"Wells Cathedral"
How interesting it is, that over a 150 years ago the proprietor of the Swan Hotel had the vision to purchase these lots directly across the street for the entrance to the hotel opening and preserving this view of the Cathedral.
Ladies and Gentlemen, please behold the Wells Cathedral. It is mostly an Early English style architecture, which was a change from the Romanesque works that is observed in most other cathedrals. Facing the West the coastal winds have diminished some of the glory of it's 300 sculpted figures, or have they really?
The sanctuary nave from the front door. Please pay attention to the center oval structure at the crossing, as we tour this famous Cathedral.
Known as scissor arches these were installed a few years after the cathedral was completed when it was noticed that the building was showing signs of subsidence. As with almost all English Cathedrals the foundations were very shallow or non-existent. The weight of the building caused the structures to slip and slide. This resulted in nearly all English cathedrals either partially or totally collapsing; a number of them had to be rebuilt within their first 100 years. The installation of the scissor arches at Wells created stability. At other cathedrals, of the Romanesque design, were augmented with flying buttresses on the outside of the cathedrals.....esentially props that hold the structures upright. Most Cathedrals now have "Flying Buttresses", which we observed at Bath and Winchester.
Our Guide, and he was a master at using his large flashlight to point out the architecture and masterful works of construction.
The four photos below show the 'Crossing" from each direction starting from the nave, then the right, west and left. It is an amazing design in its construction, and it is an art of perfection. Our Guide referenced several times to the Master Mason's, who designed and constructed the Wells Cathedral; and over the years there were several; William Joy, Anthony Salvin Elias of Dereham and William Wynford. Building this Cathedral took almost 300 years from 1175 ~ 1450 and has been called "unquestionably one of the most "beautiful"and "most poetic" of English cathedrals. It is Europe's first truly Gothic structure, breaking the last constraints of Romanesque.
The Priest waiting to begin the mid day worship service
The Cancellor's room; Thomas Chaundler was the Chancellor of The Wells Cathedral 1453 ~ 1454
The Town Crier and his proclamation to the Chandler Family
He was, as the English might say, a little "Cheeky;" but after all our ladies are quite beautiful....
Look at this smooch he gets on Joan Knowles. Now notice that he is much more reserved with Connie as Randy is at hand.
Amy Chandler Taylor, the Crier and Amy's father, Bryon Chandler. Theresa Willenbrink and Rosemary Chandler with the Crier
And here we have the Kyle Harder family, Robin, Garrett, the Crier, Raulin and Kyle all from New Mexico.
The Somerset Mendip Morris men founded in 1956. Now they are just the Mendip Morris, as in 2019 they were integrated. They are from North Somerset and are preforming the ancient Cotswolds dances.
Give the Lady a Hat! She is the leader of the band.
The Mendip Morris Dancers led by Squire Brian Henshaw.
The Mendip Morris Dancers took time to include our group. Errol, Susan Garrett, Connie and Randy
We'll pose again in front of the Wells Cathedral in that open spot across from the Swan Hotel entrance. But we wre not leaving Wells as tomorrow we will be celebrating Thomas Chanudler's 600th Birthday. Too this is an historic day in England as Harry and Meghan are being married in Windsor. WOW what a day and all night too, here in Wells.
Come on Willie sing us another verse, but we are not moving on down the road. We're staying right here in Wells to have a Birthday Party!
Norm & Dottie