Vicars' Close, Wells

The vicars of Wells were minor officials of the cathedral. The street shown in the photograph housed them and was built as early as 1348. It is 456 feet long and most of the twenty seven residences (originally 44) are identical. The front gardens are an addition of c.1410-20. Improvements and modernisations have been applied to the buildings of the Close during every century between their initial construction and today. Despite this, it is considered to be the oldest purely residential street in Europe.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300

Library, Wells Cathedral

Dendrochronology dates the time of the cutting of the roof timbers of the library at Wells Cathedral at about 1450, so it is likely that the building was erected shortly afterwards. Like many such libraries had, and still have, a number of chained books that cannot be removed without being unlocked. This practice dates from the time when books were rare and expensive. One of the oldest volumes in the library is Pliny's "Natural History". It was printed in Venice in 1472 five years before Caxton printed the first book in England.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

Time-worn steps

The time-worn steps in the photograph above tell the story of the repeated passage of Wells Cathedral's Bishop and Chapter up and down, to and from, the chapter house for their regular, formal meetings. The wear on the stone must have been considerably increased by the tourists who visit the cathedral to experience the architecture of this beautiful building.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

Nave, Wells Cathedral

The nave of Wells cathedral in Somerset dates from the late 1100s and is an example of the Early English style of architecture. For anyone who has visited other English cathedrals of this period the main piers of the nave arcades, each with its twenty four columns and lively stiff-leaf capitals further enlivened by birds and other creatures, offer visual delight but hold few architectural surprises. What does immediately catch the eye, and instill awe as well as surprise, are the enormous scissor (or strainer) arches that brace both the tower arch facing us and the arches facing the transepts (not visible above). These were inserted shortly after the construction of the tower in 1315-22. The builders could have chosen other methods of bracing but decided on this elegant, uncompromising solution that must have impressed when it was built, and continues to do so today.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10