Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Aldhelm

Malmesbury, the oldest borough in England, became the site of Malmesbury Abbey, a monastery famed for its learning. It was later home to one of Alfred the Great's fortified castles (burhs) for defence against the Vikings. As a market town, it became prominent in the Middle Ages as a centre for learning, focused on and around the abbey. In the later seventh century, the site of the Abbey was chosen by Máel Dub, an Irish monk who established a hermitage. Towards the end of his life Malmesbury Abbey was founded around 676 by Aldhelm, a nephew of King Ine of Wessex. The town of Malmesbury grew up around the expanding Abbey. In October 939 Æthelstan, king of Wessex and of the English, died in Gloucester, and in the year 941 his remains were buried in the Abbey. The Abbey developed an illustrious reputation for academic learning under the rule of abbots such as Aldhelm, John Scotus Eriugena, Alfred of Malmesbury and Aelfric of Eynsham. The current Abbey was substantially completed by 1180. The 131 m tall spire, and the tower it was built upon, collapsed around 1500 destroying much of the church, including two-thirds of the nave and the transept. The abbey was closed at the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 by Henry VIII and was sold to William Stumpe, a rich merchant. He returned the abbey church to the town for continuing use as a parish church, and filled the abbey buildings with up to 20 looms for his cloth-weaving enterprise. During the English Civil War, Malmesbury suffered extensive damage evidenced by hundreds of pock-marks left by bullets. Cluny did strongly influence the artistic style here. The connection to Cluny was close. Abbot Peter Moraunt had been a monk of Cluny and had been for a time Prior of La Charité.

Malmesbury, the oldest borough in England, became the site of Malmesbury Abbey, a monastery famed for its learning. It was later home to one of Alfred the Great's fortified castles (burhs) for defence against the Vikings. As a market town, it became prominent in the Middle Ages as a centre for learning, focused on and around the abbey. In the later seventh century, the site of the Abbey was chosen by Máel Dub, an Irish monk who established a hermitage. Towards the end of his life Malmesbury Abbey was founded around 676 by Aldhelm, a nephew of King Ine of Wessex. The town of Malmesbury grew up around the expanding Abbey. In October 939 Æthelstan, king of Wessex and of the English, died in Gloucester, and in the year 941 his remains were buried in the Abbey. The Abbey developed an illustrious reputation for academic learning under the rule of abbots such as Aldhelm, John Scotus Eriugena, Alfred of Malmesbury and Aelfric of Eynsham. The current Abbey was substantially completed by 1180. The 131 m tall spire, and the tower it was built upon, collapsed around 1500 destroying much of the church, including two-thirds of the nave and the transept. The abbey was closed at the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 by Henry VIII and was sold to William Stumpe, a rich merchant. He returned the abbey church to the town for continuing use as a parish church, and filled the abbey buildings with up to 20 looms for his cloth-weaving enterprise. During the English Civil War, Malmesbury suffered extensive damage evidenced by hundreds of pock-marks left by bullets. Cluny did strongly influence the artistic style here. The connection to Cluny was close. Abbot Peter Moraunt had been a monk of Cluny and had been for a time Prior of La Charité. The tomb of Æthelstan. He was the son of Edward the Elder and the grandson of Alfred the Great. Æthelstan was King of the Anglo-Saxons from 924 to 927 and King of the English from 927 to his death in 939.

Malmesbury, the oldest borough in England, became the site of Malmesbury Abbey, a monastery famed for its learning. It was later home to one of Alfred the Great's fortified castles (burhs) for defence against the Vikings. As a market town, it became prominent in the Middle Ages as a centre for learning, focused on and around the abbey. In the later seventh century, the site of the Abbey was chosen by Máel Dub, an Irish monk who established a hermitage. Towards the end of his life Malmesbury Abbey was founded around 676 by Aldhelm, a nephew of King Ine of Wessex. The town of Malmesbury grew up around the expanding Abbey. In October 939 Æthelstan, king of Wessex and of the English, died in Gloucester, and in the year 941 his remains were buried in the Abbey. The Abbey developed an illustrious reputation for academic learning under the rule of abbots such as Aldhelm, John Scotus Eriugena, Alfred of Malmesbury and Aelfric of Eynsham. The current Abbey was substantially completed by 1180. The 131 m tall spire, and the tower it was built upon, collapsed around 1500 destroying much of the church, including two-thirds of the nave and the transept. The abbey was closed at the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 by Henry VIII and was sold to William Stumpe, a rich merchant. He returned the abbey church to the town for continuing use as a parish church, and filled the abbey buildings with up to 20 looms for his cloth-weaving enterprise. During the English Civil War, Malmesbury suffered extensive damage evidenced by hundreds of pock-marks left by bullets. Cluny did strongly influence the artistic style here. The connection to Cluny was close. Abbot Peter Moraunt had been a monk of Cluny and had been for a time Prior of La Charité. The vaults

Malmesbury, the oldest borough in England, became the site of Malmesbury Abbey, a monastery famed for its learning. It was later home to one of Alfred the Great's fortified castles (burhs) for defence against the Vikings. As a market town, it became prominent in the Middle Ages as a centre for learning, focused on and around the abbey. In the later seventh century, the site of the Abbey was chosen by Máel Dub, an Irish monk who established a hermitage. Towards the end of his life Malmesbury Abbey was founded around 676 by Aldhelm, a nephew of King Ine of Wessex. The town of Malmesbury grew up around the expanding Abbey. In October 939 Æthelstan, king of Wessex and of the English, died in Gloucester, and in the year 941 his remains were buried in the Abbey. The Abbey developed an illustrious reputation for academic learning under the rule of abbots such as Aldhelm, John Scotus Eriugena, Alfred of Malmesbury and Aelfric of Eynsham. The current Abbey was substantially completed by 1180. The 131 m tall spire, and the tower it was built upon, collapsed around 1500 destroying much of the church, including two-thirds of the nave and the transept. The abbey was closed at the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 by Henry VIII and was sold to William Stumpe, a rich merchant. He returned the abbey church to the town for continuing use as a parish church, and filled the abbey buildings with up to 20 looms for his cloth-weaving enterprise. During the English Civil War, Malmesbury suffered extensive damage evidenced by hundreds of pock-marks left by bullets. Cluny did strongly influence the artistic style here. The connection to Cluny was close. Abbot Peter Moraunt had been a monk of Cluny and had been for a time Prior of La Charité. A coffee shop inside the building is very unusual on the continent, but quite common in England.

Malmesbury, the oldest borough in England, became the site of Malmesbury Abbey, a monastery famed for its learning. It was later home to one of Alfred the Great's fortified castles (burhs) for defence against the Vikings. As a market town, it became prominent in the Middle Ages as a centre for learning, focused on and around the abbey. In the later seventh century, the site of the Abbey was chosen by Máel Dub, an Irish monk who established a hermitage. Towards the end of his life Malmesbury Abbey was founded around 676 by Aldhelm, a nephew of King Ine of Wessex. The town of Malmesbury grew up around the expanding Abbey. In October 939 Æthelstan, king of Wessex and of the English, died in Gloucester, and in the year 941 his remains were buried in the Abbey. The Abbey developed an illustrious reputation for academic learning under the rule of abbots such as Aldhelm, John Scotus Eriugena, Alfred of Malmesbury and Aelfric of Eynsham. The current Abbey was substantially completed by 1180. The 131 m tall spire, and the tower it was built upon, collapsed around 1500 destroying much of the church, including two-thirds of the nave and the transept. The abbey was closed at the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 by Henry VIII and was sold to William Stumpe, a rich merchant. He returned the abbey church to the town for continuing use as a parish church, and filled the abbey buildings with up to 20 looms for his cloth-weaving enterprise. During the English Civil War, Malmesbury suffered extensive damage evidenced by hundreds of pock-marks left by bullets. Cluny did strongly influence the artistic style here. The connection to Cluny was close. Abbot Peter Moraunt had been a monk of Cluny and had been for a time Prior of La Charité. An elaborately decorated portal. In the tympanum, Christ in a mandorla, held by two angels.

Malmesbury, the oldest borough in England, became the site of Malmesbury Abbey, a monastery famed for its learning. It was later home to one of Alfred the Great's fortified castles (burhs) for defence against the Vikings. As a market town, it became prominent in the Middle Ages as a centre for learning, focused on and around the abbey. In the later seventh century, the site of the Abbey was chosen by Máel Dub, an Irish monk who established a hermitage. Towards the end of his life Malmesbury Abbey was founded around 676 by Aldhelm, a nephew of King Ine of Wessex. The town of Malmesbury grew up around the expanding Abbey. In October 939 Æthelstan, king of Wessex and of the English, died in Gloucester, and in the year 941 his remains were buried in the Abbey. The Abbey developed an illustrious reputation for academic learning under the rule of abbots such as Aldhelm, John Scotus Eriugena, Alfred of Malmesbury and Aelfric of Eynsham. The current Abbey was substantially completed by 1180. The 131 m tall spire, and the tower it was built upon, collapsed around 1500 destroying much of the church, including two-thirds of the nave and the transept. The abbey was closed at the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 by Henry VIII and was sold to William Stumpe, a rich merchant. He returned the abbey church to the town for continuing use as a parish church, and filled the abbey buildings with up to 20 looms for his cloth-weaving enterprise. During the English Civil War, Malmesbury suffered extensive damage evidenced by hundreds of pock-marks left by bullets. Cluny did strongly influence the artistic style here. The connection to Cluny was close. Abbot Peter Moraunt had been a monk of Cluny and had been for a time Prior of La Charité. The 12 apostles await the visitors in the entrance area. Six on the left, six on the right. Above them angels - and doves.

Malmesbury, the oldest borough in England, became the site of Malmesbury Abbey, a monastery famed for its learning. It was later home to one of Alfred the Great's fortified castles (burhs) for defence against the Vikings. As a market town, it became prominent in the Middle Ages as a centre for learning, focused on and around the abbey. In the later seventh century, the site of the Abbey was chosen by Máel Dub, an Irish monk who established a hermitage. Towards the end of his life Malmesbury Abbey was founded around 676 by Aldhelm, a nephew of King Ine of Wessex. The town of Malmesbury grew up around the expanding Abbey. In October 939 Æthelstan, king of Wessex and of the English, died in Gloucester, and in the year 941 his remains were buried in the Abbey. The Abbey developed an illustrious reputation for academic learning under the rule of abbots such as Aldhelm, John Scotus Eriugena, Alfred of Malmesbury and Aelfric of Eynsham. The current Abbey was substantially completed by 1180. The 131 m tall spire, and the tower it was built upon, collapsed around 1500 destroying much of the church, including two-thirds of the nave and the transept. The abbey was closed at the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 by Henry VIII and was sold to William Stumpe, a rich merchant. He returned the abbey church to the town for continuing use as a parish church, and filled the abbey buildings with up to 20 looms for his cloth-weaving enterprise. During the English Civil War, Malmesbury suffered extensive damage evidenced by hundreds of pock-marks left by bullets. Cluny did strongly influence the artistic style here. The connection to Cluny was close. Abbot Peter Moraunt had been a monk of Cluny and had been for a time Prior of La Charité. The 12 apostles await the visitors in the entrance area. Six on the left, six on the right. Above them angels - and doves.

Malmesbury, the oldest borough in England, became the site of Malmesbury Abbey, a monastery famed for its learning. It was later home to one of Alfred the Great's fortified castles (burhs) for defence against the Vikings. As a market town, it became prominent in the Middle Ages as a centre for learning, focused on and around the abbey. In the later seventh century, the site of the Abbey was chosen by Máel Dub, an Irish monk who established a hermitage. Towards the end of his life Malmesbury Abbey was founded around 676 by Aldhelm, a nephew of King Ine of Wessex. The town of Malmesbury grew up around the expanding Abbey. In October 939 Æthelstan, king of Wessex and of the English, died in Gloucester, and in the year 941 his remains were buried in the Abbey. The Abbey developed an illustrious reputation for academic learning under the rule of abbots such as Aldhelm, John Scotus Eriugena, Alfred of Malmesbury and Aelfric of Eynsham. The current Abbey was substantially completed by 1180. The 131 m tall spire, and the tower it was built upon, collapsed around 1500 destroying much of the church, including two-thirds of the nave and the transept. The abbey was closed at the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 by Henry VIII and was sold to William Stumpe, a rich merchant. He returned the abbey church to the town for continuing use as a parish church, and filled the abbey buildings with up to 20 looms for his cloth-weaving enterprise. During the English Civil War, Malmesbury suffered extensive damage evidenced by hundreds of pock-marks left by bullets. Cluny did strongly influence the artistic style here. The connection to Cluny was close. Abbot Peter Moraunt had been a monk of Cluny and had been for a time Prior of La Charité. Unfortunately the carvings of the portal are very weathered. Seen here may be Noah's Ark

Malmesbury, the oldest borough in England, became the site of Malmesbury Abbey, a monastery famed for its learning. It was later home to one of Alfred the Great's fortified castles (burhs) for defence against the Vikings. As a market town, it became prominent in the Middle Ages as a centre for learning, focused on and around the abbey. In the later seventh century, the site of the Abbey was chosen by Máel Dub, an Irish monk who established a hermitage. Towards the end of his life Malmesbury Abbey was founded around 676 by Aldhelm, a nephew of King Ine of Wessex. The town of Malmesbury grew up around the expanding Abbey. In October 939 Æthelstan, king of Wessex and of the English, died in Gloucester, and in the year 941 his remains were buried in the Abbey. The Abbey developed an illustrious reputation for academic learning under the rule of abbots such as Aldhelm, John Scotus Eriugena, Alfred of Malmesbury and Aelfric of Eynsham. The current Abbey was substantially completed by 1180. The 131 m tall spire, and the tower it was built upon, collapsed around 1500 destroying much of the church, including two-thirds of the nave and the transept. The abbey was closed at the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 by Henry VIII and was sold to William Stumpe, a rich merchant. He returned the abbey church to the town for continuing use as a parish church, and filled the abbey buildings with up to 20 looms for his cloth-weaving enterprise. During the English Civil War, Malmesbury suffered extensive damage evidenced by hundreds of pock-marks left by bullets. Cluny did strongly influence the artistic style here. The connection to Cluny was close. Abbot Peter Moraunt had been a monk of Cluny and had been for a time Prior of La Charité. Unfortunately the carvings of the portal are very weathered

Malmesbury, the oldest borough in England, became the site of Malmesbury Abbey, a monastery famed for its learning. It was later home to one of Alfred the Great's fortified castles (burhs) for defence against the Vikings. As a market town, it became prominent in the Middle Ages as a centre for learning, focused on and around the abbey. In the later seventh century, the site of the Abbey was chosen by Máel Dub, an Irish monk who established a hermitage. Towards the end of his life Malmesbury Abbey was founded around 676 by Aldhelm, a nephew of King Ine of Wessex. The town of Malmesbury grew up around the expanding Abbey. In October 939 Æthelstan, king of Wessex and of the English, died in Gloucester, and in the year 941 his remains were buried in the Abbey. The Abbey developed an illustrious reputation for academic learning under the rule of abbots such as Aldhelm, John Scotus Eriugena, Alfred of Malmesbury and Aelfric of Eynsham. The current Abbey was substantially completed by 1180. The 131 m tall spire, and the tower it was built upon, collapsed around 1500 destroying much of the church, including two-thirds of the nave and the transept. The abbey was closed at the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 by Henry VIII and was sold to William Stumpe, a rich merchant. He returned the abbey church to the town for continuing use as a parish church, and filled the abbey buildings with up to 20 looms for his cloth-weaving enterprise. During the English Civil War, Malmesbury suffered extensive damage evidenced by hundreds of pock-marks left by bullets. Cluny did strongly influence the artistic style here. The connection to Cluny was close. Abbot Peter Moraunt had been a monk of Cluny and had been for a time Prior of La Charité. The portal

Malmesbury, the oldest borough in England, became the site of Malmesbury Abbey, a monastery famed for its learning. It was later home to one of Alfred the Great's fortified castles (burhs) for defence against the Vikings. As a market town, it became prominent in the Middle Ages as a centre for learning, focused on and around the abbey. In the later seventh century, the site of the Abbey was chosen by Máel Dub, an Irish monk who established a hermitage. Towards the end of his life Malmesbury Abbey was founded around 676 by Aldhelm, a nephew of King Ine of Wessex. The town of Malmesbury grew up around the expanding Abbey. In October 939 Æthelstan, king of Wessex and of the English, died in Gloucester, and in the year 941 his remains were buried in the Abbey. The Abbey developed an illustrious reputation for academic learning under the rule of abbots such as Aldhelm, John Scotus Eriugena, Alfred of Malmesbury and Aelfric of Eynsham. The current Abbey was substantially completed by 1180. The 131 m tall spire, and the tower it was built upon, collapsed around 1500 destroying much of the church, including two-thirds of the nave and the transept. The abbey was closed at the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 by Henry VIII and was sold to William Stumpe, a rich merchant. He returned the abbey church to the town for continuing use as a parish church, and filled the abbey buildings with up to 20 looms for his cloth-weaving enterprise. During the English Civil War, Malmesbury suffered extensive damage evidenced by hundreds of pock-marks left by bullets.

The English Gothic style, known as "Early English", began with the construction of Wells Cathedral in 1180. Wells is the earliest Gothic church to be fully equipped with pointed arches. Alongside Salisbury Cathedral, it is the main work of early English Gothic architecture, but also contains parts from the High and Late Gothic periods. 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. It stood at the site of the cathedral's cloisters. In 766 Cynewulf, King of Wessex, signed a charter endowing the church with eleven hides of land. In 909 the seat of the diocese was moved from Sherborne to Wells. The building programme, begun by Reginald Fitz Jocelin, Bishop in the 12th century. Adam Locke was master mason from about 1192 until 1230. It was designed in the new style with pointed arches, later known as Gothic. The main parts of the church were complete by the time of the dedication in 1239. By the time the cathedral, including the chapter house, was finished in 1306, it was already too small and unable to accommodate increasingly grand processions of clergy. John Droxford initiated another phase of building under master mason Thomas of Whitney, during which the central tower was heightened and an eight-sided Lady chapel was added at the east end by 1326. Money was raised for the completion of the west front by William Wynford, who was appointed as master mason in 1365. One of the foremost master masons of his time, Wynford worked for the king at Windsor, Winchester Cathedral and New College, Oxford. At Wells, he designed the western towers of which north-west was not built until the following century. In the 14th century, the central piers of the crossing were found to be sinking under the weight of the crossing tower which had been damaged by an earthquake in the previous century. Strainer arches, sometimes described as scissor arches, were inserted by master mason William Joy to brace and stabilise the piers as a unit. The octagonal "Chaper House" has been completed around 1310. It is a two-storeyed structure with the main chamber raised on an undercroft. With its ribbed vault supported on a central column. The column is surrounded by shafts of marble, rising to a single continuous rippling foliate capital of stylised oak leaves and acorns, quite different in character from the Early English stiff-leaf foliage. Above the moulding spring 32 ribs of strong profile, giving an effect generally likened to "a great palm tree". Beneath the windows are 51 stalls. The was once the stall of John Bernard. He did probably not craved the initals into the stone. Maybe Oliver Cromwell´s soldiers did.

The English Gothic style, known as "Early English", began with the construction of Wells Cathedral in 1180. Wells is the earliest Gothic church to be fully equipped with pointed arches. Alongside Salisbury Cathedral, it is the main work of early English Gothic architecture, but also contains parts from the High and Late Gothic periods. 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. It stood at the site of the cathedral's cloisters. In 766 Cynewulf, King of Wessex, signed a charter endowing the church with eleven hides of land. In 909 the seat of the diocese was moved from Sherborne to Wells. The building programme, begun by Reginald Fitz Jocelin, Bishop in the 12th century. Adam Locke was master mason from about 1192 until 1230. It was designed in the new style with pointed arches, later known as Gothic. The main parts of the church were complete by the time of the dedication in 1239. By the time the cathedral, including the chapter house, was finished in 1306, it was already too small and unable to accommodate increasingly grand processions of clergy. John Droxford initiated another phase of building under master mason Thomas of Whitney, during which the central tower was heightened and an eight-sided Lady chapel was added at the east end by 1326. Money was raised for the completion of the west front by William Wynford, who was appointed as master mason in 1365. One of the foremost master masons of his time, Wynford worked for the king at Windsor, Winchester Cathedral and New College, Oxford. At Wells, he designed the western towers of which north-west was not built until the following century. In the 14th century, the central piers of the crossing were found to be sinking under the weight of the crossing tower which had been damaged by an earthquake in the previous century. Strainer arches, sometimes described as scissor arches, were inserted by master mason William Joy to brace and stabilise the piers as a unit. The octagonal "Chaper House" has been completed around 1310. It is a two-storeyed structure with the main chamber raised on an undercroft. With its ribbed vault supported on a central column. The column is surrounded by shafts of marble, rising to a single continuous rippling foliate capital of stylised oak leaves and acorns, quite different in character from the Early English stiff-leaf foliage. Above the moulding spring 32 ribs of strong profile, giving an effect generally likened to "a great palm tree". Beneath the windows are 51 stalls.

The English Gothic style, known as "Early English", began with the construction of Wells Cathedral in 1180. Wells is the earliest Gothic church to be fully equipped with pointed arches. Alongside Salisbury Cathedral, it is the main work of early English Gothic architecture, but also contains parts from the High and Late Gothic periods. 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. It stood at the site of the cathedral's cloisters. In 766 Cynewulf, King of Wessex, signed a charter endowing the church with eleven hides of land. In 909 the seat of the diocese was moved from Sherborne to Wells. The building programme, begun by Reginald Fitz Jocelin, Bishop in the 12th century. Adam Locke was master mason from about 1192 until 1230. It was designed in the new style with pointed arches, later known as Gothic. The main parts of the church were complete by the time of the dedication in 1239. By the time the cathedral, including the chapter house, was finished in 1306, it was already too small and unable to accommodate increasingly grand processions of clergy. John Droxford initiated another phase of building under master mason Thomas of Whitney, during which the central tower was heightened and an eight-sided Lady chapel was added at the east end by 1326. Money was raised for the completion of the west front by William Wynford, who was appointed as master mason in 1365. One of the foremost master masons of his time, Wynford worked for the king at Windsor, Winchester Cathedral and New College, Oxford. At Wells, he designed the western towers of which north-west was not built until the following century. In the 14th century, the central piers of the crossing were found to be sinking under the weight of the crossing tower which had been damaged by an earthquake in the previous century. Strainer arches, sometimes described as scissor arches, were inserted by master mason William Joy to brace and stabilise the piers as a unit. The octagonal "Chaper House" has been completed around 1310. It is a two-storeyed structure with the main chamber raised on an undercroft. With its ribbed vault supported on a central column. The column is surrounded by shafts of marble, rising to a single continuous rippling foliate capital of stylised oak leaves and acorns, quite different in character from the Early English stiff-leaf foliage. Above the moulding spring 32 ribs of strong profile, giving an effect generally likened to "a great palm tree". Beneath the windows are 51 stalls. In 2023 the central pillar was decorated with a giant spider, that looked a bit like escaped from of Mrs. Louise Bourgeois garden.

The English Gothic style, known as "Early English", began with the construction of Wells Cathedral in 1180. Wells is the earliest Gothic church to be fully equipped with pointed arches. Alongside Salisbury Cathedral, it is the main work of early English Gothic architecture, but also contains parts from the High and Late Gothic periods. 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. It stood at the site of the cathedral's cloisters. In 766 Cynewulf, King of Wessex, signed a charter endowing the church with eleven hides of land. In 909 the seat of the diocese was moved from Sherborne to Wells. The building programme, begun by Reginald Fitz Jocelin, Bishop in the 12th century. Adam Locke was master mason from about 1192 until 1230. It was designed in the new style with pointed arches, later known as Gothic. The main parts of the church were complete by the time of the dedication in 1239. By the time the cathedral, including the chapter house, was finished in 1306, it was already too small and unable to accommodate increasingly grand processions of clergy. John Droxford initiated another phase of building under master mason Thomas of Whitney, during which the central tower was heightened and an eight-sided Lady chapel was added at the east end by 1326. Money was raised for the completion of the west front by William Wynford, who was appointed as master mason in 1365. One of the foremost master masons of his time, Wynford worked for the king at Windsor, Winchester Cathedral and New College, Oxford. At Wells, he designed the western towers of which north-west was not built until the following century. In the 14th century, the central piers of the crossing were found to be sinking under the weight of the crossing tower which had been damaged by an earthquake in the previous century. Strainer arches, sometimes described as scissor arches, were inserted by master mason William Joy to brace and stabilise the piers as a unit. The "drum" of the baptismal font was originally located in the Anglo-Saxon cathedral, which was built before the current building. It is around four centuries older. It has been heavily modified over the years. The lid dates back to 1635. The baptismal font is still in use today.

The English Gothic style, known as "Early English", began with the construction of Wells Cathedral in 1180. Wells is the earliest Gothic church to be fully equipped with pointed arches. Alongside Salisbury Cathedral, it is the main work of early English Gothic architecture, but also contains parts from the High and Late Gothic periods. 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. It stood at the site of the cathedral's cloisters. In 766 Cynewulf, King of Wessex, signed a charter endowing the church with eleven hides of land. In 909 the seat of the diocese was moved from Sherborne to Wells. The building programme, begun by Reginald Fitz Jocelin, Bishop in the 12th century. Adam Locke was master mason from about 1192 until 1230. It was designed in the new style with pointed arches, later known as Gothic. The main parts of the church were complete by the time of the dedication in 1239. By the time the cathedral, including the chapter house, was finished in 1306, it was already too small and unable to accommodate increasingly grand processions of clergy. John Droxford initiated another phase of building under master mason Thomas of Whitney, during which the central tower was heightened and an eight-sided Lady chapel was added at the east end by 1326. Money was raised for the completion of the west front by William Wynford, who was appointed as master mason in 1365. One of the foremost master masons of his time, Wynford worked for the king at Windsor, Winchester Cathedral and New College, Oxford. At Wells, he designed the western towers of which north-west was not built until the following century. In the 14th century, the central piers of the crossing were found to be sinking under the weight of the crossing tower which had been damaged by an earthquake in the previous century. Strainer arches, sometimes described as scissor arches, were inserted by master mason William Joy to brace and stabilise the piers as a unit. The adorating Magi

The English Gothic style, known as "Early English", began with the construction of Wells Cathedral in 1180. Wells is the earliest Gothic church to be fully equipped with pointed arches. Alongside Salisbury Cathedral, it is the main work of early English Gothic architecture, but also contains parts from the High and Late Gothic periods. 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. It stood at the site of the cathedral's cloisters. In 766 Cynewulf, King of Wessex, signed a charter endowing the church with eleven hides of land. In 909 the seat of the diocese was moved from Sherborne to Wells. The building programme, begun by Reginald Fitz Jocelin, Bishop in the 12th century. Adam Locke was master mason from about 1192 until 1230. It was designed in the new style with pointed arches, later known as Gothic. The main parts of the church were complete by the time of the dedication in 1239. By the time the cathedral, including the chapter house, was finished in 1306, it was already too small and unable to accommodate increasingly grand processions of clergy. John Droxford initiated another phase of building under master mason Thomas of Whitney, during which the central tower was heightened and an eight-sided Lady chapel was added at the east end by 1326. Money was raised for the completion of the west front by William Wynford, who was appointed as master mason in 1365. One of the foremost master masons of his time, Wynford worked for the king at Windsor, Winchester Cathedral and New College, Oxford. At Wells, he designed the western towers of which north-west was not built until the following century. In the 14th century, the central piers of the crossing were found to be sinking under the weight of the crossing tower which had been damaged by an earthquake in the previous century. Strainer arches, sometimes described as scissor arches, were inserted by master mason William Joy to brace and stabilise the piers as a unit.

The English Gothic style, known as "Early English", began with the construction of Wells Cathedral in 1180. Wells is the earliest Gothic church to be fully equipped with pointed arches. Alongside Salisbury Cathedral, it is the main work of early English Gothic architecture, but also contains parts from the High and Late Gothic periods. 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. It stood at the site of the cathedral's cloisters. In 766 Cynewulf, King of Wessex, signed a charter endowing the church with eleven hides of land. In 909 the seat of the diocese was moved from Sherborne to Wells. The building programme, begun by Reginald Fitz Jocelin, Bishop in the 12th century. Adam Locke was master mason from about 1192 until 1230. It was designed in the new style with pointed arches, later known as Gothic. The main parts of the church were complete by the time of the dedication in 1239. By the time the cathedral, including the chapter house, was finished in 1306, it was already too small and unable to accommodate increasingly grand processions of clergy. John Droxford initiated another phase of building under master mason Thomas of Whitney, during which the central tower was heightened and an eight-sided Lady chapel was added at the east end by 1326. Money was raised for the completion of the west front by William Wynford, who was appointed as master mason in 1365. One of the foremost master masons of his time, Wynford worked for the king at Windsor, Winchester Cathedral and New College, Oxford. At Wells, he designed the western towers of which north-west was not built until the following century. In the 14th century, the central piers of the crossing were found to be sinking under the weight of the crossing tower which had been damaged by an earthquake in the previous century. Strainer arches, sometimes described as scissor arches, were inserted by master mason William Joy to brace and stabilise the piers as a unit.