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[[File: Wells Cathedral West Face Exterior, UK - Diliff.jpg |thumb|right|300px|The West front of the cathedral. It has about 300 different figures and sculptures. Originally, many of them were painted and gilded.]]
[[File:Wells Cathedral Lady Chapel, Somerset, UK - Diliff.jpg|thumb|right|270px|The Lady Chapel in Wells Cathedral]]
[[File:Wells cathedral interior 102.jpg|thumb|right|220px|The star-shaped vault of the Lady Chapel]]
[[File:WellsCathPlanDehio.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Plan of Wells Cathedral]]
'''Wells Cathedral''' is an [[Anglican]] [[church]] in [[Wells]], [[Somerset]], [[England]]. It is the seat of the [[Bishop]] of [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] and Wells. Its construction started in 1170 and the Cathedral was dedicated in 1239.
Wells Cathedral has been described as “the most poetic of the English Cathedrals”.<ref name=ACT>{{cite book|first=Alec |last=Clifton-Taylor|title=The Cathedrals of England|year=1967|publisher=Thames and Hudson}}</ref>
Much of the structure is in [[Early English architecture]]. Many mouldings look almost like [[sculpture]]s. The carved capitals are done in a foliate style known as “stiff leaf”. This adds to their vitality. The eastern end has kept much original glass, which is rare in England. The exterior has a splendid Early English [[façade]] (~front) and a large central tower.<ref name=ACT/><ref name=TB&C>{{cite book|first= Tim |last=Tatton-Brown|coauthors=John Crook|title=The English Cathedral|year=2002|publisher=New Holland Publishers|isbn=1-84330-120-2 }}</ref><ref name=LSS>{{cite book|first=Lawrence |last=Lee|coauthors=George Seddon, Francis Stephens, |title=Stained Glass|year=1976|publisher=Spring Books|isbn=0-600-56281-6}}</ref>
The first church was established on the site in 705. Construction of the present building began in the 10th century under [[Anglo-Saxon]] rule, but was later transformed under the [[Normans]]. It was largely complete at the time of its dedication in 1239. It was expanded and renovated several times since then and has been designated by [[English Heritage]] as a grade I [[listed building]].<ref name="ehlisting">{{cite web | title=Cathedral Church of St Andrew, Chapter House and Cloisters | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=483287| accessdate=2008-02-10}}</ref>
== History of the building ==
=== Early years ===
The first church was established here in 705 AD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannia.com/history/somerset/churches/wellscath.html|title=Wells Cathedral|publisher=Britania.com|accessdate=23 January 2010}}</ref> It was dedicated to [[Saint Andrew]]. The only remains of this first church are some excavated foundations which can be seen in the [[cloister]]s. The baptismal font in the south transept is the oldest surviving part of the cathedral which is dated to c.700 AD.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.request.org.uk/main/churches/tours/wells/font.htm |title=Virtual tour of Wells Cathedral |accessdate=2008-02-10 |work=RE:Quest}}</ref>
Two centuries later, the seat of the diocese was shifted to Wells from [[Sherborne]]. The first Bishop of Wells was [[Athelm]] (circa 909), who crowned [[Athelstan|King Athelstan]]. Athelm and his nephew [[Saint Dunstan]] both became [[Archbishop of Canterbury|Archbishops of Canterbury]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britannia.com/history/somerset/churches/wellscath.html |title=History & Architecture of Wells Cathedral |accessdate=2008-02-10 |work=Britannia }}</ref> It was also around this time that Wells Cathedral School was founded.
=== Present structure ===
[[Image:wells.cathedral.roof.arp.jpg|thumb|left|The roof of Wells Cathedral.]]
The present structure was begun under the direction of Bishop Reginald de Bohun, who died in 1184.<ref name=Powicke251>Powicke ''Handbook of British Chronology'' p. 251</ref>
Wells Cathedral dates mainly from the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries; the [[nave]] and [[transept]] are masterpieces of [[Early English architecture]]. It was largely complete at the time of its dedication in 1239.<ref name="cathhist">{{cite web |url=http://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/history/archaelogy/wellscathedral.shtml |title=History |accessdate=2008-02-10 |work=Wells Cathedral }}</ref>
The bishop responsible for the construction was Jocelyn de Wells, one of the bishops at the signing of [[Magna Carta]]. Jocelyn's buildings included the Bishop's Palace, a [[chorister]]s' school, a grammar school, a [[hospital]] for travellers and a [[chapel]]. He also built a manor at [[Wookey]], near Wells.<ref name=DNB/> The master mason associated with Jocelyn was Elias of Dereham (died 1246). Jocelyn lived to see the church dedicated but, despite much lobbying of Rome, died in 1242. Cathedral status was granted in 1245.<ref name=DNB>Dunning 'Wells, Jocelin of (d. 1242)' '''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/14831 Online Edition]. Retrieved November 15, 2007.</ref><ref name=Handbook228>Fryde ''Handbook of British Chronology'' p228</ref> Masons continued with the enrichment of the West Front until about 1260.
[[John of England|King John]] was excommunicated between 1209 and 1213. During this time, work on the cathedral was suspended. In this period, building methods advanced so that bigger blocks of masonry could be moved and put into the walls. The effect of this advance can be seen on the walls of the cathedral; at a point in the building's walls, the blocks of stone increase in size.
[[File:Catedral de Wells - Escala de la sala capitular.JPG|thumb|230px|The Chapter House steps, about 1306 AD]]
By the time the building was finished, including the [[Chapter House]] (1306),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/wells-cathedral.htm |title=Wells Cathedral |accessdate=2008-02-10 |work=Sacred destinations }}</ref>
it already seemed too small for the developing [[liturgy]], in particular the increasingly grand [[procession]]s. A new spate of building was therefore started by Bishop John Drokensford. He heightened the central tower and began a dramatic eight-sided Lady chapel at the far east end, finished by 1326.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.isleofalbion.co.uk/wellscathedral/ |title=Wells Cathedral|accessdate=2008-02-10 |work=Isle of Albion }}</ref> Thomas of Whitney was the master mason.
Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury followed. He continued the eastward extension of the quire. He also built Vicars' Close and the Vicars' Hall, to give the men of the choir a secure place to live and dine, away from the town with all its temptations.<ref name="localhist">{{cite web |url=http://www.wells-uk.com/local_history.php |title=Local history |accessdate=2008-02-10 |work=Wells UK }}</ref>
He enjoyed an uneasy relationship with the citizens of Wells, partly because of his imposition of taxes.<ref name="localhist" /> He surrounded his palace with crenellated walls and a moat and drawbridge. The Palace was now a castle.
The appointment of William Wynford as master mason in 1365 marked another period of activity. He was one of the foremost architects of his time and, apart from Wells, was engaged in work for the king at [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]] and at New College, [[Oxford University]] and [[Winchester Cathedral]].<ref>page 352, English Medieval Architects A Biographical Dictionary Down to 1550, John Harvey 1984</ref> Under Bishop John Harewell, he built the south-west tower of the West Front and designed the north west, which was built to match in the early 15th century.<ref>{{gutenberg|no=12287|name=Somerset by Wade G.W. & Wade J.H.}}</ref> Inside the building he filled in the early English lancet windows with delicate tracery.
In the fourteenth century, the central piers (upright supports) of the crossing (where the building forms a cross) started sinking under the weight of the crossing tower. 'Scissor arches' were inserted to brace and stabilize the piers as a unit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.btinternet.com/~timeref/hpl285.htm |title=Wells Cathedral |accessdate=2008-02-10 |work=Timeref |archiveurl=http://archive.is/IvHA|archivedate=2012-07-24}}</ref> The building was now complete, and it looked much as it does today.
==Images==
<gallery>
Image:Wells Cathedral North side.jpg|The Cathedral, seen from the north.
Image:Wells.cathedral.inverted.arch.arp.jpg|The inverted Arch
File:Astronomische Uhr Wells.JPG|Astronomical clock in Wells Cathedral
File:Wells Cathedral from the gardens of the Bishop's Palace - geograph.org.uk - 101570.jpg|Wells Cathedral from the gardens of the Bishop's Palace.
File:Chapter House, Wells Cathedral - geograph.org.uk - 163985.jpg|The Chapter House has the finest example of fan vaulting in the world.
File:Cattedrale di Wells (Inghilterra) (particolare della facciata).JPG|Close-up of the front.
File:Wells cathedral interior 101.jpg|Wells Cathedral interior.
</gallery>
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
[[Category:Cathedrals in England]]
[[Category:Anglican Cathedrals]]
[[Category:Somerset]]
[[File:Wells Cathedral Lady Chapel, Somerset, UK - Diliff.jpg|thumb|right|270px|The Lady Chapel in Wells Cathedral]]
[[File:Wells cathedral interior 102.jpg|thumb|right|220px|The star-shaped vault of the Lady Chapel]]
[[File:WellsCathPlanDehio.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Plan of Wells Cathedral]]
'''Wells Cathedral''' is an [[Anglican]] [[church]] in [[Wells]], [[Somerset]], [[England]]. It is the seat of the [[Bishop]] of [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] and Wells. Its construction started in 1170 and the Cathedral was dedicated in 1239.
Wells Cathedral has been described as “the most poetic of the English Cathedrals”.<ref name=ACT>{{cite book|first=Alec |last=Clifton-Taylor|title=The Cathedrals of England|year=1967|publisher=Thames and Hudson}}</ref>
Much of the structure is in [[Early English architecture]]. Many mouldings look almost like [[sculpture]]s. The carved capitals are done in a foliate style known as “stiff leaf”. This adds to their vitality. The eastern end has kept much original glass, which is rare in England. The exterior has a splendid Early English [[façade]] (~front) and a large central tower.<ref name=ACT/><ref name=TB&C>{{cite book|first= Tim |last=Tatton-Brown|coauthors=John Crook|title=The English Cathedral|year=2002|publisher=New Holland Publishers|isbn=1-84330-120-2 }}</ref><ref name=LSS>{{cite book|first=Lawrence |last=Lee|coauthors=George Seddon, Francis Stephens, |title=Stained Glass|year=1976|publisher=Spring Books|isbn=0-600-56281-6}}</ref>
The first church was established on the site in 705. Construction of the present building began in the 10th century under [[Anglo-Saxon]] rule, but was later transformed under the [[Normans]]. It was largely complete at the time of its dedication in 1239. It was expanded and renovated several times since then and has been designated by [[English Heritage]] as a grade I [[listed building]].<ref name="ehlisting">{{cite web | title=Cathedral Church of St Andrew, Chapter House and Cloisters | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=483287| accessdate=2008-02-10}}</ref>
== History of the building ==
=== Early years ===
The first church was established here in 705 AD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannia.com/history/somerset/churches/wellscath.html|title=Wells Cathedral|publisher=Britania.com|accessdate=23 January 2010}}</ref> It was dedicated to [[Saint Andrew]]. The only remains of this first church are some excavated foundations which can be seen in the [[cloister]]s. The baptismal font in the south transept is the oldest surviving part of the cathedral which is dated to c.700 AD.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.request.org.uk/main/churches/tours/wells/font.htm |title=Virtual tour of Wells Cathedral |accessdate=2008-02-10 |work=RE:Quest}}</ref>
Two centuries later, the seat of the diocese was shifted to Wells from [[Sherborne]]. The first Bishop of Wells was [[Athelm]] (circa 909), who crowned [[Athelstan|King Athelstan]]. Athelm and his nephew [[Saint Dunstan]] both became [[Archbishop of Canterbury|Archbishops of Canterbury]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britannia.com/history/somerset/churches/wellscath.html |title=History & Architecture of Wells Cathedral |accessdate=2008-02-10 |work=Britannia }}</ref> It was also around this time that Wells Cathedral School was founded.
=== Present structure ===
[[Image:wells.cathedral.roof.arp.jpg|thumb|left|The roof of Wells Cathedral.]]
The present structure was begun under the direction of Bishop Reginald de Bohun, who died in 1184.<ref name=Powicke251>Powicke ''Handbook of British Chronology'' p. 251</ref>
Wells Cathedral dates mainly from the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries; the [[nave]] and [[transept]] are masterpieces of [[Early English architecture]]. It was largely complete at the time of its dedication in 1239.<ref name="cathhist">{{cite web |url=http://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/history/archaelogy/wellscathedral.shtml |title=History |accessdate=2008-02-10 |work=Wells Cathedral }}</ref>
The bishop responsible for the construction was Jocelyn de Wells, one of the bishops at the signing of [[Magna Carta]]. Jocelyn's buildings included the Bishop's Palace, a [[chorister]]s' school, a grammar school, a [[hospital]] for travellers and a [[chapel]]. He also built a manor at [[Wookey]], near Wells.<ref name=DNB/> The master mason associated with Jocelyn was Elias of Dereham (died 1246). Jocelyn lived to see the church dedicated but, despite much lobbying of Rome, died in 1242. Cathedral status was granted in 1245.<ref name=DNB>Dunning 'Wells, Jocelin of (d. 1242)' '''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/14831 Online Edition]. Retrieved November 15, 2007.</ref><ref name=Handbook228>Fryde ''Handbook of British Chronology'' p228</ref> Masons continued with the enrichment of the West Front until about 1260.
[[John of England|King John]] was excommunicated between 1209 and 1213. During this time, work on the cathedral was suspended. In this period, building methods advanced so that bigger blocks of masonry could be moved and put into the walls. The effect of this advance can be seen on the walls of the cathedral; at a point in the building's walls, the blocks of stone increase in size.
[[File:Catedral de Wells - Escala de la sala capitular.JPG|thumb|230px|The Chapter House steps, about 1306 AD]]
By the time the building was finished, including the [[Chapter House]] (1306),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/wells-cathedral.htm |title=Wells Cathedral |accessdate=2008-02-10 |work=Sacred destinations }}</ref>
it already seemed too small for the developing [[liturgy]], in particular the increasingly grand [[procession]]s. A new spate of building was therefore started by Bishop John Drokensford. He heightened the central tower and began a dramatic eight-sided Lady chapel at the far east end, finished by 1326.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.isleofalbion.co.uk/wellscathedral/ |title=Wells Cathedral|accessdate=2008-02-10 |work=Isle of Albion }}</ref> Thomas of Whitney was the master mason.
Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury followed. He continued the eastward extension of the quire. He also built Vicars' Close and the Vicars' Hall, to give the men of the choir a secure place to live and dine, away from the town with all its temptations.<ref name="localhist">{{cite web |url=http://www.wells-uk.com/local_history.php |title=Local history |accessdate=2008-02-10 |work=Wells UK }}</ref>
He enjoyed an uneasy relationship with the citizens of Wells, partly because of his imposition of taxes.<ref name="localhist" /> He surrounded his palace with crenellated walls and a moat and drawbridge. The Palace was now a castle.
The appointment of William Wynford as master mason in 1365 marked another period of activity. He was one of the foremost architects of his time and, apart from Wells, was engaged in work for the king at [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]] and at New College, [[Oxford University]] and [[Winchester Cathedral]].<ref>page 352, English Medieval Architects A Biographical Dictionary Down to 1550, John Harvey 1984</ref> Under Bishop John Harewell, he built the south-west tower of the West Front and designed the north west, which was built to match in the early 15th century.<ref>{{gutenberg|no=12287|name=Somerset by Wade G.W. & Wade J.H.}}</ref> Inside the building he filled in the early English lancet windows with delicate tracery.
In the fourteenth century, the central piers (upright supports) of the crossing (where the building forms a cross) started sinking under the weight of the crossing tower. 'Scissor arches' were inserted to brace and stabilize the piers as a unit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.btinternet.com/~timeref/hpl285.htm |title=Wells Cathedral |accessdate=2008-02-10 |work=Timeref |archiveurl=http://archive.is/IvHA|archivedate=2012-07-24}}</ref> The building was now complete, and it looked much as it does today.
==Images==
<gallery>
Image:Wells Cathedral North side.jpg|The Cathedral, seen from the north.
Image:Wells.cathedral.inverted.arch.arp.jpg|The inverted Arch
File:Astronomische Uhr Wells.JPG|Astronomical clock in Wells Cathedral
File:Wells Cathedral from the gardens of the Bishop's Palace - geograph.org.uk - 101570.jpg|Wells Cathedral from the gardens of the Bishop's Palace.
File:Chapter House, Wells Cathedral - geograph.org.uk - 163985.jpg|The Chapter House has the finest example of fan vaulting in the world.
File:Cattedrale di Wells (Inghilterra) (particolare della facciata).JPG|Close-up of the front.
File:Wells cathedral interior 101.jpg|Wells Cathedral interior.
</gallery>
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
[[Category:Cathedrals in England]]
[[Category:Anglican Cathedrals]]
[[Category:Somerset]]