Bath Abbey contains the largest collection of monuments in any UK church or cathedral. But how did the ruined Abbey of 1539 become a Georgian 'gallery of sculpture', where the latest works of art by famous sculptors could be seen? And why are their appearances today so different from their original designs? Long before the city's now-celebrated museums and galleries were established, the Abbey's monuments were one of Bath's newsworthy tourist attractions. Drawing on a wealth of unpublished material on the Abbey's history, this book tells the story of its monuments for the first time - how they helped the Abbey rise from the aftermath of the Dissolution to give it a new identity, a unique floor, and walls that tell the social history of Bath.

OLIVER TAYLOR is Head of Interpretation, Learning and Engagement at Bath Abbey. He holds a first class honours degree and PhD from Durham University. Since 2011 he has worked in the heritage sector and managed a number of projects that have widened access to local history. He lives in Backwell, North Somerset.