“The ladder of virtue” in Bath Cathedral

Zygmunt Świechowski

Abstract

Among about thirty English cathedrals the cathedral in Bath is in every respect outstanding. It was founded by John of Tours in 1090 in violation of applicable legal regulations. That newly consecrated bishop from Normandy moved the headquarters of the diocese from its traditional seat in Wells to the Benedictine abbey in Bath. It was possible only because of an insolent act of simony “anointing the king’s hand with silver” [1, p. 261]. This was the beginning of a few-decade-long dispute over the cathedral status between the main chapters of both cities, which was over only after the Salomon’s decision was made to grant them both a status of cathedral governed by the same bishop. It can be assumed that the motivation of translocation to Bath was not so much the prestige of a city with Roman roots as the intent to take over the hot water springs which possessed healing qualities and were a source of significant revenues. The fact that the resort created by the Romans was the favorite meeting place for British high society in the Middle Ages was equally important for the resourceful bishop, and it remained popular until the beginning of the 20th century. During the times of John of Tours, King William II was one of the visitors of Bath who listened to the medical advice of the prelate.