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The Draining of the Fens
First published in 1956, as the second edition of a 1940 original, this book forms the companion volume to Medieval Fenland.
H. C. Darby (Author)
9781107402980, Cambridge University Press
Paperback / softback, published 18 August 2011
362 pages
20.3 x 13.3 x 2 cm, 0.41 kg
First published in 1956, as the second edition of a 1940 original, this book forms the companion volume to Medieval Fenland. Together these volumes provide a consummately researched account of changing conditions within a fascinating region. The text is ambitious in scope, reflecting the author's position as a historical geographer, and covers a broad range of disciplinary perspectives, ranging from geology to socio-economic analysis. Numerous illustrative figures are contained, including maps, diagrams and photographs of the area, and a bibliography is also provided. Detailed, yet highly readable, this book will be of value to anyone with an interest in Fenland history and historical geography in general.
Editor's preface
Preface
Preface to C. U. P. L. E. reprint
List of maps and diagrams
List of plates
Part I. The Prelude to the Draining, 1500–1600: 1. The dissolution of the monarchies
2. Preliminary experiments in draining
Part II. The Fen Project, 1600–63: 3. Draining activity before the Civil War
4. Arguments, replies and disorders
5. Draining activity after the Civil War
Part III. The Consequences of the Draining: 6. Outfall difficulties
7. The lowering of the surface of the Fens
8. The windmill
Part IV. The Eighteenth Century: The Age of the Windmill: 9. The southern Fenland
10. The northern Fenland
11. Economic activity
Part V. The Nineteenth Century: Triumphs and Difficulties: 12. The tidal rivers and their outfalls
13. Administrative problems
14. The steam-engine
15. Agricultural consequences
Part VI. Epilogue: Conditions after 1900
Appendices
Sources and bibliography
Index.
Subject Areas: Geography [RG]