Agricultural History Review, Volume 55 Part 1 (2007), pp. 23–50

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 Bedford became its Undertaker in January 1631. It first shows that Vermuyden did not become Director of Works under the Earl or a partner in the undertaking before arguing that the design employed was not the one offered by Vermuyden the previous year. Te 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. 

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