November 1644: An Ordinance to enable the Associated Counties, with the County of Northampton, to make such Works as shall Reduce the Town of Crowland to the obedience of King and Parliament.

November 1644

[7 November, 1644.]

Three forts to be erected in Lincoln and Northampton.; Six score Dragoons of Association to be employed in this district; Earl of Manchester to appoint Commander in-Chief of Forces and Forts.

Whereas the late surprisal of the Garison of Crowland in the County of Lincoln by the Forces raised in opposition to the King and Parliament, is very prejudicial and of ill consequence to the several Counties Associated under the Command of the Earl of Manchester, as also to great part of the County of Northampton next adjoyning to the same, and by reason of the unseasonableness of the weather, the approaches to the said Garison are become so unaccessable, that though Forces were drawn down to reduce the same, it cannot now possibly be done without much charge and difficulty; And whereas the best means to prevent the Inroads, Plunderings and other Out-rages of the said Garison, and also to hinder the same from Provisions of Corn and other Supplies, is advised to be by erecting and furnishing of three several Forts or Sconces, the charge of which will amount to neer about Six hundred pounds: One neer a place called Brother-House in the County of Lincoln, another upon Dowsdale Banck in the said County, and a third upon Burrow Banck in the County of Northampton, each of which is to be manned with Fifty men or thereabouts, and to have attending to the same, one Boat of defence, to be contrived and built by the direction of the Commander in chief of the said several Forces: Be it therefore Ordained by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, and by the Authority of the same, That the said three several Forts or Sconces be raised and erected in the place aforesaid, as by the advice of the Commander in chief of the said Fort, shall be thought most convenient and advantagious for the ends and causes heretofore expressed, Two of the which said Forts or Sconces in the County of Lincoln, together with two such Boats as aforesaid to be erected, framed, manned and furnished with Arms, Ammunition, Victual and all other things necessary for the defence and maintenance of the same. And the said men to be paid during the time they shall continue in the said Service, at the proper cost and charges of the said Association; the other Fort in the County of Northampton, together with one such Boat as aforesaid, erected, framed, manned and furnished with Arms, Ammunition, Victual and all other Provisions, and things necessary for the defence and maintenance of the same; And the said men to be paid during the time they shall continue in the said Service, at the proper cost and charge of the said County of Northampton, by the direction and appointment of the Committee for the said County, who hereby shall have full Power and Authority to Tax and Rate the said County for the raising, erecting and maintaining of the said Forts, Boats and Forces; and whereas by reason of the divers and various Creeks and Drains in the several Fens wherewith the said Garison of Crowland is environed, the said Forts or Sconces, though haply they may stop and hinder the principal and ordinary passages and accesses to the said Garison, yet they cannot possibly prevent the issuing out of small Boats with parties to the Towns and Villages adjacent. And be it further Ordained, That Six score of Horse and Dragoons maintained by the Association, shall be sent and imployed in those parts for the securing of the said Associated Counties, and Blocking up of the said Garison of Crowland; and that Three score of the Horse and Dragoons maintained by the County of Northampton, shall be sent and imployed in those parts for the securing of the said County, and Blocking up of the said Garison of Crowland.

And be it further Ordained, That the Earl of Manchester do nominate and appoint a Commander in chief, to Command the said Forces, Forts and Sconces.

Discretion as to situation of Forts.

And be it lastly Ordained, That they shall have power to raise the said Forts or Sconces in the places aforesaid, or in any other place by and with the advice of the Committee for the said Association.