Bath Abbey

I took a day trip down to Bath. It's some place I've never been and a fairly easy train trip away from Oxford. I promised Steve that I wasn't going to practice my normal hermit routine whilst I'm in England and taking this little jaunt was part of the promise.

The city is a very picturesque place. Its hot mineral springs have attracted people since the Roman times. Famed British author Jane Austen lived here for several years. I enjoyed my day here and the next few blogs will feature the photos I snapped during my visit. Today's star is Bath Abbey, which has joined my list of favorite churches.

When I arrived, I had no agenda. I had an idea of where I wanted to visit, so I just walked until something caught my eye. Bath Abbey appeared first. I happened to look down a street as I passed and saw this.

Musicians performed in the square in front of the Abbey all day, so it was a popular gathering place. It was impossible to get a photo without people in the way.

I was intrigued by this tree on the western end of the Abbey. It reminds me of medieval representations of the classes, where those who ruled were at the top of the tree (including clergy), those who fought were in the upper branches, and those who worked were in the roots. I don't know if that's what this represents or not, and my pamphlet doesn't say.

These are angels ascending a ladder. This represents the dream Bishop Oliver King had in 1499 that inspired him to demolish the ruined Norman cathedral that stood on this spot and replace it with the present Abbey.

One of the intricately carved doors.

The western end of the church. I didn't notice until I was uploading the photo but the statue is actually looking down at you. His head is tilted forward.  I don't know who it is - he looks regal - so he's probably supposed to be looking over his subjects in a loving manner. I just think its kind of creepy.

The ladder of angels on the other side.

Some of the gorgeous ceiling work.  Most of the church has fan vaulting, but this looks like pendant vaults like I saw at the Bodleian. 

It's a grand and beautiful church.

Some of the beautiful stained glass. 

Just exquisite.

It was normal practice for the dead to be buried in or near the church. I read an article that said that there are so many bodies buried under Bath Abbey that they threaten the stability of the foundation. Crazy. This dedication plaque really touched me. Clearly, this man was well loved.

A lass from Preston! She died fairly young. I wonder what brought her so far from home. Maybe she came to the mineral springs for her health.

Some intricate carving that caught my eye.

I was strangely fascinated by the chandeliers.

This is definitely fan vaulting here. This style is peculiar to England. This ceiling over the choir was designed in the 16th century by the Vertue brothers. It includes restored heraldic shields.

This is the high altar. Above it is the great East window with fifty-six windows depicting the life of Jesus.

Another view of the ceiling.

I'm rather proud of this shot. Not bad for a little point-and-shoot camera. 

The pipe organ was rebuilt in the mid-1990s.

Looking toward the East window.

A closer look at the fan vaults. I don't know where my fascination with ceilings originated, but when I walk into an historic building I tend to look up almost immediately.

The lecture from which the Bible is read.

This window commemorates the coronation of King Edgar in 973. He was the first king of a unified England. Until then, it was made up of several smaller kingdoms. The current church was not standing in 973, but Edgar was crowned in the original cathedral that stood on this spot.

I'm afraid I have no idea what this is other than something used during the church service based on the sash draped over it. It was the only bit of bling in the church, so it caught my eye.

As I wrote in a previous blog, Bath Abbey feels as beautiful as it looks. When you get inside, you feel welcome and you just want to linger. It was a wonderful start to my visit in Bath.