AXHOLME, ISLE OF, a flat and formerly marshy tract in north-west Lincolnshire, about r 8m. by 5m., com prising the parishes of Althorpe, Belton, Epworth, Haxey, Luddington, Owston and Crowle. The "island" is almost en tirely under t oof t. in elevation and has an area of about 47,00o acres.
In 1627 King Charles I., who was lord of the island, entered into a contract with Cornelius Vermuyden, a Dutchman, for reclaiming the meres and marshes and rendering them fit for tillage. This un dertaking led to the introduction of a large number of Flemish workmen, who settled in the district, and, in spite of the violent measures adopted by the English peasantry to expel them, retained their ground in sufficient numbers to affect the physical appearance and the accent of the inhabitants to this day. The principal towns in the isle are Crowle and Epworth (population urban district [1931], 2,833) . Joint light railways, L.M.S.R. and L.N.E.R., run north and south through the isle, connecting Goole with Haxey junction. The land is extremely fertile and produces heavy crops.