A Hundred Questions for trainee guides Flashcards
Name five things that you know about the Celtic tribe who lived in the hills around Bath
The Dobonni lived around Bath during the mid to late Iron age (c.600BC to 43AD). Known for their hill forts, such as Little Solsbury hill. The Dobonni were agriculturalists, primarily engaged in farming and animal husbandry, but also traded in pottery and metalwork. They were polytheists.
When did the Romans occupy Britain?
The Roman occupation of Britain began in AD 43 during the reign of Emperor Claudius. The Romans probably arrived in Bath in the first 2 decades of the occupation. In AD 60-70 Romans developed significant settlements in and around Bath.
When did the Romans leave and why?
AD 401-10 troops being withdrawn, in AD410 Emperor Honorius writes “Rescript of Honorius” to say they are on their own. Reasons: (1) Military pressure across Europe from Visigoths, Vandals, and Huns. (2) Internal Strife, (3) Economic Decline, (4) local pressure from Picts, Scots, & Saxons. (5) Strategic Realignment to focus on Italy, Gaul, and Iberian Peninsula.
What did the Romans call Bath and what does it mean??
The Romans constructed a complex of baths and a temple dedicated to Sulis Minerva, a syncretic deity combining the local Celtic goddess Sulis with the Roman goddess Minerva. Bath itself was called Aquae Sulis, meaning ‘water of Sulis’.
Why was Bath a good centre for the Romans
- Natural hot springs - Therapeutic and religious significance. 2. Strategic Location - Fosse Road 3. Potential for agriculture, even growing grapes.
How did the Romans develop the springs
- The Great Bath: A large rectangular pool lined with lead and surrounded by a columned portico, fed directly by the hot springs. 2. Ancillary rooms, caldarium (hot bath), tepidarium (warm room), and frigidarium (cold bath) heated by underfloor heating system fuelled by wood-burning furnaces. 3. Temple to Sulis Minerva:
Why did the Romans link Sul with Minerva and what were they trying to do by this linking?
The Romans constructed a complex of baths and a temple dedicated to Sulis Minerva, a syncretic deity combining the local Celtic goddess Sulis with the Roman goddess Minerva. Respecting Local deities was intended to aid acceptance of the occupation, but by adding the Roman god this aimed to legitimise Roman rule.
Under which parts of Bath are at least two Roman temples?
Temple of Sulis Minerva and Sacred Spring Temple both in the area of the Roman Baths Complex and the present Abbey.
What happened to Bath after the Romans left?
Britain in general went into economic and population decline. Bath was no different, the baths and temples fell into disrepair without regular maintenance. Despite the decline of the Roman baths, the hot springs continued to be used for their therapeutic properties throughout the medieval period.
Who is thought to have written a description of the ruins?
The 12th-century historian and cleric William of Malmsbury (1096-1143) is thought to have written a description of the Roman ruins of Bath. He included detailed observations of the ruins in his historical works, particularly in his famous book “Gesta Regum Anglorum” (The Deeds of the Kings of the English).
When were the Roman baths rediscovered and by whom?
The Roman Baths were rediscovered and excavated beginning in 1880. Credited to Major Charles E. Davis, the city surveyor and architect, whilst carrying out work to build a new spa and swimming pool.
When did the Saxons come to Bath?
Saxons began to settle in the Bath after the withdrawal of the Roman administration from Britain in AD410. Various Germanic tribes, including the Saxons, Angles, and Jutes, started to settle in different parts of Britain after the end of Roman rule. By the 7th Century Bath was an established Saxon Settlement.
Who founded the Saxon monastery and to whom was it dedicated?
The Saxon monastery in Bath was founded by King Osric of the Hwicce in AD 675. It was dedicated to Saint Peter. Located on the site of the present-day Abbey.
Why did Queen Elizabeth 2nd visit Bath in 1973?
Queen Elizabeth II visited Bath to mark a thousand years of monarchy since the first coronation of an English king Edgar in 973 at Bath Abbey.
Why was Bath sacked in the rebellion of 1087?
Bath was sacked in the rebellion of 1087 due to the political turmoil following the death of King William I (William the Conqueror). 2 sons fought for the throne. Older son Robert Curthose got Duchy of Normandy; Younger son William got England. Contested. many Norman barons preferred Robert. in 1088, rebellion led to rebels sacking strategically important and wealthy towns like Bath. Rebellion eventually repressed and town rebuilt.
Who founded the Norman cathedral?
The Norman cathedral in Bath was founded by John of Tours (also known as John of Villula), who was the Bishop of Wells and Bath. 1088 John of Tours appointed as Bishop of Wells. 1090 permission granted to move the episcopal see from wells to Bath. .1090 construction of Norman Cathedral on site of former Saxon Abbey. Romanesque style - dedicated to St Peter and St Paul.
When is a church called a Cathedral, and Abbey and a Monastery?
A cathedral is a bishop’s main church, An abbey is a large monastic complex overseen by an abbot or abbess. A monastery is a community of monks or nuns living together. Bath Abbey (The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul) was stripped of co-cathedral status with Wells, in 1539 after the dissolution of the monasteries. fell in disrepair and was given to the corporation in 1572. QE1 set up a fund for repair in 1574.
Three bits of the old city wall are still visible today – where are they?
a. Upper Borough walls. (Opposite Royal Mineral Hospital) B. East gate (lower level between Empire and Market Hall going beneath Grand parade .3. Southgate street - small section incorporated within the new Southgate development at rear of Manvers Gospel Hall
Where were the city gates in relation to present day street names
Northgate - intersection of Bridge Street and Northgate Street. Southgate - Southgate St. junction with Lower Borough walls/new Orchard Street. East gate. At the rear of the Guildhall, between market hall and Empire hotel. Westgate- near Theatre royal where Westgate Street connects to saw close.
Where were the medieval churches.? Name three of them
- Bath Abbey. 2 St. Michael’s Church (St. Michael’s without) Broad st. Churches no longer: 1. St Mary De Stall (Stall Street near the Abbey) 2. St James Church - Southgate Graveyard remains between Lower Borough walls and St St James’ parade . 3. St Mary Northgate. 4. St Michaels (within) Westgate element retailed as part of St. John’s foundation.
What was the Saxon name for Bath?
“Akemanesceaster” or “Akeman’s ceaster.” Roman name of Aquae Sulis, combined with the Old English word “ceaster,” which means “fort” or “town” and is derived from the Latin “castra,” meaning “camp” or “fortress.”
Where in Bath was a) The Priory b) The Bishops Palace c) The Monastery Gates d) St James’ church?
A) The old priory in Bath, (Priory of St. Peter), was located on the site of the current Bath Abbey. - Prior Holloway surrendered Bath Priory to the crown in January 1539. B) The medieval Bishop’s Palace was situated to the south and west of the abbey, roughly where Kingston Buildings and Abbey Church House stand today. C. close to the south side of the abbey churchyard, near the current Kingstone buildings. The palace served as the residence of the bishops of Bath and Wells from the early 12th century until the 16th century
What evidence is there that Sally Lunn’s has a connection to a) The Monastery b) The Romans
a) The site was originally occupied by the south range of Bath Abbey, and the lowest floor level dates to the reconstruction of the abbey after a great fire in 1137. The masonry oven in the basement dates from that time. b) Sally Lunn’s stands on Roman foundations.Excavations at the deepest level of the cellars have uncovered remains of a Roman hypocaust, mosaic tiles, painted plaster, and pottery.
When did the dissolution of the monasteries take place and why?
Between 1536 and 1541,Henry VIIIdisbandedCatholicmonasteries,priories,convents, andfriariesinEngland, Wales, andIreland; seizing their wealth. It was a power and wealth grab by Henry VIII. Confiscated wealth also distributed to Henry’s allies to secure support
What happened to the buildings and the monks?
After 1539, Bath’s monks were pensioned off, their monastery closed, and the valuables of the church sold off. The church building fell into disrepair as stone was taken for other buildings. As a result, when large numbers of people gathered, sermons had to be held in the marketplace.
When did the Abbey become the parish church of Bath?
n 1573, Queen Elizabeth I licensed a seven-year nationwide collection to support the rebuilding of the Abbey. Over the following 50 years, the Abbey was transformed from a ruin to a church which the city could be proud of. Restoration began in 1606 and was completed in 1611 when the Abbey was rededicated for regular parish services and was official established in 1616.
Name the medieval baths
King’s Bath, Queens Bath, Hot Bath and Cross Bath, Leper’s bath
What was first made at 15 Alfred Street and what was discovered from 19 New King Street?
a) William Harbutt 1844- invented Plasticine (non-drying malleable modelling clay) in 1897 whilst living at 15 Alfred street and working as a art teacher and head master. b) William Hershel discoveredUranuswhilst residing at 19 King Street in March 1781, it is now the Hershel Museum of Astronomy.
When did Bath receive it first charter and who granted it? Why was Elizabeth’s charter more important?
Bath’s first charter in 1189 from King Richard I ( the lionheart) granted status as a free borough, allowing it to elect its own officials, hold markets, and govern its own affairs to some extent. The charter from Elizabeth I was granted in 1590. Confirmed and expanded earlier rights, established governance structures with Mayor, Aldermen and councillors, laying the foundation for municipal governance. also allowed for regulating markets and giving local officials power to administer justice locally.
Who was a) Sir John Harrington b) Prior Birde c) Prior Holloway d) Gascoyne e) Thomas Bellot f) Bishop Fitzjocelin
a) Sir John Harrington (1560-1612) Invented the first flush toilet, installed for QE1. b) Prior Birde (D.1525) Prior of Bath abbey 1499-1525 contributed to architectural development of the Abbey. c) Prior Holloway (late C15) Prior of Abbey before Prior Bride oversaw earlier construction of Abbey. d) Gascoyne’s tower - defensive position at Saw Close Westgate?? e) Thomas Bellot (1817-1862) Naval surgeon and antiquarian f) Bishop Fitzjocelin was Bishop of Bath from 1174 until his death in 1191 and was instrumental in the construction and development of Bath Cathedral, the precursor to Bath Abbey.
Name Bath’s Medieval hospital Charites
Hospital of St. John the Baptist 1180. St. Catherine’s Hospital, Bimbury Lane Alms houses (now Bilbury Lane), Bellot’s Lame hospital for Pilgrims ( 1608
Who were a) Edgar b) Osric c) Offa d) Dunstan e) Alphege f) Aldhelme
a) Edgar was the first king of all England from 959-975, crowned at the Anglo Saxon Monastery on the site of Bath Abbey in 973 becoming first king of England. B) Osric of Hwicce was an Anglo - Saxon king who gave land near to Bath to establish a convent of Holy Virgins in 676AD c) St Dunstan was a English Bishop & Monk from Glastonbury who presided over the coronation of King Edgar in 973. e) St Alphege 954-1012Ad was a Christian Martyr born near Bath, who for a time lived as a hermit on Lansdown near the current racecourse. was pestered into becoming Abbot of the monastery of bath and eventually archbishop of canterbury. St Alphege is appointed head of the monastery at Bath by Archbishop Dunstan. He was murdered by marauding Danes seeking ransom. Church of Our Lady & St.Alphege built in 1950s in Oldfield Lane in style of Early Christian Basilica. f) St. Aldhelme (639-709) born in Malmsbury, has a pilgrimage route passing though Bath on way from Doulting to Malmsbury.
Who won the Battle of Lansdown?
The Royalists ( Cavaliers) defeated the parliamentarians ( roundheads) in the Battle of July5th 1643 during the English Civil war. However they were so depleted that it was a pyrrhic victory.
When was the present Abbey started and by whom?
Bishop Oliver King started the current Abbey in 1499 to replace the decaying Norman Cathedral built by John of Tours.
What is the architectural style of the Abbey?
Bath Abbey is one of the largest examples ofPerpendicular Gothic architecturein theWest Country.The building is Grade1 listed and particularly noted for its fan vaulted ceiling. The west front includes sculptures of angels climbing to heaven on two stone ladders, representing Jacob’s Ladder.
Whom do the statues on the west front of the Abbey represent? What do the carvings on the great west door represent?
The statues on the west front of Bath Abbey represent St. Peter and St. Paul. The door was donated during the reconstruction of Elizabeth I, around 1617, by the Bishop of Wells and Bath, Lord Chief Justice Sir Henry Montagu. The Montagu coat of arms is on the top right and bottom of the door. The stone carving on the west front (1520) are of angles ascending Jacobs ladder to heaven.
Why is the Bath Abbey tower rectangular? What was removed from it?
The central tower of Bath Abbey is rectangular in cross-section rather than square because it is topped by four octagonal turrets. The Bath Abbey tower originally featured a large stone lantern at its top, which was removed in the 19th century during renovations. The lantern was designed to be a prominent feature but became unstable over time. When the tower was restored in the 1860s under architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, the lantern was taken down and replaced with a simpler, more stable design. This change altered the tower’s appearance, contributing to its current form.
When did the railway and the canal get to Bath. Who were the famous people associated with it?
The GWR came to Bath in 1840 with a direct line from London. in 1841 the line was extended to Bristol. The K&A canal was opened in 1810. and the river Avon was canalised between Bath and Bristol in 1727. Isambard Kingdom Brunel was the driver of the GWR into bath and Bristol. John Rennie and William Jessop key engineers of the K&A.
Who were the nineteen century architects and what did they do to the Abbey?
George Phillips Manners (1834–1863) was city architect and made modest improvements to external stonework and windows. Sir George Gilbert Scott (1864–1874) was a prominent architect of Gothics revival. His work was more transformative. Removing many 18 century modifications to create a more mediaval appearance. new seating and flooring, roof repairs and strengthening west front restoring external stonework.
Why did King Edgar choose Bath for his coronation?
- Historical and Symbolic Significance: Roman and Saxon Heritage: symbolized continuity between Roman and Anglo-Saxon rule, reinforcing his legitimacy. 2. Religious Importance: Bath was a prominent religious center with an established monastery, linking Edgar as a ruler chosen by both God and the church.
