And so the great photo editing marathon of 2019 continues! I’ve been trying to edit and title and sort all of my photos so that I have more information in the future. It is good in practice but means that it is a slow going process. However, the plus side of it is that I’m rediscovering some interesting and beautiful photos that I didn’t realise that I took. Bath Abbey is gorgeous no matter which way you look at it, but there are some fantastic details that can give you an insight into it’s fascinating history, including the West Door!
So although you don’t use the Bath Abbey west door to enter and exit, you can still see it from the square. It appears to be standard issue “cathedral door”; however, it dates to an interesting point in the Abbey’s history. If you are new to English history, Henry VIII created an English church separate from the Roman Catholic church (aka the Anglican church). Part of that whole business was the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Bath Abbey was left in a not-so-great state, though. Before surrendering the Abbey, the people of Bath melted down the lead from the roof and took the glass from the windows to get as much money back from it as possible. Good for getting your money, bad for a roofless and windowless cathedral.
Under Elizabeth I, the Abbey was rebuilt as a parish church. This door was donated during the reconstruction by the Bishop of Wells and Bath, Lord Chief Justice Sir Henry Montagu. And now you are asking, “Historian, WHY does this matter?” Well, that beautifully elaborate door that you can see me standing in front of? You can see the Montagu coat of arms on the top right and bottom of the door carvings. What I find very interesting is the fact that the Latin version of Psalm 133 is carved on the door. Given that a main argument for breaking from Rome was that the Catholic Church’s Latin Mass was difficult for the layperson to understand, it’s odd. However, I suppose that if you want to make something look impressive, just pop it into Latin, right?
What secrets like the Bath Abbey west door have you discovered on your travels?
Cheers,
The Historian
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What a fascinating glimpse into Bath Abbey’s history! The intricate details of the West Door really tell a story of resilience and transformation. I love how you’ve captured both the beauty and the historical significance—it’s like a window into the past! Have you discovered any other hidden gems in your photo editing marathon?
Those doors look amazing! ?
You don’t notice them at first, but they are stunning!!