 The spire was reduced to a 'Hertfordshire spike', the roof pitch greatly reduced and battlements liberally added.Further new windows, at £50 each, were put in the transepts by Abbot Wallingford (also known as William of Wallingford), who also had a new high altar screen made.After the death of Abbot Ramryge in 1521 the Abbey fell into debt and slow decay under three weak abbots.