A History of the Fens of South Lincolnshire

This book details the history of the draining of Lincolnshire?s Great Level Fens a region that was once a vast expanse of marsh and water. The author a local expert on the area has collected facts and statistics from various sources many of them out of print to provide a thorough account of the area. Beginning with the formation of the Fens the author describes the initial attempts by the Romans to reclaim the land for agriculture. After the departure of the Romans the Fens reverted to their natural state due to neglect and invasion until the arrival of Christian monks in the 7th century. These monks began the process of draining and enclosing the land and by the 11th century much of the Fens had been reclaimed. However it was not until the 17th century that the Fens were fully drained and converted into the rich agricultural land they are today. The book provides a wealth of information on the engineering challenges faced by those who drained the Fens as well as the social and economic benefits that resulted from the reclamation of this land. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of land reclamation or the history of Lincolnshire.