Titre du document / Document title

The design for the initial drainage of the Great Level of the Fens: an historical whodunit in three parts = Le drainage de la région du Great Level of the Fens en Angleterre : un polar historique en trois partie

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

KNITTL Margaret Albright ⁽¹⁾ ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾ Emeritus of York University, Ontario, CANADA

Résumé / Abstract

This article challenges the received view that it was the Dutchman, Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, who designed and oversaw the draining work done in the Great Level of the fens when Francis, fourth Earl of the Bedford became its Undertaker in January 1631. It first shows that Vermuyden did not become Director of Works under the Earl of a partner in the undertaking before arguing that the design employed was not the one offered by Vermuyden the previous year. The final part demonstrates that the work done while the Earl of Bedford was undertaker responded to the long held aspirations of local landowners, the group from which Commissioners of Sewers were drawn. Finally it suggests what the grounds may have been for depriving the Bedford group of the reward for which they had invested so heavily.

Revue / Journal Title

Agricultural history review    ISSN  0002-1490 

Source / Source

2007, vol. 55 (1), pp. 23-50 [28 page(s) (article)]

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

British Agricultural History Society, Exeter, ROYAUME-UNI  (1953) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Drainage

;

England

;

Century 17

;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Marécage

;

Marais

;

Drainage

;

Angleterre

;

Siècle 17

;

Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords

Drenaje

;

Inglaterra

;

Siglo 17

;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 23637, 35400016282197.0020