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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Wells
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(10,000 in 1991)
Cathedral town in Somerset, renowned for the unspoilt perfection of an entire range of ecclesiastical buildings. A church is believed to have been established here in the early 8C and Wells became a diocese in 909. Over the centuries there were tussles as to whether the bishop's seat should be here or at Bath, but in 1245 the compromise was established whereby the bishop is of Bath and Wells but his seat is at Wells.
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The glories of the cathedral begin with its extraordinary west front (mid-13C), decorated with some 300 separate statues, originally all coloured. The severe Early English nave is dominated by two curving scissor arches, boldly crossing it and interrupting the view; they were added in the early 14C to strengthen the base of the central tower shortly after its completion. In the north transept is a famous 24-hour astronomical clock, also of the 14C, with mounted knights emerging on the hour from a castle at the top; nearby a large seated figure known as Jack Blandiver strikes the quarters on a bell. Leading off the north transept is a magnificent flight of stone steps, part of which branches off into the beautiful early 14C octagonal chapter house, with its central column exploding like a firework into the multiple ribs of the roof.
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Outside the cathedral there survives an entire street of 14C houses built for the clergy, Vicars' Close. There are two medieval gatehouses, the Penniless Porch and the Bishop's Eye; the latter leads to the 13C Bishop's Palace, which is still the episcopal residence. The palace is surrounded by a moat (fed by the springs from which Wells takes its name), and the swans on the moat are trained to ring a bell when they consider it time for a meal.
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