The Legend of King Bladud: Bath’s Founding Father

Long, long ago, in days of old,

When Britain’s tale was yet untold,
King Ludhurdibras ruled the land,
With wisdom, strength, and mighty hand.

A son was born, both brave and bold,
Prince Bladud was his name, I’m told.
Nine hundred years before Rome’s day,
This clever prince would find a way.

To Athens fair, young Bladud went,
Where great philosophers were bent
On teaching wisdom, truth, and more,
Of all the world’s vast learning store.

But while he studied, learned and grew,
Sad news from Britain swiftly flew:
His father king had died one night,
And Bladud must return to right.

Upon the ship that took him home,
Across the wide and restless foam,
A passenger with sickness came,
And spread a curse of scabs and shame.

By journey’s end, poor Bladud’s skin
Was covered thick with scales within.
He could not enter palace door,
For fear he’d spread the curse much more.

His mother wept to hear his plight,
Her son outside in cold moonlight.
She sent a ring of gold so bright:
“Wear this, my child, and I’ll know your sight.”

“Though sickness mars your handsome face,
This ring will mark your royal place.
One day we’ll meet when you are whole,
My dear son, keeper of my soul.”

So Bladud kissed the golden ring,
And left behind his royal being.
He bought some pigs with coins she sent,
Through Avon Valley then he went.

A simple swineherd now was he,
Who once had ruled nobility.
But with his pigs, he studied still,
The secrets of each vale and hill.

One day his pigs found mud so warm,
That bubbled up in perfect form.
They wallowed deep with squeals of joy,
Like children with a favorite toy.

The curious prince watched them play,
In steaming mud throughout the day.
“What magic springs are bubbling here?
What powers make this water clear?”

Next morning when he cleaned each pig,
He gasped to see both small and big
Had skin so smooth and fresh and new,
Their cuts and scratches were gone too!

“If pigs can heal in this warm mud,
Perhaps it’s meant for royal blood!”
He stripped and waded in the spring,
Where healing waters made bells ring.

All night he slept in magic mire,
While healing forces did inspire
His body to be whole once more,
Like he had been in days before.

When morning came, he wiped away
The mud that held disease at bay.
His skin was smooth, his scabs were gone,
A miracle at break of dawn!

He bathed his pigs in river clear,
And sold them for a price quite dear.
The finest swine that folk had seen,
With skin so soft and coat so clean.

In finest clothes, he journeyed home,
No more a lonely man to roam.
He showed his mother that gold ring,
“Behold! I am your son, your king!”

First deed as king of British land:
He built a temple, strong and grand,
Above the springs that made him whole,
To heal both body, mind, and soul.

To Sulis, goddess of the spring,
He dedicated everything.
“Let all who suffer come and see
These healing waters, wild and free!”

For twenty years, King Bladud reigned,
And wisdom through his kingdom gained.
He built a school for learning high,
And studied magic ‘neath the sky.

But power can make wise men proud,
And Bladud dreamed above the cloud.
The spirits whispered in his ear:
“You too can fly and have no fear!”

With feathers bound by magic art,
He climbed the temple, full of heart.
“I’ll fly like birds above the earth!”
But pride had overcome his worth.

From Apollo’s temple, high and tall,
He leaped with wings… but gravity’s call
Was stronger than his magic might,
And ended Bladud’s foolish flight.

Though Bladud fell from heights too high,
His gift to Bath shall never die.
The healing springs still bubble free,
For all the world to come and see.

His son was Leir, who took the throne,
A king whose tale became well-known.
For Shakespeare told of King Lear’s reign,
But Bladud’s springs forever remain.

So when in Bath, remember true,
King Bladud’s tale lives on with you.
The pigs that led him to the spring,
Made Bath a place of healing king.

From prince to swineherd, king to fall,
His story teaches one and all:
Sometimes the lowest, humblest way
Leads to the greatest gift each day.

Visit the Roman Baths today and stand where legend says King Bladud first discovered the healing powers that would make Bath famous throughout the world. Whether you believe in ancient magic or simply enjoy a good story, the thermal springs that bubbled for Bladud’s pigs still bubble today – and Bath Royal Taxis can take you there in comfort and style