1637.] THE DEVI US DITCH. 105 



zvith many invasions and inrodcs of ejiemies, it is fortified in 

 the front zvith a baiike or rampier like unto a huge zuall, and 

 ivith a TrencJi or Ditch belozv in the ground. This for many 

 miles together cutteth overthwart that Plaine which is called 

 Nezvniarket heath, where it lay open to incursions, beginning 

 at RccJi : above which the Country is fenny, and therefore im- 

 passable : and it endeth near to Cozvlidge, where the passage 

 by reason of woods was more cumbersome. And it was the 

 limit as well of the Kingdome, as of the Bishopricke of the 

 East Angles. Who was the author of so great a piece of 

 worke, it is uncertaine. Some later writers say it was King 

 Canutus the Dane : whereas notwithstanding the said Abba 

 made mention of it, who died before that Canutus obtained 

 the Kingdome of England : and the Saxon Chronicle, where 

 it relateth the rebellion of Athelzvolph against King Edward 

 the Elder, calleth it simply Dyke ; and sheweth, Tliat King 

 Edzvard laid zvaste zvJiatsoevcr lieth betzveen the Dyke and the 

 river Ouse, as farr as the North Fenns : also that A thelzvold 

 the rebell and EoJiric the Dane, zuere at that time slain tJiere in 

 battell. But they who wrote since think, that King Canutus 

 cast it up, who being most devoted to Saint Edmund, the 

 Martyr, granted unto the religious Monkes of Saint Edmunds 

 Bury (for to make satisfaction for the wicked cruelty of 

 Szjuan his father wrought upon them) very great immunities, 

 even as farre as to this Dyke ; whence it is, that William of 

 Malmesbury in his booke Of Bishops writeth thus. The Cus- 

 tomers and Toll gathers, zvhich in other places make foule zvorke 

 and outrage, zuithout respect or difference of right and zvrotig, 

 there in hiunble manner on this side Saint Edmunds Dike, sur- 

 cease their quarrels and braules. And certaine it is that these 

 two fore-fences last named were called Saint Edmunds Dykes. 

 For Mathew Florilegus hath recorded that the said battell 

 against y4 /^^/w(?(^A was fought between the two Dykes of Saint 

 Edmund." 



In June, 1638, the Deputy- Lieutenants and J 

 tices of Peace for Cambridgeshire assembled at N( 



us- 



at New- 



