Mistress Ceremonies

Mistress Ceremonies

City of Bath, England – History and Ghosts

Bath is one of my favorite English city full of history and Ghosts. It is one of the most attractive city in the layout and history and is famous for Baths and Spa's. The archaeological evidence shows that the site of Roman baths main spring was treated as a shrine of the Celts and dedicated to the goddess Sulis. There is a legend that Bath was founded in 860 BC, when Prince Bladud, father of King Lear, caught leprosy. He was banished from the court and was forced to look after the pigs. The pigs also had a skin disease but after they rolled into the hot mud they were cured. Prince Bladud followed their example and was healed. Later he became king and founded the city of Bath.

The Romans probably occupied Bath shortly after the Roman invasion of Britain in 43AD. They knew that as Aquae Sulis (the waters of Sul "), identifying the goddess Minerva.

In Roman times the worship of Sulis Minerva continued and messages to her scratched metal recovered by archaeologists from the holy spring. These are known as curse tablets. Written in Latin, and usually laid curses on other people with whom they felt they had done wrong. For example, if a citizen had his clothes stolen at the Baths, he would write a curse on a tablet, are read by the Goddess Sulis Minerva, nor would the "suspect" names are mentioned. The collection of Bath is the most important found in Britain.

It has been suggested that Bath may have been the site of the Battle of Mons Badonicus (Circa 500 AD), where King Arthur is said to have defeated the Saxons, but this is disputed. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle mentions Bath fall to the West Saxons in 577 after the Battle of Deorham.

The Anglo-Saxons called the city Badume, or Badan Badon, meaning "the baths," and this was the source of the current name. In 675, Osric, king of the Hwicce, setting up a monastic house at Bath, probably using the walled area and the district. King Offa of Mercia gained control of the monastery in 781 and rebuilt the church, which was dedicated to St. Peter. Bath was a royal possession. The old Roman street pattern had been lost, and King Alfred laid out the town again, so the south-eastern quadrant as the abbey precinct. Edgar of England was crowned king of England in Bath Abbey in 973.

King William Rufus granted the city a royal physician, John of Tours, bishop of Wells and Abbot of Bath was established in 1088. It was papal policy for bishops to move to more urban seats, and he translated his own from Wells to Bath. He planned and began a much larger church as his cathedral, which was attached a priory, with the episcopal palace next door. New baths were built around the three springs. Later bishops, however, returned the episcopal seat to Wells, while retaining the name of Bath in their title.

By the 15th century abbey church was badly lapsed and Bath need of repairs. Oliver King, Bishop of Bath and Wells, decided in 1500 to rebuild on a smaller scale. The new church was completed just a few years before Bath Priory was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539. The abbey church was abandoned before being restored as a parish church in the city of the Elizabethan period, when the city revived as a spa. The baths were improved and the city began to attract the aristocracy. Bath was granted city status by Queen Elizabeth 1 and a Royal Charter in 1590. From then on Bath had a mayor and aldermen. There were some improvements in the town. Bellot almshouses were built in 1609. In 1615 a 'scavenger' was appointed to the streets of Bad clean. In 1633 thatched roofs were banned because of the risk of fire.

However, like all other cities of Bath suffer outbreaks of the plague. It was in 1604, 1625, 1636 and 1643.

There was much rebuilding in the Stuart period, but this was eclipsed by the huge expansion of Bath in Georgian times. The old city within the walls was also largely rebuilt. This was a response to the continuing demand for elegant accommodation for the city of fashionable visitors, for whom Bath had a pleasure resort and a spa. The architects John Wood the elder and his son John Wood The youngster put the new districts in the streets and squares, the identical facades of which gave an impression of palatial scale and classical decorum. The creamy gold of Bath stone further unified the city, much of it obtained from the limestone Combe Down and Bathampton Down Mines under Combe Down, owned by Ralph Allen (1694-1764). The latter, with a view to the quality of its advertising limestone, commissioned the elder John Wood to build him a mansion at Prior Park estate. A clever politician, he dominated civil and was mayor several times.

The beginning of the 18th century saw Bath acquire its first purpose-built theater, the Assembly Rooms and Pump Room. Master of Ceremonies Beau Nash, over social life of the city presided from 1705 until his death in 1761, proposed a code of conduct for public entertainment.

By the 1801 census of the population of Bath had reached 40,020 making it one of the largest cities in Britain.

William Thomas Beckford bought a house in Lansdown Crescent in 1822, eventually buying a two houses in the Crescent to form his residence. Has acquired all the land between his home and the top of Lansdown Hill, he created a garden more than a half miles in length Beckford's Tower and built at the top.

Bath Spa railway station was built in 1840 for the Great Western Railway by Brunel and is a listed building.

Between the evening of April 25 and early morning of April 27, 1942 Bath suffered three air raids in retaliation for RAF attacks on German cities of Lübeck and Rostock. The three raids were part of the Luftwaffe campaign popularly known as the Baedeker Blitz: damaged or destroyed more than 19,000 buildings and more than 400 people slain. Much damage was done to remarkable buildings. Houses in the Royal Crescent, Circus and Paragon were burnt, along with the Assembly Rooms while the south side of Queen Square was destroyed. All have been reconstructed.

Bath is a very haunted city below is a list of the more famous ghosts:

The man in the black hat

Easy Bad famous and most watched ghost, the man with the black hat, dressed in late 18th-century costumes and sometimes wears a flowing black robe. He is regularly seen around the Assembly Rooms. For For best results, look at him Saville Row and Bennett Street.

Freezing Hill

Several spirits have appeared in the vicinity of Freezing Hill, just outside Bath. Most of these phantoms are from the 17th century, when this hill was the site of the bloody Battle of Lansdown.

The best chance these spirits be seen from the park, a 240 acre estate with a Jacobean mansion which is now a hotel. You can enjoy a delicious meal at The Oakwood Restaurant, and play golf at their crown Cromwell and courses.

The Royal Crescent

It's not a movie is being filmed at the Royal Crescent when you see an elegant carriage drawn by four horses. Instead, you witness a residual haunting, repeating the abduction of Elizabeth Linley of No. 11, the Irish playwright and politician Richard Brinsley Sheridan.

Sheridan was not only freer Miss Linley's. with swords – - Captain Thomas Mathews (a married man) and Lord Sheridan fought two duels the beautiful Miss Linley.

Sheridan may have won her hand in marriage, but he turned out infidelity. Elizabeth contracted tuberculosis and died at the age of 38. A bronze plaque at number 11 Royal Crescent marks the address where she ran away.

The Theatre Royal, the Garrick's Head

The Garrick's Head Theatre Royal and his side. Their ghost stories seem to be intertwined, and the spirits, attractive wander from one building to another.

At least two ghosts appear in this area. One is an unfaithful wife and the other is her lover, from the 18th century. The lover was killed by the man and the woman committed suicide. For a woman (some say at least two) in a gray dress. The lover is handsome and well dressed.

A second anomaly is observed at the Theatre Royal: A turtle butterfly appears during the pantomime run each year, which is not butterfly season.

Popjoy's Restaurant

Many visit to this former home of Richard "Beau" Nash for the delicious food. However, the restaurant hosts at least two minds, both women. One is Popjoy Juliana, the 18th-century mistress Beau Nash.

The other ghost is Janice (or perhaps Jane). It is more modern, dressed in clothing is best for the year 1960. They dine alone and looks perfect normally until it disappears.

The Beehive Public House

"Bunty", a serving girl from the Victorian era or something earlier, appears in the kitchen of The Beehive, a popular public bath house.

Crystal Palace Tavern

A hooded figure – maybe a monk – appears when tavern he is concerned that the structure can change, such as during repairs or refurbishing. He usually appears briefly and is fairly transparent.

Julia, of Queens Square

This Jilted bride walk around the Square has seen in her white dress.

Today Bath remains thrive on tourism. Moreover in 2006 a new spa opens in Bath so maybe the old glory days will return! Today the population of Bath is 85,000.

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About the Author

My family tree has been traced back to the early Kings of England from the 7th Century AD. I am also a direct descendent of Sir Christopher Wren which has given me an interest in English History and Icons which is great fun to research.

I have recently decided to write articles on my favourite subjects: English Sports, English History, English Icons, English Discoveries and English Inventions.

At present I have written over 100 articles which I call “An Englishman’s Favourite Bits Of England” in various Volumes.

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I am with an awards ceremony. Is it correct to say "mistress of ceremonies" or mistress of ceremonies "?

Do not say that, People will think that something will happen KINKY. You disappoint!

Odessa Lil, Mistress of Ceremonies