The spectacular Bishop's Palace at Wells in Somerset could easily be mistaken for a medieval castle. In fact, it virtually became that. The palace is adjacent to Wells Cathedral, which can just be seen in the background. It has been the home of the Bishops of the Diocese of Bath and Wells for 800 years.

The Bishop’s Palace dates from the early thirteenth century when Bishop Jocelin Trotman, the first Bishop to hold the title Bishop of Bath and Wells, received a crown licence to build a residence and deer park on land to the south of the Cathedral of St Andrew. In the 14th century a successor, Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury, had an uneasy relationship with the citizens of Wells partly because of his imposition of taxes, and obviously felt at risk. He decided to surround his palace with crenellated walls, a moat filled by local springs, and a drawbridge. Parts of the buildings are still used by the current bishop, although the palace is now mainly used for public functions and as a tourist attraction.

Tags:   Somerset Wells Bishop's Palace, Wells Wells Cathedral moats crenellated walls castles

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Wells Cathedral in Somerset dates from 1175 to 1490, and is moderately sized among the medieval cathedrals of England, falling between those of massive proportions, such as Lincoln and York, and the much smaller cathedrals of Oxford and Carlisle. With its large central tower, it is the dominant feature of its small cathedral city and a landmark in the Somerset countryside. Wells has been variously described as "unquestionably one of the most beautiful" and as "the most poetic" of English cathedrals.

The architecture of the cathedral is entirely Gothic and mostly in a single style, the Early English Gothic of the late 12th and early 13th centuries. In this, Wells differs from most other English medieval cathedrals, which date from the slightly earlier Norman period. The historian John Harvey considers this to be the first truly Gothic structure in Europe.

Here, on the north side of the cathedral we can see the Chapter House (on the left), which was completed in 1306. The octagonal building is where Cathedral clergy met to discuss their business. We can also see the cathedral's famous clock, which is virtually in the centre of the picture. This was installed in 1390 and is one of the oldest medieval clock faces in the world. Just above it models of jousting knights go round in tournament on the quarter hour.

Tags:   Somerset Wells Wells Cathedral medieval buildings medieval architecture cathedrals

© All Rights Reserved

The spectacular Bishop's Palace at Wells in Somerset could easily be mistaken for a medieval castle. In fact, it virtually became that. The palace is adjacent to Wells Cathedral and has been the home of the Bishops of the Diocese of Bath and Wells for 800 years.

The Bishop’s Palace dates from the early-thirteenth century when Bishop Jocelin Trotman, the first Bishop to hold the title Bishop of Bath and Wells, received a crown licence to build a residence and deer park on land to the south of the Cathedral of St Andrew. But in the 14th century a successor, Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury, had an uneasy relationship with the citizens of Wells partly because of his imposition of taxes, and obviously felt at risk. He decided to surround his palace with crenellated walls, a moat filled by local springs, and a drawbridge. Parts of the buildings are still used by the current bishop, although the palace is mainly used for public functions and as a tourist attraction.

Tags:   Somerset Wells Bishop's Palace, Wells palaces moats castles 13th century architecture medieval buildings

© All Rights Reserved

The Bishop's Palace at Wells in Somerset could easily be mistaken for a medieval castle. In fact, it virtually became that. The palace is adjacent to Wells Cathedral, seen in the background, and has been the home of the Bishops of the Diocese of Bath and Wells for 800 years.

The Bishop’s Palace dates from the early-thirteenth century when Bishop Jocelin Trotman, the first Bishop to hold the title Bishop of Bath and Wells, received a crown licence to build a residence and deer park on land to the south of the Cathedral of St Andrew. But in the 14th century a successor, Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury, had an uneasy relationship with the citizens of Wells partly because of his imposition of taxes, and obviously felt at risk. He decided to surround his palace with crenellated walls, a moat filled by local springs, and this drawbridge. Parts of the buildings are still used by the current bishop, although the palace is mainly used for public functions and as a tourist attraction.

Tags:   Somerset Wells Wells Cathedral Bishop's Palace, Wells drawbridges

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Wells Cathedral in Somerset is dedicated to St Andrew the Apostle, and is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells. The present building dates from 1175 to 1490, an earlier church having been built on the site in 705. It is moderately sized among the medieval cathedrals of England, falling between those of massive proportions, such as Lincoln and York, and the much smaller cathedrals of Oxford and Carlisle. With its broad west front and large central tower, it is the dominant feature of its small cathedral city and a landmark in the Somerset countryside. Wells has been variously described as "unquestionably one of the most beautiful" and as "the most poetic" of English cathedrals.

Wells is the smallest of England's cathedral cities and attracts numerous visitors, some of whom are enjoying refreshments on the Swan Terrace which overlooks the cathedral green.

Tags:   Somerset Wells Wells Cathedral cathedrals

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