The Baths, Ancient and Modern. 155 



subject from a structural point of view, it will be sufficient 

 to note that during the mediseval period the King's Bath 

 was but little altered. The boundaries of this spring were 

 maintained as of old, though slightly reduced ; but the walls 

 surrounding the other springs were much changed, and their 

 extent was unsymmetrically reduced by the encroachment of 

 the buildings of the hospital. In 1235 the Crown sent Com- 

 missioners to report on. the condition of the King's Bath. 

 They found that it was falling into decay and needed the 

 sum of ;^i3 1 1 J. (equivalent to more than £,100 at the present 

 time) for its repair. It is clear that so large a sum as this 

 could not have been required without very considerable work 

 having to be done ; and it is therefore to this date that we 

 must ascribe the reduction in the size of the King's Bath 

 from its original dimensions. The Roman wall to the south 

 still continues to be the boundary, but new walls with niches 

 were erected within the ancient enclosure on the three 

 other sides, making the dimensions to be 5 7 ft. by 40ft. Sin. 

 In A.D. 1530, Leland visited Bath, and his description of 

 the Baths, slightly abbreviated, is as follows : — " There be 2 

 springes of Whote Wather in the West south West Part of 

 the Towne, Whereof the bigger is cauUid the Crosse Bath, 

 (previously spoken of as one of the springs of the western 

 establishment) bycause it hath a Cross erectid in the midle 

 of it having 1 1, or 12, Arches of Stone in the sides for men to 

 stonde under yn tyme of Reyne. The Hote Bathe is lesse 

 in Cumpace withyn the Waulle then the other, having but 

 7 Arches yn the waulle. The Kinges Bathe is very faire 

 and large and is compassid with a high Stone Waulle. The 

 Brimmes hath a litle walle cumpassing them, and in this 

 Waul be a 32 Arches for Men and Women to stand seperately 

 yn. Ther goith a sluse out of this Bath, and servid in Tymes 



