A Collection of the Laws Which Form the Constitution of the Bedford Level Corporation

Published 1828–30, this two-volume work provides documentation and historical information relating to a remarkable swathe of eastern England.

Samuel Wells (Author)

9781108070324, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 20 November 2014

824 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 4.6 cm, 1.19 kg

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.

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.

Subject Areas: Historical geography [HBTP]