I get the public school-rugby link, it's pretty obvious. But I've noticed, having been a chorister, that the same group of cities seem to have public schools, rugby teams and major cathedrals. By major cathedrals I mean anectodally the cathedrals that always seem to be considered the 'top' CofE jobs (at least for organists and masters of music). Winchester Guildford York Cheltenham Worcester and others. There a a few more. I dunno if I'm making up the rugby bit - now think of it there are bigger teams in the country than those mentioned. But is there any reason behind the public schools thing other than they were major cities in medieval England and thus as major population centres it's inevitable that they would have the top schools and cathedrals. To be clear, I'm asking about why the fact that those that are more prominent in the CofE like Canterbury over Chelmsford for example seem to have major Rugby clubs and major public schools. By major public schools I again mean anectodally those which are more prominent in the country /media etc.

I accept this is all purely anecdotal evidence.

As a further embellishment to my point, Canterbury clothing is THE brand of sports clothing for public school kids who play rugby, and has a major cathedral (one of only two to have an archbishop iir). Although this might be a coincidence.

Edit. Maybe replace 'public schools' with 'famous institutions of education' or 'University towns in olden times' ie Bath Exeter Gloucester. These places are also wealthy although again that could just be the public schools rugby link which I don't need explaining.

Edit. Someone answered it here https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/857e17/is_there_any_reason_why_majorold/