[8] Its Early English front with 300 sculpted figures,[6] is seen as a "supreme triumph of the combined plastic arts in England". [88], The vault of the nave rises steeply in a simple quadripartite form, in harmony with the nave arcade. It is the second oldest surviving clock in England after the Salisbury Cathedral clock. The exterior was then reworked in the Perpendicular style and given the present parapet and pinnacles. [126][127] Many of the subjects carry traditional interpretations. [160] They contain with some repetition, a cartulary of possessions of the cathedral, with grants of land back to the 8th century, well before hereditary surnames developed in England, and acts of the Dean and Chapter and surveys of their estates, mostly in Somerset. The verticality of the space is emphasized throughout, but the piers in the foreground especially shoot up from the floor with such force that they become abstractions, thick lines brushed in rather than solid forms in a three-dimensional space. Wells Cathedral is open daily and we invite all visitors to join any services and events (which include a regular series of free lunchtime concerts and organ recitals). In about 1310 work commenced on the Lady Chapel, to the design of Thomas Witney, who also built the central tower from 1315 to 1322 in the Decorated Gothic style. The entrance is a steeply arched portal framed by rich mouldings of eight shafts with stiff-leaf capitals each encircled by an annular moulding at middle height. [41], The undercroft and chapter house were built by unknown architects between 1275 and 1310, the undercroft in the Early English and the chapter house in the Geometric style of Decorated Gothic architecture. Two windows in the south choir aisle are from 1310–20. Wells Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England, dedicated to St Andrew the Apostle and seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, whose cathedra it holds as mother church of the Diocese of Bath and Wells. [146] The Vicars Choral was formed in the 12th century and the sung liturgy provided by a traditional cathedral choir of men and boys until the formation of an additional choir of girls in 1994. 1448; John Bernard, †1459; Thomas Beckington, †died 1464; John Gunthorpe, †1498; John Still, †1607; Robert Creighton, †1672; Richard Kidder, bishop, †1703; George Hooper, bishop, †1727 and Arthur Harvey, bishop, †1894. There are three heads: a bishop in a mitre, an angel, and a woman wearing a veil over hair arranged in coils over each ear. For photos of this route, see Glastonbury Water Way. [96] He likens the arrangement and iconography to the Te Deum.[97]. Eleven carvings show human figures, among which are several of remarkable design, conceived by the artist specifically for their purpose of supporting a shelf. Above the moulding spring 32 ribs of strong profile, giving an effect generally likened to "a great palm tree". [148], In December 2010 Wells Cathedral Choir was rated by Gramophone magazine as "the highest ranking choir with children in the world". [36] Ralph of Shrewsbury followed, continuing the eastward extension of the choir and retrochoir beyond. Interior view of the nave at Wells Cathedral. Ken refused to take the oath of allegiance to William III and Mary II because James II had not abdicated and with others, known as the Nonjurors, was put out of office. the finest moments in gothic architecture often arose from dealing with the unexpected, here is one. The bishop's throne dates from 1340, and has a panelled, canted front and stone doorway, and a deep nodding cusped ogee canopy above it, with three-stepped statue niches and pinnacles. [32], The Early English west front was commenced around 1230 by Thomas Norreys, with building and sculpture continuing for thirty years. [19] There is, however, some controversy over this. The quadripartite vault of the nave was decorated in the 19th century. He was one of seven bishops imprisoned for refusing to sign King James II's "Declaration of Indulgence", which would have enabled Catholics to resume positions of political power, but popular support led to their acquittal. It was dedicated to St Andrew and stood at the site of the cathedral's cloisters, where some excavated remains can be seen. The cloisters, built in several stages, have Perpendicular tracery. [20], The cathedral is thought to have been conceived and commenced in about 1175 by Reginald Fitz Jocelin, who died in 1191. [29], In 1245 the ongoing dispute over the title of the bishop was resolved by a ruling of Pope Innocent IV, who established the title as the "Bishop of Bath and Wells", which it has remained until this day, with Wells as the principal seat of the bishop. Wells Cathedral Capitals - Man with a Toothache and Dog-tooth moldings. The buttresses are of low profile. [159] The earlier books in the Chained Library number 2,800 volumes and give an indication of the variety of interests of the members of the cathedral chapter from the Reformation until 1800. [65][66], Since the 13th century, Wells Cathedral has been the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells. The St Andrew's Cross arches seen from the transept. https://www.khanacademy.org/.../gothic-art/gothic-art-england/v/wells-cathedral Recorded on 9th October 2008 from the nave. To the south of the nave is a large cloister, unusual in that the northern range, that adjacent the cathedral, was never built. The eastern bays of the choir (1329–45) showing the reticular vault and the gallery of saints beneath the east window. [130], The monuments and tombs include Gisa, bishop, †1088; William of Bitton, bishop, †1274; William of March, bishop, †1302; John Droxford, †1329; John Godelee, †1333; John Middleton, died †1350; Ralph of Shrewsbury, died †; John Harewell, bishop, †1386; William Bykonyll, †c. In contrast to the bold projections and undercutting of the earlier work, it has a rippling form and is clearly identifiable as grapevine. [7] The stonework of its pointed arcades and fluted piers bears pronounced mouldings and carved capitals in a foliate, "stiff-leaf" style. The shop and café are also open. Shop for wells cathedral art from the world's greatest living artists. The throne was restored by Anthony Salvin around 1850. Dating from 1180, the Cathedral Church of St Andrew, Wells, is a wonderful example of an English Gothic cathedral: clean, light and airy. [26] Following his death the monks of Bath unsuccessfully attempted to regain authority over Wells. [151][152] With around 160 voices, the society gives three concerts a year under the direction of Matthew Owens, Organist and Master of the Choristers at the Cathedral. Salisbury Cathedral Nave. On entering the cathedral, look down the nave and you will see the 'signature' view of Wells; the extraordinary scissor arches that support the crossing. England High Gothic c. 1220 Very detailed. [77] Entry is free, but visitors are encouraged to make a donation towards the annual running costs of around £1.5 million in 2015. This is uncommon among English cathedrals where the exterior usually exhibits a plethora of styles. [127], Twenty-seven of the carvings depict animals: rabbits, dogs, a puppy biting a cat, a ewe feeding a lamb, monkeys, lions, bats, and the Early Christian motif of two doves drinking from a ewer. The round font in the south transept is from the former Saxon cathedral and has an arcade of round-headed arches, on a round plinth. Wells. [4], Above the basement rise two storeys, ornamented with quatrefoils and niches originally holding about four hundred statues, with three hundred surviving until the mid-20th century. Though possibly influenced by carvings of acanthus leaves or vine leaves, it cannot be easily identified with any particular plant. [32] Its collection is in three parts: early documents housed in the Muniment Room; the collection predating 1800 housed in the Chained Library; and the post-1800 collection housed in the Reading Room. Wells has been variously described as “unquestionably one of the most beautiful” and as “the most poetic” of English cathedrals. The Scissor arches and the rood cross in the Nave, Wells Cathedral, Wells, Somerset, England, United Kingdom, Europe The font cover was made in 1635 and is decorated with the heads of putti. 3. Its central column and vault are often likened to a palm tree. [176], The cathedral provided scenes for the 2019–2020 television series The Spanish Princess. [1], The greater part of the stone carving of Wells Cathedral comprises foliate capitals in the stiff-leaf style. The cathedral, dedicated to St Andrew the Apostle, is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells. Stiff-leaf foliage is highly abstract. [32] Concurrent with this work, in 1329–45 Joy made alterations and extensions to the choir, joining it to the Lady Chapel with the retrochoir, the latter in the Flowing Decorated style. The earliest remains of a building on the site are of a late-Roman mausoleum, identified during excavations in 1980. [104], The niches in the lowest zone of the gable contain nine angels, of which Cockerell identifies Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel. Adam Locke was master mason from about 1192 until 1230. In 1851 the archaeologist Charles Robert Cockerell published his analysis of the iconography, numbering the nine sculptural divisions from the lowest to the highest. Dean Ralph Bathurst succeeded Chreyghton as Dean. [21][22][23] Although it is clear from its size that from the outset, the church was planned to be the cathedral of the diocese,[20] the seat of the bishop moved between Wells and the abbeys of Glastonbury and Bath, before settling at Wells. [147], The Vicars Choral currently number twelve men, of whom three are choral scholars. [a][17][18] In 909 the seat of the diocese was moved from Sherborne to Wells. The medieval stone pulpitum screen was extended in the centre to support a new organ. [106] A new statue of Jesus was carved for the central niche, but the two side niches now contain cherubim. According to their website, ‘Occasionally the cathedral, or parts of it, may also need to close or only offer restricted access for a service, special event, filming or general maintenance.’ The neighborhood. Circular route from St Cuthbert’s Church – Croscombe – Wells Cathedral – 1 day, 7 miles – burgundy line on Google Map below. Lock was also the builder of the north porch, to his own design. Wells Cathedral, Across the West End of Nave. [93] The base is penetrated by three doors, which are in stark contrast to the often imposing portals of French Gothic cathedrals. The delay may have been a result of inaction by Pandulf Verraccio, a Roman ecclesiastical politician, papal legate to England and Bishop of Norwich, who was asked by the Pope to investigate the situation but did not respond. What's on in Wells Cathedral. Currently there are 18 boy choristers and a similar number of girl choristers, aged from eight to fourteen. This horizontal emphasis is counteracted by six strongly projecting buttresses defining the cross-sectional divisions of nave, aisles and towers, and are highly decorated, each having canopied niches containing the largest statues on the façade. England England High Gothic 1220-1258 Spire: 1320-1330. [105] In the next zone are the taller figures of the twelve apostles, some, such as John, Andrew and Bartholomew, clearly identifiable by the attributes that they carry. The font in the cathedral's south transept is from this church and is the oldest part of the present building. [102] Many of the figures survive and many have been identified in the light of their various attributes. No longer the dean's residence, it is used as diocesan offices. [98] The lowest range of niches each contained a standing figure, of which all but four figures on the west front, two on each side, have been destroyed. [6], The north porch is described by art historian Nikolaus Pevsner as "sumptuously decorated", and intended as the main entrance. In This Section. Recorded on 9th October 2008 from the nave. Wells Cathedral, Somerset. [138] In 1909–1910 an organ was built by Harrison & Harrison of Durham, with the best parts of the old organ retained. [115] The piers have attached shafts of marble, and, with the vaults that they support, create a vista of great complexity from every angle. Frederick H. Evans (British, 1853 - 1943) 14.9 × 10.5 cm (5 7/8 × 4 1/8 in.) [111][121], Carvings in the Decorated Gothic style may be found in the eastern end of the buildings, where there are many carved bosses. It was largely complete at the time of its dedication in 1239. The five windows of the Lady Chapel contain ancient. [90] The windows are large with Geometric Decorated tracery that is beginning to show an elongation of form, and ogees in the lesser lights that are characteristic of Flowing Decorated tracery. [51] He was buried in an unmarked grave in the choir before the dean's stall. Apart from the time on a 24-hour dial, it shows the motion of the Sun and Moon, the phases of the Moon, and the time since the last new Moon. His magnificent brass lectern, given in thanksgiving for the re-opening of Wells Cathedral, is today displayed in the Retroquire. [4], Wells Cathedral has a square east end to the choir, as is usual, and like several other cathedrals including Salisbury and Lichfield, has a lower Lady Chapel projecting at the eastern end, begun by Thomas Witney in about 1310, possibly before the chapter house was completed. [127] In 1848 came a complete rearrangement of the choir furniture, and 61 of the misericords were reused in the restructured stalls. [20], By the time the cathedral, including the chapter house, was finished in 1306,[35] it was already too small for the developing liturgy, and unable to accommodate increasingly grand processions of clergy. Those on the left are figurative, containing images representing the martyrdom of St Edmund the Martyr. It is entered from a staircase which divides and turns, one branch leading through the upper storey of Chain Gate to Vicars' Close. It is regularly used for authentic accompaniment of Tudor and baroque music. In 766 Cynew… The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, commonly known as Wells Cathedral, is an Anglicancathedralin Wells, Somerset. [126] New stalls were ordered when the eastern end of the choir was extended in the early 14th century. [44][45] While Wells survived the Dissolution of the Monasteries better than the cathedrals of monastic foundation, the abolition of chantries in 1547 resulted in a reduction in its income. The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, commonly known as Wells Cathedral, is an Anglican cathedral in Wells, Somerset. Between 1315 and 1322 the central tower was heightened and topped by a spire, which caused the piers that supported it to show signs of stress. At the west end is the nave with the altar and prayer benches. In medieval times the clergy assembled in the church eight times daily for the canonical hours. A well-known figure is the corbel of the dragon-slaying monk in the chapter house stair. He also donated the great west window of the Nave. [114] There are five large windows, of which four are filled with fragments of medieval glass. The path to the north porch is lined by four sculptures in Purbeck stone, each by Mary Spencer Watson, representing the symbols of the Evangelists. England Another sits in a contorted manner supporting the weight on his elbow, while a further figure squats with his knees wide apart and a strained look on his face. It has been serviced by the same company ever since. [146], The Wells Cathedral Voluntary Choir is a mixed adult choir of 30 members, formed in 1986 to sing at the midnight service on Christmas Eve, and invited to sing at several other special services. The finished product has been criticised for its lack of pinnacles, and it is probable that the towers were intended to carry spires which were never built. [150], The cathedral is home to Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society (WCOS), founded in 1896. Somerset. This applies at Wells, where none of the misericord carvings is directly based on a Bible story. [94] The methods selected were those devised by Eve and Robert Baker. Since 1348 the College of Vicars had its own accommodation in a quadrangle converted in the early 15th century to form Vicar's Close. [4] It has been called "unquestionably one of the most beautiful"[5] and "most poetic" of English cathedrals. The stiff leaf foliage of the capitals is renowned. The astronomical dial presents a geocentric or pre-Copernican view, with the Sun and Moon revolving round a central fixed Earth, like that of the clock at Ottery St Mary. The third stages of the flanking towers were both built in the Perpendicular style of the late 14th century, to the design of William Wynford; that on the north-west was not begun until about 1425. The late 20th century saw an extensive restoration programme, particularly of the west front. ... Wells Cathedral. [92] According to the architectural historian Alec Clifton-Taylor, it is "one of the great sights of England". The west front at Wells has the paired-tower form, unusual in that the towers do not indicate the location of the aisles, but extend well beyond them, screening the dimensions and profile of the building. There is a sculpture of the Virgin and Christ Child above the west door. [75] It is also a venue for musical events such as an annual concert by the Somerset Chamber Choir. He donated a set of hangings for the choir of the cathedral. Jocelin continued the building campaign begun by Reginald and was responsible for the Bishop's Palace, the choristers' school, a grammar school, a hospital for travellers and a chapel. On the green is the 12th-century Old Deanery, largely rebuilt in the late 15th century by Dean Gunthorpe and remodelled by Dean Bathurst in the late 17th century. [126] One misericord, showing a boy pulling a thorn from his foot, dates from the 17th century. [122], The 15th-century cloisters have many small bosses ornamenting the vault. The figures all suffered from iconoclasm. The Decorated interior is described by Alec Clifton-Taylor as "architecturally the most beautiful in England". [56], Restoration began again under Thomas Ken who was appointed by the Crown in 1685 and served until 1691. [107], The central tower appears to date from the early 13th century. The current building is a significant heritage landmark in the South West of England, has an international reputation and is top rated on TripAdvisor for things to do in Wells and in Somerset. Lincoln Cathedral. [4] There is a large projecting porch on the north side of the nave forming an entry into the cathedral. [4] The figures and many of the architectural details were painted in bright colours, and the colouring scheme has been deduced from flakes of paint still adhering to some surfaces. Provenance. [1], The large triple lancet to the nave west end was glazed at the expense of Dean Creighton at a cost of £140 in 1664. To the right of the central tower is the choir with the Lady Chapel projecting beyond it, and the chapter house, extreme right. [10], The first bishop of Wells was Athelm (909), who crowned King Æthelstan. [140] The post of organist or assistant organist has been held by over 60 people since. [33] Work was halted between 1209 and 1213 when King John was excommunicated and Jocelin was in exile,[34] but the main parts of the church were complete by the time of the dedication by Jocelin in 1239. [88] It has a markedly horizontal emphasis, caused by the triforium having a unique form, a series of identical narrow openings, lacking the usual definition of the bays. [1][117] The east window was restored to a semblance of its original appearance by Thomas Willement in 1845. [132] Its mechanism, dated between 1386 and 1392, was replaced in the 19th century and the original moved to the Science Museum in London, where it still operates. In the lowest range, many statues are lost but this group of saints remains at the back of the north tower. [55] During Bathurst's long tenure the cathedral was restored, but in the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685, Puritan soldiers damaged the west front, tore lead from the roof to make bullets, broke the windows, smashed the organ and furnishings, and for a time stabled their horses in the nave. It is a two-storeyed structure with the main chamber raised on an undercroft. [57] His successor, Richard Kidder, was killed in the Great Storm of 1703 when two chimney stacks on the palace fell on him and his wife, while they were asleep in bed. [1] They were acquired from the destroyed church of Saint-Jean, Rouen,[117] with the last panel having been purchased in 1953. Two in the west cloister, near the gift shop and café, have been called sheela na gigs, i. e. female figures displaying their genitals and variously judged to depict the sin of lust or stem from ancient fertility cults. [70] The chapter is advised by specialists such as architects, archaeologists and financial analysts. [149] It now sings for about 50 services a year, when the Cathedral Choir is in recess or on tour, and spends one week a year singing as the "choir in residence" at another cathedral. Wells is in a Tier 2 area, and as such is able to offer public worship, concerts and other events. The Scissor arches and the rood cross in the Nave, Wells Cathedral, Wells, Somerset, England, United Kingdom, Europe [162], To the south of the cathedral is the moated Bishop's Palace, begun about 1210 by Jocelin of Wells but dating mostly from the 1230s. It was substantially reconstructed in the early 14th century during the remodelling of the east end, necessitating the internal bracing of the piers a decade or so later. There is a hierarchy of size, with the more significant figures larger and enthroned in their niches rather than standing. According to Cockerell, the side of the façade that is to the south of the central door is the more sacred and the scheme is divided accordingly. It has strongly marked English characteristics, such as the stress on horizontal lines. It was repaired in 1813, and the central light was largely replaced to a design by Archibald Keightley Nicholson between 1925 and 1931. The Scissor arches and the rood cross in the Nave, Wells Cathedral, Wells, Somerset, England, United Kingdom, Europe Great Britain, England, Somerset, Wells, Wells Cathedral, Nave in Cathedral Arch / arched arch windows inside nave / looking up to the vault of the nave of Wells Cathedral (vaulted ceiling). The Chapel of St Martin is a memorial to every Somerset man who fell in World War I. Many of the figures are life-sized or larger. Provenance-1984. the finest moments in gothic architecture often arose from dealing with the unexpected, here is one. [121] In the transepts and towards the crossing in the nave the capitals have many small figurative carvings among the leaves. [126] They originally numbered 90, of which 65 have survived. Salisbury Cathedral Nave. Jocelin was a brother of Hugh (II) of Lincoln[25] and was present at the signing of the Magna Carta. Wells is a small city, and relatively unspoilt – a sacred place and also a lively town. [12][13] It was dedicated to St Andrew and stood at the site of the cathedral's cloisters, where some excavated remains can be seen. Wells Cathedral, Somerset. [126] Misericords typically have a carved figurative bracket beneath the ledge framed by two floral motifs known, in heraldic manner, as "supporters". Wells Cathedral dates mainly from the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries; the nave and transept are masterpieces of Early English architecture. A staircase leads from the cathedral (right) to the chapter house and the Chain Gate which gives access to Vicars Close. The north transept with its Medieval clock face, the north porch and north-west tower. [128] Sixty-one are installed in the choir, three are displayed in the cathedral, and one is held by the Victoria and Albert Museum. [177], Anglican cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England, Wells Cathedral in the Somerset countryside, From the gardens of the Bishop's Palace (December 2013), The Bishop's Palace built by Ralph of Shrewsbury, The baptismal font from the Saxon church of, The 13th-century west front was vandalised during the Monmouth Rebellion, destroying many of the carved figures and leaving others, like those of the. [114], The retrochoir extends across the east end of the choir and into the east transepts. Built in 1176–1450 to replace an earlier church on the site since 705, it is moderately sized for an English cathedral. [58][59], By the middle of the 19th century, a major restoration programme was needed. Eighteen have mythological subjects, including mermaids, dragons and wyverns. www.wellscathedral.org.uk See my other Evensong film which I filmed as part of the congregation and … After the long closure, both the fabric and the spirit of Wells Cathedral were in urgent need of repair. It is one of the earliest lierne vaults in England. On entering the cathedral, look down the nave and you will see the 'signature' view of Wells; the extraordinary scissor arches that support the crossing. Wells Cathedral: inspiring pilgrims and visitors for nearly 850 years Explore . [87] As at Chichester, there is no northern range to the cloisters. [53], In 1661, after Charles II was restored to the throne, Robert Creighton, the king's chaplain in exile, was appointed dean and was bishop for two years before his death in 1672. [126], Some of the cathedral's fittings and monuments are hundreds of years old. They were omitted from several other secular cathedrals but were built here and at Chichester. An organ built in 1662 was enlarged in 1786 and again in 1855. Wells Cathedral Capitals - Man with a Toothache and Dog-tooth moldings. All wells cathedral artwork ships within 48 hours and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. Please note that the Cathedral will be in use for recordings from 2pm on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th December. Open Content images tend to be large in file-size. [32] Its south-west tower was begun 100 years later and constructed between 1365 and 1395, and the north-west tower between 1425 and 1435,[84] both in the Perpendicular Gothic style to the design of William Wynford, [32] who also filled many of the cathedral's early English lancet windows with delicate tracery. The choir stalls have 19th-century stone canopies and modern embroideries commemorating bishops. Portal, Lincoln Cathedral. [32] The tower was later braced internally with arches by William Joy. [49] The stability brought by the new charter ended with the onset of the Civil War and the execution of Charles I. [161], Adjacent to the cathedral is a large lawned area, Cathedral Green, with three ancient gateways: Brown's Gatehouse, Penniless Porch and Chain Gate. According to art historian John Harvey, it is the first truly Gothic cathedral in the world, its architects having entirely dispensed with all features that bound the contemporary east end of Canterbury Cathedral and the earlier buildings of France, such as the east end of the Abbey of Saint Denis, to the Romanesque. [10][11] An abbey church was built in Wells in 705 by Aldhelm, first bishop of the newly established Diocese of Sherborne during the reign of King Ine of Wessex. [135], On the outer wall of the transept, opposite Vicars' Hall, is a second clock face of the same clock, placed there just over seventy years after the interior clock and driven by the same mechanism. [86] At the eastern end there is a proliferation of tracery with repeated motifs in the Reticulated style, a stage between Geometric and Flowing Decorated tracery. There is a bound oak chest from the 14th century, which was used to store the chapter seal and key documents. It dates from the previous church on the site built in 705 A.D. Powered by Create your own unique website with … [87], In section, the cathedral has the usual arrangement of a large church: a central nave with an aisle on each side, separated by two arcades. The large continuous capital that encircles the central pillar of the chapter house is markedly different in style to the stiff-leaf of the Early English period. How old? [136], In 2010 the official clock-winder retired and was replaced by an electric mechanism.[137]. A smaller organ, probably for the Lady Chapel, was installed in 1415. They have been described by Wim Swaan – rightly or wrongly – as "brutally massive" and intrusive in an otherwise restrained interior. [47][48], Elizabeth I gave the chapter and the Vicars Choral a new charter in 1591, creating a new governing body, consisting of a dean and eight residentiary canons with control over the church estates and authority over its affairs, but no longer entitled to elect the dean (that entitlement thenceforward belonged ultimately to the Crown). [20] The church at Wells, no longer a cathedral, had a college of secular clergy. The drum roll of its mighty nave builds up to the spectacular retrochoir of double windows and weird sculptures. Photograph: thyme/Getty Images 1. The sculptures on the west front at Wells include standing figures, seated figures, half-length angels and narratives in high relief. To the south and east of the cathedral is the Bishop's Garden and reflecting pool. [90] It is octagonal, with its ribbed vault supported on a central column. The view through William Joy's retrochoir into the Lady Chapel has been described as "one of the most subtle and entrancing architectural prospects in Europe". He defined the theme as "a calendar for unlearned men" illustrating the doctrines and history of the Christian faith, its introduction to Britain and its protection by princes and bishops. Plan, Lincoln Cathedral. The dean, Walter Raleigh, a nephew of the explorer Walter Raleigh, was placed under house arrest after the fall of Bridgwater to the Parliamentarians in 1645, first in the rectory at Chedzoy and then in the deanery at Wells. The chapter house is off the staircase to the right. Following the Norman Conquest the seat of the bishop moved between Wells and the abbeys of Glastonbury and Bath, eventually settling at … Building began about 1175 at the east end with the choir. 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