Changes

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 |archive-date= 2013-10-30 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131030070137/http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=483287 |url-status= dead }}</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 |archive-date= 2013-10-30 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131030070137/http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=483287 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

== Early years ==

=== 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|archive-date=4 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704151157/http://www.britannia.com/history/somerset/churches/wellscath.html|url-status=dead}}</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 |archive-date=2007-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030101247/http://www.request.org.uk/main/churches/tours/wells/font.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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|archive-date=4 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704151157/http://www.britannia.com/history/somerset/churches/wellscath.html|url-status=dead}}</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 |archive-date=2013-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704151157/http://www.britannia.com/history/somerset/churches/wellscath.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was also around this time that Wells Cathedral School was founded.

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 |archive-date=2013-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704151157/http://www.britannia.com/history/somerset/churches/wellscath.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was also around this time that Wells Cathedral School was founded.

 

== Present structure ==

=== Present structure ===

[[Image:wells.cathedral.roof.arp.jpg|thumb|left|The roof of Wells Cathedral.]]

[[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>

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>

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://web.archive.org/web/20071209061051/http://www.btinternet.com/~timeref/hpl285.htm |archivedate=2007-12-09 |url-status=dead }}</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://web.archive.org/web/20071209061051/http://www.btinternet.com/~timeref/hpl285.htm |archivedate=2007-12-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The building was now complete, and it looked much as it does today.

 

== Images ==

==Images==

<gallery>

<gallery>

Image:Wells Cathedral North side.jpg|The Cathedral, seen from the north.

Image:Wells Cathedral North side.jpg|The Cathedral, seen from the north.

</gallery>

</gallery>

==References==

 

 

 

 

== References ==

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[[Category:Cathedrals in England]]

[[Category:Anglican cathedrals in England]]

[[Category:Anglican Cathedrals]]

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Somerset]]

[[Category:Somerset]]

[[Category:12th-century buildings and structures‎]]