Wells and Cheddar
Having been to Wells before and being fascinated by the clock, we decided to revisit as we were in the area. I think Wells Cathedral has the most magnificent frontage. The mind `boggles` at the `man - hours` spent on constructing these monumental buildings.
Wells Cathedral - West Front
I don't remember anything much about the town of Wells, apart from the Cathedral area. Mind you, it has such an impact when you first see it, like most of our Medieval Cathedrals.
The present Cathedral was begun about 1175 on a new site to the north of an old minster church.
Bishop Reginald de Bohun brought the idea of a revolutionary architectural style from France, and Wells was the first English cathedral to be built entirely in this new Gothic style.
The first building phase took about eighty years, building from east to west, culminating in the magnificent West Front. About 300 of its original medieval statues remain: a glorious theatrical stone backdrop for feast day processions.
The Clock!
The famous Wells clock is considered to be the second oldest clock mechanism in Britain, and probably in the world, to survive in original condition and still in use.
The original works were made about 1390 and the clock face is the oldest surviving original of its kind anywhere.When the clock strikes every quarter, jousting knights rush round above the clock and the Quarter Jack bangs the quarter hours with his heels.
The outside clock opposite Vicars’ Hall, placed there just over seventy years after is connected with the inside mechanism.
Scissor Arches
The scissor arches, which often visitors believe to be later, modern additions were constructed from 1338-48 as an engineering solution to a very real problem.
By 1313 a high tower topped by a lead covered wooden spire had been constructed but as the foundations were not stable large cracks began to appear in the tower structure.
In fear of a total collapse, several attempts at internal strengthening and buttressing were made, until the famous ‘scissor arches’ were put in place by master mason William Joy as a final solution.
A closer look.
Fan Vaulted Ceiling, Chapter House, Wells Cathedral
Just loved the contrast - David and Goliath if you like!
Vicars’ Close
Vicars’ Close was built over 650 years ago to house the Vicars Choral and it has since been continuously inhabited by their successors. Vicars’ Close is unique; physically connected to Wells Cathedral and the most complete example of a medieval Close in the UK. It embodies an internationally renowned musical heritage.
A survey in 2013 showed the pressing need for conservation to every building in the Close and that the current condition of the buildings is not appropriate for heritage of its significance.
At the end of Vicars Close
On the 10th July we had driven to Cheddar and decided on a walk along the top of the Gorge as something different. Not many images of the day, just a couple to remind us of the location. (Below)
From the top of the gorge looking toward the town
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