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Leasing the Spa
When he realised that there was a real fashion for mineral water, Peter Layard entered into a lease over the old land on which the first Somersham Spa had stood. He obviously intended to resurrect the Spa and publicise it for his own gain! The word "fyne" refers to the formal registration of his interest in the land.
At this court came Daniel Peter Layard Doctor in Physick and mumbly prayd of the lady to grant him a certain piece of wast ground containing four score pole in length and forty pole in breadth together with the old Bowling Green and mineral spring situate upon Somersham Heath on the East side of Somersham Road with the appurtenances within the said Manor and situate within the Parish of Woodhurst whereon an house lately stood called the Bath House. To whom the Lady of the said Manor by her steward aforesaid our of her special grace upon the humble petition of the said Daniel Peter Layard hath granted and delivered herein of the said piece of wast ground and premises above described with the appurtances by the Rod, to hold to the said Daniel Peter Layard and his heirs of the said Lady and her heirs by the Rod at the will of the Lady and according to the custom of the said manor by fealty of court and the yearly rent of £2 6s payable on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in every year and all other rents work and services thereof due and of right accustomed. Saving the right and he hath given to the Lady for such his entry so had a fyne as appears in the margin and is witnessed. Tenant accordingly and hath done fealty to the said Lady.
From the
I am indebted to Shirley Firth for identifying this item.