Wells, Somerset: Difference between revisions

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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

Name

The name Wells is due to the three famous wells dedicated to St. Andrew situated in the centre, one in the market place and two within the grounds of the Bishop's Palace and cathedral. During the Middle Ages these Wells were thought to have curative powers

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

The town was originally a Roman settlement but only became an important centre under the Saxons when King Ine of Wessex founded a minster church in 704. Two hundred years later, this became the seat of the local Bishop; but by 1091, this had been removed to Bath. Causing severe arguments between the canons of Wells and the monks of Bath until finally the joint title of 'Bishop of Bath & Wells' to be elected by both houses was decided upon. Wells became a borough some time before 1160 when Bishop Robert granted its first charter. Fairs were granted to the town before 1160

English Civil War

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. 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

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. The hall and chapel are particularly noteworthy, dating from the 14th century. 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
'Church of St. Cuthbert - often mistaken for the cathedral, the church has a fine Somerset stone tower and a superb carved roof. Originally an Early English building, it was much altered in the Perpendicular period.

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

Accomodation

Template:English Cities

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 *'''Bishops Palace''' - the medieval Palace has been the home of the Bishops of the Diocese of Bath and Wells for 800 years. The hall and chapel are particularly noteworthy, dating from the 14th century. 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
+*'''Church of St. Cuthbert'' - often mistaken for the cathedral, the church has a fine Somerset stone tower and a superb carved roof. Originally an Early English building, it was much altered in the Perpendicular period.
 ==Politics==