Wells, Somerset: Difference between revisions
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===Cathederal=== |
===Cathederal=== |
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:::''For full article, see [[Wells Cathedral]]'' |
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Wells is officially classed as a city because it has a [[Wells Cathedral|cathedral]]. With parts of it dating back to the [[10th century]], and with its fine fan vaulted ceilings, Lady Chapel and windows, and famous scissor arch of the west facade, make it one of the most beautiful in the country. It is one of the biggest Catherderals in the [[southwest]], and costs £2,500 a day to maintain. Together with the Bishop's Palace (still used by the bishop) Wells has been an ecclesiastical town of considerable importance for hundreds of years |
Wells is officially classed as a city because it has a [[Wells Cathedral|cathedral]]. With parts of it dating back to the [[10th century]], and with its fine fan vaulted ceilings, Lady Chapel and windows, and famous scissor arch of the west facade, make it one of the most beautiful in the country. It is one of the biggest Catherderals in the [[southwest]], and costs £2,500 a day to maintain. Together with the Bishop's Palace (still used by the bishop) Wells has been an ecclesiastical town of considerable importance for hundreds of years |
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* '''West front''' - said to be the finest collection of statuary in Europe, containing 356 individual figures carved out of the cathedral's warm, yellow Doulting stone |
* '''West front''' - said to be the finest collection of statuary in Europe, containing 356 individual figures carved out of the cathedral's warm, yellow Doulting stone |
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*'''East end of the nave''' - an unusual scissored arch design of striking beauty, which saved the cathedral's central tower from collapse. In [[1338]], the original construction was found to be weakening underneath the tower and something had to be done to support it. About [[1340]], the Master Mason, William Joy, implemented his ingenious solution of the inverted arch to redistribute the weight on the foundations |
*'''East end of the nave''' - an unusual scissored arch design of striking beauty, which saved the cathedral's central tower from collapse. In [[1338]], the original construction was found to be weakening underneath the tower and something had to be done to support it. About [[1340]], the Master Mason, William Joy, implemented his ingenious solution of the inverted arch to redistribute the weight on the foundations |
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*'''Chapter House''' - At the top of a flight of stone stairs, leading out from the north transept is the Chapter House, an octagonal building with a fan-vaulted ceiling. It is here that the business of running the cathedral is still done by the members of the Chapter, the cathedral's ruling body. |
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*'''Medieval Clock''' - facing the Canon's houses to the north, is a still-working medieval clock, originally intended to remind them of the many services conducted during the day at the cathedral |
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==History== |
==History== |
Revision as of 19:04, 21 June 2006
Template:Infobox England place with map Wells is a small city and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, nestling in the Mendip Hills
The name Wells is due to the three famous wells situated in the centre, one in the market place and two within the grounds of the Bishop's Palace and cathedral
England's smallest city
It is England's smallest city with a population of around 10,000. It is the second smallest city in he UK after a city in Wales, St. Davids, and the third smallest city in the world (the smallest city in the world being in America)
Cathederal
- For full article, see Wells Cathedral
Wells is officially classed as a city because it has a cathedral. With parts of it dating back to the 10th century, and with its fine fan vaulted ceilings, Lady Chapel and windows, and famous scissor arch of the west facade, make it one of the most beautiful in the country. It is one of the biggest Catherderals in the southwest, and costs £2,500 a day to maintain. Together with the Bishop's Palace (still used by the bishop) Wells has been an ecclesiastical town of considerable importance for hundreds of years
The cathedral is notable for several unique features:
- West front - said to be the finest collection of statuary in Europe, containing 356 individual figures carved out of the cathedral's warm, yellow Doulting stone
- East end of the nave - an unusual scissored arch design of striking beauty, which saved the cathedral's central tower from collapse. In 1338, the original construction was found to be weakening underneath the tower and something had to be done to support it. About 1340, the Master Mason, William Joy, implemented his ingenious solution of the inverted arch to redistribute the weight on the foundations
- Chapter House - At the top of a flight of stone stairs, leading out from the north transept is the Chapter House, an octagonal building with a fan-vaulted ceiling. It is here that the business of running the cathedral is still done by the members of the Chapter, the cathedral's ruling body.
- Medieval Clock - facing the Canon's houses to the north, is a still-working medieval clock, originally intended to remind them of the many services conducted during the day at the cathedral
History
During the English Civil War, Parliamentarian troops used the Cathedral to stable their horses and damaged much of the ornate sculpture by using it for firing practice. William Penn is said to have passed through Wells shortly before leaving for America, spending a night at The Crown Inn.
PoW Camp
During World War II, Stoberry Park in Wells was the location of a Prisioner of War camp during. Initially housing Italian prisoners from the Western Desert Campaign, and later German prisoners post the Battle of Normandy
Today
Following construction of the A39/A371 bypass, Wells has returned to being a pleasant market town situated at the foot of the Mendip Hills. It has all the modern conveniences plus charm, interesting shops, snug hotels and decent restaurants who recognise the value and are used to serving tourists
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/Wells_Cathedral_2.jpg/200px-Wells_Cathedral_2.jpg)
Tourism and Architecture
Wells is a popular tourist destination, due to having several historical sites and also its proximity to Bath, Stonehenge and other popular sites. Also located nearby is the Wookey Hole cave system and the Somerset Levels. Wells is also part of the West Country Carnival circuit. Somerset cheese is made locally.
The real jewel of the city is the walled precinct enclosing twelfth century Wells Cathedral, the Bishop's Palace, Vicar's Close and the residences of the clergy who serve the cathedral:
- Bishops Palace - the medieval Palace has been the home of the Bishops of the Diocese of Bath and Wells for 800 years. There are 14 acres of gardens including the springs from which the city takes its name. Visitors can also see the Bishop's private Chapel, ruined Great Hall and the Gatehouse with portcullis and drawbridge beside which the famous mute swans ring a bell for food
- Vicars Close - the oldest existing street in the world, which still has the original cobblestoned surface
Politics
Wells is a council in its own right, and sits in the Somerset district of Mendip. Wells UK Parliamentary representative is traditionally Conservative, and is presently David Heathcoat Amory [1]
Trivia
- Elizabeth Goudge used Wells as a basis for the fictional Cathedral city of Torminster, in her book City of Bells
See also
External links
- Wells City Council
- BBC Somerset
- Official website of MP David Heathcoat Amory
- St Cuthberts church
- Bishops Palace
- Wells Millenium Tapestry
- Little Theatre site of the Wells Operatic Society
- Professional artistic photos of Wells
Accomodation