Much of eastern England is below sea level, resulting in wide swathes of marshland that are easily flooded. In the seventeenth century, the Bedford Level Corporation was set up by Francis Russell, fourth earl of Bedford, in order to manage the drainage of the Great Level of the Fens, which became known as the Bedford Level and is the largest region of fenland in eastern England. Between 1828 and 1830, Samuel Wells, the corporation's registrar, published his well-documented history of the Bedford Level and the attempts made at various points to clear it of water using a variety of methods, from earthworks raised by the Romans to the strategies of Sir Cornelius Vermuyden and the eventual introduction of steam-powered technology. Volume 2, published in 1828, contains the necessary documents and appendices for the proper understanding of Volume 1, which appeared two years later.
Papildus informācija
Published 182830, this two-volume work provides documentation and historical information relating to a remarkable swathe of eastern England.
Preface; A list of the present members of the Board; Registry fees; Regal table;
1. Presentation of sewers, 19 Ric. 2;
2. The like;
3. The like;
4. Sewers act, 23 Hen. 6;
5. Presentation of sewers, 28 Hen. 8;
6. General drainage act, 43 Eliz.;
7. Waldersea drainage act, 4 Jac. 1;
8. Commission of sewers, 15 Jac. 1;
9. Hampton Court order, 1616;
10. Sir Clement Edmonds' report, 1618;
11. Mr Atkins' report, 1618;
12. Lynn law, 1630;
13. The indenture of fourteen parts, 1631;
14. The charter of incorporation, 1637;
15. Hayward's original survey, 1636;
16. St Ives law of sewers, 1638;
17. Sir Cornelius Vermuyden's discourse, 1642;
18. Pretended act for draining the Great Level of the Fens, 1649;
19. General act for settling the draining, 1663;
20. Mr Dodson's design, 1664;
21. Tax act and schedules, 1667;
22. Inclosure prevention act, 1684;
23. First style act, 1750;
24. Second style act, 1751;
25. First North Level act, 1753;
26. Nene navigation act, 1753;
27. First bond act, 1755;
28. Second North Level act, 1771;
29. Second bond act, 1772;
30. Turf act, 1782;
31. Lot book for the Middle and South Levels, 1828;
32. Lot book for the North Level, 1828;
33. Report of a committee of the board as to the general liability of the corporation;
34. List of the several public and private acts of Parliament affecting the Bedford Level.
