Strangers on the English Fens

Profile

Images

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]

Profile managers: Michael Christmas

[send private message] and Nic Donnelly

[send private message]

This page has been accessed 2,193 times.

Part of: Huguenot Migration Project

Introduction

The Fens must have been a very special place for hundreds of years. A place largely flooded and marshy, the native people used to scraping a living from the consequential environment.

Morton’s Leam. Nr Peterborough.
Early drainage scheme still in use today.

Attempts over previous centuries met with varying degrees of success, one the more notable was constructed by John Morton (c1430-1500) a large scale project to drain part of the fens involving an artificial course of the River Nene from the Back River to Wisbech. It ran for a distance of 20km and is still known as Morton's Leam.

It was surely a cultural shock when the French started arriving in droves more than a century later and it is no wonder they were referred to as ‘Strangers’

The migration was not concentrated but driven by external events and the needs of the various families, over many years. Sometimes welcomed, mostly not.

Epworth was a royal manor containing until 1628 the Isle of Axholme, (c 51,000 acres) The low-lying fenland flooded in the winter and drained in spring, providing common grazing land, peat resources, fishing and fowling. Most parishes were large and contained a number of settlements, in close proximity. Originally the manor of Crowle, comprising the northern quarter of the Isle of Axholme, was a member of Epworth manor and remained so until leased to the Corporation of the City of London by Charles I in 1628.

The drainage of Hatfield Chase was commenced in 1626 and by 1628, 80 or so families from Walloon Flanders fled to England and settled in the Great Level. By 1635 there was another large influx of artisans and agriculturists from Normandy and the Walloon country.^[1]

Despite acclamation from Dugdale (History of embarking and draining) and others that waste land had been turned into profitable arable land, it has been later strongly argued that the project in Hatfield chase simply replaced one kind of economy for another, pastoral for arable, bringing in its wake years of discontent and rioting.^[2]

Political, Religious and Economic background.

In 1360 John de Mowbray (1340-1368) deeded common land rights in Axholme to its freeholders and other tenants providing a constant supply of wildfowl, foraging rights and grazing rights. This deed caused repercussions centuries later when Vermuyden drained the land, taking away that way of life and leading to vandalism, rioting and anti royalist sentiment.^[3]

1562 to 1598 The French Wars of Religion brought civil war between French Catholics and Protestants (who followed the teachings of John Calvin and were commonly known as Huguenots). The wars were punctuated by the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre in 1572 and ended by Henry IV who issued the Edict of Nantes.

1567 Some of the earliest French-speaking Protestants to arrive in England were Walloon refugees who arrived in England from the Spanish Netherlands (now Belgium and the Netherlands), due to persecution by King Philip of Spain. They shared common beliefs and living space with the Huguenots making them often indistinguishable from todays perspective.^[4]

1598 Edict of Nantes marked the end of the French Wars of Religion giving Protestants of France substantial rights.

1610 Assassination of Henry IV of France caused new Huguenot rebellions in the 1620s under Louis XIV.

1642-1646 The First English Civil War caused equal uncertainty in England, where there was civil war and disruption lasting until 1653, collectively known as the Wars of the Three Kingdoms

1672 The Declaration of Indulgence Granted broad religious freedom in England by suspending penal laws enforcing conformity to the Church of England and allowing people to worship in their homes or chapels.

1685 Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in France, ordered the destruction of Huguenot churches as well as the closing of Protestant schools.

1688 the future William III of Orange landed in Brixham in Devon and was joined by most of the army of (Catholic) King James II who defected en masse as he marched to London. Known as the Glorious Revolution, William and Mary became joint monarchs of England and Ireland. William was a protestant who counted Huguenots among his ranks and following this, French Protestants in Britain could rest easy over their faith.^[5]^[6]

During this long period it is estimated that 20% of disaffected Huguenots (over 40,000) settled in England, starting from as early as 1520 and increasing/decreasing with the state of politics and attendant violence in France and how favourable the opportunity in England might be.^[7]^[8]

Arrival in England

The fluctuation of politics and persecution over a very long period meant that arrivals happened from Flanders and France in small bursts. Two greater influxes occurred after the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre in 1572 and after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685.

Many of the early refugees settled in Canterbury, where a local weaving industry soon thrived. Many later left for London. By the mid-1630s there were Huguenot workshops in Southwark and Westminster. An estimated 25,000 Huguenots arrived between 1685 and 1700. About one third of those arriving in England settled in areas around London but outside of the jurisdiction of the City and the Livery Companies. The largest concentration was at Spitalfields and Bethnal Green.^[9]

Others settled in Plymouth, Exeter, Barnstaple, Dover and Southampton. These towns gave easy access to home and provided opportunities for continuation of trade^[10]

Economic Migrants on the Fens

Drainage Projects

Settlers on the Fens were not necessarily driven by persecution but rather enticed by Vermuyden and others to leave the Spanish Netherlands where they had been for around 60 years. They lived in the Guisnes area and were experienced draining the marshes in the Pale of Calais, some of them wealthy landowners. ^[11]

The Hatfield levels in North Lincolnshire/South Yorkshire, a hunting ground for Charles I was subject to frequent flooding. Locals survived by fishing and fowling. In 1626 the King agreed^[12] to divide the land equally between the Crown, those who would drain the land (led by Cornelius Vermuyden) and the remainder for those locals who had existing interests in the land. The scheme was funded by the sale of Vermuyden's land to a number of (mainly Dutch Walloon) partners, known as Participants. This land (called Scotted Land) was subject to the payment of scots, or taxes, to pay for the the works and its maintenance. ^[13] Drainage of the Level of Hatfield Chase extending over a portion of the Isle of Axholme took place from 1626 and families working on the project eventually settled at Sandtoft. The work was ‘substantially completed’ by 1628.^[14]

Hatfield Chase could be seen as two parts, the western part had limited rights such as peat cutting and wood chopping and fell under the jurisdiction of the Council of the North. Its chairman, the Viscount of Wentworth, was critical of the policy pursued by the King to realize reclaimed land. In 1630 he managed to conclude an agreement with Vermuyden in which the interests of the local population were protected. As a result, the resistance there ended. In the eastern part, on the other hand, the Isle of Axholme, the inhabitants had extensive grazing rights. They would lose more than half of the ground, making grazing unviable. ^[15]

The Great Level in Lincolnshire/Cambridgeshire is the largest region of fen in eastern England, also once permanently flooded. It is also known as the Bedford Level, after Francis Russell, 4th Earl of Bedford, who motivated the drainage of this area and also employed Vermuyden as engineer.

There was fierce opposition and sabotage from locals who were losing their livelihoods. ^[16]

Although work commenced on the Great “Bedford” Level within the Isle of Ely in the 1630’s it faltered and 1640 Vermuyden was invited to take over. Interrupted by The Civil War it resumed in1649. In 1651 and for the next few years, it was Dutch and Scottish prisoners of war, more than 1000 of them, drafted in by the efforts of John Thurloe (1616-1668) secretary to the council of state of the Protectorate, that toiled with most of the heavy drainage work. This gave significant impetus to bringing some 4,000 acres under cultivation by 1653 ^[17]^[18]

Hatfield Levels

The General Drainage Act of 1600 required permission of the majority of commoners and the contract of 1626 stipulated that the king was responsible for gaining their consent. Although royal commissioners were appointed they did not reach an agreement with the majority of the commoners, Vermuyden was permitted to start draining the Level in 1627. This turned out to be a major point of contention, leading to riots and ongoing legal disputes.^[19]

Fen men about to lose an old way of life.

Vermuyden promised investors they could start reclaiming their lands in Hatfield by 1628. However between the years 1628 and 1631 there were fourteen outbursts of violence from the locals, unhappy not only about loss of privileges but aggrieved that the drainage scheme simply moved the flooding elsewhere.^[19]

In 1630 the Participants paid £16.800 into the Exchequer, and a fee farm rent of £1228pa. They spent £176,000 on drainage works and became entitled to 24,000 acres of land, 7400 of which were within the manor of Epworth. By Letters patent and by decree in the Exchequer they enjoyed relatively quiet possession until 1642. A deeper analysis of the financial outcome has recently been undertaken. ^[20] ^[19]

Partial success by straightening of the river Don and outlet into the Aire caused flooding in Fishlake, Sykehouse and Snaith. As a result of a lawsuit in 1633, Vermuyden had to dig the Dutch River, which provided a direct route from the Don to the River Ouse at Goole.^[21]

There were at least 1000 people employed in the drainage works by 1634 mostly French and Dutch Protestants. Many of these returned home during the course of the project either because of resistance from the locals or due to drainage works coming to natural completion. They were replaced by those looking to invest in or farm the land. They were said to have used a barn or perhaps an Anglican Church for worship under the pastoral care of Peter Bontemps appointed by French ministers at Leiden. This despite Vermuyden having obtained a licence to build a church. Nothing appears to have been done until Jan 1634, when Sir Philibert Vernatti, Henry Kinston, Luke Valkenburgh, Matthew Valkenburgh, John Corsellis and Michael Corsellis, went before a notary, to declare the intent in behalf of the Participants to appoint a minister. Following this certain rental lands in Hatfield Chase and the neighbourhood were granted to Sir William Curteine, merchant, Robert Cambell, Alderman of the City of London, Charles Harbord, the King's Surveyor-General, Thomas Brinley, one of the Auditors of the King's Reversions ; John Lamote, merchant ; and Timothy Vanvleteren, clerk (Preacher of the Dutch Church in London), for that purpose. This with much resistance from William Laud (1573-1645) Archbishop of Canterbury who opposed any form of Protestantism. Peter Bontemps who remained from 1636-38 left 2 years before the building of Sandtoft, during which time there was no minister. ^[20]

Vermuyden sold his share of land as a participant to John Gibbon who in 1637 with partner Robert Long left Axholme with some of the workers in an attempt to drain nearby. Forest of Galtres, recently deforested. ^[20]

Denization of Strangers

Once drainage had commenced reclaimed lands could be distributed amongst the partners but English law would not permit ownership by foreigners. Vermuyden, petitioned the King for a grant of denization to the following persons, 'all strangers borne '. Granted 1 Jun 1630^[22]

Lucas van Valckenburgh [1]

Marcus van Valckenburgh [1]

Matheo van Valckenburgh [1]

William van Weely (Of Amsterdam, brother-in-law to the Valckenburgh‘s)

Fabian de Vliett (Ulliet in the Patent Roll) [2]

Leonard Catts (Sir James Cuttes on Patent roll, or possibly similar name) [3]

Tymon Jacobs Hinloopen [4]

Peter [ ]upenninck (Crupenninicke in Patent Roll)

Johan van Baerle

John Lyens (Denization not on Roll) [5]

Sir Filibert Vernatty (1590-1643)

John Kugsten (Kynston on Roll)

Marcellus van Dueren (Marcellus van Deurne)

Abraham van Beueren (Van Beveren on Roll)

Jacob de Witte (Denization not on Roll)

Dingman de Vries (Denization not on Roll)

Andru Boccaert (Denization not on Roll)

Abraham Vernatt

Sons of Jan Jansz van Valkenburgh (1538-1603)
Husband and guardian of Susanna van Valckenburgh
Jacob Cats (1577-1660) married Elisabeth van Valckenburg (abt.1579-1631)
Thijmen Jacobsz Hinlopen
Johan Liens, Vermuyden’s cousin.

Church at Sandtoft

John Farmery chancellor of the diocese of Lincoln wrote, probably in 1638 that the strangers, Mostly French but also Dutch consisted of 200 families who until now had lived in the parish of Belton for 3 years. The last 2 years without a minister, he therefore sent Stephen Cursoll to administer in consecrated churches, Belton or Epworth, and not in the ‘new built wooden house’ where Bontemps officiated in his time. ^[20]

Laud’s influence was much reduced by 1640 when on Dec 10th James de Con (de Cou) John de Houg (Houcq) and Gilley Rey petitioned the House of Lords for redress (subsequently given) against Farmery, as Cursol, accused of being a Franciscan Friar, was said to be in collusion with Farmery, extorting cash in exchange for ensuring any new Church was ‘properly consecrated’. The matter dragged on until at least 1642, when John d'Espagne (or Despagne), Minister of Sandtoft, and James Des Camps presented another petition to the Lords, asserting that Cursoll had not yet returned some of the cash and was ‘vexing poor strangers with lawsuits’. ^[20]

The French and Dutch nevertheless gradually settled in Sandtoft as tenants of the Participants and in 1639 members of the drainage company’s board contracted with Isaac Bedloe to build a church there (He never had proper compensation for this). Registrations of births, marriages and deaths started in 1643 suggesting that the ‘Strangers’ arrived mainly to farm after much of the drainage scheme was complete. They also erected homes around the church and managed 24,500 Acres of land.

1642-45 Early Riots

Despite all agreements and assurances concerning their future, in about Jun 1642, the English Civil War imminent, some of the disgruntled locals “arose in tumults, brake down the fences and inclosures of four thousand Acres, destroyed all the Corn grow∣ing, and demolished the Houses built thereon.”. They followed by letting in the tides from the River Trent, which drowned a great part of Hatfield Chase “divers persons standing there with Muskets; and saying, that there they would stay till the whole levell were drowned, and the Inhabitants forced to swim away like Ducks” Then in Michaelmasse 1645 threw down a great part of the Banks, and filled up the Ditches.^[23] ^[20] ^[24]

1643 Raiding by Vernatti

August 1643 John Van Haesdonck to William Earl of Newcastle, against Captain Antonio Vernatts or Vernatti, his agents and soldiers. Van Haesdonck had tenants by lease in the Level of Hatfield Chase, viz., Hubert Le Roy, John Wantier, Charles Waterlow, John Le Haire, Edward Outibrigg, and others all of them in quiet possession. Vernatti escaped debtors prison, and forcibly pulled down one of their houses, four children being therein, took most of their last year's corn and some cattle, threatening to return with troops.. The tenants on May 16 last at Sheffield, petitioned Newcastle which was referred to Sir William Savile and Sir Ralph Hansby, in the meantime Newcastle gave them protection which Vernatti ignored.

He and his soldiers, broke open Le Roy's house, took out household goods, and carried Le Roy prisoner to his house, where he detained him till he paid 10l, and kept his wife a prisoner also.

He also ,

August 1, forcibly enter Wantier's house, and turned him, his wife and children out.
July 5 terrified Waterlow at his house, with pistols cocked, to take Waterlow, threatening to burn his house, and look away his beasts. He had already took 2 mares by force from Waterlow and on July 17 his soldiers assaulted Waterlow near his house.
About July 5 , came to Le Haire's house, and threatened to take away all his goods and burn his house. His soldiers, a little before July 5, took a nag and a mare with which he was ploughing.
Vernatti, August 5 last, with Christopher Stubbs and soldiers, broke into Le Haire's house, and turned his wife and children out of doors.
Despite the demand of Sir Wm. Widdrington to desist he then took rape-seed from Waterlow, Le Roy and Le Haire.
On August 9 entered Le Roy's house, turned him and his family out of doors.^[25]^[26]

1645 Petition

Petition from Peter Berchett Minister, John Barrell, and John Amorye, and for the French and Dutch Inhabitants of the new-improved Grounds, lying in the Level of Hatfeild Chace who argued that due to their labour the previously flooded land is now very fruitful, yielding great Quantities of Corn and Rapeseed. They have Houses, and a Church; and have a settled French Congregation over 1000 strong, and that the Participants have, allowed their minister £70pa But the Inhabitants have been riotous thrown down Fences and destroyed Corn and Rape-seed and other great Outrages, daily threatening to pull down their Houses, and Church., They asked to enjoy the result of their Labours, without disturbance and to be compensated, their Minister may have his promised Allowance paid, which is detained by the Participants. "John Barrell. John Amory." ^[27]

1647 Incorporation

The Sandtoft Church was formally united to and incorporated with the other French Churches at the 28th colloquy held in London, 9 Sept 1647, where Pierre Berchet, Pastor, and David le Conte, Elder, represented the brethren of the Church of Sandtoft and Isle of Axholme, agreeing to submit to the discipline and order of the French Churches. The same deputies represented this church at the Synod September 20, 1647, to February 7, 1648, to settle the differences in the French Churches of Norwich and Canterbury. ^[20]

1650-51 Demolition

Ongoing violence, no doubt led to disillusionment and some movement away from the area. The violence culminated in riots of 1650, when the chapel at Sandtoft was defaced, the village demolished, the floodgates pulled up and the waters of the Trent once more allowed to overflow the Level. The ringleaders in these disturbances were Daniel Noddell, Lieut.-Colonel John Lilborne, and Major Wyldeman in what they did they had the sympathy of Mr Monkton a resident justice of the peace. Houses were regularly pulled down in Sandtoft. Of particular note was the complete removal of all timber from the premises of Anthony Mazengarb. They removed 34 loads of timber, suggesting that he may have been a timber merchant. Mazengarb testified that they arrived all summer with 40 carts to remove timber from demolished houses. ^[20]

1653 Noddell Declaration to Parliament

THE DECLARATION OF DANIEL NODDEL Solicitor for the Freeholders and Commoners within the Mannor of Epworth, in the Isle of Axholm, in number about 1200 besides new erected Cottages, on the behalf of himself and all the said Commoners: discovering the plot and design of Master John Gibbon and his fellow-projectors to gain a possession of the said Freeholders ancient inheritance in their commonable grounds there, contrary to law.^[28]

Refutation against John Gibbon, Solicitor, on the behalf of all the Freeholders and Commoners, for the recovery of their ancient right to 7400 acres of commonable grounds, dispossessed 20 years ago and lately ‘ erroneous report of Master Say and Master Henry Darley’ about rioting. About 100 commoners were charged with rioting. Noddell claimed to have been their solicitor for almost 8 years.

He summarised after citing Mowbray

In Hillary Term, 1645. the Freeholders commenced their suites at law against the Participants, to try their title to the said lands.
In Trinity Term following, viz. 1646. (and not in 1642. as the Participants in their Petition to the late Parliament falsly suggest) the participants exhibited an English Bill in the Exchequer to stay those suites at law, and to have the possession of the whole seven thousand four hundred acres in controversie established with them.
In Michaelmas Term, 1650. that Bill came to full hearing, and the Decree then made doth establish the possession no otherwise with them, then it was when that Bill was exhibited.
That they took away the Commoners livelihood and left them with the poorest of the land.

Specific names mentioned as being owed by John Gibbon : George Shires Esquire, Sir John Littcott, Thomas Squire, Richard Read, William Willett, William Denton, and Katherin his wife, Executors of John Bert, Richard Lane Gentleman, William Brown Esquire, James le Roy, Jessenben Sabbatt, James Leonards for thirty pounds, Henry Cromwell, and Dame Elizabeth his wife, late named Elizabeth Lucy, Thomas Drinkwater, Edward Dixon Esquire, Lady Katherin Dyer widow, John Curson, Barthol. Hall, Iohn Marsham and Ferdinando Marsham, Isanbar Savatt, Sir Edward Fish Baronet, Humphrey Schalcross, Sir Francis Williamson, Benjamin Thornton Esquire, Sir Iohn Lucas, Sir Thomas Dawes for a thousand pounds, Henry Williams alias Cromwell Esquire, and Dame Elizabeth Ferrys, lately called Elizabeth Lucy his wife, Thomas Lyng Gentleman, Sir Thomas Dawes, Rachel Cambell widdow, James Cambell, Michael Fawkes, Thomas Squire, Iohn Alkins, Robert Iohnson.

1656 Petition to the Protector

15 Apr 1656 A petition was raised to Cromwell to be protected from violence and persecution. The rioting was led by Daniel Noddell. It was signed by 54 people (3 by Mark). Nathaniel Reading was the Strangers solicitor.^[29]^[30] ^[20]

The signatories in alphabetical order

Isaac Amory (Temp note… see here for sample text)

John Amory

John Amory Ju

Michee Amory

James Becue

John Beharel

Jacque du Bois,

Vincent Caillet,

Peeter Castell (X)

John Cuuelie

Jan Dauerow

Joel Delespiere

Alisander Foster

Abscalon le Gran

John le Haier

Isaac Hancar (X)

James Hancar

Anthoine Hapio,

Phillipe Hennoc (X)

Jaques Hernue

Jaques Hernu Ju,

Jehan le Houcgh,

John le Hooke Ju,

Jean De Kerhuel [The word Pasteur crossed out]

Charle de Lanoy

Isaac de Lannoy

Lieuin Manié

André Maniez

Jehan du Mollin

Dauid Morillion

Samuel Morillion

Sidrac Morillion

James Pinchon

Christienne Smaghues

Samuel le Talle

John le Talle

Charle Vaterlo

Jacob Venneille

Danniel du Verliez

Sandtoft Legacy

The register of Sandtoft Chapel is sadly lost, but the names of 88 persons, belonging to 71 families have been preserved by George Stovin (1695-1780). ^[31]

Fifteen of these persons, of as many different families, appear to have removed to Thorney : and members of twenty-two of the remaining fifty-six families are also shown by the register to have made their way to the Bedford Level and joined the French congregation at Thorney Abbey.

The names of the fifteen are : Thomas Benitland, Anthony Blancart, Peter Descamps, Peter Egar, James Flahau, Simon le Haire, George Hardick, Josias Harlay, Peter de la Haye, Jean de Lannoy, Isaac de Lanoy, Joel de Lespierre, Anthony Massingarbe, Peter du Quenne, Hosea Tafin.

The names of the twenty-two are : Amory, Beharelle, Blique, du Bois, Clais, le Conte, Coquelar, Desbiens, Desquien, le Flour, Fontaine, Frouchart, Gouy, Hancar, le Leu, Marquilier, Renard, Ramery, le Roux, le Roy, le Talle and Vennin.

The other sixteen names are : Becue, Caillet, Castell, Descou, Foster, Hennoc, Hernu, le Houcq, le Grand, Manié, Morillon, Pinchon, Smaque, Vermeil, du Verlier and Wantier.

It is known that in 1681 there remained in Sandtoft at least the following : Abraham Beharel, Matthew Bruynee, Abraham Egarr, Peter le Leu, David Morillion, Tafin Tafinder and John Tyssen. who complained to the Court of Sewers, at Turnbridge of the need for a minister. The church was in ruins by 1686. ^[20]

Ministers at Sandtoft

Sandtoft, partly Flemish, partly French, was in close alliance with the Low Countries and looked to Holland for its ministers.

On 13 Nov 1637 The Dutch Congregation of Hatfield Chase wrote to the London-Dutch Congregation asking for help and advice in appointing a Minister as the Participants had taken no interest. Signatories were Jooris de Raet, Philippe Lhermitte, Jacop Blyck, Jaeques de Witt. They wrote again on 26 Oct 1642 when they sent 2 elders complaining that Pastor Despaigne had only preached a few times then disappeared. They asked for M Becude minister of the Flemish Church in Calais offering £60 pa stipend. The church at Sandtoft was said to be built consisting of French and Flemings, with Jean d’Espagne the minister. ^[32]

The ministers were successively Messieurs

Peter Bontemps (1634-36),

No minister 1637-1638

Etienne (Stephen) Cursoll/ Dr John de Cursoll. Crusol/Cursol (1640),

Jean Despagne (1640-1642).

Pierre Berchet (died 8 Aug 1655 and buried at Crowle).

Philip Castell (Castile) of Nantes, ‘Nautices, Franc in Gallia, buried at Hatfield 5 Sept 1655

Jean de Deckerhuel (or Rerkuet or Riquet) died 1659,

Delaprix (or de la Prix)

Samuel Lambert 1664-68, returned to Holland. ^[33]

Jaques De la Porte died 1676,

John Conrad de Werneley (or Werndley) died 1681

Le Vanely, last minister ^[20]^[33] ^[34]

Sandtoft Registers

The extracts of the Sandtoft Church made by Stovin consist of 41 marriages (1643-1671), 147 baptisms (1642-1685) and only 2 deaths; these registers were in existence until 1828, when Mr. Hunter wrote his South Yorkshire but are now lost. ^[31]

BMD at Sandtoft

Diary of Abraham de la Pryme

Abraham de la Pryme (1671-1704) was born in Hatfield and baptised in the Sandtoft Church. He maintained a diary which also contains letters and details of his historical manuscripts.^[35]

Great Level

Church at Thorney

Thorney Abbey 1908

Initially meeting at a Tollgate towards Wisbech, some early arrivals from Hatfield congregated at Whittlesey, more central to the drainage works drainage than Thorney. In this parish there were two tracts of fenland “ Willow Hall Land ”, near the village of Eye and “ The Commons,” which appear to have been set out and offered for sale in lots of fifteen acres. The colony of French Protestant refugees settled mostly at Thorney Abbey in Cambridgeshire. An inscription in the Church at Thorney indicates more formal gatherings at that place from 1652. ^[36] ^[1]

The foreign Church at Thomey Abbey was established in 1652, and at the 29th Colloquy of the Churches in England, held in London, 7 Sept 1654, Ezechiel Daunois, Pastor, and David le Conte represented it as deputies. ^[20]

Some arrived from Sandtoft, others from the Low Countries, and some from existing English Huguenot communities. Their expertise in maintaining drained land, for cultivation and farming convinced Oliver Cromwell to give them special rights and exemptions. They purchased plots around common land at Willow Hall. In addition to the art of drainage, farmers and those who had capital, became users and purchasers of the newly drained lands. The families of Bailleul, le Conte, Egar, la Pla, Ris (Ry), Milleville, Vennin and Wantié were landowners. The intermarriages of members of these families were numerous. They worshiped in the ruins of Thorney Abbey. ^[11]

In about 1685, the French Church in London moved a group of Huguenots into the Thorney area to strengthen the French Church as there were no significant arrivals after the initial influx. Some, such as the Bailleul family were there long term. ^[37]

Ministers at Thorney Abbey

1653-1675 Ezekiel Danois from Compiegne in France appears to have been the first recognised minister. He was present with David le Conte representing the Thorney congregation at the conference held in London in the year 1654.

1668 Jean Memard, Minister officiated in the baptism of Jean du Chessoy (bef.1668-), probably a visiting Minister.

Marc Mequilly , probably acted as assistant to Danois prior to his decease , but it is not certain that he became minister. He officiated in 4 baptisms between 1672-1678

c1680-84 Michael David of Geneva “a person of learning and great zeal” , was the next known minister His name appears in the baptism record David Descamps (bef.1680-). He was named in Leti’s 1684 account of Thorney Abbey and moved from there to Ireland.^[38]

Jean Jembelin (M. Du Mesnil - Jemblin) officiated occasinally from 1689 but was Minister of the French Protestants at Spittlefields, London.

1691-1715 Jacques Cairon was minister at Falaise in Normandy in the year 1684 he was jailed for his protestant beliefs but subsequently fled to England where he became Minister at Thorney for 24 years.

1715-1727 Louis Charles Le Sueur was the last of the French ministers at Thorney ^[39] ^[40]

Naturalisation Bill No 65 1662

Introduced into the Commons on the 2 May, 1662, passed the Lords 14 May 1662.

Marke le Pla, of the age of 40 yeares,

James le Pla, of the age of 35 yeares, both born in Bouire, in the County of Callais in the Province of Picardy in the Kingdome of France.

Peter de Cou, the elder, of the age of 55 yeares, born in Dau in the County of Lille in Flanders.

Peter de Cou, the younger, of the age of 32 yeares, born in Bosnerd in the County of Bulloign in the Province of Picardy in the Kingdome of France.

John le Houcq [Houcque], of the age of 29 years, born in Oye in the County of Callais and Province of Picardy in the Kingdome of France.

Daniel Du-bo, of the age of 30 years, born in Bullengen in the County of Callais in the Province of Picardy in the Kingdome of France.

John de Beavecarne, of the age of 40 yeares and upwards, born in Ettinpins in Flanders.

David Le Conte, of the age of 50 yeares, born in Guisne in the County of Callais in the Province of Picardy.

Within Thorny Fenns and Ramsey Fenns in the Isle of Ely and Counties of Cambridge and Huntington they have peaceably settled themselves and dwelt for divers yeares past, being husbandmen and farmers of divers grounds in the same Fenns. ^[41]

Manorial Court 1748

During the incumbency of James Ris (bef.1713-1758), a manorial court was held at Thorney, before Robert Butcher there appeared as follows : The Jury . Jeremia Ris, John Manby, Walter Sly, John Lefever, Benjamin Ris, John Solomon ,Jacob Lecount . John Morton, Daniel Harley, Job Rouning, Stephen Letalle, Peter Milfield, Thomas Hawkins, Jeffery Emmet, Henry Haddon, Abraham Debson, Daniel Egar, Zecharias Fovargue, Joseph Rolls, Abraham Lehair, Daniel Plummer, James King, James Scribeau, John Stimson, William Addy, Thomas Morton, John Mears, Robert Mallett. ^[42]

Attendees (in bold) have French Protestant ancestry and show the extent to which the communities had become integrated in Thorney, less than 100 years after formally arriving. Some name changes may also yield further (Manby = Manié, King = Roi ?)

Thorney Registers

The French Registers of Marriages and Burials are missing. Thankfully the Baptismal Register contains extensive valuable information. Married women retain maiden names, with a few exceptions, later in the record and names of Witnesses are invariably recorded, sometimes with relationships added.^[1]

Wikitree profiles for each baptism can be found on the following page :-

Baptisms, Thorney

Non French Protestant Contemporaries at Thorney Abbey

George Smith (d1651) Steward to William Russell, 5th Earl of Bedford

John Girdlestone MA (abt.1745-1821) Was Vicar of Thorney for 50 years until his death

John Wing (bef.1752-bef.1812). Succeeded his father as agent to the Duke of Bedford

Names

Naming is confounded by the variability in the record, probably mostly due to the difficulty in communicating a French sound to the ear of an English Cleric. Even the French themselves incorporated more Anglicised versions of their own family into formal documents. For example Jean Flahau (bef.1639-bef.1689) in his Will refers to his granddaughter Susanne Bailleul (1686-) as Susan Bailey. She was baptised Bailleu.

It is sometimes unclear where names overlap but often a person of interest appears in different parts of the record, perhaps as a witness or parent to reduce the uncertainty. Names which have only one mention are generally not in the list below.

Below is a list of names which have been used in the baptism and other records. Where families clearly belong within a grouping of names (Often identifiable individuals having various spellings), the emboldened version is used in Wikitree profiles to provide consistency. Sometimes there has been a definite generational change from one spelling to another and where this has occurred more than one name is emboldened. An example is Harlé where the original French was used only once, so this is not used, instead the more common (Angicised) Harlay which later changed to Harley. Wantié is more commonly used, even though the spelling appears original for whatever reason so this is retained Likewise, prefixes such as du, de la, le, la etc can be equally random. Some may need to be adjusted later, should the need be compelling.

There are also oddities which appear to be abbreviations such as Provo for Provost and du Bo is certainly the Clerks abbreviation for du Bois. A later Clerk uses only du Bois. No doubt there could be much discussion on the choices.

Some of the names appear to have an English origin but have been given a French flavour in some of the records eg Howard > Haueurd, Sherwood > Cherwood.

Francis Bayley looking for the origins of settlers at Thorney, found they could mostly be traced to Flanders, Artois and the Pays Conquis a conclusion indirectly supported by Coussemaker, a Roman Catholic writer, who researched state papers in the archives of France and Belgium. In several instances the place of birth of the refugees forms part of the entry, and where this occurs (chiefly in the Canterbury register) it invariably agrees with the information furnished by Coussemaker. Amongst the names thus recorded will be found those of Bailleul, Brune, Becue, Becque, Brunyee, Behague, Cocq, Chavatte, Descamps, de Laurens, du Bois, Desbiens, du Quesne, de la Haye, de Secq, Didier, de l’Escluse, de Houck, Despiez, Faucquenbergue, Fleurbaix, Hancquart, Le Talle, Lecluse, Lefevre, Lestienne, Lannoy, le Roy, le Roux, le Conte, Mannier, Manié, Oudart, Preuvost, Priem, Pacquette, Revel, Six, Saie, Saye, Sénéchal, Taffin, Tassell, Van Beveren, Vennin, Vermeille, Wantier and Zwarte. ^[1]^[43] ^[37]

Accart, Accar, Achart

Albert

Allis, Alis

Allo, Hallo, Halo, Hallot

Amory, Amaury, Amaurry

Ancar, see Hancar

de l’Annoy See de Lanoy

Arnauld, Arnau

Asdell

Bacquelet

de Bacy, Deburge

Bailleul, Bailleu, de Bailleux, Bailey

Bakley

Baldwin, Baldin

Batten, Battin

Baurudet, Banderete, Banruedt

de Beaucarne

Beaumont, Beaumon

Beaussart

de Becq Becque de Bek

Becue

Behague, Behaghen

Beharelle, Beharel

Bentley, Benten

Bernard, Bernar

de Bevre, Bevre

de Bien see Desbiens

Blancart, Blancar

Blique, bliq, blick

Bonduel

Bonfort, Banfort

du Bois, du Bo

Boros, Bourough, Bourous, Borres, Burros

Bouchereau, Boucherou, Boucherow

Boussemar

Buckingham, Beckingham

Borbeck

Bradfor

Burbish, Burbisch, Borbish

Burette, Buret

Cardue, Cardoy

Cass, Cas

Caillet, Cailiet, Caliet, Calieux

Cateau Cattieaux, Catteau, Cattiau, Quatiaux, (Couteau probably a distinctly different name)

de la Chasse

du Chattelet

Chavatte, Chavatt, Savatt, Scavat

du Chemin Chemin

du Chessoy, Chessoy

Chiroutie, Cisrout, Chiroutié

Clais, Clays

le Cler, le Clerq, Cler

Clerbau, Clerbaut, Clerbaux.

Coquelard, Coclard see Goglar

le Conte, Conte

Cooley, Coolay, Cowley

le Coq, le Cocq, le Colcq, Coq

Cosseau , Cosiau

Couteau, Coutiau, Coutieaux, Cousteau

de le Croix, Croix

Cugny, Cugnie, Cunny, Conny

Cuvelier, Cuvillié

Delahaye see de la Haye

Delahoy, de la Hoy, Dolahoy, Delahoy, de Lehoy (Possibly the same as de la Haye)

Deltur

Delpierre see de Lespiere

Derique de Rique, Derick

Desbiens, Desbien, de Bien

Descamps, de Camp, Descam, Descan, Décan

Descou, Descous

Destienville, Estienville

Destrié

Desquien Desquire, (Desquien and Desbiens are listed separately in the 22 who arrived from Sandtoft)

Didier

Domsen

Doné

Dornelle, Dournelle, Dournel

Dumoulin du Moulin

Duriez

Egar, Egard

Elam

Elis, Ellis

Escluse see de Lescluse

Fauquenbergue

Fauvergue, Fovergue, Fovargue

Fellingam’ Feallingam,

Ferré, Ferre, Ferez

Fichaut, Ficeux

Flahau, Flahaut, Flahow, Floehoe, Flahaw

Fleurbay, Fleurbaye, Fleurbaie, Fleurbois, Flourbois, Flourboy

de Fleuren, Fleuren

Flotte

Flour, le Flour

Fontaine, Fontain

Fournier, Fournié,

Fouree

de le Frette, de le Fret, Frette, Fret

Fruchar, Fruchard, Fruchart, Frouchar, Frouchard, Frushart

Gante, Ganté, Gant, Gaunt

Garbaut (Later Anglicised Gerbow)

Gautier

Gibson, Gypton

Giraud

Goglar, Coquelard, Coquelar, Coclard, Gogælar, Goglard, Goguelar

Gouy, Guouy, Guoy

Grain le Grain

le Grand, Grand

Grebault, Geubau

Haffringue Hafreinge, Hafrein

Hagnerez, Hagneray, Hangneray, Hannere

Hallyday, see Holiday

Halo , Hallo, Hallot see Allo

Hancar, Hanquar, Ancar

Hanot, Hannot, Hannotte, Annote (Possibly Hennot,see Henoc)

Hardick, Hardicq

Harlay, Harley, Harlé

Hardy, Hardeley

Hartford, Harfit

Haudegampe, Haudegamp

de la Haye, de la Haie, Delahaye

Hecklin, Hickling

Hennin

Hennegrave, Henegrave

Henoc, Hennoc, Hanock, (Possibly Hennot,see Hanot)

Hernu, Hergnu

L’Hermite see Lermitte

Hersin, Hersem, Hersain, Hersein

Hinson, Huison

Hochedé, Haudaye (Later Houseday)

Holiday, Hallyday

Holmes, Homes

Howard, Haueurd, Howarth

Hoy, see Delahoy

le Houcq, Houq, Hook, van Houcq, vanhouq

Huglo, Huguelo

Judd, Judge

de Lanoy, de la Noy, de Lannoy de l’Annoy

Laty, Latté

Laurens, Lorran, Leuren, de Leuren , Laurene

Leacke, Laek, Leick

Lermitte, Lermite, L’Hermite, Lernut.

de Lescluse, Escluse

de Lespiere, de Lepiere, Delpierre, Depier

le Leu, loue

Lion, Leon

Lisy, Lizy

de Lo, Lo

le Mahieu Mahieu.

Manié, Manie, Manier, Monier, Monie, Money, Maney

de la Mare, Mare, Maire

Marquillier, Marquilier, Merquillier, Merquilier Markiller, Markelly, Merkillier

Mazengarb, Mazengarbe, Masengarbe, Masingarbe, Massingarbe, Massingard, Masingarb

Meers, Meares

Meuris

Milleville, Milville, Milvil (Later Millfield/Milfield)

Mily

Minet

Morfin

Morelle

Morillon, Morrilon, Morrillion

de le Motte, Motte

du Moulin see Dumoulin

Mouquet, Mouquay

Neuville

Notteau, Noteau

de la Noy, See de Lanoy

Obeson

Oudar, Oudart, Audar , Houdare

Paren , Parent, Parens, Parrein

Peirson, Person

Pesquen

Petillon

Pinchon, Pinçon

du Pont, du Pon

de le Porte, Porte

Provost, Provo

du Puy, Dupuy, du Puis

Quatiaux, see Cateau

du Quenne, du Quesne, du Quen, Desquien, le Quenne

Quoy

Ramery, Rammery

Renaud, Renauld , Renau, Renow, Renoe

de Raedt, de Raet, de Rett, la Ret, Ret

Ritchisson

du Rieu, Rieu, Duriez.

Ris, Rys, Ry

de Riviere, Riviere.

de Rique, Rique

Rondebergue

Roseau, Rosiau

de Roubay, de Roubaie, de Roubaye

Rousy

le Roux, le Rue

de la Rue, de le Rue, de Rue, de le Roue

Ruff, Roof

le Safre, Safre, de le Safre

de Sain, Saint, de Saint, Sain, de Sein, Dessein, de Saigne, de Signe.

Salmon, Salomon

Savatt see Chavatte

Sauvage

Scanfair, Scanfaire, Scanflair

Scavat see Chavatte

Schonart Sconar Skonart

Scribo, Scribau, Scribaut

le Sec, Sec, Secq

Senlec, Senlecq

Sherwood, Cherwood

Sigé, Sigée, Sigie, Sigié, Sisie, Sigies, de Signe

Sly, Slye

Smaque, Smack Smacq, Smagg, Semeque, Smasque

Sprie

Stecye, Stecey

le Sueur, le Suer, le Sur

Sy, later Six, Sye, See, Sie

Tafin, Taffin

Tegredin, Tegredein, Tesgredin,Thegardin, Tegardin, Desgardins

Théry, Terry, Thery, Tery

Thurlby, Thurlsby

Treffet

Tourquoin, Turquine, Teurqoin

Tyssen, Tissen

Ugille, Ugil, Usille, Uzil.

Vailland

de Valier, Vallier, Valher

Vanplue (Vanplus in Guînes register)

Vennin Venin Venins Vené, Veneins, le Venin

du Verlié, du Verlier, Dumerlye, Duvertier

Vermeil

Wantié, Wantier, Wattey, Wantey, Wanty, Wattie (Originally de Vantier)

Waram

Wettin

Winkley, Wintley

Yserby, Isserby, Iserby, Iserbie

de Zombre, Dezombre

Wills

Bracketed occupations are implied. Bracketed names are maiden names or the previous name where an Anglicised version has been formally adopted.

Name	Occupation. I	Location. I	Date. I	≈Age.
Bailleul, Abraham (Bayly) (abt.1638-bef.1695)	Yeoman	Crowland	1695	57
Bailleul, Philipe (Bayley) (abt.1629-bef.1706)	Yeoman	Whittlesey	1706	77
Bailleul, Jean (Bayley) (abt.1646-bef.1717)	Yeoman	Crowland	1717	71
Brimble, William (abt.1700-1754)	Yeoman	Thorney	1754	54
Bois, du, Anthoine (Dubois) (abt.1600-bef.1661)	Yeoman	Thorney	1661	61
Bois, du, Isaac (Dubois) (abt.1635-bef.1717)	Husbandman	Thorney	1717	82
Clerbau André (abt.1614-bef.1658)	Husbandman	Hatfield	1658	44
Bayley, Daniel (Bailleul) (bef.1672-1729)	Gentleman	Whittlesey	1729	56
Bayley, Daniel (Bailleul) (bef.1732-bef.1774)	Esquire	Whittlesey	1774	41
Holmes (Vandebeck), Marie (abt.1625-aft.1696)	Widow	Parson Drove	1696	71
Gerbow, Jean (Garbaut) (abt.1666-bef.1712)	(Landowner)	Parson Drove	1712	46
Gerbow, Charles (Garbaut) (abt.1660-bef.1710)	(Landowner)	Parson Drove	1710	50
Berchet, Pierre (abt.1610-1655)	Minister	Thorne	1655	45
Conte, le, Samuel (bef.1660-bef.1689)	Grocer	Isle of Ely	1689	29
Descamps, Jaques (Descampes) (abt.1595-bef.1652)	Yeoman	Belton	1652	57
Desbiens, Lawrence (Debien) (abt.1620-bef.1655)	Husbandman	Wroot	1655	35
Descou, Piere (Descoe) (abt.1600-bef.1681)	Gentleman	Thorney	1681	81
Fauvergue, Jean (Fovergue) (abt.1630-bef.1710)	(Landowner)	Thorney	1710	80
Flahau, Isaac (bef.1643-bef.1694)	Husbandman	Thorney	1694	51
Flahau, Jaques (Floehoe) (abt.1610-bef.1669)	Senior	Thorney	1669	59
Flahau, Jean (bef.1639-bef.1689)	Yeoman	Thorney	1689	50
Flour, Noé (bef.1663-bef.1711)	Yeoman	Thorney	1711	58
Goglar, Jean (Gogler) (abt.1658-bef.1711)	Yeoman	Crowland	1711	55
Harlay, Isaac (Harley) (1647-bef.1682)	Yeoman	Thorney	1682	35
Manié, Catherine (Holmes) (Manee) (bef.1657-bef.1714)	Widow	Thorney	1714	57
Jembelin, Peter (abt.1650-1715)	Doctor in Physic	Thorney	1715	65
Manié, Luc (Maney) (bef.1666-bef.1720)	(Landowner)	Thorney	1720	54
Mazengarb, Anthoine (Massingard) (1615-bef.1676)	Yeoman	Thorney	1676	61
Mazengarb, Isaac (1680-bef.1730)	Farmer	Little Wigborough	1730	50
Mazengarb, Jean (Masengarb) (abt.1654-1710)	Yeoman	Thorney	1710	56
Peirson, Ralph (abt.1650-bef.1711)	(Landowner)	Thorney	1711	61
Le Pla, Marc (abt.1622-1697)	(Landowner)	Thorney	1697	75
Pryme de la, Charles (Prime) (abt.1610-1669)	Yeoman	Hatfield Chase	1669	59
Ris, Abraham (bef.1663-1718)	Gentleman	Bare Paster	1718	55
Ris, James (bef.1713-1758)	Clerk	Thorney	1758	45
Ris, Jeremie (1703-1753)	(Landowner)	Thorney	1753	50
Sy, Jaques (James See) (abt.1650-bef.1686)	(Landowner)	Thorney	1686	36
Sy, Nicholas (Nicholas See) (abt.1620-bef.1655)	(Landowner)	Thorney	1655	35
Tall, le, Jean (Letalle) (abt.1615-bef.1658)	Husbandman	Hatfield	1658	43
Pryme, de la, Marie (Beaumont)(Prym) (abt.1647-bef.1672)	Widow	Hatfield	1672	25
Vandebeck, Isaac (bef.1685-bef.1719)	Husbandman	Thorney	1719	34
Vandebeck, Jean (bef.1682-bef.1719)	(Landowner)	Thorney	1719	31
Wantié, John (Watters) (abt.1615-1660)	(Landowner)	Thorney	1660	45
Wantié, Isaac (Wanty) (abt.1661-bef.1706)	(Landowner)	Thorney	1706	45
Wantié, Jean (Wanty) (1676-1750)	Yeoman	Thorney	1750	74

Sources

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 Register of baptisms of the French Protestant refugees settled at Thorney, Cambridgeshire, 1654-1727 by Huguenot Society of London; Peet, Henry, 1856-1938 Page 1ff
↑ The Isle of Axholme before Vermuyden Joan Thirsk The Agricultural History Review Vol. 1, No. 1 (1953), pp. 16-28 (13 pages) Published By: British Agricultural History Society
↑ A topographical account of the isle of Axholme by William R. Peck Page 60 : Copy of deed Appendix 1
↑ FamilySearch Wiki contributors, "England History of Huguenots, Walloons, Flemish Religions (National Institute)," FamilySearch Wiki, , https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/index.php?title=England_History_of_Huguenots,_Walloo ns,_Flemish_Religions_(National_Institute)&oldid=2475213 (accessed August 15, 2022).
↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Glorious Revolution," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Glorious_Revolution&oldid=1125104198 (accessed December 3, 2022).
↑ Glozier, Matthew. The Huguenot soldiers of William of Orange and the "Glorious Revolution" of 1688 : the lions of Judah. United Kingdom: Sussex Academic Press, 2002.
↑ The Huguenot Society of Great Britain & Ireland Huguenot History
↑ The Huguenot Society of Great Britain & Ireland The Royal Bounty Archive unveiled
↑ The History of London Huguenots
↑ The Huguenots of Spitalfields Huguenot Places
↑ ^11.0 ^11.1 Register of baptisms of the French Protestant refugees settled at Thorney, Cambridgeshire, 1654-1727 by Huguenot Society of London; Peet, Henry, 1856-1938 Introduction, Page xiv
↑ A topographical account of the isle of Axholme by William R. Peck Royal Grant
↑ Hatfield Chase Corporation, 1538-1973 University of Nottingham
↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Hatfield Chase," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hatfield_Chase&oldid=1110684461 (accessed November 18, 2022).
↑ CORNELIUS VERMUYDEN, THOOLSE WATERBOUWKUNDIGE IN ENGELAND door Peter Lindhoud pdf download
↑ Wikipedia contributors, "The Fens," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Fens&oldid=1118594404 (accessed November 18, 2022).
↑ Prisoners of the Fens, subtitled 'A true story of Scottish and Dutch prisoners of war brought to the Fens to work on the drainage scheme Booklet published privately by Trevor Bevis in 2003, 14 pages. A5 size booklet (N5906X2) Download
↑ Origins The Scottish Soldiers, the Ouse Washes; the Origins of Landscape Change in the Fens 2019. Word Garden, Babylon ARTS, Lottery Heritage Fund]
↑ ^19.0 ^19.1 ^19.2 Dutch investors and the drainage of Hatfield Chase, 1626 to 1656* by Piet van Cruyningen
↑ ^20.00 ^20.01 ^20.02 ^20.03 ^20.04 ^20.05 ^20.06 ^20.07 ^20.08 ^20.09 ^20.10 ^20.11 Proceedings of the Huguenot Society of London by Huguenot Society of London. Huguenots in the Isle of Axholme. H Le Moine P 266ff
↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Cornelius Vermuyden," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cornelius_Vermuyden&oldid=1120052908 (accessed December 10, 2022).
↑ Letters of denization and acts of naturalization for aliens in England and Ireland by Shaw, William Arthur, 1865-1943 Page 45
↑ The history of imbanking and drayning of divers fenns and marshes, both in forein parts and in this kingdom, and of the improvements thereby extracted from records, manuscripts, and other authentick testimonies by Sir William Dugdale 1605-1686. London: Printed by Alice Warren, 1662. Page 145
↑ Proceedings of the Huguenot Society of London. United Kingdom: Huguenot Society of London. Vol 2 1887. Huguenots in the Isle of Axholme H.G.B le Moine. Page 265ff
↑ State Papers, Domestic - Charles I, CCCCXCVIIAugust 1643
↑ Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, of the Reign of Charles I 1641 - 1643 Publication date 1641 - 1643 Page 481
↑ 'House of Lords Journal Volume 7: 15 November 1645', in Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 7, 1644 (London, 1767-1830), pp. 705-707. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/lords-jrnl/vol7/pp705-707 [accessed 9 December 2022].
↑ The Declaration of Daniel Noddel Solicitor for the Freeholders and Commoners within the Mannor of Epworth Oxford Text Archive
↑ Calendar of state papers, Domestic series [of the Commonwealth] 1649-1660 by Great Britain. Public Record Officepage 269
↑ The Genealogy of the DeCou Family: Showing the Descent of the Members of this Family in America from Leuren Des Cou .... United States: Franklin Printing Company, 1910. The Geneaology of the Decou Fami pdf , Google Books
↑ ^31.0 ^31.1 The Yorkshire archaeological journal by Yorkshire Archaeological Society Publication date 1893 Page 194ff The Stovin Manucript
↑ Ecclesiae londino-batavae archivum by Austin Friars (Church : London, England); Hessels, Jan Hendrik, 1836-1907 Vol 3 Pt 2 Page 1760 & 1900
↑ ^33.0 ^33.1 Proceedings of the Huguenot Society of London by Huguenot Society of London Vol. 13, No. 1-6 William Minet FSA Page 408
↑ The marriage, baptismal and burial registers, 1571-1874, and monumental inscriptions of the Dutch Reformed Church, Austin Friars, London : with a short account of the strangers and their churches by Austin Friars (Church: London, England); Moens, William John Charles Page XXXV
↑ The diary of Abraham De la Pryme], the Yorkshire antiquary by De la Pryme, Abraham, b. 1677, author; Jackson, Charles, 1809-1882, editor; De la Pryme, Charles, editor; Surtees Society
↑ Historical and architectural notes on the parish churches in and around Peterborough by Sweeting, Walter Debenham, 1839-; Ball, William. illPage 115
↑ ^37.0 ^37.1 The Bailleuls of Flanders, and the Bayleys of Willow Hall by Francis Bayley 1881
↑ Leti, Gregorio. Il Teatro britannico, o vero Historia della Grande Brettagna... scritta da Gregorio Leti. Netherlands: A. Wolfgang, 1684 Pages 400-403]
↑ The history of the French, Walloon, Dutch and other foreign Protestant refugees settled in England from the reign of Henry VIII to the revocation of the Edict of Nantes; with notices of their trade and commerce, copious extracts from the registers, lists of the early settlers, ministers, &c., and an appendix containing copies of the charter of Edward VI, &c by Burn, John Southerden, 1798-1870 Page 100
↑ The history of Thorney abbey, together with some notice of the modern parish By Richard Hyett Warner Chapter XI
↑ Letters of denization and acts of naturalization for aliens in England and Ireland by Shaw, William Arthur, 1865-1943 Page 83
↑ The history of Thorney abbey, together with some notice of the modern parish Richard Hyett Warner Page 250
↑ Troubles Religieux du XVF siècle dans la, Flandre Maritime, 1560-1570, par Ed. de Coussemaker