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Photo: Travel: United Kingdom: Wells

Wells Cathedral, Somerset

Christina and I drove to Wells to see the stunning cathedral, more formally the Cathedral Church of St Andrew in Wells, on November 21, 2007. This being off-season, the cathedral was mercifully empty of tourists or, with some negligible exceptions, boisterous school children on a tour. We spent several hours wandering around the magnificent building and chatting with the occasional helpful guide, official or otherwise. We saw the cathedral cat but it vanished before I could take a picture. The Scala book I purchased from the store has good photos but is not very useful as a guide.

The Parish Church of St Cuthbert (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Cathedral of St Andrew in Wells From the Cathedral Green (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Great West Front of Wells Cathedral with Its Collection of Medieval Sculpture (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Christ in Majesty, the Apostles, and the Nine Orders of Angels On the Top Tier of the West Front (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Wells Cathedral West Front (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Edward the Elder (Top), Aldthelmus (Left) & Athelelmus (Right) (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) New Angel Carving in the Quatrefoil (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
Scenes From the Resurrection Beneath the South Tower (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Edgar, Ethelbald, Ethelwolf, and Egbert (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Upper Reaches of the South Tower (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Athelstan, Edgiva (Peeking) (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Main Door On the West Front with No Statues in the Lower Niches (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Edmund, Edward Martyr, and Edwy (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Christ in Majesty by David Wynne St Andrew, Patron Saint of Wells, with Cross Below Right (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
Medieval Buildings On the North Side of the Cathedral Green (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Nave Looking From the Western End (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Magnificent Scissor Arch and the Nave Sanctuary (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Light From the Clerestory Illuminates the Vaulted Ceiling of the Nave (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Painted Patterns Around a Boss in the Ribbed Vault (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The South Aisle, Looking West (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Pillared Columns of the South Aisle Arcade (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
Looking Southeast From a Bay in the North Aisle (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) A Bay in the South Aisle with Its Pointed Arch (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Finely Carved Springers for the Vault Ribs (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Random Decor with the Head of a Bishop (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Stained Glass Windows with Simple Tracery (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Exquisite Stained Glass at Wells Cathedral (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Cathedral Still Functions As a Religious Building (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
The Great Rood in the Scissor Arch (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Nave, Looking West to the Center Entrance (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Stained Glass in the Lancet Windows Above the Central West Entrance (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Detail of Stained Glass in the Central West Windows (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Nave Sanctuary (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Great Rood with Mary and John the Evangelist (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The South Quire Aisle Looking East From the Central Crossing (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
Fan Vaulting Seen Through the Scissor Arch (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Central Crossing From the South (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Stained Glass in the Clerestory of the North Transept (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Sycamore Nativity Carving by Estcourt J Clack in the South Transept (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Bay in the South Arcade with Stained Glass Window (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Looking at the North Transept From the Central Crossing (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Scissor Arch and the Northern Arcade (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
The Triforium Through the Scissor Arch (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Connecting Shafts of Two Scissor Arches (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Fan Vaulting Between Two Scissor Arches in the Transept Crossing (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Nave Looking West From the Central Crossing (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Chapel of St John the Baptist at the End of the South Ambulatory (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Tomb of a Medieval Bishop (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Arches and Triforium (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
Alabaster Cherub On the Tomb of Bishop Arthur Hervey (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Quire Pulpit and Ogee Arch of the South Entrance (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Quire Looking West Toward the Organ (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Seat Cushions in the Quire Stalls (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Embroidered Hangings at the Quire Stalls (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Quire Vault and Simple Clerestory (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Stalls of the Treasurer and the Archdeacon in the Quire (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
The Vault Under the Tower at the Central Crossing (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The High Altar in the Sanctuary and the Lady Chapel Beyond (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Quire Stalls (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Looking East to the Presbytery, the Cathedra Is On the Right (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Great East Window of 1340 with the Jesse Tree (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) St Andrew and St Peter Below the Jesse Window in the Quire (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Great East Window From the North Ambulatory (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
Gorgeous Stained Glass Windows of the Presbytery's Clerestory (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Beautiful Stained Glass Detail (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Pennant of the Mothers' Union at St Stephen's Chapel (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Lady Chapel of Wells Cathedral (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Pillar, Springer, and Ribs at the Lady Chapel (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Virgin and Child by A G Walker in a Niche at the East Wall of the Lady Chapel (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Shafts Adorn the Massive Arches (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
Looking Up One of the Pointed Arches (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Star Vaulting of the Lady Chapel (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Star Vaulting and Bosses at the Lady Chapel (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Star Vault of the Lady Chapel (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Trefoil Tracery in the Lady Chapel (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Vault of the Lady Chapel From the Retro Choir (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Lady Chapel with the East End Stained Glass Windows (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
King David Is In the Center of the Stained Glass at the Lady Chapel (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Stained Glass Detail From the Lady Chapel (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Kaleidoscope of Medieval Glass Fragments Courtesy of Cromwell's Soldiers (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Looking From the Retro Choir Into the Quire (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Forest of Ribs Above the Retro Choir (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Beautiful Tiling On the Floor of the Lady Chapel (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Third Step Leading to the Altar in the Lady Chapel (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
Trefoil Tracery in the Lady Chapel (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Forest of Pillars and Shafts in the Ambulatory (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Clerestory and Vault From the Presbytery (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Jack Blandiver Hits the Bell with the Hammer On the Hour (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Carving of a Salamander On a Corbel in the North Transept (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Tomb in the North Transept (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Painted Effigy On a Tomb in the North Transept (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
The Dial of the Wells Clock and the Wooden Carving of Christ the Redeemer by Estcourt Clack in the North Transept (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Wells Clock From 1392 in the North Transept (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Scissor Arches at the Central Crossing (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Detail of the Wells Clock (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Stained Glass with Kings Alfred the Great and Edward the Elder (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Delightful Carvings in the Triforium (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The North Aisle Looking West (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
Finely Carved Springers (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Detail of the Stairs to the Chapter House (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Stairs to the Chapter House (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Man Killing a Dragon, Symbol of Christian Faith Overcoming Death, at the Chapter House Stairs (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Old Steps Leading to the Chapter House (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Fan Vaulting in the Chapter House (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Chapter House Fan Vaulting Detail (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
The Magnificent Fan Vaulting From the Central Pillar (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Detail of Fan Vaulting in the Chapter House (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Head Carving at the Chapter House (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Christina Absorbs Local Lore From Unauthorized Guide (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Christina Seems Fascinated by Details About the Chapter House (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Stained Glass in the West Window of the Chapter Stairs (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Grisaille 13th Century Glass in the West Window of the Stairs to the Chapter House (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
Some Rather Grotesque Carvings Adorn the Chapter House (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Guide Claims This Is an Illicit Carving of a Woman at the Chapter House (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Christina in Church Explorer Mode (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Ribs Radiate From the Pillar at the Chapter House (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Arches Decorate the Top of the Stairs Leading to the Bridge (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Christina and the Guide at the Chapter House (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Crockets, Finials, and Heads Adorn the Stalls for the Prebendaries in the Chapter House (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
Christina Seems Perplexed (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Christina Tries to Remember Why She's Still Talking to the Guide (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Stained Glass at the West End of the North Aisle (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Nave From the Northwest (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Stiff Leaf Capital Carvings (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The North Arcade, Triforium, and Clerestory From the Nave Looking East (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Cathedral Tower From the Cloisters (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
The Tower Mounts the Crossing (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Quatrefoils Over Empty Canopied Recesses (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Graves in the Cloister Garth The Palm Churchyard (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) No Sculptures Remain in the Recesses of the South Tower (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Main Tower Over the Crossing of Wells Cathedral (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The South Tower From the Cloisters (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Cloisters of Wells Cathedral (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
Ribbed Vaulting of the Cloister (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Flying Buttresses On the South Side of Wells Cathedral (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Door Leading to the South Transept at the North End of the East Cloister (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Tombstone in the Palm Churchyard (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Headstone Detail From the Churchyard (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Rood From Behind As Seen From the Crossing (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The North Side with Chain Gate, the Bridge to Vicar's Close (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
The North Side of Wells Cathedral (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The North Side of the North Tower of Wells Cathedral (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The North Porch (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Tower From the Northwest (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Clock On the Facade of the North Transept (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Under the Chain Gate, the Bridge Leading to Vicars' Hall (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Vicar's Close From 1363, Looking North (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
People Still Live in Vicar's Close As They Have Done for Centuries (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Wells Cathedral Towers Over Vicar's Close (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Vicars' Hall in Vicar's Close with the Cathedral Tower in the Back (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The West Front and the Crossing Tower (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Bishop's Eye The Entrance Gate to the Bishop's Palace From Wells Market Place (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Penniless Porch Built in 1450 by Bishop Bekynton (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Walls and Moat of the Bishop's Palace (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
The Close of Bishop's Palace (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Ruins of the Great Hall of the Bishop's Palace (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Tower of Wells Cathedral From the Bishop's Palace (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Tower of Wells Cathedral Through the Ruin of the Great Hall of the Bishop's Palace (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Bishop's Palace and Its Walled Grounds (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Ruins of the Bishop's Palace with the Cathedral in the Distance (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Trefoil Tracery in a Window of the Bishop's Palace Ruins (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)
Tree & Tracery & Ruins at the Bishop's Palace (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Great West Front of Wells Cathedral at Night (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Fourth and Fifth Tiers On the South Side of the West Front at Night (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) Wells Cathedral From the Green at Night (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The Great West Front of Wells Cathedral at Night (Wednesday, November 21st 2007) The West Front of Wells Cathedral at Night (Wednesday, November 21st 2007)