Savaric's election was held under controversial conditions, for Savaric had obtained from Richard I letters allowing Savaric to be elected to the next available bishopric. When Savaric's cousin Reginald was elected to Canterbury in 1191, Reginald went to Bath and pressed the clergy there to select Savaric as Reginald's successor.
Savaric's election was controversial because it involved a letter from Richard I granting him the right to become bishop and pressure from Reginald, Savaric's cousin, to be chosen as his successor.