Memorial plaques in Bath Abbey

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My wife and I have just had a short break in Bath, Somerset. We often go away for a couple of nights to one of England's cathedral cities, and this was our latest venture. (And before anyone points out that Bath does not have a cathedral - this is true, but the Abbey counts as one for most purposes!) The Abbey itself was a bit disappointing, mainly due to the fact that the Choir end is currently "out of bounds" while major work is being done on the floor, but there was plenty of interest to be gained from looked at the myriad of memorial plaques that line the walls of the nave. (This photo is a bit out of focus - sorry! - due to being hand-held on a slow shutter speed) The story told by these plaques was fascinating, seeing that they date mainly from the period 1750-1850, which was when Bath was in its heyday as a spa town where people went to "take the waters" in the hope of curing their various ailments. The plaques commemorate many people for whom the cure clearly did not work! In most cathedrals, plaques such as these are for local worthies and their families, but in Bath Abbey it is noticeable that many of the deaths were of people who had travelled some distance to settle here - from all parts of the country. There are also many plaques for military people who retired to Bath after serving King (or Queen) and Country in Britain's foreign colonies. Anyone familiar with the novels of Jane Austen will be aware of the popularity of Bath during this period. These plaques bear witness to that.