An Ordinance OF THE Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament To enable the Associated Counties with the County of Northampton to make such works as shall reduce the town of Crowland to the obedience of King and Parliament.  

Die jovis, 7. Septemb. 1644.  
ORdered by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament that this Ordinance be forthwith Printed and Published.  
John BROWNE Cleric. PARL.   
London, Printed for R. B.  
1644.   

An Ordinance of the Lords & Commons assembled in Parliament.  
To enable the Associated Counties, with the County of Northampton to make such works as shall reduce the town of Crowland to the obedience of King and Parliament.  
WHereas the late surprisal of the Garrison of Crowland in the county o● lincoln by the forces raised in opposition to the King and Parliament is very prejudit●all and of ill consequence to the several counties associated under the command of the earl of Manchester, as also to great part of the of the county of Northampton next adjoining to the same, and by reason of the unseasonableness of the weather the approaches to the said Garrison are become so unaccessable, that though forces were drawn down to reduce the same, it cannot now possibly be done without much charge and difficulty; and whereas the best meaner to prevent the Inroads, plunderings and other outrages of the said Garrison, and also to hinder the same from provisions of corn and other supplies is advised to bee by by erecting and furnishing of three several Forts, or Sconces, the tharge of which will amount to near about Six hundred pounds. One near a place called Brother House in the County of Linc●lne, Another upon Dowsdale bank in the said County, And a third upon Burrowe bank in the County of Northampton, Each of which is to bee Manned with fifty men or thereabouts and to haue attending to the same one boat of defence to be Contrived and built by the Direction of the Commander in chief of the said several Forces. Bee it therefore Ordained by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, and by the authority of the same, That the said three several Forts or Sconces be Raised and Erected in the Place aforesaid, as by the advice of the Commander in chief of the said Forts shalbe thought most convenient, and advantageous for the ends and causes heretofore expressed, Two of the which said Forts or Sconces in the County of lincoln together with two such Boats as aforesaid to be Erected, Framed, Manned and furnished with arms, ammunition, victual and all other things necessary for the defence and maintenance of the same. And the said men to bee paid during the time they shall continue in the said service at the proper costs and charges of the said association, The other fort in the County of Northampton together with one such boat as aforesaid, Erected, framed Manned and furnished with arms, Ammunition, victual and all other Provisions, and things necessary for the defence & maintenance of the same; And the said men to be paid duering the time they shall Continue in the said Service, at the proper coste and charge of the said County of Northampton, by the direction and appointment of the Committee for the said county who hereby shall have full power and Authority to tax and Rate the said county for the Raising erecting and maintaining of the said Forts, boats and Forces, and whereas by Reason of the divers and various creeks, and dranes in the several ●enns wherewith the said Garrison of Crowland is environed, the said Forts or sconces though happily they may stop and hinder the principal and ordinary passages and accesses to the said Garrison, yet they cannot possibly prevent the Issuing out of small boats with parties to the towns and Villages adjacent. And be it further ordained, that sixscore of Horse and dragoons maintained by the association shall be sent & employed in those parts for the securing of the said associated Counties, & blocking up of the said Garrison of crowland; & that wherefore of the horse & dragoons maintained by the county of Northampton shall be sent and employed in those parts for the securing of the said county and blocking upp of the said Garrison of Crowland.  
And bee it further ordained that the Earl of Manchester do nominate and appoint a commander in chief, to command the said Forces, Forts and Sconces.  
And be it lastly Ordained, that they shall have power to Raise the said Forts or Sconces in the places aforesaid, or in any other place by and with the advice of the committee for the said association.  
I. brown Cleric. Parliament.