The development of private bathrooms is difficult to define, ‘but what is certain is that, up until relatively recently, bathtubs were only accessible to the very wealthy,’ says Alexandra Stevenson, assistant curator of archaeology and historic buildings at Historic Royal Palaces. ‘In England, the medieval kings and queens are known to have had private bathrooms, with building accounts giving clues as to the extent of their luxury. Edward I had a luxurious bathroom constructed in 1275 at his palace in Westminster, with payments recorded for keys (taps) of gilt bronze and four heads made in the shape of leopards for the bayne (bath). Edward III – later in 1351 – boasted a bathroom at Westminster with two large bronze keys for the king’s bathtub for carrying hot and
