Oliver Cromwell and the Earl of Bedford
Oliver Cromwell was a local farmer who eventually rose to become dictator of Britain in the mid 17th century. His rise from the Fenland fields started with him working as the defender of the local folk who opposed the drainage of the Fens.
The Earl of Bedford was a venture capitalist who was in charge of the project to drain the Fens in the mid 17th century. His project sought to transform the Fenland landscape of rivers, reed beds, woods and pastures into huge tracts of arable land. In the process, making lots of money for the participants and King Charles I.