The town in it's turn put on a new face for it's new role in society and was almost completely rebuilt in the 18th century. It became famous for it's early town planning, with it's beautiful crescents and terraces and it's superbly restrained and graceful public buildings. No other 18th century city can equal it's unity of architectural design.
Two factors combined to give Bath it's special social appeal. The first was the hot mineral springs which pump out 250,000 gallons of water a day, heated to a constant 49ºC. The second was the personality of one man - Richard 'Beau' Nash, a gambler who became the uncrowned 'king' of Bath.
Born in Swansea of a poor middle class family, Nash was a failed scholar, soldier and lawyer who excelled in only one area - that of social ceremonies. He first became aide-de-camp to the then Master of Ceremonies, a Captain Webster, and when Webster was killed in a duel over a card game Nash was the obvious successor. He began a reign that transformed Bath into a fashionable centre which was unequalled in England.
Nash began by dressing the part, adopting an exaggerated elegance which soon earned him the nickname 'Beau'. Instead of the popular white wigs of the time he wore a black wig with a jewelled cream beaver hat set a rakich angle. His coat, decorated with braid and lace was left open to show his waiscoat and ruffled shirt.
Those who dismissed Nash as a 'fop' were soon surprised - Nash showed his practical mind by supervising the paving of the streets and punishing the insolence of sedan carriers and driving beggars and thieves out of the city.
He encouraged the wealthy to invest in new buildings and he himself initiated the building of the Pump Room, overlooking the King's Bath, where the company could assemble to gossip, and the assembly rooms, with a large handsome ballroom and adjoining card room.
In both these buildings his word was the law, He laid down a strict code of behaviour. He ridiculed the wearing of riding boots at fashionable gatherings, often asking if the offender if he had 'forgot his horse'. Even royalty quailed before his frown - Princess Amelia daughter of George II, was curtly refused one more dance after Nash had decreed the music should stop.
Nash was responsible for outlawing the wearing of swords within the city walls, Bath was famous for being the swordless city. Prompting the Richard Sheridan to write in 'The Rivals', a play set in the city, 'A sword seen in the streets of Bath would raise as great an alarm as a mad dog'
With Nash's reign Bath became the place to be, and many of the architects who accomplished great works in the city were drawn there because of the social scene.
Beau Nash, whose reign in Bath had inspired it's new elegant look, died in 1761 at the age of 87 before many of it's famous buildings were completed. The city whose life he had ruled for so long didn't forget him though and a huge lavish funeral was accompanied with a handsome memorial in the abbey. Goldsmith wrote: 'The whole Kingdom became more refined by lessons originally derived from him'
Bath continued as a popular resort throughout the rest of the century although it's dominace was no longer unchallenged as first Cheltenham and then Brighton rose to become rival centres.
Although the world of fashion passed, it left behind in Bath an enduring monument to a unique age of elegance.
