The following extract from Sir Philip Warwick's 'Memoires of the Reigne of King Charles I' describes a Restorationist view of Cromwell's activities in Ely.

[In margin:] 'He became the head of the malcontent party in the building of the Fenns) -Now not long after the Earle of Bedford and divers of the principal Gentlemen. whose habitations confined upon the Fenns, and who in the heat of Summer saw vast quantities of lands. which the fresh waters overflowed in the winter. lye dry, and green, or drainable; whether it was publick spirit, or private advantage. which led them thereunto, a stranger cannot determine. they make propositions unto the King to issue out comissions of Sewers to drayn those lands. and offer a proportion freely to be given to the Crown for its countenance and authority therein. And as all these great and publick works must necessarily concerne multitudes of persons. who will never think they have exact justice done to them for that small pretense of right. they have unto some commons; so the Commisioners, let them do what they can, could never satisfy such a body of men. And now the King is declared the principall Undertaker for the drayning; and by this time the vulgar are grown clamorous against these first popular Lords and Undertakers. who had joyned with the King in the second undertaking; tho' they bad much better provisions for them, than their interest was ever before: and the Commisioners must by multitudes and clamours be withstood, and as a head of this faction, Mr. Cromwell in the year 1638 at Huntingdon appears; which made his activity so well known unto his friend and kinsman. Mr. Hambden that he in this Parliament gave a character of Cromwell. of being an active person. and one that would fitt well at the mark; and thus he is early joyned unto the most busy contrivers of the new intended changes.'

More Cromwell and Cambridge

Introduction
Long Parliament
Destructive Behaviour
Excerpt: Cromwell in Ely
Excerpt: Clarenden, Life
Excerpt: Parliament Orders
Excerpt: Barwick

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