We must give place (oh grievous case) to horned beasts and cattle,
Except that we can all agree to drive them out by battle, etc.
And upon the 12th of August (1618) ... at a general session of sewers held at Huntingdon ... there were appointed three commissioners of every county to accompany ... Sir Clement Edwards (one of the Clerks of the Council) ... who gave in this following certificate ... That forasmuch as the inhabitants of Marshland complained much.... And though there were many gentlemen of good worth in those parts who wanted neither zeal nor judgement to do service therein; yet it was conceived, that the work might be best effected by such as had no interest at all in the country.... In pursuance of which order, the said Earl of Arundel made a journey into those parts; where having treaty with Sir William Ayloffe, knight, baronet, Anthony Thomas, Esq., and others, they ... as undertakers in this great adventure, did make these following proposals, viz.:
1. To have all the King’s lands drowned with fresh or salt water, which should be so recovered, at the free rent of 4d. the acre ...
2. To have all the Prince’s lands upon the like condition.
3. To have of all subjects lands, so drowned all the year, two thirds to them the said undertakers ...
4. And of all such lands of subjects which lay drowned half the year, to have the one half ...
... the said undertakers did propose to begin their work at the sea, by opening the outfalls of Nene, and Welland; and to make the same navigable to Spalding and Wisbech, which would take away all fear of turning the water upon any neighbour country and draw the same into their true and natural channels....
... Certain it is, that no farther progress was made therein.... Howbeit ... at King’s Lynne, upon the 1st of September (1630) there was a contract made with Sir Cornelius Vermuden, knight (a person well experienced in works of this kind) for the draining of this Level; and he, for his recompense therein, to have 95 thousand acres of the said surrounded lands: But the country not being satisfied to deal with Sir Cornelius, in regard he was an alien, they ... became humble suitors to Francis, then Earl of Bedford (who was owner of near 20 thousand acres about Thorney and Whittlesey, of this fenny level) to undertake the work; at whose request, as also of the commissioners, he condescended thereto....
These things being thus settled, the said Earl taking in divers adventurers as participants with him therein, they cast the whole (95,000 acres) so allowed for their recompense, into 20 parts or lots....