Changes

[[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_West_Front_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 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:Wells cathedral interior 102.jpg|thumb|right|220px|The star-shaped vault of the Lady Chapel]]

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>  

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>

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 lively view. 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 |author2=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 |author2=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>

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 has been 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 ==

== History of the building ==

[[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.

[[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]]

[[File:Wells Cathedral Stairs to Chapter House, Somerset, UK - Diliff.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>

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.

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.

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.

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.

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=https://archive.is/IvHA|archivedate=2012-07-24}}</ref> The building was now complete, and it looked much as it does today.

==Images==

==Images==