Changes

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 |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>

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.]]

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 |archive-date=2010-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031210218/http://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/history/archaelogy/wellscathedral.shtml |url-status=dead }}</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 |archive-date=2010-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031210218/http://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/history/archaelogy/wellscathedral.shtml |url-status=dead }}</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.

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.

[[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.

== Wells Cathedral Media ==

== Wells Cathedral Media ==

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File:Wells Cathedral in the reflecting pool in the grounds of the Bishops Palace.jpg|From the [[reflecting pool]] in the grounds of the [[Bishop's Palace, Wells|Bishop's Palace]]

File:Wells Cathedral in the reflecting pool in the grounds of the Bishops Palace.jpg|From the [[reflecting pool]] in the grounds of the [[Bishop's Palace, Wells|Bishop's Palace]]