The gnats and flies, that is the common sort of the inhabitants

Map of the Isle of Axholme before the drainage by Vermuyden 1626 from The M.S. in a Red Box (1903) by an unnamed author believed to be John Hamilton

The plan, however defective, was rapidly proceeded with, so that before
the close of the second year from its commencement, it was so far completed
that a Commission was issued in order to survey and divide the same. "Cor-
nelius Vermuyden," says Prymne, "to the great surprise - of the whole nation,
and to the vast advantage of the country round about, which before was but
barbarously and thinly inhabited, poor and beggarly, and at the incredible
labour and charges of above £400,000 did dis-chase and drain Hatfield
Chase, whose name deserves a thousand times more to be honourably men-
tioned and received in all histories, than Seaurus was in those of Rome, for
draining a great lake in Italy not a quarter so big as this." That the large
deep pools of water were drained off the Chase, we are willing to allow; but
that this was done to the great benefit of the country round about," is an
assertion which we can by no means admit; The very reverse was the fact,
as the History which I am about to relate will abundantly prove.

The Commissioners were the Viscount Aire, Sir John Saville, Sir Ralph
Hansby, and Sir Thomas Fanshaw. They proceeeded with their task amidst
the loud complaints of the inhabitants, who alledged that the work could
not be said to be completed, for that instead of the water being conveyed
away, it was only removed from the new lands to be spread upon the old:
and when they had assigned the thirds to the respective parties, they were
charged with having sacrificed the interest of the natives, by assigning to
them only the lowest and worst lands. This dissatisfaction of the Commoners
soon produced acts of open violence and outrage.

A manuscript written by one of the original Proprietors gives us the fol-
lowing account of some of these proceedings. "While the great projector
was actively employed in this undertaking, he found himself mightily an-
noyed by the gnats and flies, that is the common sort of the inhabitants,
that set upon him when he should rest ; for they finding these mounds of
earth, cast up for his ease and security. would prove their utter ruin, and dam
that water upon their ancient lands above which should, lay upon his im-
provement below, they disturbed him in his works and when that would not
do, in great numbers they burnt his carts and barrows and working instru-
ments, in great heaps by night."

from The History and Topography of the Isle of Axholme: Being that part of
Lincolnshire which is west of Trent (1838) by Rev. W. B. Stonehouse