The decrees in this series were made by commissioners appointed under the Bedford Level Act of 1663 and sent into the Petty Bag Office.
These were independent commissioners, hearing complaints from those who claimed that the drainage of one locality had adversely affected land in another, or who contended that certain owners, commoners or townships had been deprived of more land than was justifiable in order to compensate the adventurers.
The commissioners could examine witnesses under oath, order changes in the allocation of land, direct the corporation to award compensation, and even sequester the holdings of any adventurers who failed to comply with their decrees. The decisions of the commissioners concerning boundaries in the Bedford level were certified into Chancery.