twenty eight Pounds seventeen shillings per annum & afterwards granted to the late Duke of Buckingham and all was quietly enjoyed and the drainers taxed their own lands for securing them and the Parts adjacent and great numbers of Dutch and French Protestants being planted there, a church and ministers house was erected for their congregation and a salary of eighty Pounds a year was settled on their minister and he preached to them on each Lords day in both languages and several of the said participants living in Holland and not paying their taxes such of them as were upon the levels stood



346
entrusted with the management petitioned his Majesty to arm them with the power of Commissioners of Sewers to tax and sell the defaulters Lands and that was ordered by his majesty in council accordingly.
That the tenants of Epworth and Misterton aforesaid in ill return for the extra ordinary favours indulged by his majesty to them above all the rest did in the late wars take up arms against Him, layd waste the enclosed allotments within their manours, burnt and destroyed houses and corn thereon to the values of twenty thousand pounds defaled the church and ten commandments, burried carrion under the communion table, carried away the lead and seats. Pulled up the sluices send to Fishlake and Sykehouse men to do the like on their side the level and would have layed both the levels and the adjoining parts unto their former chaos had they not been suppressed. (For which they were even in those days excepted from pardon that they might receive condign punishment) and to your court had expended many thousands of pounds in encouraging your offieers to execute your decrees amongst those rebels and defending them from their assaults and indictments. Yet oaths were made before you that they durst not adventure to serve your further for fear of being murdered by them and your court having thereupon certified that you could not find any persons thath doeth serve you and that the said improvement was in great danger of being ruined and several commissioners dularing they would meet no more. Your petitioner was much importuned by your court, Sir Arthur Ingram and other participants to undertake the subduing of those monsters. And your court promising him most solemnly upon faith and honour to give him a salary of two hundred pounds per annum and to indemnify him and reimburse him and to reward him — further in case he would accept thereof, he depended thereon and to his unspeakable unhappiness about the middle of September one thousand six hundred fifty five he was prevailed upon by you to submit thereto. That he obtained several units of assistance and orders of the House of Lords and deputations from the sherrifs of each of the said counties provided horses and arms and necessary with twenty hired men at twenty pound a year each and upon particular occasions he hired many more and after thirty one sett battles, wherein several of his men were killed, divers others wounded and lamed and very many actions and hundreds of indictments against him and his assistants and his being tryd in the Lines Bench for his killing any of Theirs



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and his not unequal prosecutions against them in all proper courts, both below and above and your finding them for their disobedience and levying their times and several years spent under in — inexpressable hazards and difficulties besides lots of his practise and damages to his wife and children never to be repaired. He subdued these monsters to your obedience, quieted the Crown and the Participants in their said allotments. Repaired the church, settled another minister, restored congrigation and thereby made the said levels and parts adjacent quiet, safe and flouriishing and thereupon your court did so much justice to your Petitioner as to certify to King Charles the second those great services that he had done and his majesty was thereupon graciously pleased to write to your court not fail 'of performing what they had promised Him. That your petitioner about this month forty years by past, exhibited his accounts to your Court, amounting to above eight thousand pounds and after deed proving and long examining of the same and what moneys he had anyways received and divers reports and teadious proceedings thereupon your court adjudged itself. Indebted to him three thousand Pounds on part of the Demmands and appointed a day for proceeding on the Remainder of them, and he coming down to attend thereon accordingly and some commissionérs who had received great advantage of your petitioners said services and were unwilling to satisfy him because they were to pay towards it, he was forced to return when he came and complaining thereof to the Duke of Buckingham, the Lord HaUfax, Sir Thomas Abdy and other Participants of quality, they went with him and informed the Lord Keeper Bridgman thereof and thereupon his Lordship received the commission and put into it twenty gentlemen for each of the said counties and but twenty of the participants and desired the Lord Halifax to meet the rest of the commissioners at Bawtree and to see that your Petitioner had Justice done him and they met accordingly and finding that the Expenditor had not cash and that the Participants other lands were rendered untennanted and unprofitable by reason of the Great Taxes of Assesments the said Epworth and Misterton Lands and other lands were under, whereupon it was proposed to him to accept from the said owners which were computed to about sixteen thousand Pounds but your petitioner awaiting money to pay his debts contracted in that hard service and foreseeing the difficulty of collecting them refused accepting them but the partipants, who were in any arrear, offering they would readily pay and the generallity of the Commiss-



348
ioners assuring him of their utmost assiistance against all opposers he submitted to accept them and they were decreed accordintfly to him. * 7
That private courts were afterwards held by interesting commissioners and great obstruction was given thereby to your petitioner inasmuch that the charges that he was put to about the said arrears exceeded what he received by them and thereupon he complained to the Lords m Parliament and their Lordships recess being, their nigh their Lordships ordered the Commissioners of Sewers to appear before them and put in their respective answers within ten days after their next meeting, in the meantime they made good their said agreement with your petitioner, and thereupon twenty four commissioners met and confirmed their said agreement and promised to see it executed and desired your petitioner to acquaint their Lordships therewith to the end they might not in any sort secure their Lordships Displeasure by standing in contempt and your petitioner depending thereon, acquainted their Lordships there with accordingly. But notwithstanding all this your Petitioner met with obstructions afterwards and thereupon telling your court that he must be forced to cdmplain to their Lordships a second proposal was made him that in case he would relinquish the said arrears and accept one thousand five hundred pounds in heu of them it should be paid him as soon as it could be raised and here, disproportionable however that was, he being tyred out and very desirous to turn again to his practise, His brother, Sir John Churchill being master of Rolls and advising it, your Petitioner submitted thereto also. That your Petitioner received about five hundred Pounds thereof and with great expenses and prejudices attended for the Remainder but your Court told him that the said rioters had again laid waste this land thathe had formerly recovered and settled and had again refused topay their assetments and now durst adventure now to levy them and that the burden of the publick works being thereby cast again upon the other land of the Participants more of them were become untennanted and what was tennanted was then grown less profitable and thereupon, instead of paying him, a third proposal was made him in or about 1696 for accepting of a lease of part of the said Epworth lands for satisfaction but he rejected the same with indignation in regard he foresaw the mischievous consequences which might attend it; the said rioters having forgot obedience to your court and become improved in insolence. Notwithstanding which and all that your Petitioner could say he was positively told by your



349
court that he must either accept of that or else have nothing and your court promising once more upon Faith and Honour that if he received not fit satisfaction by the said lease for the said thousand pounds and for all charges and damages he should be at thereby your court would generously consider it and make him further amends. — He was forced thereon with the utmost regret that could be to submit thereto likewise and a lease of part of the said lands was thereupon decreed to him for six years ending the approaching Miichaelmas, all which by your records, and there he was ordered to deposit in Mr. William Simpsons hands to which he referrs and in which as related it appears at large. — That your petitioner was hereby put into a more forlorn adventure than the First, his straw was taken from, and his task of brick was trebled, he was disarmed and yet must engage and fight with a hydra grown more formidable than ever but neither choice nor retreat being left him, on he was forced to push, and having at great expense made several miles of fences and turned of the cattle of the enraged enemy and beaten his swords into plow shares sowed almost a thousand acres such mischiefs grew thereupon that instead of receiving a thousand pounds by the lease it hath occasioned his being damaged above six thousand pounds.
For a consult being had amongst them, they assaulted him and his sons and servants night and day, fired at them desperately, indicted them again and again, killed and destroyed his goods, fired his house with design to have burnt him, his wife and family in their beds and afterwards great numbers of them being disguised and armed destroyed all their outhouses and tennants house, chopped down hundreds of fruit and other trees, plundered a new house, he was forced to build to ly in and would have fired that also had not orders comed to the contrary. Carried away his goods, burnt his fences, turned their cattle into his corne and gave him the diversion of all points of military execution and when your petitioner complained thereof above and obtained pardon for the discoverers of the villands and led several of them in person, some of the dragoons were suborned by their commanders to deny upon oath what they had confessed and was fully proved against them, all being outlawed, they outbraved the laws and detached some of their principals to go up with a public and defy the Parliament it self and notorious falsehoods being forged they printed and delivered them to the members of both houses to contradict and redicule the proofs against them and their own confessions. Triumphing in their impunity thus purchased by reason whereof your



350
offieers not daring at this day to punt your decrees in execution amongst them, the burden of the public works is hereby cast on the impoverished part of the said participants lands, all the safety of the said levil and country, which you are swórn to maintain, stands exceedingly endangered and to that Height of Insolence are the Rioters now grown that a great part of the lands belonging to the crown and the said participants are vastly in arrears to the court and therefore leased to your petitioner is graved up and carried away by them, and other parts thereof are inclosed and let out by them to raise moneys to defy her majesty's government and your authority under her commission,
He prays in the name of the said impoverished level and the endangered adjacent country that you would consider and examine the premises and submits it to your united wisdom whether it will not be to the advancement of the trust her majesty hath reposed in you to appoint a committee of members for each of the said county's and Level) with power to send for persons papers and records (to examine the state thereof and with regard to the season of the year to speed their opinon whether the said adjacent parts and public also will not extremely suffer if the works of the said level be not repaired and what they conceive fitt to be done for the repairing and preserving of the same.
And forasmuch as that your petitioners has been kept in the wilderness of your service and grieved with a generation of vipers longer then forty years and that the several decrees your hath made for reimbursing him have proved not only inaffectual but prejudical and expensive to him and that he being very unwilling to complain elsewhere hath waited the renewing your Commission and now hopes he shall be suffered to answer the Great payments he is to make next. He prays that you would be pleased to order your expendition to pay him three thousand pounds in part of what your records prove you owe him and that the consideration of the charge and damage he hath sustained by the said lease, which your court promised and ordered, may be payd accordingly.
And he shall ever pray.
(G, STOVIN's M. S.)



351
Bijlage No. XII.
Uittreksel uit het rapport van Mr. Rennie. (1813.) „It appears, by Thackray's Levels, that the high water of High and low spring tides in the Trent, at Keadby sluice, when the river is wa£renJf atthe in its usual state, rises to the height of about eight feet above Keadby sluice. the general surface of the low lands in the chase; but when the river is flooded, the high water rises to the height of about eleven feet above the surface. Low water of a spring tide in the Trent, when the river is in its ordinary state, lies about five feet and a half under the general surface; but when ehe river is flooded, it is only about thrée feet under the surface. The ordinary neap tides in the Trent, when unaffected by the land freshes, rise about four feet above the surface of the low lands, and when the land freshes are in the Trent, they rise more than seven feet above such surface. The low water, in the former case, is about six feet and a half, and in the latter case, only about feet, under the surface.
„The spring tides in the Trent, when the river is in its The tides in usual state, flow from two and a half to three hours, and ebb t e ren ■ from nine hours to nine hours and a half. The neap tides flow from three hours and a half to four hours, and ebb from eight hours to eight hours and a half; but, notwithstanding the time of tide so much exceeds that of flood, the surface of the lands in Hatfield chase is so very low, that the river doors of Keadby sluice (which is the principal drain for the low lands,) even in the most favourable state of the river, seldom continue open for more than four hours and a half; and when there are land freshes in the Trent, the doors are often not more than two hours and a half open, and, indeed, at some times, they may be said to be scarcely open at all.
„The river Torne passes nearly through the middle of Hat- River Torne. field chase, and discharges its water into the Trent by a sluice at Althorpe, of fourteen feet two inches water way, having the level of its cill about three feet above the cill of Keadby sluice. The river rises about fifteen miles inland above the chase, and is formed of several branches. The quantity of high land, therefore, which is drained by this river, is, I presume, greater than the whole extent of the chase itself. The river within the chase is banked on each side. These banks were



352
formerly low, and the channel shallow; but, by the enlargement which took place in consequence of the judicious advice given by the late Mr. Smeaton in his report, dated the 7th October, 1776, I have reason to believe, that this river seldom now overflows its banks. However from the experience I have had in works of this sort, I have reason to believe the sluice is much too small, and its cill at least too feet too high; besides, the channel of the river is very crooked, consequently its banks are more oppressed by the floods than they otherwise would be; and it is probable that a good deal of water, in consequence, soaks through them, to the detriment of the levels. The low lands in Cantley, and other places, on the sides of this river, are greatly obstructed in their drainage when it is flooded, and it would be advantageous to the proprietors of these lands to join in the expense of a general system of drainage. The levels of Hatfield chase being thus separated from the Torne by the height of its banks, if these banks are kept in good repair, and the channel of the river is properly cleansed, no very serious injury need be feared from this quarter.
The three out- „The water from the low lands of the chase are now disIdie, °Keadt>y char2ed into the Trent hY three separate outfals, namely, the drain, and the New Idle, which has a sluice at Althorpe, adjoining that of the South side Torne, of fifteen feet waterway, and whose cill lies at the
Sford Ina hei.fiht °f tW° feet three inches above that of the Keadby sewer
Keadby canal. sh"ce, which has a waterway of sixteen feet wilde, and its cill lies two feet three inches under the ordinary low water of a neap tide; and the South back drain of the Stainforth and Keadby canal, which has a sluice of ten feet waterway, making in all a width of waterway of forty-one feet.
New Idle. „The New Idle runs nearly parallel to the Torne as far as
Tunnel Pit, a distance of about eight miles, and from thence it runs in a straight line to Idle Stop, a distance of about five miles. At Tunnel Pit there is an aqueduct, or trunk, under the river Torne, having a guage of two feet eight inches wide, and two feet three inches high, and from thence a drain,
North Idle. called the North Idle, continues in a straight line to Dirtness bridges, on the Keadby drain. The tunnel, or aqueduct, is opened two days per week; so that the water may either be discharged by the New Idle sluice, at Althorpe, during these



353
two days, or by the Keadby sewer sluice; but the drainage by Keadby is much the best, not only on account of the depth of the cill of the sluice, but also from low water, being nine inches lower than at Althorpe. Whilst this Aqueduct, therefore, is open, most of the water runs by Dirtness bridges. The New Idle drains a district of low lands of upwards of nine thousand acres, at present, and is also the only drain which carries off the highland water discharged into this district of the chase; and so badly does it perform its service, that the greatest part of this district is very frequently flooded; and, therefore, the land is of little comparative value to what it would be if kept constantly dry.
„The Keadby sewer runs in a straight line from the sluice Keadby drain to where it approaches near to the Torne; it then continues, parallel to the Torne, to Torne Nook, where it divides into two drains, and these drains are parallal to each other as far as Dirtness bridges, where they are joined by the North Idle, as formerly described. At Hirst it is joined by the drain which comes from Greenbank, and at Dirtness it is joined by the
Old Dun and Anchor drains.
„The New cut joins the North Idle between Dirtness and Sandtoft, and from the end of this New cut there is a drain, which runs, parallel to the road, to Stooper's gate, where it meets the Woodhouse sewer, which runs up to Hatfield Woodhouse, and meets Dutch dike, and afterwards goes into Dicken dike. This dike, in continuation, skirts the high lands, of Armthorpe, and terminates about a. mile north west of Cantley. The Woodhouse sewer, from these various sources, brings down a very large quantity of water into the levels.
„By these several drains there is discharged through the sluice, at Keadby, the water which falls on at least 20.000 acres of low lands, independently of high lands, which this drain is not able to carry off in proper time. The operations of husbandry are, therefore, often retarded, by the wetness of the land, past the proper season for sowing and reaping.
!) „The south soke drain of the Keadby canal runs parallel to the canal as far as Thorne, where it is joined by the several
New cut, Woodhouse Sewer, and Dicken dike.
*) The South side drain of the Stainforth and Keadby canal, immediately joins on Crowle common.
23



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drains which pass through the commons, lying between Hatfield and Stainforth, and discharges the water from a district of not less than 5000 acres, which it does in a very imperfect manner, much to the injury of those lands, which depend on it for the discharge of their water.
Something is therefore, imperiously required for the improvement of the drainage of these levels, which, though bad in their present state, will become much worse when the waters of the commons are let down upon them, by the new drains, which must necessarily be made, when they are divided and allotted. The present inconvenience is but little comparatively feit, as the drains on the commons are small in size, and badly cleansed. The water, therefore, does not run so quickly off as it will do when they are made of a sufficiënt size, and kept in good order; and this speedy discharge of the water will greatly in j ure the low lands in the chase, as the commons lie upon a higher level than they do.
„The question then is, what plan can be devised for the general benefit of the whole, which, when carried into execution, will be effectual in all its parts, so as not only to afford a free discharge for the water from the commons and inclosures, but also from all the lands in the chase itself ?
„Experience has long proved, that no drainage can be complete, unless a good and sufficiënt outfal for the waters can be provided, and unless the flood water from the high lands is entirely separated from that of the low lands. Without the former, the water cannot get off; and without the latter, it is evident that the water which comes from the highest level will force its way into the Trent the quickest, and, until it is carried off, the low land water must remain where it is. Proposed im- „While the outfal sluices of the New Idle and Keadby sewer provements in enter the Trent where they now do, the drainage cannot the drainage, tj i i T
be made complete: 1 am not aware that there is any defi-
ciency of waterway, or that any material improvement could be made in the drains which convey the water to these sluices, farther than to increase their slopes, and scour out their channels; unless it may be the lowering the New Idle sluice, at Althorpe; but if the high land waters are confined to separate outfals from the low land waters, as shall afterwards be described, I am of opinion that the drainage would be materially



355
improved. To effect this object, I advise, first, that a catchwater drain be made from the Torne, near Fulsick Nook, and from thence be continued by the side of the road to the glebe lands, in Finningley, and from thence to skirt the high lands of that parish, and Austerfield, to the road at Newington. Secondly, That another catchwater drain be made from the before described drain, in Finningley, to skirt the high lands of Misson; and that another branch be made from the same catchwater drain to skirt the north part of the high lands of Finningley, terminating at the Turnpike Road. By these catchwater drains, all the water, which falls on about 5000 acres of high lands, will be intercepted and carried into the Torne, without coming into the low lands at all, and thereby relieve them from the oppression of so much water. The first of these drains, I propose to be made with a six feet bottom at the Torne, and three feet at Newington, and it will have a fall of six inches in a mile. The second to have a two feet bottom at its extremity, and a three feet bottom when it joins the former.
The third to have a two feet bottom at the turnpike road, and a two feet and a half bottom at its junction with the former. But, as the Torne will thus have an additional quantity of water thrown into it, the sluice at Althorpe should be enlarged, it being already two small. It ought to be increased to a twenty-four feet water way, and it would be of great service if the river was to be straightened.
„I next propose that Dicken dike and Woodhouse sewer shall be straightened and enlarged, from the commencement north west of Cantley to the junction of Woodhouse sewer with Dutch dike, and that a new drain be made, as represented on the plan, from thence to the back drain of the Keadby canal, near, Wike gate, and that the communication with the drain, at Stooper's gate be cut off. The commencement north west of Cantley, I propose to have a three feet bottom, and to be increased gradually to a seven feet bottom, at its junction with Dutch dike; from thence the new drain to have a bottom of twelve feet, to the Hatfield and Thorne bridle road, where it
Catchwater drain to Newington & branches to Misson & Finningley*).
Dicken dike
and Woodhouse sewer, and a new
drain from thence to the
South side drain of the
canal, near Wike gate.
*) Opposed and thrown out by John Harvey, Esq. of Finningley park, and other proprietors, as they would have been extremely injurious to the country over which they were to pass, and would but little have aided the main plan.



356
is joined by a drain from the Stainforth road; and from thence to the back drain of the Keadby canal to have a fifteen feet bottom. I then propose to enlarge the said back drain, to the Side drain and place where the old drain crosses it, to a fifteen feet bottom,
enSged*0 ^ f*d °f this Size tt would be cont"iued to the Trent. The sluice in this drain is only ten feet wide, but it should be enlarged to fifteen feet wide, and the slopes in the present drain should be increased so as to be two horizontal to one perpendicular. This drain will have a rise of about eight inches in a mile, and will intercept the water falUng on at least 7000 acres of high land, which now falls into the level.
„The drains for the low lands of the commons should pass underneath this drain by Culverts, and from thence be extended into the drain at Stooper's gate.
„The expense of these respective new drains and works will be seen in the estimate, and amounts to £25.615. The old drain „I have thus given my opinion respecting the new works and andbeimïroveï arran£ements which appears to me to be necessary to render the drainage of Hatfield chase the best that its present outfals will admit. It being understood that the present drains shall be properly cleansed and scoured out, the slopes of their sides increased, and the bridges over them enlarged and repaired, from time to time, as the usual funds arising from the taxes on the levels will allow. The expense of which, I am persuaded, will not fall short of £ 12.000. The interior drains in the commons, I consider ought to be made at the expense of the commoners; but I am decidedly of the opinion that when the works I have mentioned are completed, although the drainage will But if the im- be improved, it will not be improved to that extent, which so are™ exe^ted extensivc and valuable a district of land ought to be. No land can the drainage,' accounted ef fectually drained, unless the surface of the water, by the present- during the winter season and the spring, be kept at least two
outfals, will feet within the soil. Now, this cannot be the with the present still be incom- .r , «■ , . A ,, , , , _ .r
plete. outfals, for during the time of freshes in the Trent, when the
greatest quantity of water is in the levels, the low water in the
Trent, at Althorpe, is only about two feet and a half under
the surface of the lqw lands at Tunnel Pit, and many other
places; and as Tunnel Pit is about eight miles distant from
Althorpe, if two feet are taken off, for the water being within
soil, there will only be a fall in the drain of three quarters of



357
an inch, in a mile. And, as the sluice is not above two and a half hours open during freshes in the Trent, and indeed, sometimes scarcely at all, the water runs so languid with such a fall, that very little gets off, and thus it keeps accumulating, until the soil is greatly injured. The fall to Keadby sluice is doublé that of Althorpe sluice, and even this is far too little. The case in many places where the distance from the outfal is greater is much worsej and therefore, whatever works of drainage may be executed in the levels, whilst there are only the outfals of New Idle and Keadby sluice to carry off the water, a complete drainage cannot be effected.
„This being the case, the question then is, where can a better New outfal at outfal be found ? My answer is, at Waterton, about five miles ^Jjjj^geï below Keadby, where, in the ordinary state of low water, by Mr. Thackray's Levels, there is a fall of nearly two feet more than at Keadby; but, in freshes, there is about three feet and a half. In fact, the river at Waterton is so wide, that the freshes do not produce half the effect as at Keadby. If a drain was made from Torne end to Waterton, passing under the Keadby canal by an aqueduct, and a sluice established at Waterton, having a waterway of thirty-six feet, and all the downfall waters of the levels of Hatfield chase, and of the commons, were discharged by this outfal, the drainage would be perfect, and the lands increased in value much more than equal to the expense of this drain. In this case, the New Idle sluice might be joined to that of the Torne, which would save the enlargment of that sluice, and the sluice of Keadby sewer might be used for the discharge of the high lands water, proposed to be brought down the back drain of the Keadby canal.
„There are upwards of 5000 acres of low lands, lying north of Thorne, which would then have an opportunity of an excellent drainage into this new drain, by the north back drain of the Keadby canal.
„The lands in Crowle, Eastoft, part of Luddington, and Garthorpe, would be greatly improved by this new cut, and relieved of the expense of keeping their present outfals in repair. The Improvement warping of the lands would not be prevented by this drain, as tojn ^J^8 its depth under soil will be sufficiënt to allow of temporary Eastoft, and troughs being haid over it, to convey the water for warping Luddington. the lands.



358
A propertionate contribution towards the expense should be made by the persons benefitted by the new works of drainage.
„The line of the drain would not be injurious to the lands through which it will pass, because the most of it, whilst within the enclosed lands, runs along the line of old drains. Very few fields will be cut asunder more than what is now done, and there will be convenient road bridges at the roads, and occupation bridges for the lands. In Crowle common, no inconvenience can possibly arise, as in the division of the commons, the commissioners will allot the lands to suit the drain. Upon the whole, it appears to me, that, whilst this drain will be of the most essential advantage to the participants and freeholders of Hatfield chase, and to the proprietors of the commons and low lands adjoining, it cannot prove injurious to any lands through which it will pass to Waterton; but, on the contrary, will afford them a new means of drainage, which they do not now possess, and therefore will be of essential advantage to them.
„With respect to the expense of this drain, it appears, by my estimate, to amount to £80.719. This, no doubt, is a large sum; but, in my opinion, by no means adequate to the advantages that would be derived from it, both to the levels of Hatfield chase, and the commons and inclosed lands, which now drain through the said chase, all of which are materially interested in the obtaining of a good outfal.
„It is true that the commoners alledge that they have a right to be drained without any such expense; but this right, I presume, cannot extend beyond the present outfals, which have been found to be insufficiënt, though the works have been constructed according to the scheme of the late eminent Mr. Smeaton. A new and better outfal is, therefore, essential to all the interests connected with this drainage, and a proportionate contribution should be made by each party, so interested. Whether this should be an equal contribution, or not, I am not in possession of the necessary facts to enable me to determine; but, if an equal contribution were to be made by all the proprietors of the low lands, which I suppose, may amount to about 34,000 acres, it would not exceed for this new drain, £2. lOs. Od. per acre; a very moderate, sum, indeed, and small must be the improvement, if it does not exceed twice the value of this sum, per acre. It cannot, therefore, in my mind, be reasonably objected to, by any person who duly weighs the circumstances of the case.



359
„There is another mode by which money may be raised to effect the purpose of the new drain to Waterton. This is to put a value on all the lands in its present state, and when the work is completed, to make another valuation; by this means, the comparative improvement of the different lands will be ascertained, and may be rated to the new works, accordingly. — As the low lands, lying north of the Stainforth and Keadby canal, near Thorne, will reap full as much benefit by this new drain, as most of the others will do, in my opinion, they ought to contribute their share of the expense; and this will reduce the expense, according to the increased quantity, which, on the whole, will r end er the rate, per acre, very moderate." So par mr. Rennie.
Mr. W. Peck continues: „When this report was published a vigorous opposition was made to it by many persons through whose property the drains would pass. I understand part of the plan is duly acted upon, but to what extent I have not been informed.
„In the manor of Hatfield an act was procured on the llth of April 1811, to inclose and drain the commons and waste grounds; in consequence of which many shall cuts were made to effect this purpose, which has done much service to that district of country. And in the year 1813 an act was procured to drain and inclose the commons and waste grounds in the manor of Crowle, and the commissioners are now making the intended works; so that we may expect to see, in a short time, an effectual drainage of the level of Hatfield chase after expending near a million of money, and the attention of the inhabitants of the country for nearly two centuries been engaged upon it.
„The annual expense of the drainage of the lands in the level of Hatfield chase, are defrayed by scotts levied on grounds according to the advantage each receives from the drainage. To form some idea of the expense, I have inserted, in the Appendix No. 10, an assesment for the year 1777, amounting in the whole to £1486. 13s."
Hatfield inclosure act obtained.
Crowle in closure act procured.



360
An account of the Owners of Lands in the LEVEL OF HATFIELD CHASE, and what each Persons pays at Four Scotts, with the number of Acres of each sort. July 31, 1777. Acres Scotts. £ s d
Acklam, Wiston,
214J4 2 Mission Carr and Deeps .... 1 30
Jon. Bradford, Blaxton, 171 2 God's Cross 5 14 0
Peter Brodbury, Blaxton, 21 2 Rand Carr 0 14 0
Geo. Barnot, Epworth,
49 2 Wrotjort Carr 1 12 8
Matt. Boynton, Esq.
200 12 Midlings £40 0 0
100 12 Bries Hills 20 0 0 66 0 0
30 12 Several ls 6 0 0
40 8 Wroe Carr 5 68
210 2 Wrotjort Carr 7 0 0
Isack Bedford, Old Samford, Ex. and John Lawrance, Manchester,
158 12 Ditch March 31 12 0
Wm. Chester, Levels,
20 12 Dirtness 4 oo
Humphrey Chester, Basicar,
50 2 Wrotjort Carr 1 13 4
Mord Cutts, Esq. Thorne,
158 2 Torn Carr 5 54
Marquis Carnarvon,
21 12 Dirtness 4 40
30 12 Brier Hills 6 60
10 2 West More 0 68
50 2 Wrotjort Carr 1 13 4
Robert Dawson, Hatfield, 50 12 Brier Hills . . 10 0 0
John Dobson, Hatfield, 29 12 Ditch March 5 16 0
Benjamin Eyre, Blaxton, 76 2 God's Cross 2108
Mrs. Ellicar,
21 2 Rand Carr 0 14 0



361
Acres Scotts. ^ s- d*
Robert Earrat, Thorne,
Sy2 12 Severalls 1 14 0
80 12 Dirtness 16 0 0
Mr. Eglin, Huil,
50 12 Brier Hills 10 0 0
Messrs. Pigot & Eglin, Stiling-fleet, late Cowper's,
90 12 Severalls 18 0 0
66 2 West More 2 40
Ed. Foster, Esq. Thorne,
H21/3 12 Ditch March 22 10 8
161 12 Heaine 32 4 0
120 12 Midkings 22 0 0
226,/2 12 Brier Hills 45 6 0
130 2 Wrotjort Carr 4 6 8
17 2 West More 0 11 4
Mr. Hawksley, Epworth,
32 8 Binatack 4 50
Richard Heainly, Missen,
85 2 Missen Deeps 2168
50 12 Brier Hills 10 0 0
65 2 Uggan Carr 2 34
Jon. Heanly, — S — Foster, who is the owners,
66 2 Missen Deeps 2 4 0
Tho. Hickson, Misterton, 136 8 Parson's Cross 18 2 8
John Harvey, Esq.
778 12 Land 115 12 0
281 8 Land 37 9 0
936 2 Ditto 31 4 0
Lord Irwin,
45l3/4 12 Land 90 7 0
Barron Idle,
200 2 Missen Carr and Deeps .... 6 13 4
Thomas Johnson, Crowle, 18 8 Binatack . . 2 8 0
Wm. Johnson, Crowle, 2jy2 Dirtness ft 5 10 0



362
Acres Scotts. £ s d
Mrs. Jackson,
10 2 Rand Carr 0 68
Mrs. Jenings, Levels, 121 12 Midlings 24 4 0
Wm. Lenard, Bradholm, 26^ Ditch March 5 5 0
John Maw, Epworth,
58 12 Midlings 11 12 0
32 8 Wroe Carr 4 54
Robert Maw, Owston, 56 Binatack 7 94
Jentill Moriss, Belton, 30 8 Binatack 4 00
Richard Newsom, Armthorp, 21 2 West More 0 14 0
Lord Portmore,
130 2 Uggan Carr 4 68
Mr. Perrin,
55^2 2 West More 1 17 Ó
William Right,
58 2 Missen Deeps 1 18 8
Robert Saint Paul,
85 2 Missen Deeps 2 16 8
George Stovin, Tetley,
65 12 Under Crowle 13 0 0
Mr. Steer, Sandtoft,
30 12 Severalls 6 00
Henry Smithson, Leeds,
104 8 Bulihasaks 13 17 4
S — Steele, Levels,
E 51 12 Brier Hills 10 4 0
Rev. Jon Simpson, Stoke,
227% 12 Land 55 12 0
40 8 Wroe Carr 5 68
436 2 Land 14 10 0
Mrs. Simpson,
32 8 Binatack 4 54
Mr. Tuke, Wath,
113 2 Missen Deeps 3 15 0



363
Acres Scotts. £ s, d.
Mr. Turbat,
50 2 Missen Deeps 1 13 4
John Venney, Levels, 80 12 Dirtness 16 0 0
Trustees for Travis Charity,
179 12 Severalls 35 16 0
200 2 Wrotjort Carr 6 13 4
Rev. Tho. Willson,
848 12 Land . 169 12 0
100 8 Ditto 13 6 8
590 2 Ditto 19 13 4
Josh. Wharton, Esq. Frickly,
989H 12 Land 197 18 0
30 8 Ditto 4 00
646 2 Ditto 21 10 8
Jon. Wood,
29 2 Missen Deeps 0 19 4
Mrs. Whitaker,
22 2 West More 0 15 0
John Masden, Missen,
15>/2 2 Wrotjort Carr 0 10 4
Rev. D. Wood, &c,
530K2 12 Land 106 0 0
122 8 Ditto 16 5 4
394V2 2 Ditto 46 9 8
Land in Court,
12314 12 Brurhills
124 12 Triangles
92 2 Thack Carr
(W. PECK: the Isle of Axholme.)
Bijlage No. XIII.
HATFIELD CHASE CORPORATION. The South Level Pumping Station, Buil Hassock Wroot.
The Pumping plant comprises two Main Centrifugal Pumps, two Main steam Engines marine type, compound, two Independent



364
Condenser plants, two engines for driving same and two Boilers.
Each Centrifugal pump is 48" diam Capacity 150 tons per minute.
Each Main Engine 175 Indicating Horse Power.
Each Independent Condenser plant has a surface condenser, air pump, circulating pump and feed pump, driven by a horizontal En gine 20 Indicating Horse Power.
Either of the two pumping Units can be worked separately of the two together.
Capacity of full Plant, 300 tons per minute.
Two Lancashire boilers 27' — 0" X 7' — 6" and capable of generating steam for 300 Horse power each.
(Average lift of Pumps 7' — 6").
The whole of the Plant was erected by D. Steward & Co. Glasgow, 1892.
The North Level Pumping Station, Dirtness, Crowle.
At the present time the Plant consists of a pair of Beam Compound Condensing Steam Engines, Injector, Ejector, two Lancashire Boilers and one Scoop Wheel.
The two Engines are in one large unit 300 Indicating Horse Power, both Coupled on to the main shaft, having Cylinder diameters of 20" High Pressures 36" Low Pressures with a stroke of 6' — 0" and making 24 Revolutions per minute.
Boiler pressure 401bs on the square inch.
Two Lancashire Boilers are each 20' — 0" X 7' — 0" and are of 150 Indicating Horse Power each, total Boiler power 300 Indicating Horse Power, Hand fired, burning Bituminous Coal.
The Scoop Wheel has a total capacity of 20.000 tons per hourwith an average lift of 6' — 0". The wheel diameter is 33' — 0" X 6' — 0" wide, on it are 36 paddies each having an area of 48 square feet.
The ratio of speed from Engines down to Scoop Wheel is 6 to 1. At a del ïvery of 20.000 tons per hour the wheel makes 4 revolutions per minute. It is estimated the weight of Scoop Wheel at 80 tons.
Engines and Scoop Wheel were built by the historical Firm, James Wath & Co., Soho Foundry, Smethwick, Birmingham, Boilers by Ruston & Proctor Co. Ltd. Lincoln.
Average Vacuüm, maintained on Condensers 27".



365
Bijlage No. XIV.
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR OPTIONAL LEASE OF MINES AND MINERALS.
made the day of One Thousand Nine Hundred and BETWEEN of the one part and
Doncaster, in the County of York, Agent for and on behalf of THE COALFIELD AREA SYNDICATE, hereinafter referred to as „The SYNDICATE" of the other part.
WHEREAS the said is entitled to the lands described in the Schedule hereunder written and coloured on the Plan
hereto annexed and the seams of coal (if any) thereunder, AND WHEREAS the said SYNDICATE by themselves their successors or assigns contemplate sinking on lands within the Belton Area to win the seam or seams of coal proved to exist a few miles away by the Southcar borehole in the County of Lincoln and have requested the said to give them the said SYNDICATE their successors and assigns the option to take a Lease of any seam or seams of coal which they may desire to take under the lands described in the said Schedule on the terms and conditions hereinafter mentioned which the said hereby agrees to do. NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:— 1. IF within one years after the end of the present war the said SYNDICATE their successors or assigns shall by notice in writing given to the said his heirs or assigns or left at or sent by post to bis or their last known usual place of abode elect to take a Lease of any seam or seams of coal under the lands described in the suid Schedule the said his heirs or assigns will forthwith after such notice grant to the said SYNDICATE their successors or assigns a Lease of the seam or seams which they shall so elect to take TOGETHER with liberty for the Lessees to work get carry away and dispose of such seam or seams of coal and for that purpose and also for the purpose of working getting carrying away and disposing of any seam or seams of coal or other minerals lying under any other lands in which the Lessees may have the right to work the same or for any such purposes to drive make maintain and use any necessary or convenient underground levels roads drifts air-courses water-courses and other works within and under the



366
lands described in the said Schedule; such Lease to be granted upon the terms and conditions hereinafter mentioned that is to say:
2. THE Term shall be for Ninety-nine years from the first day of January or the first day of July next after the date of the Lease
3. THE Lessees shall pay a rent at the rate of twenty pounds per foot in thickness per acre for each seam of coal worked by them under the Lease except the Barnsley seam of coal for which the Lessees shall pay a rent at the rate of twenty-two pounds and ten shillings per foot in thickness per acre such rents to be paid on the first day of January and the first day of July in every year of the said term for all coal gotten by them during the preceding half-year And if during each of the first two years of the said term the Lessees shall not have gotten such a quantity of coal as at the acreage rates aforesaid produces the sum of SIXPENCE per acre per annum at the least then for each such year the Lessees shall pay a minimum rent of Sixpence per acre per annum or such a less rent as with the acreage rents payable as aforesaid for the quantity (if any) actually gotten during each such year will amount to a minimum rent of Sixpence per acre per annum in the same manner as if a quantity sufficiënt at the acreage rates aforesaid to produce that sum had been actually gotten by the Lessees during each such year And if during each of the two succeeding years the Lessees shall not have gotten such a quantity of coal as at the acreage rate aforesaid amounts to the sum of One Shilling per acre per annum at least, and during each of the two succeeding years to the sum of Five Shillings per acre per annum at the least, and during each of the two succeeding years to the sum of Ten Shillings per acre per annum, and every year of the said term thereafter to the sum of One Pound per acre per annum at the least, then for each and every such year the Lessees shall pay a minimum rent equal to the sums aforesaid or such a less rent as with the acreage rents aforesaid shall produce these amounts. But the Lessees shall have power to make up any undergettings at any time during the said term. The minimum rents hereinbefore referred to shall be in respect of all seams which are in Lease to the Lessees and shall not be paid in respect of any seam or seams other than the Barnsley seam of coal after the Barnsley seam of coal is worked or paid for (except such portions thereof as are not to be paid for) unless such other seam or seams of coal is are being worked by the Lessees in which case the minimum rents hereinbefore referred to shall continue to be



367
payable, until such other seam or seams of coal have been worked or paid for (ecxept as aforesaid).
4. THE Lessees to be at liberty to take and use any necessary land for shafs, workmen's houses, buildings, and for surface works on paying a rent of £4 per acre. The site or sites for houses and buildings, etc, to be approved by the owner of the land where such houses and buildings are proposed to be erected and the Lessees shall be at liberty to use the same together with any necessary land so taken up for the purposes of winning, working, getting, converting, carrying away and disposing of the seam or seams demised and of the like seam or seams under any other lands under which for the time being they have the right to work and for any of such purposes to sink, drive, make, erect, construct, maintain and use any necessary shafts, roads, reservoirs, railways, tramways, spoil banks, coke ovens, bye product plant, lime Idlns, brick kilns, engine houses, offices, dweiling houses for workmen and any other buildings, erections or works which may be necessary for the proper carrying on of any such colliery.
The Lessees to have power to get clay and make bricks paying £4 per acre per annum for the land taken for brickyard and paying a royalty of 1/6 per thousand for all bricks made and sold by the Lessees from such clay, but no royalty shall be paid upon any bricks used in connection with the Colliery. The Lessees to have power to make bricks from pit shale paying a royalty of 2d per thousand on all bricks made from such pit shale.
At the end or sooner determination of the Lease the Lessees if required to do so by the Lessors to restore all lands taken for Colliery purposes to an agricultural state or pay compensation at the rate of £60 per acre in lieu thereof.
5. NO wayleave rent shall be payable under the Lease.
6. FAULTS or throws bad coal unsaleable coal or coal unworkable at a profit or roof coal left unworked or taken down for the purpose of making height in the roadways and not sent out of the pit for sale or any coal left for the support of buildings or as barriers against water or for protection of the mine shall not be paid for by the Lessees and when the whole of the demised coal except such parts thereof as are not to be paid for shall have been paid for at the acreage rate aforesaid the said minimum half yearly rent shall cease to be payable.
7. THE Lessees shall take the responsibility of making good



368
or failing to do so of compensating the Lessor and the tenant and the tenant and occupier for all damage to surface including damage caused to buildings and to growing crops and all remedial works when the land becomes water-logged Mere subsidence without doing damage however is not to be the subject of compensation The Lessees may leave any coal unworked for the purpose of pillars for the support of buildings or drains or works and such coal left is not to be paid for.
8. IF and whenever the working of the coal shall be interrupted by strike lock-out or accident for a continuous period of over two months the minimum rent shall be suspended and not accrue due during the whole period of such stoppage.
9. IF at any time or times any seam or seams or any part or parts of any seam or seams demised by the Lease shall be found to be non-existent or to be so cut off by any throw or throws or to be so thin or of so bad a quality as to be unworkable at a profit the Lessees shall have power to determine the Lease as to such seam or seams part or parts upon giving not less than six calendar months notice in writing of their intention so to do and upon the expiration of such Notice the Lease shall cease as to such seam or seams part or parts but shall continue in force as regards the remaining seam or seams part or parts (if any comprised in the Lease.
10. BESIDES the aforesaid power of determiniation the Lessees shall have power to determine the Lease if they think fit at the end of every fifth year up to the fifteenth year and thereafter every tenth year of the said term upon giving not less than six calendar months notice in writing of their intention to do so.
11. THE Lease shall contain power for the Lessor his heirs and assigns and his and their Agents to view the workings and to measure the coal worked under the Lease and proper covenants by the Lessees for payment of the rents and making and keeping of plans óf the workings under the Lease and for production of such plans to the Lessor his heirs and assigns and his and their Agents and a power of re-entry for non-payment of rent or breach of covenant by the Lessees and an Arbitration Clause and all other Usual Clauses covenants and conditions and shall be settled in case of difference by some person to be appointed by the President of the Law Society on behalf of all parties and whose decision shall be final and binding on all parties.



369
12. IF within the period of one year referred to in Clause 1 of this memorandum of agreement it is found necessary or expediënt for the said SYNDICATE their successors or assigns before taking up the Lease under this agreement to prove by means of one or more bore holes the existence of the coal seams expected to be presetn under the area of which the lands referred to in this agreement form a part such period shall then be extended by a further two years or such further time as such boring operations occupy provided that the operations of boring are continuous and carried out with due diligence and with no unavoidable delay in which case the rights under this agreement shall remain in force for such extended period.
13. IF the said SYNDICATE their successors or assigns shall elect to take a Lease as aforesaid the said his heirs or assigns shall at his or their own expense deduce a good title to the lands described in the said Schedule and the seams of coal thereunder and the Lease shall be prepared by the Lessors but at the reasonable expense of the Lessees.
14. IN case the said SYNDICATE or their successors shall assign their interest under this Agreement to any other person or persons or to any Limited Company the said his heirs or assigns shall if requested in writing so to do by the said SYNDICATE or their successors grant the Lease under the provisions of this Agreement to such person or persons or Limited Company.
15. THE consideration for this Agreement is the expense incurred and to be incurred by the SYNDICATE in proving the coal under the abovementioned area and in acquiring Leases and developing the Coalfield.
AS WITNESS the hands of the parties the day and year above written.
24



370
Bijlage No. XV.
A Bill To constitute the County Council of the West Riding of Yorkshire the Drainage Authority for the Administrative County of the West Riding of Yorkshire and for other purposes.
Preamble. WHEREAS it is desirable that drainage works should be
carried out for the better drainage and protection of the land within divers areas in the Administrative County of the West Riding of Yorkshire from f looding and injury by water:
And whereas it is expediënt that the County Council of the said West Riding should be constituted the drainage authority for the whole of the said administrative county with such powers as are in this Act contained and that such other provisions should be enacted as are in this Act contained with reference to the matters aforesaid:
And whereas in view of the circumstances prèvailing in parts of the said West Riding it is expediënt that special provision should be made with respect to the execution or carrying out of drainage works or operations for remedying or preventing such injury as aforesaid resulting from mining operations and that the persons conducting such mining operations should be required to pay the cost of such drainage works or operations and that having regard to the nature and effect of the provision so made the persons entitled to receive rents royalties or other payments in respect of such mining operations should be required to reimburse part of the cost so paid:
And whereas it is expediënt that the other provisions contained in this Act should be made:
And whereas the purposes aforesaid cannot be effected without the authority of Parliament:
MAY IT THEREFORE PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY
That it may be Enacted and Be it Enacted by the King's Most Excellent Majesty by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the authority of the same as follows:—



371
Part I.—Preliminary.
1. —This Act may be cited as the West Riding of Yorkshire Short Title. County Council (Drainage) Act 1923.
2. —This Act shall come into operation on the first day of Commencement January one thousand nine hundred and twenty-four. Provided of Act.
that for the purpose of making preliminary investigations and surveys and doing other preparatory work this Act shall come into operation immediately on the passing thereof.
3. —This Act is divided in Parts as follows:— Act divided
Part I.—Preliminary. into Parts.
Part II.—General Provisions relating to Drainage. Part III.—Drainage Works necessitated by Mining
Operations. Part IV.—Miscellaneous.
4. —In this Act unless there be sometbing in the subject or Interpretation. context repugnant to such construction—
The expression „the county" means the Administrative
County of the West Riding of Yorkshire: The expression „the Council" means the County Council of
the county:
The expression „the Minister" means the Minister of
Agriculture and Fisheries: The expression „the commencement of this Act" means the
first day of January one thousand nine hundred and
twenty-four:
The expression „drain" includes any stream ditch drain culvert cut dyke or sluice or any part or parts thereof together with the banks and artificial embankments thereof not being any part of the following rivers in the County or of the banks or embankments of such rivers (other than the outlet of any drain at its junction with any of the said rivers and any drainage works in connection with such outlet) namely:—the Rivers Lune Ribble Hodder Ure Nidd Wharfe Aire Calder Colne Don Dutch River Dearne Trent and Ouse:
The expression „drainage Order" means an Order made by the Council under this Act and confirmed by the Minister:
The expression „drainage area" means



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(a) Any part of the county constituted a drainage area by a Drainage Order;
(6) Any drainage area as extended or reduced by a Drainage Order:
The expression „acreage charge" means a charge leviable by the Council on lands within a drainage area according to the acreage thereof:
The expression „drainage works" includes drains bangs rivers watercourses bridges tunnels engines machinery and works of defence against water and any works for the cleansing freeing from obstructions maintenance or improvement of any drain river or watercourse:
The expression „Drainage Area Committee" means a Committee appointed for a drainage area under the provisions of the Section of this Act of which the marginal note is „Appointment of Committees":
The expression „drainage authority" includes a Drainage Board within the meaning of Section 66 of the Land Drainage Act 1861 and any drainage area Committee and any person or body having any power or charged with any duty of administering any Local Act or Award and actually performing or discharging such power or duty.
De Parts II en IV hebben in hun gewijzigden vorm voor ons geen belang, wel echter Part III, hetwelk dan ook volgt.
Part III.—Drainage Works necessitated by Mining Operations.
Extent of this 32.—The provisions of this part of this Act shall apply only Part of Act. m relation to any drainage area or part of a drainage area comprised in the portion of the County described in the Second Schedule to this Act and to any other lands to which this part of this Act may be made to apply by an order made by the Council and confirmed by the Minister in like manner and subject to the like provisions as apply to the making and confirmation of a Drainage Order. Interpretation. 33.—In this part of this Act the following expressions shall have the meanings by this Section assigned to them respectively (that is to say):— „Mine" means any mine for getting or working coal ironstone



373
slate or other minerals and includes every shaft in the course of being sunk and every level and inclined plane in the course of being driven and all the shafts levels planes works tramways and sidings both below ground and above ground in and adjacent to and belonging to any such mine:
„Surface owner" means any person owning the surface of the land overlying or occupied by the mine in relation to which the expression is used.
„Royalty Owner" means any person entitled to the receipt of the rents royalties or fines payable in respect of any mine in relation to which the expression is used or the minerals got therefrom or of any part of such rents royalties or fines:
„Mine Owner" means in relation to any mine any Company body or person who is the immediate proprietor or lessee or occupier of that mine or of any part thereof and any liquidator or receiver by whom the business of that mine is carried on but does not include any Surface Owner not interested in the minerals of the mine or any Royalty Owner or the proprietor of any mine subject to any lease grant or licence for the working thereof:
„The Assessor" means the person appointed as assessor under the provisions of the section of this Act of which the marginal note is „Appointment and remuneration of Assessor" and for the time being holding that office:
„Maintenance Fund" means any fund to be established as herein provided and includes all investments for the time being representing the said fund and the income arising therefrom.
34.— (1) If by reason of the working or prospective working Drainage of minerals under any lands within or near to any drainage Works area subsidence of the surface of the ground has taken place or DeC^mrtted is in the opinion of the Council likely to take place the Council operations. may give to the Mine Owner notice in writing of their intention to execute or carry out drainage works or operations for the purpose of remedying or preventing injury to lands within such drainage area which may have become or may become flooded or waterlogged in consequence of such subsidence or anticipated subsidence (which injury is in this Part of this Act referred to



374
as „subsidence injury"). The notice shall indicate as far as the Council find practicable the general character of the work or operation which the Council propose to execute or carry out.
Provided that in any case of emergency the Council may execute or carry out any such drainage works or operations as aforesaid without giving any such notice as is herein before provided for but in that event they shall give to the Mine Owner concerned the earliest practicable notice of the commencement execution or carrying out of such drainage works or operations.
(2) The Council shall not except in any such case of emergency as aforesaid commence to execute or carry out the drainage works or operations referred to in any notice given by them as aforesaid until after the expiration of a period (not being less than six weeks from the date of the notice) to be specified in the notice.
(3) (a) Any Mine Owner to whom any such notice as aforesaid is given may at any time within the period specified in the notice or (in any such case of emergency as aforesaid) at any time within six weeks from the date of the notice intimate in writing to the Council—
(i) except in any such case of emergency as aforesaid his intention himself to execute or carry out all such drainage works or operations as shall be necessary to remedy or prevent subsidence injury; or
(ii) his objection to the works or operations proposed or (in any such case of emergency as aforesaid) executed or carried out by the Council on the ground that they are not necessary or not suitable for remedying or preventing subsidence injury; or
(iii) his objection to such works or operations as aforesaid on the ground that the execution or carrying out thereof would be unreasonable having regard to the excessive amount of the cost thereof in relation to the benefit to be derived therefrom.
(6) If any Mine Owner shall give to the Council any such intimation as is referred to under head (i) of paragraph (er) of this sub-section he shall forthwith commence the execution or carrying out of the drainage works or operations referred to in his intimation and shall at his own expense and to the satisfaction of the Council complete with all practicable diligence



375
such drainage works and continue to carry out such operations and may to the extent necessary for any such purpose as aforesaid exercise the powers conferred by this Act or by a Drainage Order upon the Council of entering upon lands and executing works or carrying out operations. All drainage works executed by a Mine Owner as provided by this paragraph shall at all times be maintained by him at the like expense and to the like satisfaction.
Provided that before commencing any such works or operations as aforesaid the Mine Owner shall submit to the Council full particulars in writing of the works or operations proposed by him accompanied by sufficiënt plans and sections of any such works so as to enable the Council to judge of the sufficiency of the works or operations and their suitability in relation to other drainage works and operations of the Council.
(c) If any Mine Owner shall give to the Council any such intimation as is referred to under head (ii) of the said paragraph (a) or if the Council shall give to any such Mine Owner as is referred to in paragraph (6) of this Sub-section notice in writing alleging that the works or operations proposed by him are not sufficiënt or not suitable for remedying or preventing subsidence injury the question in issue between the Council and the Mine Owner shall be referred to and determined by the Assessor who (in the event of his finding that drainage works or operationsïare necessary for remedying or preventing subsidence injury) may approve with or without modification the said works or operations.
(d) If any Mine Owner shall give to the Council any such intimation as is referred to under head (iii) of the said paragraph [a] the question in issue between the Council and the Mine Owner shall be referred to and determined by the Minister or some person nominated by him and the decision on any such determination shall be final and conclusive.
(e) Provided that notwithstanding the giving by any Mine Owner of any such intimation as is referred to under head (ii) or head (iii) of the said paragraph (a) the Council may at any time after the giving of such intimation proceed to execute or carry out the drainage works or operations referred to in the notice given by them to the Mine Owner as if the Mine. Owner had not given such intimation but in any such case if the



376
Assessor does not approve the said drainage works or operations or any part thereof as being necessary or suitable for remedying or preventing subsidence injury or if the Minister or the person nominated by him determines that such works or operations or any part thereof ought not to be executed or carried out (as the case may be) the Assessor or the Minister or person nominated as aforesaid shall give such directions as he may deern equitable as to the party by whom the cost incurred and maintaining or carrying out the said drainage works qr operations shall be borne or as to the apportionment of such expense between the Council and the Mine Owner.
(4) A Mine Owner responsible for the execution or carrying out of drainage works or operations in any such circumstances as are referred to in this Section shall not exercise his powers so as to affect injuriously any existing or prospective drainage works or operations of the Council.
(5) No drainage works or operations shall be delayed or suspended by reason of any qlestion as to the person or persons who shall be called upon to contribute thereto or the amount of their contributions.
(6) If any Mine Owner to whom the Council have given any such notice as is referred to in Sub-section (1) of this Section does not give to the Council in accordance with the provisions of Subsection (3) of this Section any such intimation as is referred to in that Sub-section or if any such Mine Owner having given any such intimation as is referred to under head (i) of paragraph (er) of the said Sub-section (3) fails to comply with his obligations under paragraph (6) of that Sub-section or to give effect to any modifications of his proposed drainage works or operations which may be directed by the Assessor the Council may at any time after the expiration of the period within which any such intimation as aforesaid may be given or after any such failure (as the case may be) themselves execute or carry out drainage works or operations necessary for remedying or preventing subsidence injury.
(7) Subject to any directions given pursuant to paragraph (e) of Sub-section (3) of this Section by the Assessor or by the Minister or the person nominated by him (as the case may be) the Council may recover from any Mine Owner to whom they have given a Notice under Sub-section (1) of this section



377
the costs and expenses inchrred by the Council in executing and maintaining or carrying out any such drainage works or operations as are referred to in that notice.
(8) If under any lease or agreement between the Mine Owner and his lessor the Mine Owner is under obligation to execute or carry out drainage works or operations for remedying or preventing subsidence injury to any lands then if and so long as the Council are satisfied that such obligation exists and that suitable and sufficiënt drainage works or operations are being executed or carried out efficiently in pursuance of such obligation the foregoing provisions of this Section shall not apply to the said lands.
Provided that if any question shall arise under this Subsection between the Council and any Mine Owner as to the suitability or sufficiency of any works or operations or as to the manner in which they are being executed or carried out such question shall be referred to and determined by the Assessor.
35. —The foregoing provisions of this Part of this Act may be varied by agreement between the Council and any parties liable to execute and maintain or carry out drainage works or operations or to contribute to the expenses thereof so however that the Council shall at all times be satisfied that provision is made for the upkeep and the maintenance of such drainage works and operations not less effective than such provision as is provided for by this Part of this Act.
36. —(1) The South Yorkshire Coal Owners Association and the Yorkshire Branch of the Central Land Owners Association (in this Section referred to as „the said Associations") shall from to time appoint an independent Engineer to be the Assessor for the purposes of this Part of this Act to hold office as such for such period and subject to such terms as to terminating his appointment and other matters as the said Associations when making the appointment and from time to time thereafter shall determine. Provided that any such appointment shall not take effect unless or until the appointment and the terms and conditiosn thereof have been approved by the Council but such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(2) The first of such appointments shall be made within three months after the passing of this Act and any vacancy occurring by reason of the expiration of the period of any appointment
Power to vary this part of Act by Agreement.
Appointment and
remuneration of Assessor.



373
or of the death or resignation of the person appointed shall be filled up by the said Associations within three months after the occurrence thereof. An Assessor may be appointed in manner aforesaid to act temporarily and until such vacancy is filled up.
(3) The remuneration of the Assessor shall be either by way of a fixed salary or by way of fees for the determination of matters referred to him (according to a scale or at a rate to be prescribed by the said Associations with such approval as aforesaid) or partly by way of a fixed salary and partly by way of such fees according as may be determined from time to time by the said Associations with such approval as aforesaid and (so far as the same is payable by a fixed salary) shall be paid by them in the first instance out of the funds at their disposal but the said Associations shall be entitled to recover in each year from the respective Mine Owners for the time being liable under the provisions of the Section of this Act of which the marginal note is „Drainage works necessitated by mining operations" to execute or maintain or carry out drainage works or operations or to pay or contribute towards the cost of the execution or maintenance or carrying out by the Council of such works or operations a sum bearing to the whole amount paid by the Associations in that year the same proportion as the amount of the expenses incurred or the payment made by such Mine Owner in that year in respect of the execution or maintenance or carrying out of such works or operations bears to the aggregate amount of the expenses and payments so incurred or made by all the said Mine Owners in that year.
(4) If the said Associations are unable to agree upon the person to be appointed as the Assessor either in the first instance or on the occurrence of any vacancy or upon the amount of the remuneration of the Assessor they shall refer the matter to the Board of Trade for determination and the said Board shall tlso determine any question between the said Associations and the Council as to the withholding by the Council of any approval required by this Section. Any determination by the Board of Trade under the provisions of this sub-section shall be final and conclusive.
(5) If the said Associations fail (er) to make any appointment or to fill upa ny vacancy and in either case to fix the remune-



379
ration of ehe Assessor within the periods respectively prescribed by this Section for the making of such appointment or the filling up of such vacancy or (6) to refer to the Board of Trade within such respective periods any question arising between them as to the making of such appointment or the filling up of such vacancy or the fixing of the remuneration of the Assessor the Council may make the appointment or fill up the vacancy and fix the remuneration of the Assessor.
37. —It shall be the duty of the Assessor to determine all questions required under the provisions of this Part of this Act to be determined by him and in addition any question arising between the Council and any Mine-Owner or Mine Owners or between any Mine Owner or Mine Owners and any other Mine Owner or Mine Owners with reference to the liabality of such Mine Owner or Mine Owners or of any of them to execute or maintain or carry out or to pay or contribute towards the cost of the execution or maintenance or carrying out by the Council of any drainage works or operations or (in any case in which more Mine Owners than one are or are held to be so liable) with reference to the proportions in which any expenses or payments in connection with such works or operations shall be borne by such Mine Owners respectively. All determinations by the Assessor under the provisions of this Section shall be final and conclusive.
38. —(1) Every Mine Owner shall upon demand furnish to the Council or the Assessor or the Minister or any person nominated by him as aforesaid such plans sections and records relating to the workings of the mine and such information relative to such workings and any prospective workings and to any other matters as the Council and the Assessor and the Minister or any such person as aforesaid or any of them may require for the purposes of or in connection with the exercise and performance of their or his powers and duties under this Act.
(2) The Council and the Assessor and the Minister and any officer or person authorised by them or him respectively shall be entitled to inspect and take copies of or extracts from the plans sections and records relating to the workings of any mine and the Mine Owner shall upon demand produce for that purpose all such plans sections and records.
Duties of Assessor.
Supply and inspection of plans, &c, of mines.



330
Saving rights 39.—If not withstanding the execution or carrying out of of owners of anv sucn drainage works or operations as are referred to in compensation the Sections of this Act of which the marginal note is „Drainage work necessitated by mining operations" subsidence injury shall occur to any lands over or near to any mine any right which the Surface Owner or the occupier of those lands would if this Act had not been passed have had in respect of such injury shall not be prejudiced by the execution or carrying out of the said drainage works or operations or by anything in the said Section.
Maintenance 40.—(1) The Council shall establish in the manner and for Fund. the purposes hereinafter specified a fund in respect of each
drainage area wholly or partly within that part of the County in relation to which this Part of this Act applies in which any mine is at the commencement of this Act being worked or shall at any time after such commencement and within or in relation to which any such drainage works or operations as are referred to in this Part of this Act are executed or carried out or (if the Council think fit) separate funds in respect of particular drainage works or operations in one and the same drainage area.
In relation to the drainage area or drainage works or operations or group of drainage works or operations in respect of which any such fund as aforesaid is established that fund is in this Section refferred to as" the Maintenance Fund".
(2) Every Mine Owner by whom minerals are worked under a drainage area to which this Part of this Act applies or so near to any such drainage area as to affect by such working the surface of any land comprised therein shall as from the commencement of such working or (in the case of minerals being worked at the commencement of this Act) as from the commencement of this Act and in either case throughout the period of such working or until such date (if any) as may be determined by the Council under sub-section (3) of this Section pay to the Council annually by way of contribution towards the Maintenance Fund a sum representing in respect of each acre of each seam worked by him during the preceding period of twelve months such an amount that so far as can be estimated the said annual sums when accumulated at compound interest (calculated with yearly rests at the rate of three and a half per centum per annum) until the expiration of the period



381
of working of the mine or a period sixty years (whichever period would be the shorter) would amount in the aggregate at the expiration of that period to a sum equal to twelve pounds ten shillings for each acre of land comprised in the drainage area in or under which the Mine Owner is empowered to work or in that part of such drainage area in or under which he is so empowered (whichever shall be the less). If any question shall arise between the Council and any Mine Owner as to the annual sum to be contributed by the Mine Owner under the provisions of this sub-section that question shall be referred to and determined by the Assessor.
(3) The Council shall invest in any investments, in which Trustees are for the time being authorised by law to invest trust funds all sums received by them under the provisions of sub-section (2) of tsis Section and srall also throughout the period during which any Mine Owner is liable under the provisions of this Part of this Act to maintain or carry out or to pay or contribute towards the cost of maintaining or carrying out of the drainage works or operations in respect of which the Maintenance Fund was established invest in a similar manner the income arising from such investments.
Provided that if at any time before the expiration of the lastmentioned period the annual income derived from the investments representing the Maintenance Fund amounts to such a suil as will in the opinion of the Council suffice to meet after the expiration of that period the annual cost of the maintenance and repair or the carrying out of the drainage works or operations in respect of which the Maintenance Fund was established the annual sums referred to in the said sub-section (2) shall so long as the Council continue to hold that opinion cease to be payable or be suspended as from such date as the Council may determine and the Council may apply any such income which shall accrue after the date so determined and before the expiration of the said period:—
(a) in or towards defraying the cost of maintaining or carrying out such drainage works or operations as aforesaid in any case in which such works or operations are maintained or carried out by the Council wholly or partly at the cost of the Mine Owner in which event the Mine Owner shall to the extent of the amount so applied in any year



382
be released from his liability to pay or contribute towards such cost in respect of that year; or
(b) in or towards reimbursing the Mine Owner the whole or part of the expense incurred by him from time to time in maintaining or carrying out such drainage works or operations as aforesaid in any case in which such works or operations are maintained and carried out by the Mine Owner at his own expense.
(4) From and after the expiration of the period of working of any mine the Council shall apply the income arising from the investments representing the Maintenance Fund relating to that mine in or towards defraying the cost of maintaining and repairing or carrying out the drainage works or operations in respect of which such fund was etablished.
(5) If and so far as the income arising from the investments representing the Maintenance Fund is not in the event referred to in the proviso to sub-section (3) of this Section applied by the Council in the manner authorised by that proviso or is more than sufficiënt for the purposes referred to in sub-section (4) of this Section the Council shall apply such income in or towards defraying the expenses incurred by them from time to time (otherwise than on capital account) for the purposes of the drainage area in respect of which or of any drainage works or operations in which the Maintenance Fund was established.
(6) Any Mine Owner having made any contribution towards the Maintenance Fund under the provisions of this Section shall be entitled to recover from the Royalty Owner seventy-five per centum of the amount of that contribution.
(7) If and so long as the Council are satisfied that provision is made otherwise than under the provisions of this Part of this Act for the formation of a Maintenance Fund adequate for the purpose of maintaining or carrying out in perpetuity drainage works or operations for remedying or preventing subsidence injury such fund being held in such manner and on such trusts as the Council may approve any Mine Owner liable to contribute towards that fund shall not be called upon to contribute to the Maintenance Fund to be provided under this Part of this Act.
(8) The Council shall keep separate accounts with respect to each Maintenance Fund established under the provisions of this Section.



383
(9) The expenses of the Council in administering the Maintenance Fund shall be paid out of such Fund.
41. —Any Mine Owner who incurs any expense or makes any Rights of
payment to the Council under the provisions of the Section of recovery by
. , r , . , ., , , , . t-. . , Mine Owners
this Act of which the margmal note is „Drainage works neces- {rom R0yaily
sitated by mining operations" or who pursuant to the Section Owners. of this Act of which the marginal note is „Appointment and remuneration of Assessor" contributes towards the remuneration of or pays any fees to the Assessor shall be entitled to recover from the Royalty Owner a sum representing.—
(er) Twenty-five per centum of such expense payment contribution or fees in any case in which by virtue of any lease licence or agreement the Mine Owner is liable to make good any subsidence injury to the surface of the land or to make compensation for any such injury; or
(ó). Such proportion not being less than seventy-five per centum of such expense payment contribution or fees as may be agreed between the Mine Owner and the Royalty Owner or as failing such agreement shall be determined on the application of either party by the Assessor in any case in which the Mine Owner is not subject to any such liability; or
(c) such proportion of such expense payment contribution or fees as may be agreed between the Mine Owner and the Royalty Owner or as failing such agreement shall be determined on the application of either party by the Assessor in any case not failing within either of the preceding paragraphs.
42. —Any sum recoverable by a Mine Owner from a Royalty Sums Owner under the provisions of this Part of this Act shall recoverable by (without prejudice to any other remedy available to the Mine ^'ne ^wner Owner) be recoverable wholly or partly by the deduction thereof deducted from from any Royalties rent fine or other sum payable by the Mine Royalties, &c. Owner to the Royalty Owner including any sum which shall
after the confirmation of the drainage order constituting the drainage area in or under which the mine is situate be payable by the Mine Owner in satisfaction of subsidence injury.
(West Riding of Yorkshire County Council. Printed
by Sanderson & Hayton Ltd., Wakefield.)



384
Bijlage No. XVL
(Deze bijlage bedoelt slechts de aandacht er op te vestigen, dat na 1719 nog wel afzonderlijke particuliere geschillen in dezelfde oude materie voorkwamen en dat de uitspraak van 15 Nov. 1630 (Bijlage No. VII) de basis voor het genomen arrest vormde.)
The Right Honourable Henry Viscount Irwin,
Appellant.
William Simpson, Thomas Morris, Thomas Hill, Edward Foster, Richard Middlebrooke, William Middlebrooke, Thomas Middlebrooke, and Samuel Maggot,
Respondents.
The RESPONDENTS CASE. To be heard at the Bar of the House of Lords, on Monday the fourth Day of December 1758.
The DECREE Affirmed.
24 March,x) 2 KING Charles the First being seized in Fee, in Right of his
ndfus'vermu r" Crown of En8"land. of and in the Lordship or Manor of Hatfield,
den's Agree- and °f the Chace called Hatfield Chace and Ditch Marsh, with
ment with the the Appurtenances, and of divers Waste Grounds and Com-
King for drai- mons t0 the said Lordship or Manor belonging, or thereunto mng Hatfield ,. . . , . „ , r» i r
Chace and near adjoining, m the County of York, great Part whereof
Ditch Marsh, was then subject to be drowned with Water, so that little or
no Benefit could be made thereof without draining the same;
thereupon by Articles of Agreement, dated the twenty fourth
Day of March, x) in the second Year of his Reign, and made
between his said Majesty of the one Part, and Cornelius
Vermuyden, Esquire, afterwards Sir Cornelius Vermuyden,
Knight, of the other Part; the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden
undertook to drain the said drowned Grounds, so as to make
the same fit for Tillage or Pasture, and to keep them for ever
in such Condition; and in Consideration thereof his said Ma-
1) moet zijn: Mei.



385
jesty agreed, that the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, his Heirs and Assigns, or such other Persons as he should appoint, their Heirs and Assigns, should have one full equal third Part of all the said drowned Grounds; and that his Majesty, upon gaining thereof, would grant the said third Part to the said Sir Cornelius, and his Heirs and Assigns, or to such other Persons as aforesaid, to be holden of his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, as of his Manor of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, in free and common Soccage, and taking Notice, That the Tenants of the said Manor did claim Common of Pasture in the Lands so to be drained as aforesaid; his Majesty agreed, that a Commission should issue, under the Great Seal, to certain Commissioners to treat and agree with the Persons claiming Common concerning the said Common, and claim to the same.
Sir Cornelius Vermuyden having drained the Wastes, his The King's Majesty conveyed the third Part thereof to him, and his Heirs J^fJjJJ, and Assigns; and his Majesty, in Pursuance of the Articles, to Sir Corne. granted divers Commissions under the Great Seal, one whereof lius Vermuywas directed to William Viscount Ayre, John Lord Savile, den. and others, to treat and agree with the Tenants and Inhabitants Commission to of all the Townships, Parishes, and Precincts, in and adjoining JjJ^g^ to the said Wastes and surrounded Grounds, who claimed witn the Te_ Right of Common in the same, touching what Part of the nants and InCommons to be improved, they would accept in Satisfaction habitants. of their Right and Title to the Residue of the said Wastes and Commonable Grounds; which Commissioners agreed with The Commisthe greater Part of the said Tenants and Inhabitants concerning m°^wAf the same, and alloted and set out to them several Parcels of Tenant8 and Grounds and Wastes, to be by them held and enjoyed in Allotment. Severalty, divided from the other two Parts thereof.
Sir Cornelius having afterwards purchased the Manor of Sir Cornelius's Hatfield of his Majesty, and the Residue of the Wastes and ^"g^J0*1 furrounded Grounds; divers Controversies arose between him and his Assigns of several Parts of the said Manor of Hatfield Disputes be- • of the one Part, and the Tenants and Inhabitants of the said jjj*ij^™ *nd Manor, and of the Towns, of Hatfield, Dunscroft, Woodhouse, Tudworth, Thorne, Sykehouse, Fishlake, and Stainforth, in the said County, on the other Part; as well concerning their Copyholds within the said Manor and Towns, as their Demands
25



386
June 1630. Reference to Lord Wentworth, <fic. Award and further Differences.
November 1630. Compromise.
Bill in the Exchequer by Sir Cornelius Vermuyden againts the Tenants and Inhabitants.
Cross Bill by the Tenants and Inhabitants.
30 Nov. 1630. Decree in both Causes.
of further perfecting the Work of draining the Grounds, and the Proportions and allotments claimed to be due to the said Inhabitants, and securing their Grounds from future Damage by Pretence of Draining: And divers Complaints being made before the Lords of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy Counsel thereof; the same were, in June 1630, referred to Thomas Viscount Wentworth and others, who, in September following, met there and viewed the Premises, and heard the Parties, and made an Award in Writing between them, to which some Exceptions being taken in some few Points thereof, further DiffeSences arose between the said Parties; but, in November following, they compromised the Matter among themselves, and made a mutual and final Agreement, touching the Parts of the Award to be performed by Sir Cornelius.
In Order that the Tenants and Inhabitants'might be decreed to stand to their Parts of the Award and further Agreement on their Behalf to be observed; Sir Cornelius exhibited his Bill, in his Majesty's Court of Exchequer at Westminster, against Robert Portington, and the several other Persons therein named, as Tenants and Inhabitants of the said Manor of Hatfield; to which Bill the Defendants appeared and put in their Answer, and confessed the Agreement and the several Articles of the Award in the Bill expressed, and consented to and allowed of such Parts thereof, and such further Agreements as were in the Bill mentioned and consented to have the same decreed; and to the "End that Sir Cornelius might be also decreed to perform bis Part of the said Award and Agreement, Henry Lee and the said Robert Portington, and divers of the Tenants and Inhabitants of the said Manor and of the said Towns, Villages, and Hamiets, exhibited their Bill, in the same Court, against Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, who appeared to the said Bill, and put in his Answer, and submitted, that tse Award and the further Agreements might be decreed to be performed by all Parties.
The Causes came to be heard on the thirtyth Day of the same November; and thereupon the Court ordered that the Parts of the said Award and the further Agreements should be fet down as they were agreed to on each Side; and the same were accordingly set down (amongst other Things) as follows; to wit, that the Tenants, their Heirs and Assigns,



387
should have their Turf Moors, with all the Profits thereunto belonging, throughout the Waste of Turbary in such Manner and Form as they usually thentofore had, and their Copyhold Lands there without Admeasurement; and that there should be sufficiënt Ways left to the Moors for Carriages; and that those who should come to build or dweil upon the Ground of Sir Cornelius, his Heirs or Assigns, were only to have Liberty to cut Turf on 1000 Acres of Turf Moor towards Crowle, and 500 Acres towards Sandtoft, to be set out by Metes and Bounds; and the Turbary, called the Lords Moors, were likewife reserved to Sir Cornelius and his Assigns; but Sir Cornelius and the new Inhabitants were to take Turf in these Places only for their own Burning, and not for Sale; and the Tenants of the Manor, and the Members thereof, should have unto them and their Heirs, and such Persons and their Heirs as they should appoint, their former Allotments for their Common confirmed unto them according as they were set out by the first Commissioners the said Lord Savile and others, the fourteenth Day of March 1627, with an Addition of 200 Acres more in Ditch Marsh and 403 Acres of Land in Ferne Carr, to be assured unto the Tenants in exchange for 403 Acres in Westmoore. All which Parcels of Ground alloted, and to be alloted and exchanged with the Tenants, should be drained and so kept according to the Articles made between his Majesty and Sir Cornelius Vermuyden; and that Sir CorneUus and his Heirs, upon Request, should convey, or cause to be conveyed, unto such Feossees, and their Heirs, as the Tenants, or the major Part of them should nominate, such Part of the Moors, not holden by Copy of Court Roll and other Grounds within the said Manor as were alloted, to and for the Tenants to be holden in fee and common Soccage; and that the Tenants should cause Ditch Marsh to be surveyed, so as it might appear, that they should have a full Moiety thereof, and 200 Acres more, and that the same should be set forth by the Referees, or any such two of them as aforesaid; so as it might he conveniently for Sykehouse and Fishlake, as well as for Thorne, wherein Reguard should be had to accomodate Sir Cornelius and his Assigns, with Conveniences, as well for any new Draining to be made therein, as otherwise, without Prejudice unto the Tenants.



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That the said Tenants and Inhabitants should have all Lanes, Ways, and Passages to continue to them, their Heirs, and Assigns in Common as formerly they had, and that they should not be charged with Payment of any Toll for Passage through the Lock, or any other Passage by Water or by Land; and that Sir Cornelius, his Heirs and Assigns, should cause all their Grounds to be sufficiently fenced and inclosed against the Allotments of the Tenants; and the further Demands of the said Tenants assented unto by the said Sir Cornelius not mentioned in the said Award, were (among other Things) as follows; to wit, That neither the said Sir Cornelius and his Tenants of the two Parts improved, nor their Heirs or Assigns, should have any Common in the third Part alloted and set out for the Use of the Tenants and Commoners; and that the Tenants and Inhabitants of the several Towns, Villages, and Places aforesaid, their Heirs and Assigns should have free Liberty to dig Clods, Earth, and Gravel in and upon the said Highways and Lanes, in Places sit and convenient, for their necessary Uses; and that the said Sir Cornelius and his Heirs should convey and assure unto the said Tenants and Inhabitants, their Heirs and Assigns, one Parcel of Marsh Ground, callen Bramwith Marsh, over and above the several Parcels of Marsh Ground alloted unto them by the Certificate of the said Lord Savile and and others; and that the said Sir Cornelius and his Heirs, and his and their Tenants and Farmers, of such Copyhold Tenements as he had lately purchased from,
Zamquere, one of the Daughters of the said Viscount Ayre, should enjoy Common of Pasture and Turbary, within the said Wastes and Moors alloted unto the said Tenants, according to the Custom of the Manor: And it was further agreed on both Sides, that according to the Certificate of the said Viscount Ayre and others, the said Tenants should have and enjoy these Parcels of Commons following; to wit, The Westmore containing 893 Acres, the Lings containing 210 Acres, Woodfree Carr, Brickhill Carr, and Halehill Carr, containing 347 Acres, Rample Carr 84 Acres, the Clowns 467 Acres, East Tramlyngs 202 Acres, Brereham and Kirton Carr, 380 Acres, Bramwith Marsh 35 Acres, Burgarr and Hatfield Meere 130 Acres, Hatfield Hills 66 Acres, a Piece of Ground called the Common, the further Side of the Water, 65 Acres, the West



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Nabb 138 Acres, Kirk Town Nabb 15 Acres, the Moiety of Dykes Marsh, and 200 Acres over: All which said Parcels of Ground the said Tenants and Inhabitants were, by the said Certificate, to hold to them and their several Heirs in Lieu and Recompence of their several Claims of Common in all the Rest of the said Wastes and Commonable Grounds; and thereupon afterwards, on the tbirtyth Day of the same November, the said Court decreed in the Presence of the Counsel and Parties on both Sides, and with their mutual Consent, that the Parts of the said Award and Agreement before particularty expressed, and the said Certificate of the said Lord Savile and others, and every Part thereof (except as in the said Decree excepted) should from thenceforth be observed and performed by the said Parties; and that as well the said Sir Cornelius, and his Heirs and Assigns, as the said Tenants and Inhabitants, and all others the Tenants and Inhabitants of the several Towns, Villages, and Hamiets that then were, and that thereafter for the Time being should be, and their Heirs and Assigns should for ever thereafter be bound to observe and perform the said Parts of the said Award and Agreements by Virtue of the said Decree.
Afterwards by Indenture of Feoffment dated the fifteenth Day of July 1633, duly executed with Livery of Seizin, and '5 July 1633 made between the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, and John eoffment. Gibbon, Esquire, of the one Part, and the said Henry Lee, Roger Portington, and several others therein named, Tenants of the said Manor, of the other Part, reciting the said Commission so granted to the said Viscount Ayre, and others, and the Allotment by 'them made as aforesaid; and the said Award so made by the said Viscount Wentworth, and other such Commissioners; and that his Majesty had granted to the said Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, the said Lordship or Manor of Hatfield, with all the Waste and Commons thereunto belonging; and that the said John Gibbon was lately become interested in the said Lordship under the said Sir Cornelius. It is witnessed, that the said Sir Cornelius, and John Gibbon, granted, bargained, aliened, sold, enfeoffed, and confirmed unto the said Henry Lee, Roger Portington, and others, their Heirs and Assigns for ever, all those Parcels of Ground before mentioned, as the same were alloted to the Tenants, and set forth as



390
aforesaid, with the Appurtenances and all Commons, and Turf, Moors, Rights, Profits, Privileges, Emoluments and Commodities to the said Premises, or to any the Messuages, Lands, Hereditaments of any the said Tenants belonging; and all the Right, Title, Claim, Interest, Property and Demand of the said Sir Cornelius. Vermyden and John Gibbon, or either of them, of, in and to the fame, „To hold, to them, their Heirs and „Assigns for ever, to the only proper Use and Behoof of them, „their Heirs and Assigns for ever, Nevertheless upon the „special Trust and Confidence, and for the sole Benefit, Profit „and Commodity of themselves and their Heirs, and all and „singular others the Tenants and Inhabitants of Hatfield, „Thorne, Dunscroft, Stainforth, Fishlake and Sykehouse, and „of all other the Tenants and Inhabitants of, and within the „said Manor or Lordship of Hatfield, and of every of them „severally and respectively, to use and enjoy the same and „every Part and Parcel thereof as formerly the? had done or „been accustomed to do, with Covenants of the Part of Sir „Cornelius and Gibbon, that the Premises were free from „former Bargains, Sales, Gifts, Grants, Jointures, Dowers, „Statutes, Judgments, Intails, Rents, and all other Incum„brances, and for farther Assurance, whether by Fine, Feoff„ment, Deed inrolled or Recovery, or other Assurance, with „Warranty against Sir Cornelius and John Gibbon, and their „Heirs, and all claiming by, from or under them."
In persuance of the Award, Agreements, Decree and Feoffment, the Tenants and Inhabitants of the faid several Towns within the said Manor of Hatfield, have ever fince till lately, quietly and without any Interruption held and enjoyed, ah* the said several Lands as aforesaid, alloted and conveyed to them, and their Heirs, or to the Use of them and their Heirs as aforesaid, together with all Ways, Easements and Profits thereto belonging; and also the Navigation up and down the River Dunn, within the said Manor, and without paying any Toll; and also haling and towing Paths there, up and down the said River, and fixing and mooring their Vessels and Ships to the Banks of the said River there, without Interruption till lately, and in the said Manner, as to the present River Dunn, as to the old River Dunn, in all Respects. However the Tenants of the Manor of Hatfield, being



391
greatly interrupted and disturbed by the Right Honourable
Arthur Lord Viscount Irwin, and his Agents and Tenants, in
the Enjoyment of the Lands alloted, and afterwards conveyed
to them; or for their Use; and the Navigation within the Manor,
and other Easements and Privileges which they were entitled
to, and several Actions of Trespass having been brought against Actions
several of the Respondents and others, for Matters done in brought.
the Use and Exercise of their Rights, and the Tenants not
being able to produce the said Indenture of Fe off ment, (though
one Part thereof was then in the Hands of Thomas Canby,
now deceased, then one of the Tenants of the said Manor, in
Trust for himself, and the other Tenants and Inhabitants of
the said Manor, and then the Steward or Agent of the said
Arthur Lord Irwin, which he refuse to produce, or to permit
the Defendant in the Action at Law, to have the Use or
Benefit of.)
The now Respondents and several others then Tenants and Inhabitants of the said Manor of Hatfield, on the Behalf of themselves, and others the Tenants, Freeholders, and Copyholders, and Inhabitants of the said Towns of Stainforth, Hatfield, Fishlake and Thorne, within the said Manor of Hatfield, were compelled to bring their original Bill of Complaint in his
Majesty's Court of Exchequer at Westminster, against Lord Viscount Irwin, Thomas Canby, and Robert Jennings, thereby stating the several Matters aforesaid; and thereby praying, that the former. Decree might be carried into Execution, and that they, and the other Tenants and Inhabitants of the said several Towns within the said Manor, might be quieted in the
Enjoyment of the several Lands alloted and conveyed to, and to the Use of the Tenants and Inhabitants of the said Manor as aforesaid, and of the Navigation up and down the said River Dunn, within the said Manor, together with all other Ways, Easements, Privileges and Profits whatsoever alloted to the Tenants and Inhabitants of the said Manor, by or under the said Agreements and Decree according to the true Meaning thereof, and for an Injunction in the mean Time to stay the Proceedings at Law.
To this Bill, Arthur late Lord Viscount Irwin, and the other Defendants appeared, and put in several Answers; and the The Answers. said Lord Irwin, by bis Answer (amongst other Things) insisted,
In Trin. Term 1731. The Respondents and other Tenants file their Bill in the Exchequer.



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Mich. Term, 11 G. II. Bill of Revivor and Supplement.
Answer to the Bill of Revivor and Supplement.
that notwithstanding the Award, Agreement, Decree and Feoffment, he as Lord of the Manor was seized of and intitled to the Soil and Freehold of all the Lands alloted and conveyed to, or in Trust for the Tenants and Inhabitants; and that they were only intitled to the Herbage thereof, and to dispasture the same; and also the several Parts of the Lands claimed by the Bill, were not really alloted as aforesaid to the Tenants and Inhabitants of the Manor; and the Defendant Canby, by his Answer admitted, that he had in his Custody one Part of the Deed of Feoffment, and submitted to produce the same at the Hearing; and Robert Jennings, as Tenant of Lord Irwin, msisted on a Right of Common in Part of the Lands claimed to be alloted to the Tenants.
The Defendants Arthur Lord Irwin, Thomas Canby, and Robert Jennings, all died, and afterwards a Bill of Revivor and Supplement was exhibited against Henry Lord Viscount Irwin now the Appellant, Mordecai Cutts, and John Robinson and Mary his Wife, suggesting the Death of Arthur Lord Irwin, Thomas Canby, and Robert Jennings, and charging that the Appellant was Brother and Heir of the said Arthur Lord Irwin and as such was intitled to the said Manor of Hatfield with' the Appurtenances, and claimed the same Rights; and that Mordecai Cutts was the Executor of Thomas Canby, and had got mto his Custody that Part of the Deed of Feoffment, which was in the Hands of Thomas Canby, and refused to produce the same; and that Mary, the Wife of John Robinson, was the Widow and Administratrix of Robert Jennings; and that John Robinson and Mary his Wife threatned to proceed at Law and take out Execution on the Judgment obtained in the Action at Law brought by Robert Jennings; the Appellant, and also Mordecai Cutts, and John Robinson and Mary his Wife appeared to that Bill; and the Appellant by his Answer admitted, that he was the Brother and Heir of Arthur late Lord Irwin, and that he claimed to be intitled to the said Manor for nis Life, and derived such Title under the Will of the eldest Brother Edward Machell, and that such Title first accrued to hun m Remainder after the Death of his elder Brethren Richard and Arthur, and had heard and did believe, that Sir Cornelius Vermuyden was Lord of the said Manor of Hatfield, but knew nothing more of the several Matters and Things contained in



393
the Plaintiffs Bill, than wsat were disclosed, and set forth in the several Answers of the said Arthur Viscount Irwin, to which Answers he referred and submitted, that the Complainant's Bill, and the Proceedings had thereupon, should be revived against him; and Mordecai Cutts by his Answer admitted, that he had a Part of the Deed of Feoffment, and submitted to produce the same, but admitted that he had refused to produce it, that the Plaintiffs might have the Benefit of it; and all the Defendants submitted, that all the Proceedings should be revived against them, and the same were revived accordingly.
The Cause being at Issue, several Witnesses were examined, and their Depositions published, and afterwards on the twenty first Day of April 1755, the Cause was heard in the said Court of Exchequer, whereupon it was (amongst other Things) 21 April 1755 ordered and Decreed, that it should be referred to a Trial at Decree direcLaw in feigned Action to be brought by the then Plaintiffs, mg ssuesnow the Respondents, against the then Defendant Henry Lord Viscount Irwin now the Appellant, to try the following Issue (to wit) first, whether the Ground whereon the Turnpike in the Pleadings mentioned was erected, was or was not Part of the Tenants allotments. Second, Whether there was or was not at the Time of erecting the Turnpike, a Common Highway over that Ground. Third, Whether there was or was not at the Time aforesaid, a Way for the Tenants over that Ground, where the Turnpike stood from Stainforth to a Common Field called Incroft or Kirk Town Nabb or either, and which of them. Fourth, Whether the uninclosed Ground lying on the East Side of the River Dunn, and between the River and the great Bank, commonly called the Participants Bank, and extending from a Place called Ealand Lane, South, to a Place opposite to a Place called new Went, North, or any, and what Part thereof, was Part of the Tenants Allotment, which Issue were to be settled by the Deputy Remembrancer of the said Court, in Case the Parties differed therein, and were to be tried by a special Jury of the Court of York, and the Consideration of Costs, and all further Directions were reserved, till such Trial was had.
Afterwards, the then Plaintiffs waved the first and second Issue, apprehending that by the fourth Issue all the Matters



394
First and Second Issues waved by the Plaintiffs. Third Issue waved by the Defendants. Summer Assizes 1755. The Fourth Issue tried, and a Verdict for the Respondents.
13 Dec. 1755. Cause came on to be heard on the Equity reserved after the Trial.
16 December. Further heard.
17 December. Decree.
really in Question, and then in Dispute would be tried; and the then Defendants waved the third Issue, and the fourth Issue was settled and directed to be tried.
At the Summer Assizes 1755, the Issue was tried at York by a special Jury, and took up above eighteen Hours in the Trial; and upon full Evidence, as to the Right of the Soil of the Premises in Question, a Verdict was given for the then Plaintiffs now the Respondents, whereby it was found, that the said uninclosed Piece or Parcel of Ground, and every Part thereof, was Part of the said Lands and Grounds heretofore alloted to, and for the Benefit of the Tenants of the said Manor of Hatfield, entitled to Right of Common on the Waste and Commons of the said Manor.
On the thirteenth Day of December 1755, the Cause came on again to be heard in the Court of Exchequer, and the Deposition of Robert Laverack taken in the Cause on the Part of the Defendant, and other Evidence being offered by the Defendant's Councel to be read to support their Construction, that there was in the Deed of Feoffment, a resulting Trust in the Lord of the said Manor, as to the Soil of the Lands and Grounds, thereby conveyed for the sole Use of the Tenants of the Manor, the Reading of which Deposition and other Evidence being objected to by the then Plaintiffs Counsel, the further hearing of the Cause was adjourned over to the then next Tuesday, (being the fixteenth Day of the same December) when the Cause came on again, to be further heard in Court; and on hearing Counsel on both Sides, the objections was allowed, and a Paper purporting to be a Copy of a Bill said to be filed in the said Court in the Year 1640, between Perkins and others, Plaintiffs, and Ingram, Defendant, being offered to be read, was rejected; whereupon the Cause was adjourned to be further heard ón the then next Day, when the same came on again; and the said Defendant Lord Irwin, having by his Counsel Insisted, that he as Lord of the Manor had a Right to the Soil of the Lands alloted to the Tenants, the Court overruled the same; and thereupon ordered and decreed, that the then Plaintiffs, now the Respondents, and the rest of the Tenants of the said Manor, Freeholders or Copyholders, and their Heirs and Assigns, should during the Life of the said Defendant Henry Lord Viscount Irwin, quietly and peaceably



393
hold, use, occupy, and enjoy the said several Lands and Grounds mentioned in the said fourth Issue and Verdict, and every Part thereof, and all other Lands alloted and conveyed to them, or in Trust for them, according to the said Decree of the thirtyth Day of November, in the sixt Year of King Charles the First, and the said Deed of Feoffment against the then Defendant (now the Appellant) the Lord Viscount Irwin, as Lord of the said Manor, and that an Injunction be awarded under the Seal of the said Court to quiet them in the said Enjoyment, and to enjoy the said Defendant, his Agents, Servants, and Workmen, from interrupting or disturbing the same during the said Time; and that the said then Defendant (now the Appellant) should pay to the said then Plaintiffs (now Respondents) their Costs of the said original Bill and Bill of Revivor and Supplement; and the Costs at Law, and in Equity subsequent to the said Bill of Revivor to be taxed by the Deputy Remembrancer of the said Court; and also that the said Mordecai Cutts should bring into the said Court the said Deed of Feoffment, and that the same should be enrolled amongst the Records of the said Court; and that the said then Plaintiffs should pay to the said Defendant Cutts his Costs of the said Cause to be taxed, so much of which Costs were to be repaid to the said then Plaintiffs, by the said then Defendant the Lord Irwin, as were incurred to the Time of the said Cutts's Answer, who was also to pay to the then Plaintiffs (now Respondents) the Costs of the several Motions and Orders for producing the Feoffment, and also that so much of the Bill as related to the Plaintiffs Claim of the Ground, whereon the Turnpike therein mentioned stood, to be Part of the Lands alloted to the Tenants, or to be a Common Highway, be dismissed, with Costs to be taxed to be paid by the said Plaintiffs, to the then Defendant the Lord Irwin; and by Consent the said Bill was dismissed as against the said Defendants, John Robinson and Mary his Wife, but without Costs.
From which Decree Henry Lord Irwin hath appealed to your Lordships, and by his Appeal hath made four Objections.
As to such Part of the said Decree, whereby the Objections to the Reading of the Evidence offered on the Part of the First, Appellant was allowed.
As to such Part of the Decree, as disallowed the Claim of Second.



396
the Appellant, as Lord of the Manor to the Soil of the alloted Commons, and on that Foundation ordered, that the then Plaintiffs, now the Respondents, should hold and enjoy the Lands found in the fourth Issue, and all other Lands alloted to the Tenants according to the Decree and Feoffment against the Appellant, and awarded an Injunction to quiet the Plaintiffs, now Respondents, in the Possession thereof, during the Life of the said Appellant.
Third. As to such Part of the Decree, whereby it is directed, that
the Appellant should pay the Respondents the Costs of the original Bill, and the Bill of Revivor, with subsequent Costs at Law, and Equity.
Fourth. As to such Part of the Decree, as directs the Appellant to
pay so much of the Defendant Cutts's Costs, as were incurred to the Time of the Answer of the Defendant Canby, and the Costs of the Motions and Orders about producing the Deeds of Feoffment.
The Respondents humbly apprehend, that there is not any Ground for the said Objections, or any of them (amongst many others) for the following
REASONS: I.
Because every Part of the successive Transactions relative to the Improvement of the Waste Grounds and Commons in Question in this Cause, tends to confirm the legal Operation of the Feoffment, and to rebutt the resulting of Ownership of the Soil pretended by the Appellant. When the original Project of draining and improving was first undertaken, the Crown agreed to grant one Third of the Lands as a Recompence to Sir Cornelius Vermuyden the Projector; at the same Time, Powers were given to proper Persons to treat with the Tenants and Inhabitants, who claimed Rights of Common, touching what Part of the LANDS, they would accept in Satisfaction of such Right, and Allotments were made accordingly. Upon the Disputes, which arose after the Purchase of the whole Estate by Sir Cornelius, an Award was made under a Reference from the Privy Counsel, and a Decree in the Exchequer, was founded upon that Award, and other subsequent Agreements. From the



397
Term of that Decree, it is evident, that the former Allotments were confirmed with Additions, and new Exchange made. The Purchaser is derected to enfeoff Trustees in such Allotments and Exchanges, for the Benefit of the Tenants and their Heirs, in Lieu of all their Claims in the rest of the Waste and Commonable Grounds, to be held of the Lord of the Manor, in free and common Soccage. Upon the fifteenth Day of July 1633, the Feoffment is accordingly made to the Feoffees and their Heirs, to the Use of them and their Heirs, upon special Trust and Confidence, and for the SOLE BENEFIT, PROFIT AND COMMODITY OF THEMSELVES, AND THE OTHER TENANTS AND INHABITANTS.
II.
The manifest Intent of the Feoffment was to confirm and effectuate an Exchange of the Right of Common, in two Thirds of the Waste Lands, with the Right of Soil in the remaining one Third. The Tenants had originally a Right of Common over the whole; the Lord had likewise a Right in every Part of the Soil. On the one Hand, the Lord was encouraged to drain and improve, by being enabled to inclose free from the Right of Common; on the other Hand it was advantageous to the Tenants, to relinquish so la'rge a Proportion of the Waste for the Sake of quietly enjoying one Third of it, improved and drained, under a Conveyance of the absolute Ownership of the Soil, discharged from the Right of the Lord.
IIL
It was the Intent of the Parties to secure only a Right of Common in one Third of the Waste, still liable to the Lord's Right of ownership in the Soil; the proper Method had been, not for the Lord to enfeoff Trustees for the Tenants in one Third of the Waste, but, for the Tenants to have executed Releases of their Right of Common, on two Thirds of it to the Lord, reserving to themselves the free Enjoyment of such Right of Common, as they were accustomed to have, on the remaining Third; or the Court, in Consequence of the Award and Agreement, might have decreed the Lord to hold and enjoy the two Thirds free from any Right of Common or otherwise in the Tenants; and that the Tenants should enjoy their Right



398
of Common in the remaining third Part, exclusive of the Lord. There would be on Occasion in this View for the Solemnity of a Feoffment, and the Interposition of Trustees. If the Soil was not to be absolutely conveyed, the original customary Enjoyment, and the Right of Common in the remaining Third, was a better Title than any new Conveyance from the Lord, subject to be restrained and limited in the Operation of it, by bis Words of Grant. The vesting of the entire Property of the Soil in Trustees, as a Trust for the Tenants, was the Object of this Feoffment; because it was the only effectual Method of securing them from future Vexation, as to Pretences of digging the Waste, surcharging the Common, and doing other Acts, which might produce Contests.
IV.
The Parol Evidence offered in this Cause to shew Acts of Ownership done, and an Exercise of the Lords Rights upon the alloted Lands, long since the Time of the Decree and Feoffment, was rejected by the Court; because it is contrary to the Rules of Law, to set up a resulting Trust, by Parol Evidence, where the plain Words of the Deed have disposed of the whole Trust or benefidal Interest in the Land; as it would render all Titles to Estates precarious and insecure.
V.
The Appellant Lord Irwin having set up a Defence both in Law and Fact, which could not be supported, and having insisted on a Trial at Law, in which a Verdict went against him, and the Respondents having been put to very great Expences thereby; it is apprehended, that the Court was in some Measure bound to give the Respondents their Costs. For although the giving or refusing Costs is discretionary in Courts of Equity, yet unless there is something very particular in the Case to vary the Rule, Costs always follow the Right.
C. YORKE. GEO. PERROTT.
N. B. We are particularly requested to remind the Readers that a Trial respecting some Claim of the late Lords of the Manor to Part of the Commons alloted by the Decree to the



399
Tenants and Inhabitants of the said Manor of Hatfield, the Trial after various Hearings elswhere, came to an Issue at York; the ReSult of which was as follows.
Which Issue (after a View had by a Special Jury) was tried Summer Asat York, and took up above eighteen Hours; when, upon full sizes • Evidence as to the Right of the Soil and Enjoyment thereof, a Verdict was given for the Inhabitants, and that the whole Place in Issue was a Part of the Ground alloted and conveyed to the said Inhabitants.
The Equity reserved came on to be heard in the Court of Exchequer, and, upon hearing Counsel on both Sides, the Court, on Wednesday the seventeenth Day of December, 1755, decreed, 13, 16, and 17 That the Inhabitants should hold and enjo the Lands mentioned Decem- 1755. in the Issue and Verdict, and all other the Lands alloted and conveyed to or in Trust for them, according to the Decree of the thirtyth Day of November 1630; and that the said Deed of Feoffment should be enrolled amongst the Records of the said Court, which was enrolled accordingly.
From which Decree Lord Irwin appealed to the House of Lords; and, upon hearing the said Appeal, the said House, on 4 Dec. 1758. Monday the fourth Day of December, 1758, without Hesitation, assirmed the Decree, with Sixty Pounds Costs.
(Deze rechtsquestie is in druk verschenen bij D. Boys te Doncaster in 1794.)
Bijlage No. XVTL
LINCOLN. THESE CAUSES standing in the paper and coming to be heard in the Exchequer Chamber on Thursday, the Fourteenth day of May, in Easter Term, in the Third year of his now Majesty's reign, is was, among other things, ordered, adjudged, and decreed by the court, that the agreement set forth in the said order of the Fourteenth day of May should he and was thereby decreed and confirmed, and that a commission should be awarded under the seal of this court directed to Thomas Dawson, John Richmond, James Dalby, William Fulbeck, and Henry Caister, for the plaintiffs the Earl of Mulgrave, Robert Ryther, and the rest of them. And to



400
William Laughton, William Skiërs, Samual Swinden, Thomas Crosby, and John Dunklyn, for the participants William Marnood Esq. and' the rest of them. Impowering them, or any four or more of them, whereof two to be of the commoners' commissioners, and two of them to be of the participants' commissioners, to make an allotment and division of the premisses in question, according to the orders and decrees of the Fourteenth day of May, and the Eighth day of December therein mentioned. In pursuance of which order, and of a subsequent order of the Eighth of December, direct two or more of the commissioners for the commoners, to set out the one thousand acres in two several places most convenient for the inhabitants, and afterwards to join with the commissioners for the participants in dividing the revenue. A commission awarded under the seal of this court, directed to the commissioners for the commoners, or any two of them, to execute the same as to the one thousand acres: And afterwards is was directed to all the said commissioners or any four of them, whereof two were to be of the commissioners for the commoners and two were to be of the commissioners for the participants. And that, pursuant to the said order and commission, two of them, viz, James Dalbie and William Fulbecke, being commissioners for thé said commoners of Epworth manor, did execute the same as to the one thousand acres, and made a certificate thereof to this court in these words (that is to say):
To the Right Honorable SIR ROBERT ATKYNS, Lord Chief Baron, of their Majesties Court of Exchequer, at Westminster, and the rest of the Barons there.
May it please your Honours, — We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, in order to the execution of that part of the commission hereunto annexed, to us and others directed, wherein power and authority is given us to allot and appoint one thousand acres, parcel of the seven thousand four hundred acres, in the order or decree to the said commission annexed in two places, for the use and benefit of the commoners, tenants, and inhabitants of the manor of Epworth, according to the tenor and true intent of the several orders or decree to the same commission annexed. We have well considered of the said orders or degree, and have consulted with the inhabitants of the said manor: And by virtue of the said commission and power thereby given us, we do hereby set forth and allot for the said commoners, tenants and inhabitants of the said manor, the aforesaid one thousand acres, parcel of the said seven thousand four hundred acres, in two



401
places most convenient for all the inhabitants of the several towns in the said orders mentioned. S'tilt. Belton, Epworth, Haxey, snf Owston, according to the true intent of the said orders or degree, in such manner as is hereafter mentioned; (that is to say) five hundred acres thereof lying in Belton parish, at the north-west point of the said seven thousand four hundred acres. S'tilt. All that piece of ground called by the name of Thornbush Carr; except forty acres thereof, lying at the far corner of that carr, Old Idle lying west of it, and is near Peter Liew House; and also all that part of the ground called Belton Plains, next adjoining to the said Thornbush Carr upon the south-west part thereof towards Santoft, and northwest thereof towards Old Idle and Farr Bank down to Dirtness Bank eastwards, leaving out fifty acres on the north-east side of the same plain next Dirtness Bridge. The which aforesaid part of piece of ground, so by us as aforesaid set out in Belton Plains, contains all the plains on the west side New Idle Bank, except fifty acres thereof lying next Dirtness Bridge, the which aforesaid places s'tilt the said part of Thornbush Carr, and the said part of the plains, we have, by admeasurement and survey made thereof, computed to contain five hundred acres. And as to the reside of the said one thousand acres s'tilt five hundred acres more, we do set forth and allot for the use aforesaid, other parts of the aforesaid seven thousand four hundred acres lying at the south-west points thereof, in manner following; (that is to say) to begin at west end of Misterton, six hundred sixty-four acres mentioned in the said decree, which, at the south-west corner by Vicarage Bank, is directly over against the middle of the far Burnson, the far side of Vicarsdike, and is from thence leading in an direct and straight line to the Doublé Bank, to the bott or hole there now made on that bank, then leaving out in breadth four chains length (each chain being two and twenty yards long) all along by the north side of Vicarsdike Bank, from Idlestop eastward, and another small piece at the east end of the same four chains length by Vicarsdike Bank, extending to the said part allotted to Misterton, all the ground between the north side of them four chains length and the said small piece left out by Vicarsdike Bank into Doublé Bank, and so to proceed from the said westward of Misterton on forward westward as far as the first Rushy Close Dike on the west side of the Slout Dike, and then all along by that dike side southward to the corner of Upper Rushby Close marked out by a bott or hole there made, then westward
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along by the dike leading by that close side towards Dickhill and to turning up the Cross Dike, which is cut through Dockhill unto the bott or hole there made at the corner of the dike which turns westward a little beyond Dockhill, and so along by that cross dike side westward to the first Cavel dike on the east side New Idle Bank, and from that Cavel Dike the whole compass and circuit of ground between the north, outside of the said four chains length by Vicarsdike Bank and the said Doublé Bank and New Idle Bank: All which several parcels of ground before mentioned do extend in length from the said west end of Misterton six hundred sixty-four acres unto New Idle Bank westward, and lies between the said Doublé Bank north, and the north outside of the said four chains length, and the said other small piece by Vicarsdike Bank on the sourth, except only out of the same, the ground called the Rushy Closes which do contain one hundred and nineteen acres, or thereabouts, which we leave out to be divided between the participants and the commoners of the said manor of Epworth. And also all them pieces of ground called the Gelfs, and likewise all that first Cavel on the north side of the said Doublé Bank on Broomson's, Old Idle lying on the west side thereof and the first Cavel Dike on the east side thereof, and abuts on now Sewer north, and the said Doublé Bank south, except only out of the same Cavel two and twenty acres parcel thereof, which we have admeasured out of the same and leave it out of the north-east end of the same Cavel, between that Cavel dike and the middle dike of that Cavel and between Snow Sewer and the first cross dike on the north side of all Broomsons Hills, on that east side of that Cavel, all which said several parcels of ground which we have last mentioned to be lying at the south-west points of the said seven thousand four hundred acres, and hereby as aforesaid allotted out, we have, by admeasurement and survey thereof made, computed to be and contain in the whole five hundred acres in Belton parish above before by as allotted and set forth to be the full one thousand acres dirested b ythe said commission for us to allot and set forth for the uses aforesaid. All which we humbly certify to your honours this Seventeenth day of October in the Fourth year of our sovereign Lord and Lady King WILLIAM and Queen MARY. over England, &c. Anno Domi. 1692.
JAMES DALBYE. WILLIAM FULBECK.



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And afterwards four of the commissioners, (viz) James Dalbye and William Fulbecke, commissioners for the commoners, and William Skiërs and Thomas Crosby, commissioners for the particupants, did proceed to execute the rest of the commission, and executed the same accordingly, and made a certificate thereof accordingly, which certificate follows in these words, (viz.).
To the Right Honourable SIR ROBERT ATKYNS, Lord Chief Baron, of their Majesties Court of Exchequer, at Westminister, and the rest of the Barons there.
May it please your Honours,-We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, being some of the persons appointed commissioners for the execution of some part of the commission hereunto annexed, whereby, in the first place, power and authority is given unto certain persons theireinnamed, to set fof the use and benefit of the commoners, tenants, and inhabitants of the manor of Epworth, one thousand acres, parcel of the seven thousand four hundred acres, in the order or decree to the said commission annexed mentioned, according to the intent of the several orders or decree to the same annexed; then, in the next place, by the same commission, power, and authority is hereby given to us, to do and execute all other things mentioned and expressed in the said orders or decree, according to the tenor, form, and effect thereof, and upon perusal of the order or decree mentioned in the said commission to be made the Fourteenth day of May in the Third year of their new majesties reign, and to the same commission annexed, we find that after the said one thousand acres are set out as aforesaid for the said commoners of the manor of Epworth, and also six hundred sixty-four acres, another parcel of the said seven thousand acres, are set out for the commoners of Misterton, according to the said agreement in the said order or decree mentioned, that them we should survey and divide the residue of the said seven thousand four hundred acres, pursuant to the said decree, into two equal shares and parts in point of value, and the one share and part thereof to appoint to the said commoners of the manor of Epworth, and the other part and share thereof to the participants, pusuant to the said decree: Now in as much the one thousand acres are already set forth for the use of the commoners of the manor of Epworth, and as we are informed, according to the intent of the said agreement, order, and decree, we have proceeded to the execution of the aforesaid other part of the said commission, as we are hereby commanded, for the dividing of



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the aforesaid remainder of the said seven thousand four hundred acres into two equal shares and parts, according to our best judgments, which, according to the intent of the said decree, we appoint and set forth in manner following: (that is to say). We appoint and set forth, for the participants, all that piece of parcel of ground containing three hundred and four acres, or thereabouts, lying between Snow Sewer and the Doublé Bank, next the first Cavel dike, on Broomsons on the west, and a bott hole now made on Snow Wewer Bank towards the north, and another bott hole on the said Doublé Bank towards the south: one other piece or parcel of ground three hundred and four acres, or thereabouts, lying over aginst Craislound between Snow Sewer and Doublé Bank, as the same is now plotted and marked out, with bott holes on either side, east and west, on Snow Sewer Bank and the said Doublé Bank, being parcel of the places alled the Owsoms, Old Lead, and Through Hill: also the mpity or half part of the place called Rushy Closes, which in the whole are computed to contain one hundred and ninetween acres, or thereabouts, to be equally measured off at the east end thereof: also two and twenty acres lying on the north-east end of Bromsom's first Cavel between that Cavel Dike and the Middle dike and between Snow Sewer and the first Cross Dike on the north side of Broomsom's Hills. Ther is also four chains length, containing eighty-eight yards in breadth, lying along by the side of Vicarsdike Bank from Idlestop eastward, and another small piece left out at the east end of the said four chains lengths by Vicarsdike Bank, extending to the said part allotted to Misterton, both which ought to have been divided, but we leave them open to the common by consent of parties of both sides, to be eaten by the commoners, and the participants are to dig and take earth there, what they should have occasion for, for the repairing of Vicarsdike Bank: and also one fourth part being the north side of a place called Haxey North Carr, containing two hundred twenty-five acres or thereabouts, whereof the north fourth part of Kelsy Closes, lying at the west end of said fourth part of that carr and abutting on Old Idle, is part as the same is now blotted out: and also another fourth part of the said carr, being the south side thereof, and contains two hundred twentyfive acres, or thereabouts, as the same is now blotted out on the north side, and adjoins on the south side to a piece of common called park Dike Bank, only to be left out on the same fourth part, one acre for a passage to the said piece of common at the west corner of



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Thrumrawhole: and whereof also the south side of the said closes called Keisy's Closes, is part as the same is also blotted out on the north side, and lies next Coffee Close south, butts on New Idle Bank, under bank, leading northward from Thrumrow Nooke on the east participants', leaving passage from Coffee Close to the commoners' part in Haxey North Carr, which said two parcels of the said Carr, and the said two parts of Kelsey Closes, contains the moity and half part of the said North Carr and Kelsey Closes, and also the south part of Epworth Carrs, clled Holms Carr, Starr Carr, and Aukland Closes, next adjoining to Haxey North Carr, containing three hundred ninety-seven acres, or thereabouts, as the same is now botted out, and Thrumrow Bank lying west thereof in part, and a bank leading from Langham Hill to Tunnill Pitt by Old Torne side, lying on the north side of the said Star Carr and Holmes Carr: And also that parcel of ground containing three hundred forty-one acres, or thereabouts, acclled Samual Closes, and part of Jordan Illion, adjoining to the common called Rosse North, now Torne East, and bott holes on the south, and New Idle Bank on the west; but, by consent of parties on both sides, for the convenience of the inhabitants of Epworth, the participants ar e to make and maintain a horse bridge over New Idle, at Crook Nooking, for commoners' passage into West Carr. And also a parcel of ground in Belton, lying six cavels together, containing in the whole, six hundred acres, or thereabouts, abutting on Rosse towards the south, New Idle Bank towards the west, the bank leading from Dirtness Bridge to Crowle Causeway towards the north, and the Fourteen Foot Dike towards the east; and also the next cavel in the east side of the said Fourteen Foot Dike, running north and south, which contains, in the whole, one hundred fifty-eight acres, or thereabouts, except only out of the same cavel fifteen acres, parcel thereof, to be measured and cut off by the participants at the north end of thatcavel, with sufficiënt fences: And also forty acres, parcel of a place called Thornbush Carr, to be measured and fenced off by the participants at the far corner of the same carr, Old Idle lying west thereof, near Peter Liew House: And also one parcel of ground in Belton, called the Heaps, containing one hundred and thirteen acres, or thereabouts, next the River Dunn on the north, Old Idle on the west, and the High Bank leading to Dirtness Bridge south, and Dirtness Nook east: And also one parcel of ground containing six acres and three roods, being parcel of a ground known by the name of Smack Farm: And likewise one hun-



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dred acres in the West Carr, as is adjoining to Santoft Bank and Sandtoft Farm towards the north, Old Idle west, the residue of the West Carr south, and New Idle Bank east: All the which aforesaid several parcels of ground are lying and being within the several parishes of Belton, Epworth, Haxey, and Owston, within the said manor of Epworth, in the county of Lincoln, and in the paris of Misterton in the county of Nottingham, or in all or some of them, and are part and parcel of the said seven thousand four hundred acres, and the share and part we hereby allot and set out of the same for the said participants: And all the rest and residue of the said seven thousand four hundred acres, or which are accounted as any part of parcel thereof, we here allot, appoint, and set forth to and for the freeholders, copyholders, commoners, tenants, and inhabitants of the said manor of Epworth, as their share and part thereof, according to the intent of the said decree, which we do compute amounts to as many acres thereof as those before by us appointed for the participants; and in case it do not, but be anything short thereof, then we further assign and appoint to the said inhabitants, out of the said seven thousand four hundred acres in the participants said allotments. to be set off and taken out in such places where it shall so fall short, as many acres a will make it uqual in number to thiers.
And whereas, by the said order or decree of the said Fourteenth day of May, in the said third year of their new Majesties reign annexed to the said commission, We further find that the said commoners of the maner of Epworth, are left at liberty to improve all the grounds now and formerly allotted to them for their better ordering thereof by such ways and means as they shoudl think fit: And we also finding, by the commons there, that they are very desirous the same shoudl be done, in regard of the great disorders and ill husbandry thereof used and practised by divers amongst them, but we being not satisfied that the said commission extends so far as to impower us to do any thing therein, at their request we do humbly recomment it to your honours to make such order er award such commission to such other gentlemen as they may nominate, impowering 'them thereby to appoint and direct such ways and methods as may be most effect-ordering and ual for the bestordering and improving their aforesaid allotments, to be confirmed by the decree of this honourable court. or otherwise as to your honour great



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wisdom may therein seem most expediënt. All which we humbly certify your honours this Eighteenth day of October in the Fourth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord King WILLIAM and Queen MARY, over England, &c. Anno Domi 1692.
JAMES DALBYE. WILLIAM FULBECK. WILLIAM SKIËRS. THOMAS CROSBY.
Which commission being returned and filed, and the said causes standing in the paper of causes for this day, came to be further heard. Now upon hearing Mr. Sergeant Lovinz, Mr. Ward, Mr. Dod, and Mr. Browne, for the said participants, praying the said certificates of the commissioners, so returned as aforesaid, may be decreed: and upon reading of the said certificates, and upon hearing of Mr. Molynes for the Earl of Mulgrave, and of Mr. Ryther for the other plaintiffs, (Robert Ryther and other plaintiffs in the original cause,) and of Mr. Phipps for the Duchess of Buckingham, and upon hearing Mr. Bridges on the behalf of the inhabitants of the parish of Misterton, all consenting that the said certificates may be decreed: And upon hearing of Sir Thomas Powys, knight, Mr. Newport, and Mr. Bernard, against the return of the commissioners, and on debate of the matter, It is therefore this day finally ordered, adjudged and decreed by the court, that the said return of the said commission and certificates above set forth, and the division and allotments thereby made, shall be and are hereby decreed, ratified and confirmed in all points, and for ever established by the power and authority of this court: And it is further ordered and decreed, that the participants, or their assigns, shall forthwith be put into the actual possession of the such parts of the said seven thousand four hundred acres as are so allotted and appointed to them, and set out by the said commissioners, and specified in the said certificate dated the Eighteenth day of October last, and the possession of the same lands are hereby decreed to them; And that an injunction under the seal of this court shall be awarded and do issue to put the said participants into the possession thereof; and also to quiet them, their heirs and assigns, and all persons claiming after them for ever hereafter therein.
And it is further ordained and decreed, by the consent of all the



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said parties, that the order of this court, made the Fifth day of December last, touching the inhabitants of the said parish of Misterton, shall be and are hereby made absolute: And that the said inhabitants of the said parish of Misterton shall have, in all respects, the benefit of the said decree and as is therein mentioned. And that they, the said inhabitants, of the said parish of Misterton, shall for the future hold and enjoy the six hundred sixty-four acres allotted to them, free from and discharged of any intercommoning by the court: That the said participants' said part and share, and the inheritance thereof, (except the Lord Erwin's one hundred acres) shall be and is hereby vested in and decreed to Matthew Bointon, John Ramsden, and William Sympson, esquires, Michael Wharton, John Arthur, and Henry Wood, gentleman, and their heirs: And accordingly they are, by the injunction of this court, to put into possession thereof, and quieted therein in trust, for the purposes following (that is to say). That the said Matthew Boynton, John Ramsden, William Simpson, Michael Wharton, John Arthur, and Henry Wood, and their heirs, or any three or more of them, may be hereby enabled, and they the said Matthew Boynton, John Ramsden, William Sampson, Michael Wharton, John Arthur, and Henry Wood, and their heirs, or any three or moe of them, are hereby enabled to execute and perform all and every such agreement and agreements as are or have been heretofore made with her Grace the Duchess of Buckingham, or any other person or persons on her behalf, or with any other person or persons for or concerning any share or interest of or in the said participants' part or allotment by the said Matthew Boynton, John Ramsden, William Sympson, Michael Wharton, John Arthur, and Henry Wood, or by or with any of them, or by or with any other person or persons on the behalf of the said participants, concerning or in any wise relating to the premises.
And it is further ordered and decreed, by this court, that they the said Matthew Boynton, John Ramsden, William Simpson, Michael Wharton, John Arthur, and Henry Wood, and their heirs, shall stand and be seized, possessed and interested of all the residue and remainder of the participants said part and share (except the said one hundred acres at Sandtoft of the Lord Erwyn) from and after the performance of such agreements as aforesaid, for the use, benefit, and advantage of all the participants, and their heirs, according to their respective interests, to be divided and apportioned as they said



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Matthew, Boynton, John Ramsden, William Sympson, Michael Wharton, John Arthur, and Henry Wood, and their heirs, or any three or more of them, shall think fit.
{W. PECK: Isle of Axholme.)
Bijlage No. XVIII.
The Decree out of the Exchequer Chamber, for the Commons of Crowle and the fishing grounds.
CHARLES, By the Grace of God, King, of England, Scotland, and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c. To all whom these Deeds may concern. Taken from a record made in our Court of Exchequer, and enrolled the fifth year of our reign at Michaelmas Term, concerning the commons of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire; and copied from thence the Thirtieth day of November, to wit, 1630.
WHEREAS, SIR ROBERT HEATH, knight, his majesty's attorney-general, did heretofore exhibit his English bill into this Court, against Thomas Whatkinson Clark, Richard Brewer, Robert Stephenson, Henry Butler, Jermin Berrier, and divers other tenants within the manor and parish of Crowle, in the County of Lincoln, defendants: Touching a great quantity of waste grounds and lands heretofore subject to be surrounded with water, lying in the county of York, and being parcel of the lordship of Hatfield; in which said grounds and lands the defendants, and other tenants and inhabitants of Crowle aforesaid did claim free common of pasture and turbury, and liberty of fishing and other properties in the waste and surrounding grounds; and which said waste and surrounded grounds and land, his Majesty being lord of the said manor and waste surrounded grounds, thought fit to improve the said waste and surrounded grounds, and to that purpose certain articles and agreements were made between his Majesty and CORNELIUS VERMUYDEN Esq. And now, first for the draining and laying dry the said waste surrounded grounds, unto which said bill the defendants before named put in their answer in



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Easter Term last: and for that affidavit was made by Thomas Leavens, John Drax and others, touching the usage of common by the said tenants of Crowle in the said lands: It was thereupon ordered by the court, the Twenty-Eighth day of june, in Trinity Term last, amongst other things, for so much as concerned the tenants and inhabitants of the said Crowle, that a commission should be awarded, with articles of instructions annexed, unto Sir John Wray, knight, Sir William Nathan, the younger, knight, and William Anderson, esquire, commissioners elected and named by and on behalf of the said defendants and tenants of Crowle, Mr, Sergeant Callis, John Eastoft, esquire, and John Smith, gentleman, or to any four or more of them, being all persons approved by the court and drusted indifferently and equally to execute the said commission; and the Right Honourable William Viscount Ayre, and Thomas Viscount Castlebar, were disired by the court, that one of them should be pleased to be present for his Majesty at the examination of the said Commission, which the said commissioners, or any four of them, were to take into their consideration, what right of common, or other intrest, the defendants and ther the tenants and inhabitants of the said manor of Crowle had, and what lands, and what recompence fit to be given for and in lieu of their said common and other claims of profits in the said waste, and where and in what manner to be laid out, and to certify their doing therin to the court the first return of this present term; and if the said commissioners shall make any agreement between the said parties (as the court hoped they would) then it was ordered that each of the said parties might, from henceforth, have and enjoy the respective parts so allotted and assigned before the certificate of the commissioners were returned into the court, which said commission was to be excited the second Wednesday in August then next following the date of the said order, as by the said recited order (amongst other things) more at large appeareth according to which said order a commission was awarded and directed to the aforesaid commissioners, who have executed and returned the same into this court together with a certificate thereunto annexed, under the hands of the said Lord Viscount Ayre and Lord Viscount Castlebar, and of the said Sir John Wray, Sir William Netham, Mr, Sergeant Callis, Mr. Eastoft, and Mr, Anderson, whereby it appears that the said commission was executed by the said commissioners the Twelfth day of August last past, in the presence and with the allowance and approbation of the said Viscount Ayre and



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Lord Viscount Castlebar, and thereby they do certify that they have viewed the said waste surrounded grounds belonging to the lordship of Hatfield, in the County of York, in which the said defendants and tenants and inhabitants of Crowle did claim common as aforesaid, and did inform themselves, as well by the testimony of good and lawful men produced and sworn as witnesses in the said cause, as also by the view of them the said commissioners, and divers and sundry words and deeds, preamble and by other evidences touching the said waste and commons, with the quantitij and number of acres, and of the true, ancient, and konwn netts and boundaries thereof, and of the new rivers, dikes and streams lately cast and made for the draining thereof, wherein the said commissioners do certify that the undertakers of the draining of these grounds had, (to their excessi ve, costs, charges, and labouts) made and cast many large drains and streams, (and since) the erecting of many sluices, large drains, rivers, and streams, and other instruments, whereby they have drained and saved from the violence of surrounding of waters, great quantities of the daid grounds of which small profit was made of before, but since the casting of drains and streams, and since the erecting of many sluices, the said grounds are not only beneficial for the commoners, and owners in particular, but the said work and the good wrought thereby tendeth (as the said commissioners conceive) to the profit and good of the common wealth in general: And the said commissioners do further certify, that they did find by the testimony and depositions of divers witnesses read unto them, that so far and in those parts where the precincts of the wastes and ter of the lordship of Hatfield, and of the said manor of Crowle, do abutt and join one upon the other, the same nounded out by the Old River Dun, which runneth betwixt the same, and which, in those parts also, are the very true boundary of the counties of Lincoln and York, and that there be three great wastes and common grounds situate and lying in the lordship of Hatfield, beyond on the west side of the said river called Old Dun called and konwn by the several names of Northtofts, Haynes, and the grounds lying betwixt the said aynes and Duckling Ledge, called Haynes Pains, which said three parcels of ground are of those several quantities as the said commissioner were creditably informed, that is to say, the said Northtofts doth contain about three hundred and seventeen acres, the Haynes one thousand and two hundred acres, the grounds lying betwixt the Moorhouse and Duckling Lodge acres, and because the



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lords and owners of the said manor of Crowle, that is to sya, Sir Gervase Elwis, knight, Jeremiah Elwis, and Nicholas Hamerton, esquires, who, since the said contract and undertaking of draining and improving of these said wastes, purchased the said manor of Crowle from the City of London, to whom his Majesty had lately before conveyed and assigned the same, did claim some pretended title to the freehold of the grounds called the Haynes, Northtofts, etc. And because the tenants, as well as copyholders, of the said' manor of Crowle, did challenge and claim common of pasture, and other liberties and profits as aforesaid, in the saud three parcels of ground lying within the lordship of Hatfield. The said commoners did therefore hear the claims and evidence at large of the several persons interested in the presence also of the said lords, by which the said lords, tenants and parties interested made their several claims, and after long hearing and debating of the said claims and differences touching rights of common and other liberties and profits as aforesaid, as agreement and composition was made in manner and form following, that is to say, his Majesty and the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his highness's grantee of the lordship of Hatfield, should forever hereafter be free and exonerated and discharged of common and all menner of interest which the said tenants of the said manor of Crowle could or might have, or challenge to have, in the said Northtofts, Haynes, and the grounds lying betwixt the Moorhouses and the Duckling Lodge, and in consideration thereof the commissioners did agree and order (if it should please this court to accept thereof) that the free tenants and copyhold tenants of the said manor of Crowle should have the possession, freehold, and inheritance of six hundred and fifty acres of ground to be set out from the Black Water and southward in the county of York, and the four hundred acres residue thereof, to be likewise surveyed, measured and laid out for conveniencey and adjoining to the said six hundred and fifty acres, to be conveniently laid out of the turf moors in the said county also, of which six hundred and fifty acres the commissioners agreed that the said defendants, tenants and commoners, and inhabitants* of Crowle, might take conveyance in the name of feeoffers or grantees in trust, for the use and benefit of themselves and all the tenants and owners of the said manor of Crowle, or otherwise the said certificate to be of non-effect: And if it was further certified, that every acre of the said six hundred and fifty acres are yearly forth six shillings, and every acre of the



413
said four hundred acres is yearly worth four pence an acre; and by the consent of the commissioners of Crowle, the said commissioners did order Robert Pinder, the younger, and Thomas Williamson, of Eastoft, in the county of Lincoln, yeoman, to be admitted to be commissioners with then in the said allotments (as fornerly used) and the said conveyance to be taken in trust, as aforesaid, to be likewise to and for their use and benefit: And because by the draining of the said great wastes the fishermen of Crowle, who had copyhold fishings in the said waters, had almost lost their whole fishings, the said commissioners did alott and assign unto such persons as have copyhold fishings belonging to them respectively, one hundred acres of ground to be laid out in the wastes of Crowle to go and be continually to the occupiers and owners of such fishings, and because equal right should be done to the owners of the said fishings, the said commissioners required John Eastoft, William Anderson, and Robert Ryder, esquires, to allow to the owners of the said fishings, out of the wastes of Crowle, in such proportion rationally as they, or any two of them, shall think fit to set down, limit, or appoint; and the said referees were required to lay and set out the said one hundred acres accordingly, and such conveyances to be made thereof as counsel learned should advise, and that the owners and possessors of the said one hundred acres in lieu of their several fishings, should satisfy and pay to the lords of the fishing, usual values and yearly rents due for fishing heretofore: And further the said commissioners did certify that, according to their said commission, that had caused tha said wastes and commonable late surrounded grounds in Crowle, to be carefully surveyed and to be divided into three several parts, parts of the best and parts of the worst being put into every of the said three parts, proportionally to make them equal: And many of the principal commoners of Crowle being called to hear and see the same, the said commissioners, by the consent of the said tenants and commoners, did assign and allot to the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, for his third part of the six hundred fifty and eight actes, parcel of the said waste surrounded grounds in Crowle, to be held and enjoyed by him and them for ever hereafter, is severally discharged and freed from all commons of pasture, fishing, and other interest which the said tenants and commoners of Crowle, or any elaining from, by, or under them or any of them, shall or may at any tune clain or challenge in the same or part thereof, which said



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third part is abutted and bounded out, metts and bounds as followeth (viz) abutting or lying next the highway leading from Crowle Cause-' way to the south point of Dirtness on the south, the new river called the Twenty Four Drain towards Crowle on the north, the new bridge near the corner of Hirst Closes on the east, and on the River Old Dun on the west, which said third part the said commissioners did think fit, if it should please this court, to be ordered and decreed unto the said Cornelius Vermuyden, his heirs and assigns, in lieu and in consideration of costs and charges he had been at in making and casting of the new drains, rivers, and watercourses, sluices, and other instruments of draining. The said Cornelius Vermuyden, his executors and assigns, are to maintain at their costs and charges-, to amend and repair for ever: and the said tenants and commoners! and their heirs and assigns, to be for ever hereafter freed and discharged of the said repair, and the said other two parts, being one thousand acres at the least, are to be held and enjoyed in common as formely they have been used as by the said certificate returned unto this court as aforesaid, and here remain in custody of his majesty's remembrancher, more at large amongst other things therein contained appeareth. Now for as much as the court was this day moved, as well on the behalf of his majesty and of the said Cornelius Vermuyden as of the tenants and the commoners of the manor of Crowle, for some settled course in the said cause, and for that it appeareth, by the said certificate, that the several allotments in the said certificate mentioned and expressed, were after long debate touching the same, made with the good liking, consant and agreement of the said parties: It is now ordered and decreed therefore by the court, with the consent of the aforenamed Henry Butler, gentleman, one of the defendants, and a tenant and inhabitant of Crowle aforesaid, who being present in the court, doth consent, as well for himself, as ïn the name and for the residue of the tenants and inhabitants of the manor of Crowle, that the said certificate be in all things ordered and decreed, ratified and conformed by their court, and that according to the said certificate, his majesty, his heirs and assigns, and his and their grantee or grantees of the said lordship of Hatfield, to be from henceforth for ever hereafter absolutely freed and discharged of common, and of all interest which the now or any of the succeding tenants and inhabitants of the said manor of Crowle can or may have or claim, or challenge to have, in the said Northtofts, Haynes, and the grounds lying betwixt the Moor-



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house and Duckling Lodge: and in consideration thereof, the aforesaid tenants and inhabitants shall have to them, their heirs and assigns, the inheritance of six hundred and fifty acres of ground to be set out for them in such places in the said certificate is mentioned: And for that purpose the said six hundred and fifty acres have been surveyed and set out according to the said certificate, by a survey indifferently chosen between said Cornelius Vermuyden and the said defendants and tenants of Crowle: (that is to say) the said six hundred and fifty acres in the said certificate mentioned to lie near the north side Pomfret; Free Sike and part of the moor sides on the south; the moor wastes on the west; Save Carr, the Hope, and part of Black Water on the north; the river Old Dun east; and the said four hundred acres in the said certificate mentioned to lie as followeth: (viz. part of the moor south and west; part of Save Carr north; the moor side pasture east: And the said one hundred acres for the owners of the said fishing, in the certificate also mentioned to lie as followeth, (viz.) Akham Carr on the east; Black Water and the River Old Dun West; Rainsbutt Trees north; Crye's Garth and part of the Holmes Hills and some marsh grounds, south:
It is therefore also ordered and decreed, by consent of both parties, that the said grounds and lands, so set out, to be enjoyed, by the said defendants, tenants and inhabitants of Crowle, from henceforth forever hereafter, according to the said recited certificate, and the same be conveyed to feeoffees as shall be by them named in trust for themselves and the rest, according to the said certificate, if they, the said tenants and commoners, and their counsel shall think fit.
The above is an exact copy taken by Henry Rutter, gentleman, John Walker being witness, at Westminster, on the Thirtieth day of November, in the fifth year of our reign.
(W. PECK: Isle of Axholme.)