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he building of the present Wells Cathedral began in 1179/80. The work was orchestrated by Reginald de Bohun, Bishop of Bath between 1174-91. de Bohan's predecessor, Bishop Robert of Lewes (1136-66), found the church at Wells in a decayed state after the Bishop's see was moved from Wells in 1088 to Bath following the death of Bishop Giso. Bishop Robert wanted to give the Dean and Canons under him a new church and Bishop Reginald provided this. The church was dedicated in 1239 even though work on it continued until 1260. In 1244/5, after a campaign to reinstate Wells as a Cathedral, the Pope decreed that the Bishop should become the Bishop of Bath and Wells. The Chapter House was begun in 1250. A Chapter House is the place of business of the Dean and Canons who are collectively known as the Chapter. The Chapter House at Wells is octagonal in shape and was finished in 1306. The most amazing sight at Wells are the scissor arches under the central tower. They were designed in 1338 by the master mason William Joy to help take the weight of the tower that was starting to crack due to extra building work in 1313.


Mini Timeline

Romanesque / Norman Period 1066 (+/- 25yrs) 
1180    Wells Cathedral building begins
   Work on Wells Cathedral began in this year. (More Information to follow) 
Early English Period 1190 (+/- 25yrs) 
1230    Wells Cathedral West Front Started
   Building of the West Front of Wells Cathedral was begun. 
1230 - 1260 Wells Cathedral West Front
  Work commenced on the West Front of Wells Cathedral.1 
1239    Wells Cathedral dedication of church
   The church at Wells was dedicated in this year, but did not get its status as a Cathedral until 1244. 
1244    Bishop of Bath and Wells
   The Pope decreed that Wells should be reinstated as a Cathedral and the Bishop became the Bishop of Bath and Wells. 
Decorated Gothic Period 1275 (+/- 25yrs) 
1293 - 1310 Wells Cathedral chapter House begun
  The Chapter House and the complicated arrangement of steps leading to them were started in this year and were not completed until around 1310. 
1310 - 1319 Wells Cathedral Lady Chapel
  Work commenced on the Lady Chapel of Wells Cathedral.1 
1315 - 1322 Wells Cathedral Central Tower
  Work commenced on the central tower of Wells Cathedral. This needed strengthening and in 1338, new internal arches were added to support the weight.1 
1338    Wells Cathedral scissor arches
   The Scissor arches were added to prevent the collapse of the central tower. 
Perpendicular Gothic Period 1350 (+/- 25yrs) 
1365 - 1395 Wells Cathedral South-west Tower
  William Wynford was the architect behind the South-west tower of Wells Cathedral.1 
1425 - 1435 Wells Cathedral North-west Tower
  The North-west tower of Wells Cathedral was constructed during this time.1 
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Selection of references used:

1. John Harvey, English Cathedrals, 1961

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Medieval and Middle Ages History Timelines - Wells Cathedral
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