In 1620 an organ built by Thomas Dallam was installed at a cost of 398 1s 5d. [107] Many of the figures survive and many have been identified in the light of their various attributes. The bishop went into retirement and some of the clerics were reduced to performing menial tasks. Adam Wilson is Assistant Organist at Wells Cathedral, a position he took up in September 2021. [132] In 1848 came a complete rearrangement of the choir furniture, and 61 of the misericords were reused in the restructured stalls. [7], Its Gothic architecture is mostly inspired from Early English style of the late 12th to early 13th centuries, lacking the Romanesque work that survives in many other cathedrals. There is also an assistant organist, and often an organ scholar . [136], In the north transept is Wells Cathedral clock, an astronomical clock from about 1325 believed to be by Peter Lightfoot, a monk of Glastonbury. [31] Since the 11th century the church has had a chapter of secular clergy, like the cathedrals of Chichester, Hereford, Lincoln and York. The 19th century saw the restoration of the building and its fittings. Recent engagements have included a Bach concert at the St Albans International Organ Festival, and recitals at the London Organ Day, Kings College, Cambridge, St Pauls Cathedral, St Johns Smith Square and Westminster Abbey. The tracery lights still contain ancient glass. The stellar vault of the Lady Chapel has lierne ribs making a star within a star. Concerts are normally in early November, December (an annual performance of Handel's Messiah) and late March. [64][65] The stained glass is currently under restoration, with a programme underway to conserve the large 14th-century Jesse Tree window at the eastern terminal of the choir. The Decorated interior is described by Alec Clifton-Taylor as "architecturally the most beautiful in England". Its governing body, the chapter, is made up of five clerical canons (the dean, the precentor, the canon chancellor, the canon treasurer, and the archdeacon of Wells) and four lay members: the administrator (chief executive), Keeper of the Fabric, Overseer of the Estate and the chairman of the cathedral shop and catering boards. [11], The first bishop of Wells was Athelm (909), who crowned King thelstan. Wells Cathedral, Cathedral Green Wells, Somerset BA5 2UE United Kingdom + Google Map Phone: 01749 674483 View Venue Website **SERIES SUSPENDED***Sunday Afternoon Organ Music ***CANCELLED/POSTPONED***Organ Concert St Andrew's Netherton Admission Free Lunchtime Organ Recital Organist Paul Carr Recital Somerset Wells Wells Cathedral Author Select your subscription length below and head to the checkout: Please log in again. [28] Jocelin died at Wells on 19 November 1242 and was buried in the choir of the cathedral;[26][27][29] the memorial brass on his tomb is one of the earliest brasses in England. At the top of the two large towers on the Quire front will be seen four carved medallion profiles outlined in red, which are portraits of the great English church composers S. S. Wesley, C. V. Stanford, Byrd and Purcell. Upload, livestream, and create your own videos, all in HD. [42] 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. A smaller organ, probably for the Lady Chapel, was installed in 1415. Alexander Hamilton, Acting Director of Music. Built as a Roman Catholic cathedral from around 1175 to replace an earlier church on the site since 705, it became an Anglican cathedral when King Henry VIII split from Rome. [41] At Wells, he designed the western towers of which north-west was not built until the following century. [71], More than a thousand services are held every year. The 1620 organ was destroyed by parliamentary soldiers in 1643. John Droxford initiated another phase of building under master mason Thomas of Whitney,[36] during which the central tower was heightened and an eight-sided Lady chapel was added at the east end by 1326. [51] His jailor, the shoe maker and city constable, David Barrett, caught him writing a letter to his wife. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. The chapter of a cathedral of the old foundation like Wells has five clerical members (old foundations had a dean, sub-dean, precentor, chancellor and treasurer, but Wells is now slightly different) and a number of prebendaries. [1], The large triple lancet to the nave west end was glazed at the expense of Dean Creighton at a cost of 140 in 1664. The astronomical dial presents a geocentric or pre-Copernican view, with the Sun and Moon revolving round a central fixed Earth, like that of the clock at Ottery St Mary. The outer two are of domestic proportion and the central door is ornamented only by a central post, quatrefoil and the fine mouldings of the arch. The first recorded organist of Wells Cathedral was Walter Bagele (or Vageler) in 1416, and the post of organist or assistant organist has been held by over 60 individuals since then. The walls of the chapter house have fifty-one niches for seating. Wells Cathedral director of music quits News norman lebrecht May 10, 2022 Jeremy Cole, Director of Music at Wells Cathedral, has resigned after just over two years. [99], The conservation was carried out between 1974 and 1986, wherever possible using non-invasive procedures such as washing with water and a solution of lime, filling gaps and damaged surfaces with soft mortar to prevent the ingress of water and stabilising statues that were fracturing through corrosion of metal dowels. [131][132] Many of the subjects carry traditional interpretations. [131] Misericords typically have a carved figurative bracket beneath the ledge framed by two floral motifs known, in heraldic manner, as "supporters". No reason has been given but the Cathedral is ridden with unhappiness and fear, according to a recent report. There are no vertical lines linking the three stages, as the shafts supporting the vault rise above the triforium. There are three heads: a bishop in a mitre, an angel, and a woman wearing a veil over hair arranged in coils over each ear. Services Suspended at Wells Cathedral Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust We have been told that, in light of the Government guidance around non-essential contact, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have issued advice that public worship is suspended until further notice. The entrance is a steeply arched portal framed by rich mouldings of eight shafts with stiff-leaf capitals each encircled by an annular moulding at middle height. The former St Paul's Church boasts a lovely acoustic in a quiet location, well away from the main road, and a range of quality and historic harpsichords, pianos and chamber organs are available for use as part of the hire. [5], The west front rises in three distinct stages, each clearly defined by a horizontal course. [91] At the eastern end there is a proliferation of tracery with repeated motifs in the Reticulated style, a stage between Geometric and Flowing Decorated tracery. [112], The central tower appears to date from the early 13th century. [79] It is also a venue for musical events such as an annual concert by the Somerset Chamber Choir. Alexander Hamilton is Acting Director of Music at Wells Cathedral, a position he took up in December 2022, having been Assistant Director of Music since 2020. [168], To the north of the cathedral and connected to it by the Chain Gate is Vicars' Close, a street planned in the 14th century and claimed to be the oldest purely residential street in Europe, with all but one of its original buildings intact. It now consists of 67 stops five divisions spread across four manuals. Its repertoire ranges from the choral music of the Renaissance to recently commissioned works. Although primarily liturgical, the choir's repertoire includes other forms of music, as well as performances at engagements such as weddings and funerals. Wells Cathedral and Transatlantic Slavery, Wells Cathedral: Helping you to feel safe. [116] It is flanked by two windows each side in the clerestory, with large figures of saints, also dated to 134045. The style, with its simple lancet arches without tracery and convoluted mouldings, is known as Early English Gothic. [7] Unlike many cathedrals of monastic foundation, Wells has many surviving secular buildings linked to its chapter of secular canons, including the Bishop's Palace and the 15th-century residential Vicars' Close. Matthew Owens was the appointed organist from 2005 to 2019. Adam Wilson is Acting Assistant Director of Music, a position he took up in December 2022 having been Assistant Organist of Wells Cathedral since 2021. The strongly projecting buttresses have tiers of niches which contain many of the largest figures. [21] The church at Wells, no longer a cathedral, had a college of secular clergy. [118] The bracing arches are known as "St Andrew's Cross arches", in a reference to the patron saint of the cathedral. [101] He likens the arrangement and iconography to the Te Deum.[102]. The third stages of the flanking towers were both built in the Perpendicular style of the late 14th century, to the design of William Wynford; that on the north-west was not begun until about 1425. [33] The design maintains the general proportions, and continues the strong projection of the buttresses. Juilliard fills Roger Tappings giant shoes, Two women conductors come out for Cate Blanchetts Tar, 7/11 stores play opera to drive away the homeless. [39][40], John Harewell raised money for the completion of the west front by William Wynford, who was appointed as master mason in 1365. The font cover was made in 1635 and is decorated with the heads of putti. I would put the cathedral under a lay council with only one clerical representative: the dean. The sculptures on the west front at Wells include standing figures, seated figures, half-length angels and narratives in high relief. It was substantially reconstructed in the early 14th century during the remodelling of the east end, necessitating the internal bracing of the piers a decade or so later. Medieval brasses were sold, and a pulpit was placed in the nave for the first time. The second clock face has two quarter jacks (which strike on the quarter-hour) in the form of knights in armour. Membership benefits will include a daily digest of stories delivered to your email, and occasional exclusive offers from our partners. [27] Jocelin saw the church dedicated in 1239 but, despite much lobbying of the Pope by Jocelin's representatives in Rome, did not live to see cathedral status granted. The bishop's throne dates from 1340, and has a panelled, canted front and stone doorway, and a deep nodding cusped ogee canopy above it, with three-stepped statue niches and pinnacles. [119], The Lady Chapel has a vault of complex and somewhat irregular pattern, as the chapel is not symmetrical about both axes. Another sits in a contorted manner supporting the weight on his elbow, while a further figure squats with his knees wide apart and a strained look on his face. Adam Wilson, Acting Assistant Director of Music. [52] He was buried in an unmarked grave in the choir before the dean's stall. A well-known figure is the corbel of the dragon-slaying monk in the chapter house stair. The English painter J. M. W. Turner visited Wells in 1795, making sketches of the precinct and a water colour of the west front, now in the Tate gallery. Currently there are 18 boy choristers and a similar number of girl choristers, aged from eight to fourteen. [54], In 1661, after Charles II was restored to the throne, Robert Creighton, the king's chaplain in exile, was appointed dean and was bishop for two years before his death in 1672. Gender:Male. [81] Entry is free, but visitors are encouraged to make a donation towards the annual running costs of around 1.5 million in 2015. Typically the themes are less unified or directly related to the Bible and Christian theology than small sculptures seen elsewhere within churches, such as bosses. The cathedral hosts visiting choirs and does outreach work with local schools as part of its Chorister Outreach Project. [131] They originally numbered 90, of which 65 have survived. Probably easier to be dismissive when you have not been on the receiving end, or witnessed the damage. [33] It was designed in the new style with pointed arches, later known as Gothic, which was introduced at about the same time at Canterbury Cathedral. [174] Other artists whose paintings of the cathedral are in national collections are Albert Goodwin,[175] John Syer[176] and Ken Howard. It is moderately sized for an English cathedral. [119], The retrochoir extends across the east end of the choir and into the east transepts. [5] The sculptures occupy nine architectural zones stretching horizontally across the entire west front and around the sides and the eastern returns of the towers which extend beyond the aisles. As a first step we encourage you to take membership at US$79/59 a year, or $165/125 for three years. Matthew Owens has a long association with Northern Ireland through his wife, Ali, whose family is from Whitehead in County Antrim. Christ and the Virgin Mary are also represented by now headless figures in a Coronation of the Virgin in a niche above the central portal. June 24, 2021 in Nuts and bolts. The latest addition to the organs of Wells Cathedral is the chamber organ, which is normally kept in the Quire but can be moved around for services and concerts in other parts of the Cathedral. To the south of the nave is a large cloister, unusual in that the northern range, that adjacent the cathedral, was never built. It was repaired in 1813, and the central light was largely replaced to a design by Archibald Keightley Nicholson between 1925 and 1931. [73], Employed staff include the organist and master of choristers, head Verger archivist, librarian and the staff of the shop, caf and restaurant. One figure lies beneath the seat, supporting the shelf with a cheek, a hand and a foot. Under Dean Goodenough, the monuments were moved to the cloisters and the remaining medieval paint and whitewash removed in an operation known as "the great scrape". Since 1348 the College of Vicars had its own accommodation in a quadrangle converted in the early 15th century to form Vicar's Close. Read it here. Wells Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England. [106] A horizontal course runs around the west front dividing the architectural storeys at this point. Some emerge from their graves with joy and hope, and others with despair. The stairs to the chapter house and Vicars' Close. The round font in the south transept is from the former Saxon cathedral and has an arcade of round-headed arches, on a round plinth. However, like every other news site, we have costs to bear and are urging readers to help share them. The Golden Window at the east end of the choir depicting the. It was built by the Scottish organ-builders Lammermuir and comprise the stops Gedackt 8 Oak, Nason Flute 4 Oak and Maple and Fifteenth 2 25% Tin. [119] The windows of the retrochoir are in the Reticulated style like those of the Lady Chapel, but are fully Flowing Decorated in that the tracery mouldings form ogival curves. [144], The first recorded organist of Wells was Walter Bagele (or Vageler) in 1416. Alexander is also Artistic Director of Cathedral Commissions and the Music Director of Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society. [33], Later changes include the Perpendicular vault of the tower and construction of Sugar's Chapel, 14751490 by William Smyth. More bullying in the Christian church by clergy and more people walking away from it when you read this kind of thing! It is a two-storeyed structure with the main chamber raised on an undercroft. [131], The misericords date from 1330 to 1340. Designed and built by the Dutch firm of D. A. Flentrop, the organ now contains 3,944 pipes, ranging in size from 32 feet to less than one inch. The Chapel of St Martin is a memorial to every Somerset man who fell in World War I. Though possibly influenced by carvings of acanthus leaves or vine leaves, it cannot be easily identified with any particular plant. This is uncommon among English cathedrals where the exterior usually exhibits a plethora of styles. The login page will open in a new tab. [43][44], By the reign of Henry VII the cathedral was complete, appearing much as it does today (though the fittings have changed). [53] During the Commonwealth of England under Oliver Cromwell no dean was appointed and the cathedral fell into disrepair. [179][180], An account of the damage to the cathedral during the Monmouth Rebellion is included in Arthur Conan Doyle's historical novel Micah Clarke. The arcade, which takes the same form in the nave, choir and transepts, is distinguished by the richness of both mouldings and carvings. [13] During this period a choir of boys was established to sing the liturgy. [137] Its mechanism, dated between 1386 and 1392, was replaced in the 19th century and the original moved to the Science Museum in London, where it still operates. The stiff leaf foliage of the capitals is renowned. [140], On the outer wall of the transept, opposite Vicars' Hall, is a second clock face of the same clock, placed there just over seventy years after the interior clock and driven by the same mechanism. The particular character of this Early English interior is dependent on the proportions of the simple lancet arches. [91], Until the early 14th century, the interior of the cathedral was in a unified style, but it was to undergo two significant changes, to the tower and to the eastern end. The misericords survived better than the other sections of the stalls, which during the Protestant Reformation had their canopies chopped off and galleries inserted above them. In 1851 the archaeologist Charles Robert Cockerell published his analysis of the iconography, numbering the nine sculptural divisions from the lowest to the highest. Wooden galleries installed in the 16th century were removed and the stalls were given stone canopies and placed further back within the line of the arcade. Peter Stanley Lyons was Master of Choristers at Wells Cathedral, and Director of Music at Wells Cathedral School in 19541960. The chapter house is off the staircase to the right. 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