Wells Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wells Cathedral |
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| Cathedral Church of St Andrew | |
West front of Wells Cathedral
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| 51°12′37″N 2°38′37″W / 51.2104°N 2.6437°W | |
| Location | Wells, Somerset |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Andrew |
| Consecrated | 23 October 1239 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed building |
| Designated | 12 November 1953 |
| Style | Gothic (Early English, Decorated, and Perpendicular) |
| Years built | 1176 – c. 1490, |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 126.5 m (415 ft) |
| Width | 20 m (66 ft) |
| Width across transepts | 47 m (154 ft) |
| Nave height | 20.5 m (67 ft) |
| Number of towers | 3 |
| Tower height |
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| Bells | 10 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Bath and Wells (since c. 909) |
| Province | Canterbury |
Wells Cathedral is a beautiful Anglican church in Wells, Somerset, England. It is dedicated to Saint Andrew. This cathedral is the main church for the Bishop of Bath and Wells. It is also known as the "mother church" for the Diocese of Bath and Wells.
The cathedral was first built as a Roman Catholic church around 1175. It replaced an older church that had been on the site since 705. When King Henry VIII separated from Rome, it became an Anglican cathedral. It is famous for its wide west front and a large central tower. Many people call it one of England's most beautiful and "poetic" cathedrals.
Its Gothic architecture is mostly in the Early English style from the late 12th and early 13th centuries. This means it doesn't have the older Romanesque style seen in some other cathedrals. Building started around 1175 with the choir area. Some historians believe it was Europe's first truly Gothic building. The stone arches and pillars have detailed carvings of leaves, known as "stiff-leaf" style. The west front has about 300 carved figures. It is considered a great example of English art. The east end still has much of its old stained glass. Unlike many cathedrals, Wells has many old buildings connected to it. These include the Bishop's Palace and the 15th-century Vicars' Close. It is a very important historic building, listed as Grade I.
History of Wells Cathedral
Early Beginnings
The oldest remains found here are from a late-Roman tomb. This was discovered during digs in 1980. An abbey church was built in Wells in 705 by Aldhelm. He was the first bishop of the new Diocese of Sherborne. This happened during the time of King Ine of Wessex. The church was dedicated to Saint Andrew. It stood where the cathedral's cloisters are now. You can still see some parts of it that were dug up.
The font in the cathedral's south transept is from this early church. It is the oldest part of the building you see today. In 766, King Cynewulf gave land to the church. In 909, the main church for the diocese moved from Sherborne to Wells.
The first bishop of Wells was Athelm (909). He crowned King Æthelstan. Athelm and his nephew Dunstan both later became Archbishops of Canterbury. Around this time, a choir of boys was started to sing for church services. Wells Cathedral School, which teaches these choirboys, traces its beginnings to this period. After the Norman Conquest, John de Villula moved the bishop's main church from Wells to Bath in 1090. The church in Wells was no longer a cathedral.
Becoming the Bishop's Main Church
The current cathedral building was likely started around 1175. This was under Bishop Reginald Fitz Jocelin. Even though it was planned to be the main church, the bishop's seat moved around. It went between Wells, Glastonbury, and Bath. Finally, it settled at Wells.
In 1245, a ruling by Pope Innocent IV settled the argument. The bishop's title became the "Bishop of Bath and Wells." Wells has been the main church ever since. Since the 11th century, the church has had a group of clergy called a chapter. This is like other cathedrals such as Chichester and York.
Building the Cathedral
The building work started by Reginald Fitz Jocelin continued under Bishop Jocelin of Wells. Adam Locke was the master mason from about 1192 to 1230. The cathedral was designed in the new Gothic style. This style was also used at Canterbury Cathedral around the same time. Work stopped between 1209 and 1213. This was when King John was excommunicated. Bishop Jocelin was also in exile. But the main parts of the church were finished by its dedication in 1239.
By 1306, the cathedral, including the chapter house, was complete. However, it was already becoming too small. John Droxford started another building phase. The central tower was made taller. An eight-sided Lady chapel was added to the east end by 1326. Ralph of Shrewsbury then continued extending the choir. He also oversaw the building of Vicars' Close. This was to give the choir singers a safe place to live and eat.
John Harewell helped raise money to finish the west front. William Wynford became the master mason in 1365. He was a leading mason of his time. He designed the western towers. One of these towers was not built until the next century. In the 14th century, the central pillars of the crossing started to sink. This was due to the weight of the tower. An earthquake in the previous century had also damaged it. Strainer arches, also called scissor arches, were added by master mason William Joy. These arches helped to support and stabilize the pillars.
Tudors and Civil War Times
By the time of Henry VII, the cathedral was mostly finished. It looked much like it does today. From 1508 to 1546, a famous Italian scholar, Polydore Vergil, worked for the cathedral. He gave beautiful hangings for the choir. Wells Cathedral survived the Dissolution of the Monasteries better than some other churches. But its income was reduced. Old brass items were sold. A pulpit was placed in the nave for the first time.
Queen Elizabeth I gave the cathedral a new charter in 1591. This created a new governing body. It included a dean and eight canons. They managed the church's lands and affairs. This new stability ended with the Civil War. Local fighting damaged the cathedral's stone, furniture, and windows. The dean, Walter Raleigh, was put under house arrest. He died in 1646. During the time of Oliver Cromwell, no dean was appointed. The cathedral fell into disrepair.
From 1660 to 1800
In 1661, after Charles II became king again, Robert Creighton was appointed dean. He later became bishop. His brass lectern is still in the cathedral. He also paid for the large west window in the nave. The next dean, Ralph Bathurst, helped restore the cathedral.
However, during the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685, Puritan soldiers damaged the west front. They took lead from the roof to make bullets. They broke windows, smashed the organ, and even kept their horses in the nave.
Restoration began again under Thomas Ken. He was appointed bishop in 1685. He was one of seven bishops jailed for not signing King James II's "Declaration of Indulgence." This declaration would have given Catholics more political power. But public support led to their release. Ken refused to promise loyalty to William III and Mary II. He was removed from office. His successor, Richard Kidder, died in the Great storm of 1703. Two chimneys from the palace fell on him and his wife.
From Victorian Times to Today
By the mid-1800s, a big restoration project was needed. Under Dean Goodenough, old monuments were moved. Remaining medieval paint was removed. Anthony Salvin led a large restoration of the choir. Wooden galleries from the 1500s were taken out. The choir stalls were given stone canopies. The medieval stone screen was extended for a new organ.
In 1933, the Friends of Wells Cathedral group was formed. They help support the cathedral's upkeep and work. The late 20th century saw a big restoration of the west front. The stained glass is also being restored. A project is underway to save the large 14th-century Jesse Tree window.
In January 2014, the cathedral hosted a special film screening. In 2021, a modern sculpture by Anthony Gormley was placed outside the cathedral temporarily.
Cathedral Life and Ministry
Since the 13th century, Wells Cathedral has been the main church for the Bishop of Bath and Wells. Its governing body is called the chapter. It includes five clergy members and four lay members. The current bishop of Bath and Wells is Peter Hancock.
The cathedral has many staff members. These include the organist, verger, archivist, and library staff. Over a thousand services are held each year. There are daily services like Matins and Holy Communion. Major Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter are also celebrated. The cathedral is also used for baptisms, weddings, and funerals. In 2009, the funeral of Harry Patch, the last British veteran of World War I, was held here.
Three Sunday services feature the resident choir during school terms. Choral services are also sung on weekdays. The cathedral hosts visiting choirs. It also works with local schools through its Chorister Outreach Project. It is a place for musical events, like concerts by the Somerset Chamber Choir.
Each year, about 150,000 people attend services. Another 300,000 visit as tourists. Entry is free, but visitors are asked to donate. This helps cover the annual running costs, which were about £1.5 million in 2015.
Architecture of Wells Cathedral
Building Dates and Styles
Building of the cathedral started around 1175. The architect is unknown. Wells is the first cathedral in England built entirely in the Gothic style from the start. Art historian John Harvey calls it the first truly Gothic cathedral in the world. Its architects avoided older Romanesque features. The style, with its simple pointed arches and detailed carvings, is called Early English Gothic.
From about 1192 to 1230, Adam Lock was the master mason. He continued building the transept and nave in the same style. Lock also designed and built the north porch.
The Early English west front began around 1230. Thomas Norreys led this work. Building and sculpting continued for thirty years. The south-west tower started 100 years later. It was built between 1365 and 1395. The north-west tower was built between 1425 and 1435. Both were in the Perpendicular Gothic style. William Wynford designed them. He also added delicate tracery to many of the cathedral's early windows.
The undercroft and chapter house were built between 1275 and 1310. Their architects are unknown. The undercroft is Early English, and the chapter house is in the Geometric style of Decorated Gothic. Around 1310, work began on the Lady Chapel. Thomas Witney designed it. He also built the central tower from 1315 to 1322 in the Decorated Gothic style. The tower was later strengthened inside with arches by William Joy. At the same time, from 1329–45, Joy changed and extended the choir. He connected it to the Lady Chapel with the retrochoir.
Later changes include the tower's Perpendicular vault. Sugar's Chapel was built from 1475–1490 by William Smyth. Also, Gothic Revival renovations were made to the choir and screen. These were done by Benjamin Ferrey and Anthony Salvin from 1842–1857.
Cathedral Layout
Wells Cathedral is about 415 feet (126 m) long. Like other English cathedrals, it has two transepts. The church is divided into distinct parts: the nave, choir, and retro-choir. Beyond these is the Lady Chapel. The front of the cathedral is wide. Its towers extend beyond the transepts on both sides.
There is a large porch on the north side of the nave. This forms an entrance to the cathedral. To the north-east is the large, eight-sided chapter house. You enter it from the north choir aisle by a passage and staircase. To the south of the nave is a large cloister. It is unusual because the northern part, next to the cathedral, was never built.
Inside the Cathedral
The cathedral has a central nave with an aisle on each side. These are separated by two rows of arches. The inside has three levels: the main arcade, the triforium gallery, and the clerestory. The nave is 67 feet (20 m) high. This is quite low compared to French Gothic cathedrals. It feels very horizontal. This is because the triforium has many identical narrow openings.
Outside the Cathedral
The outside of Wells Cathedral looks very neat and balanced. Most of the building was made in one style, Early English Gothic. This is rare for English cathedrals, which often show many styles. At Wells, later changes in the Perpendicular style were applied everywhere. For example, simple tracery was added to the Early English windows. A parapet was built around the roof. Pinnacles were added to each gable.
The West Front
The west front is 100 feet (30 m) high and 147 feet (45 m) wide. It is made of stone from the Doulting Stone Quarry. An expert, Alec Clifton-Taylor, called it "one of the great sights of England."
The west front at Wells has two towers. These towers extend far beyond the sides of the church. This makes the building look even bigger. The west front has three clear levels, each marked by a horizontal line. Six strong buttresses stick out. These buttresses are highly decorated. They have niches with the largest statues on the front.
At the lowest level, there is a plain base. This makes the ornate arches above it look even more impressive. There are three doors. They are not as grand as those in French Gothic cathedrals. The central door has a simple post and fine carvings.
Above the base are two levels. These are decorated with quatrefoils (four-leaf shapes) and niches. These niches originally held about four hundred statues. Three hundred survived until the mid-1900s. Some have been restored, including the figure of Christ in the gable.
The top parts of the side towers were built in the Perpendicular style. This was in the late 14th century. William Wynford designed them. The north-west tower was not started until about 1425. The design keeps the overall look and the strong buttresses.
Some people have said the finished west front lacks pinnacles. It is likely that spires were planned for the towers but never built. Still, historian Banister Fletcher calls it "the highest development in English Gothic of this type of façade."
West Front Statues
The sculptures on the west front of Wells Cathedral are some of the best medieval carvings in England. They include standing figures, seated figures, angels, and story scenes. Many figures are life-sized or larger. The figures and details were once painted in bright colors. You can still see tiny flakes of paint. The sculptures are in nine horizontal sections across the entire west front.
In 1851, archaeologist Charles Robert Cockerell studied the sculptures. He said they were like "a calendar for unlearned men." They showed the history of the Christian faith. They also showed how it came to Britain and was protected by leaders. He compared the arrangement to a famous hymn, the Te Deum.
The south side of the façade is considered more sacred. The lowest row of niches once held standing figures. Most of these are now gone. More figures survived on the north and east sides of the north tower. Cockerell thought the figures on the south were Old Testament prophets. Those on the north were early missionaries to Britain.
Above these figures are quatrefoils (four-leaf shapes) with angels. Between the niches are quatrefoils with Bible stories. Old Testament stories are on the south. New Testament stories are on the north.
Above this, zones four and five show the Christian Church in Britain. Spiritual leaders like bishops are on the south. Kings, queens, and princes are on the north. Many figures still exist and can be identified by their symbols. Important figures are larger and seated. Just below the top, small niches show the dead rising from their tombs. This represents the Day of Judgement. Some are kings, some are bishops. Some look joyful, others despairing.
The lowest part of the gable has nine angels. The next level has the twelve apostles. Some, like John and Andrew, are easy to recognize. The highest niches had Christ the Judge in the middle. The Virgin Mary was on his right, and John the Baptist on his left. Many figures were damaged over time. A new statue of Jesus was carved for the central niche. The two side niches now have cherubim.
Central Tower
The central tower seems to be from the early 13th century. It was largely rebuilt in the early 14th century. This required adding internal supports about ten years later. In the 14th century, the tower had a wooden spire. This spire burned down in 1439. The outside was then redone in the Perpendicular style. It was given its current top and pinnacles. Alec Clifton-Taylor calls it "outstanding."
North Porch
The north porch is described as "richly decorated." It was meant to be the main entrance. Outside, it looks simple and rectangular. The entrance is a steeply arched doorway. It is framed by rich carvings. The walls inside have deep niches. The path to the north porch has four sculptures. These represent the symbols of the Evangelists.
Cloisters
The cloisters were built in the late 13th century. They were mostly rebuilt from 1430 to 1508. They have wide openings with stone dividers. The tracery is in the Perpendicular Gothic style. The ceiling has lierne ribs. These form octagons in the center of each section. The eastern part has two floors. The upper floor is the library, built in the 15th century.
Wells Cathedral was not a monastery. So, cloisters were not strictly needed. They were left out of some other non-monastic cathedrals. But they were built here. There is no northern part to the cloisters. In monastic cloisters, the north side was often used for writing. This was because it got the most winter sunlight.
Restoration Work
In 1969, a large piece of stone fell from a statue. This showed that the west front needed urgent repair. Detailed studies of the stone and repair methods were done. The methods chosen were developed by Eve and Robert Baker. W. A. (Bert) Wheeler, who worked at the cathedral for many years, had experimented with cleaning stone. His methods were also used.
The restoration happened between 1974 and 1986. Workers tried to use gentle methods. They washed the stone with water and lime. They filled cracks with soft mortar to stop water from getting in. They also stabilized statues that were breaking. The surfaces were finished with a thin coat of mortar and a special chemical. This helps protect them from erosion and pollution. The restoration showed that the statues were once brightly colored.
Inside the Cathedral: Main Areas
The inside of the cathedral has a special Early English style. This comes from the simple pointed arches. It also comes from the detailed carvings.
The arches in the nave, choir, and transepts are very rich. Each pillar has 24 thin shafts in groups of three. These rise up to form the arches. The capitals (tops of the pillars) are amazing. They have lively, stylized leaves called "stiff-leaf." This lively carving contrasts with the smooth stone walls. Each capital is different. Some even have small figures telling stories.
The ceiling of the nave rises steeply. It has a simple four-part design. This matches the nave arches. The eastern end of the choir was extended. The upper part was made more detailed in the early 14th century by William Joy. The choir ceiling has many ribs in a net-like shape. This is very different from the nave. It might be a stone version of local wooden roofs from the 15th century.
Until the early 14th century, the cathedral's inside looked very unified. But then two big changes happened. The tower and the eastern end were altered. Between 1315 and 1322, the central tower was made taller. A spire was added. This caused the pillars supporting it to show stress. In 1338, the mason William Joy used an unusual solution. He put in low arches topped by upside-down arches. These look like scissors. These arches support the pillars of the crossing on three sides. The eastern side is supported by a choir screen. These bracing arches are called "St Andrew's Cross arches." They are named after the cathedral's patron saint.
Lady Chapel and Retrochoir
Wells Cathedral has a square east end to its choir, which is common. Like other cathedrals, it has a lower Lady Chapel that sticks out at the eastern end. This was started by Thomas Witney around 1310. The Lady Chapel might have started as a separate, eight-sided building. But the plan changed. It was connected to the east end by extending the choir. A second transept, or retrochoir, was built east of the choir. This was probably done by William Joy.
The Lady Chapel has a complex and somewhat uneven ceiling. The main ribs are crossed by extra, non-supporting ribs. These form a star shape at the top of the ceiling. It is one of the earliest star-shaped ceilings in England. There are five large windows. Four of them still have pieces of medieval glass. The window designs are called Reticulated Gothic. They have a pattern of a single repeated shape, like a trefoil (three-leaf shape). This gives a net-like look.
The retrochoir stretches across the east end of the choir. It also goes into the east transepts. In the middle, the ceiling is supported by angled pillars. Two of these pillars complete the eight-sided shape of the Lady Chapel. These pillars have marble shafts. With the ceilings they support, they create a very complex view from every angle. The windows of the retrochoir are like those in the Lady Chapel. They have a net-like pattern.
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Chapter House
The chapter house was started in the late 13th century. It was built in two stages and finished around 1310. It has two floors. The main room is on the upper floor, above an undercroft. You enter it from a staircase that splits. One path leads through the upper part of Chain Gate to Vicars' Close. The Decorated interior is called "architecturally the most beautiful in England." It is eight-sided. Its ribbed ceiling is supported by a central column.
The column is surrounded by Purbeck Marble shafts. These rise to a single, wavy capital (top) carved with oak leaves and acorns. This is very different from the earlier stiff-leaf carvings. Above this, 32 strong ribs spread out. This makes it look like "a great palm tree." The windows are large. They have Geometric Decorated tracery (stone patterns). This tracery is starting to show longer shapes. The windows still have old glass. Below the windows are 51 stalls. Their canopies have many small, smiling carved heads.
Art and Treasures
Stained Glass Windows
Wells Cathedral has one of the largest collections of medieval stained glass in England. This is despite damage by soldiers in 1642 and 1643. The oldest glass is from the late 13th century. It is in two windows on the west side of the chapter-house staircase. Two windows in the south choir aisle are from 1310 to 1320.
The Lady Chapel has five windows. Four of these are from 1325 to 1330. They include images of a local saint, Dunstan. The east window was restored in 1845. The other windows have complete canopies. But their picture parts are broken.
The east window of the choir is a wide, seven-light window. It dates from 1340 to 1345. It shows the Tree of Jesse (Jesus' family tree). It also shows a new technique called silver staining. This allowed artists to paint yellow details on the glass. The mix of yellow and green glass gives it its popular name, the "Golden Window." It is flanked by two windows on each side in the clerestory. These have large figures of saints. In 2010, a big project began to restore the Jesse Tree window.
The panels in the chapel of Saint Katherine are from about 1520. They were bought from a destroyed church in Rouen, France. The last panel was bought in 1953.
The large triple window at the nave's west end was paid for by Dean Creighton in 1664. It was repaired in 1813. The central part was largely replaced between 1925 and 1931. The main north and south transept windows were put in during the early 1900s.
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Stone Carvings
Most of the stone carvings at Wells Cathedral are of leaves in the stiff-leaf style. You can find them on the pillars of the nave, choir, and transepts. Stiff-leaf carvings are very abstract. They might be inspired by acanthus or vine leaves. But they don't look exactly like any specific plant. The carvings here are varied and lively. The deep cuts create shadows that contrast with the smooth pillars. In the transepts and near the crossing, some capitals have small figures among the leaves. These include a man with a toothache. There is also a series of four scenes showing "the Wages of Sin." This story is about fruit thieves who sneak into an orchard and are beaten by the farmer. Another famous carving is in the north transept aisle. It is a leaf-covered corbel with a lizard climbing on it. This lizard is sometimes called a salamander, a symbol of eternal life.
Carvings in the Decorated Gothic style are at the eastern end of the building. Here, you can see many carved bosses (decorative knobs). In the chapter house, the carvings on the 51 stalls include many small heads. Many of them are smiling or laughing. A well-known figure is the corbel of the dragon-slaying monk on the chapter house stairs. The large, continuous capital around the central pillar of the chapter house is very different. It has a wavy shape and clearly looks like a grapevine.
The 15th-century cloisters have many small bosses decorating the ceiling.
Misericords
Wells Cathedral has one of the best collections of misericords in Britain. Misericords are small wooden ledges on choir stalls. When the seat is tipped up, they provide a support for someone standing. They were called "misericords" because they were an act of mercy. This helped clergy who had to stand for long periods during services. Misericords usually have a carved figure under the ledge. They also have two floral designs on the sides.
These misericords are from 1330 to 1340. They might have been carved by John Strode. He was helped by Bartholomew Quarter. There were originally 90, and 65 have survived. Sixty-one are in the choir. Three are on display in the cathedral. One is at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Many were left unfinished because some clergy did not pay for them. One misericord, showing a boy pulling a thorn from his foot, is from the 17th century. In 1848, the choir furniture was rearranged. Sixty-one misericords were reused.
The carvings on misericords vary. They are often not directly related to the Bible. This is true at Wells. None of the carvings are directly from Bible stories. The subjects were chosen by the woodcarver or the person paying for the stall. They don't have one main theme. The only common element is the round designs on each side. These show detailed carved leaves. Many subjects have traditional meanings. The "Pelican in her Piety" (believed to feed her young with her own blood) symbolizes Christ's love. A cat playing with a mouse might represent the Devil trapping a human soul. Other subjects show popular fables. Many depict animals. Some animals might symbolize a human fault or good quality.
Twenty-seven carvings show animals. These include rabbits, dogs, monkeys, lions, and bats. Eighteen have mythological subjects. These include mermaids and dragons. Five are clear stories. For example, the Fox and the Geese. There are three heads: a bishop, an angel, and a woman. Eleven carvings show human figures. Some are very unique. One figure lies under the seat, supporting it with his cheek, hand, and foot. Another sits in a twisted way. A third squats with a strained look.
Furnishings and Memorials
Some of the cathedral's furnishings and memorials are hundreds of years old. The brass lectern in the Lady Chapel is from 1661. In the north transept chapel, there is a 17th-century oak screen. The bishop's throne is from 1340. It has a carved front and a stone doorway. It was restored around 1850. Opposite the throne is a 19th-century octagonal pulpit. The round font in the south transept is from the old Saxon cathedral. It has an arcade of round arches. The font cover was made in 1635. It is decorated with heads of putti. The Chapel of Saint Martin is a memorial to all Somerset men who died in World War I.
The cathedral has many monuments and tombs. These include bishops like Gisa (died 1088) and Thomas Beckington (died 1464).
The Famous Clock
In the north transept is the Wells Cathedral clock. It is an astronomical clock from about 1325. It is believed to be by Peter Lightfoot, a monk from Glastonbury. Its working parts were replaced in the 19th century. The original mechanism is now in the Science Museum in London. It is the second oldest working clock in England.
The clock has its original medieval face. Besides the time on a 24-hour dial, it shows the Sun and Moon's movement. It also shows the phases of the Moon and time since the last new Moon. The astronomical dial shows a geocentric view. This means it shows the Sun and Moon revolving around a fixed Earth. This was the view before Copernicus.
A small automaton called Jack Blandifers chimes the quarters. He hits two bells with hammers and two with his heels. When the clock strikes, jousting knights appear above the clock face. On the outer wall of the transept, there is a second clock face. It is driven by the same mechanism. This outer clock face has two quarter jacks. They are knights in armor. In 2010, the official clock-winder retired. An electric mechanism now winds the clock.
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Music at Wells Cathedral
Organ and Organists
The first record of an organ here is from 1310. A smaller organ was installed in the Lady Chapel in 1415. In 1620, an organ built by Thomas Dallam was put in.
This 1620 organ was destroyed by soldiers in 1643. An organ built in 1662 was made larger in 1786 and again in 1855. In 1909–1910, a new organ was built by Harrison & Harrison. They used the best parts of the old organ. This company has serviced it ever since.
Since 1996, the cathedral also has a portable chamber organ. It is used for Tudor and baroque music. The first recorded organist of Wells was Walter Bagele in 1416. Many people have held the organist position since then.
Cathedral Choir
There has been a choir of boy choristers at Wells since 909. Today, there are 18 boy choristers and a similar number of girl choristers. They are aged from eight to fourteen. The Vicars Choral group was formed in the 12th century. They provided the sung music with a traditional choir of men and boys. An additional choir of girls was formed in 1994. The boys and girls sing alternately with the Vicars Choral. They are educated at Wells Cathedral School.
The Vicars Choral currently has twelve men. Three of them are choral scholars. Since 1348, the College of Vicars had its own housing. This was converted in the early 15th century to form Vicar's Close. The Vicars Choral usually perform with the choristers. But on Wednesdays, they sing alone. This lets them perform different music, like plainsong.
In December 2010, Gramophone magazine rated Wells Cathedral Choir very highly. It was called "the highest ranking choir with children in the world." It continues to provide music for services. The choir has made many recordings. It has also toured often, including performances in Beijing and Hong Kong in 2012. Its music ranges from Renaissance choral music to new works.
Other Choirs and Societies
The Wells Cathedral Chamber Choir is a mixed adult choir of 25 members. It was formed in 1986. It sings for about 30 services a year. This is when the main Cathedral Choir is on break or tour. It also spends one week a year singing at another cathedral.
The cathedral is also home to the Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society (WCOS). It was founded in 1896. With about 160 voices, the society gives three concerts a year. These are usually in early November, December (an annual performance of Handel's Messiah), and late March.
Bells of Wells Cathedral
The bells at Wells Cathedral are the heaviest set of ten bells in the world. The largest bell, called Harewell, weighs about 56.25 long hundredweight (2,858 kg). They are hung for full-circle ringing. This is the English style of change ringing. These bells are now in the south-west tower. Some were originally in the central tower.
Cathedral Library
The library is above the eastern cloister. It was built between 1430 and 1508. Its collection has three parts. Early documents are in the Muniment Room. Books printed before 1800 are in the Chained Library. Books from after 1800 are in the Reading Room. The cathedral's earlier collection was destroyed during the Reformation. So, the current library mostly has early printed books.
The older books in the Chained Library number 2,800 volumes. They show the interests of the cathedral members from the Reformation until 1800. The collection mainly focuses on theology. But there are also books on science, medicine, exploration, and languages. Interesting books include Pliny's Natural History from 1472. There is also an Atlas of the World from 1606. And a set of works by Aristotle that once belonged to Erasmus. The library is open to the public at certain times in the summer. It has a small exhibit of documents and books.
Cathedral Grounds
Next to the cathedral is a large grassy area called Cathedral Green. It has three old gateways. These are Brown's Gatehouse, Penniless Porch, and Chain Gate. On the green is the 12th-century Old Deanery. It was mostly rebuilt in the late 15th century. It was changed again in the late 17th century. It is no longer the dean's home. It is now used as diocesan offices.
To the south of the cathedral is the moated Bishop's Palace. It was started around 1210. But most of it is from the 1230s. In the 15th century, Thomas Beckington added a north wing. This is now the bishop's home. It was restored and extended between 1846 and 1854.
To the north of the cathedral is Vicars' Close. It is connected to the cathedral by the Chain Gate. This street was planned in the 14th century. It is said to be the oldest residential street in Europe. Almost all of its original buildings are still there. Buildings in the close include the Vicars Hall and gateway at the south end. The Vicars Chapel and Library are at the north end.
The Liberty of St Andrew was the historic area. It included the cathedral and nearby lands.
Images for kids
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The baptismal font from the Saxon church of Aldhelm (around 705 AD) is over 400 years older than the cathedral.
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The 13th-century west front was damaged during the Monmouth Rebellion. Many carved figures, like those of the Coronation of the Virgin, lost their heads.
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The choir stalls have 19th-century stone canopies. Modern embroideries remember past bishops. The 1800s saw much restoration work.
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A 1999 sculpture, The Weight of our Sins, by Josefina de Vasconcellos in the grounds of the Bishop's Palace
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Wells Cathedral in the Somerset countryside
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The Bishop's Palace built by Ralph of Shrewsbury
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A view from above of the cathedral and the Vicars' Close (lower left)
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The cathedral from the south east. To the right of the central tower is the choir with the Lady Chapel projecting beyond it, and the chapter house, extreme right.
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The central tower, nave and south transept seen from the cloister garth. The nave rises above the pitched roof of the aisle. The buttresses are of low profile.
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The inside of the nave has three levels: arcade, triforium gallery and clerestory. The triforium has a unique shape.
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The 13th-century west front by Thomas Norreys. It is considered unmatched in Britain for its design, decoration, and sculptures.
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Christ the Judge, (late 20th-century) is in the gable. Below are twelve apostles and nine archangels.
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The strong buttresses have special spots for statues.
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In the lowest section, many statues are lost. But this group of saints remains at the back of the north tower.
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There is a sculpture of the Virgin and Christ Child above the west door.
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A gallery of royalty fills the niches of the north west buttresses, with clerics on the south west.
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The north transept with its Medieval clock face, the north porch and north-west tower
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The entrance of the north porch has complex carvings with growing leaves.
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The cloisters, built in several stages, have Perpendicular tracery.
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The horizontal line of the nave is emphasized by the unbroken galleries.
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The four-part ceiling of the nave was decorated in the 19th century.
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St Andrew's Cross arches under the tower
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The St Andrew's Cross arches seen from the transept.
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The ceiling of the choir has a unique shape, possibly based on wooden roofs.
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The five windows of the Lady Chapel contain ancient stained glass, mostly fragmented, except for the central window.
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This early 14th-century eastern window was heavily restored in the 19th century.
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The Golden Window at the east end of the choir showing the Tree of Jesse
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A staircase leads from the cathedral (right) to the chapter house and the Chain Gate, which goes to Vicars Close.
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The stairs to the chapter house and Vicars' Close
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The chapter house is off the staircase to the right. Its central column and ceiling are often compared to a palm tree. The walls have fifty-one seats.
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A chantry in the nave (photo Francis Bedford, 19th century)
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A capital in the Fruit Stealers story shows a farmer hitting a thief with a garden fork. (Photo from around 1876–95)
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The salamander represents Eternal Life.
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The stiff leaf carvings on the capitals are very famous.
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One of several misericords showing heads
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A pair of parakeets in a pine tree
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A couple sharing a jug of wine
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One of several misericords showing twisted figures
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The organ, Harrison & Harrison (1909–10)
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The altar and modern furnishings in the nave
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The inside dial of the astronomical clock
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The outer dial and quarter-jacks on the north transept
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The choir and organ in 2013
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From the Market Place, Penniless Porch (left) leads to Cathedral Green. The Bishop's Eye (right) leads to the Bishop's Palace.
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The cathedral seen beyond the wall and moat of the Bishop's Palace
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To the south and east of the cathedral is the Bishop's Garden and reflecting pool.
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Vicars' Close extends to the north of the cathedral
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Wells para niños
- List of Gothic Cathedrals in Europe
- Early Gothic architecture
- English Gothic architecture
- Gothic cathedrals and churches
- English Gothic stained glass windows
- History of medieval Arabic and Western European domes
