Wells Cathedral

Wells Cathedral is an Anglican church in Wells, Somerset, England. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells. Its construction started in 1170 and the Cathedral was dedicated in 1239.

Wells Cathedral has been described as “the most poetic of the English Cathedrals”.^[1] Much of the structure is in Early English architecture. Many mouldings look almost like sculptures. The carved capitals are done in a foliate style known as “stiff leaf”. This adds to their lively view. The eastern end has kept much original glass, which is rare in England. The exterior has a splendid Early English façade (~front) and a large central tower.^[1][2][3]

The first church was established on the site in 705. Construction of the present building began in the 10th century under Anglo-Saxon rule, but was later transformed under the Normans. It was largely complete at the time of its dedication in 1239. It has been expanded and renovated several times since then and has been designated by English Heritage as a grade I listed building.^[4]

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Clifton-Taylor, Alec (1967). The Cathedrals of England. Thames and Hudson.
2. ↑ Tatton-Brown, Tim; John Crook (2002). The English Cathedral. New Holland Publishers. ISBN 1-84330-120-2.
3. ↑ Lee, Lawrence; George Seddon, Francis Stephens (1976). Stained Glass. Spring Books. ISBN 0-600-56281-6.
4. ↑ "Cathedral Church of St Andrew, Chapter House and Cloisters". Images of England. Archived from the original on 2013-10-30. Retrieved 2008-02-10.