England’s Lost Lake, The story of Whittlesea Mere.
The fen country was for centuries, millennia even, a vast expanse of open water fen and bog that stretched from the Wash inland to the higher ground to the North and West. It has been described as a vast sump soaking up and holding the water flows from those surrounding counties on higher ground. A map of Huntingdonshire dated 1645 shows towns and villages as islands amongst the bogs fens and open water. Although drainage had been started in Roman times it was not until the seventeenth century that the serious work began with Van Vermuyden as the chief engineer. Eventually the last mere left undrained was Whittlesea Mere; Paul Middleton’s England’s Lost Lake tells the story of that nineteenth-century project updating an earlier work produced by the WEA in 1986.
It is an interesting read, detailing not only the draining of the Mere itself and the methodology but also describing some of the players involved. The way of life of those that had earned a living from the mere is explored too. We learn of the Reed Cutters, Wild Fowlers and those that fished the Mere. We are informed of how the different seasons provided other means of earning a living for those whose livelihood depended on this vast lake. Details are given of the wildlife, insects, flora and fauna that occupied the area. The species that have survived and those that were lost, some completely unique to the area.
One is left with the feeling that the project was not the overwhelming success envisaged and returning a good proportion of the fen to its past state was partly an act of expediency. This though is purely my own personal view. Whatever the reasons the Great Fen Project is something that those of us that love this landscape, welcome, a view I share with the author.
If you have an interest in the Fens and its history this is a book you should own.
One last point Paul if you are reading this can you tell me about the Shelerode?
This book was sponsored by the Fenland Trust.
Posted by Francis Lilley on May 5, 2021 at 9:15 am
I’ve just read this and whilst searching for the word shelerode saw your post here. I drew a blank other than a fortnight either side of St George’s Day. Did you find anything Phil?
I also tried looking for Scalfremere p8 but drew a blank there too.
Posted by fenlandphil on May 5, 2021 at 12:30 pm
The fortnight either side of St George’s day seems to be the best on offer Francis, I haven’t had a definitive reply from the author.
I missed Scalfremere on page 8 I will have a dig round and if I come up with an answere I will post it.
Posted by Francis Lilley on May 8, 2021 at 10:06 am
I thought that I’d found a clue on the modern map near the start of the book as there is an inset which shows another two meres to the lower right of the main group of four at Whittlesea mere. Thought thevlarger of these two might be our contender. But looking on a map I now think they’re Ramsey Mere and Benwick Mere. I’ve just searched and found these two (new to me) links
https://huntingdonshire.cambs.info/geography/1_5_meres.asp
https://ramseyabbey.co.uk/meres/
Interestingly the position of Ramsey and Benwick meres on the first link is different from the map inset in the book. Much further north in line with the main four meres not below them…
I’ll keep looking and let you know if I find anything. Where are you based? I’m an old fen boy from Thorney, but have been a plastic scouser for the last thirty years. Still get “home” regularly though as myself and my sister still keep our parent’s house in the village.
Posted by fenlandphil on May 8, 2021 at 3:04 pm
It is proving very illusive isn’t it Scalfre is either a geographical place name or that of a landowner possibly. I have a print of a John Speed map of Huntingdonshire 1645 and I can’t see it on there, an earlier map, maybe one predating the dissolution of the monastries if one exists might show it. I am based in Whittlesey originally from Huntingdon. Not a skin between the toes Fen person though I have lived around here all my life. I think somewhere I have a map called Innumdatem, it might show it on there if I can find it.
Posted by fenlandphil on May 5, 2021 at 7:58 pm
I have not been able to find anything so far Francis. This map ought to show it, https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/PR-ATLAS-00002-00061-00001/1
Posted by fenlandphil on May 5, 2021 at 8:06 pm
I found this reference too Francis but so haven’t found it on a map. https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=TWJZAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA22&lpg=RA1-PA22&dq=scalfremere&source=bl&ots=iq1R6vGNYs&sig=ACfU3U1GaQggW6_qHDBjvVelSNrTXu-VSA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjNw7a2qrPwAhUDYsAKHW5YAHUQ6AEwAnoECAEQAw#v=onepage&q=scalfremere&f=false