The Droitwich springs themselves have something strange about them. Camden*
(Worcestershire)
refutes
a local legend which suggests the learned Canonist Richard de la Wich Bishop of Chichester, here borne, obteined with his fervent praiers these salt springs out of the bowells of the hearth
. However,
he does note that the waters apparently fluctuate in saltyness, quoting Gervase of Tilbury
(Biography) as
saying that betweene Christmas and the feast of S. John Baptists Nativity the water floweth most salt. The rest of the yeere it runneth somewhat fresh
. To which he adds there are...
"three fountaines yeelding plenty of water to make salt of, divided asunder by a little brooke of fresh water passing betweene, by a peculiar gift of nature spring out...." (Camden*: Worcestershire)1