In the latter half of the twelfth century, the canons of Waltham experienced the same fate which had already struck most of the similar Anglo-Saxon institutions. As the power of the pope gained strength in England, it had constantly brought with it the dissolution of the ancient colleges of secular priests, to make way for the introduction of the more rigid discipline of the regular monks, who were literally the “soldiers” of papal Rome. It is probable that the secular canons of Waltham had relaxed in discipline and religion since their foundation, placed as they were amid the “fatness of the earth.” During the period of which we are now speaking, we find among them few traces of learning or literary taste, and the name of Waltham scarcely occurs in the political history of the twelfth century. Yet the few remaining writings of the monks of this place are full of vivid descriptions of the richness and beauty of the Abbey lands. “O Waltham! pro te fecit manus Omnipotentis Multum in mentis, semper et hinc amo te. Nam dedit ipse tibi similem sibimetque figuram, Excelsam, puram, quæ veneratur ibi. * * * * * Tu ditaris ita, nam prata foves meliora; Stas inter nemora dite loco posita. Te cingit fluvius necnon percurrit amœnus, Piscibus et plenus: est situs egregius. Et licet orneris pratis latis et agellis, Structuris bellis, floribus et teneris.”[217] So sang in quaint and jingling rhymes one of the historians of Waltham in the reign of Henry II. The flower-decked meads which surrounded the Abbey are not unfrequently alluded to; and that which has preserved to modern times the name of Harold’s Park, was celebrated in a proverbial leonine,-- “Haroldi parca florum bene dicitur archa.” [Illustration] The numerous little streams into which the river is here divided added to the richness and diversity of the scenery, and were crossed by a number of picturesque bridges. In the time of Leland (the reign of Henry VIII.) there were “a 7 or viii. bridges in the towne of Waltham: for there be divers socours of streamelettes breking out of the thre principalle partes of Luye ryver.” The ruins of <g>one of these little Bridges</g> may still be seen over a “streamelette,” about two hundred yards to the north-east of the Abbey, forming an extremely picturesque feature in the landscape. It consists of an elliptical arch, supported or strengthened by three strong ribs, and appears to be a work of considerable antiquity.