This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ...four leagues, in breadth three, with the marshes adjoining on both sides the Weland, part of which to the north, called Guggisland, is two leagues long from Croyland bridge to Aspath, and one league broad from the Weland, two leagues long from Croyland bridge to Southlake; and two leagues broad from Weland to Fynset, with fishery in the watersof Nene and Weland." The monarch further gave towards the building of the monastery, 300 pounds in silver, and 100 pounds a year for ten years to come; and he authorised the monks to build, or inclose a town for their own use, with a right of common for themselves and their servants. The foundation being in a marshy soil, the builders were obliged to drive piles of oak and ash, before they began to raise the edifice; indeed this appears to have been first constructed with timber, for Ingulphus says, that the wooden oratory of Guthlac was succeeded by a church, and house of stone, in which dwelt a succession of religious persons. After the massacre of the monks, and destruction of the abbey, by the Danes, in the year 870, King Ethelred, to gratify his favourite, Turketyl, restored the alienated lands about the year 948; and encouraged him to rebuild the abbey; which was begun, but not completed, till the succeeding reign. In 1091, a desolating fire, occasioned by the carelessness of a plumber, "cruelly laid waste the habitations of the servants of God." In 1112, under the auspices of its Abbot Joft'red, it was again rebuilt. The abbot, according to the relation of Peter Blesensis, " obtained of the archbishops and bishops, remission of a third part of the penance injoined for sins, to all who would assist in the pious undertaking. Under this commission, Joffred dispatched the monks, as preaching...