In  1609,  Thomas  Bellott,  steward  and  afterwards
executor  to  the  great  Lord  Burghley,  purchased  certain
lands  and  tenements  which,  in  161 1,  he  conveyed  to
the  Corporation  of  Bath  and  other  persons,  in  trust,
for  the  support  of  a  hospital  which  he  had  established
in  Bell  Tree  Lane,  now  known  as  Beau  Street,  at  the
corner  of  Bimbury  Lane,  which  separates  it  from  the
Royal  United  Hospital.  In  this  hospital,  thus  founded
by  Mr.  Bellott,  arrangements  were  made  for  the  re-
ception of  poor  diseased  and  lame  persons — not  being
infected  with  any  contagious  diseases — as  should  resort
to  Bath  for  the  recovery  of  their  diseases  by  the  use
of  the  waters,  and  as  should  desire  to  be  lodged  in  this
almshouse.  Such  patients  were  not  to  exceed  twelve
in  number,  and  to  each  was  to  be  paid  the  sum  of
"  fourpence  apiece  for  every  day  of  their  abode  there,
not  exceeding  twenty-eight  days  in  any  one  year,"  the
hospital  being  kept  open  for  six  months  of  that  period.
The  trustees  were  also  "once  in  every  year  to
nominate  and  appoint  one  sufficient  man  and  his  wife
to  be  keeper  of  the  said  almshouse,  and  to  dwell  therein,
and   thereto  welcome  and   courteouslv   intreat  the  said


liiiLLul  1   »    JlUilll  Al.
BELLOTT'S    HOSPITAL,    BATH


17  I


poor  people."  For  such  good  offices,  and  sundry  duties,
the  said  keeper  was  to  receive  the  sum  of  forty  shillings
per  annum.  A  surgeon  was  also  to  be  provided  "  to
examine  the  patients  before  their  admission,"  for  which
services  his  annual  payment  was  to  be  twenty  shillings.
