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 disputed due to a letter from Richard I granting him permission to become bishop.  When Savaric's cousin, Reginald, became Bishop of Canterbury in 1191, he pressured Bath's clergy to select Savaric as his replacement.