Wells

Wells town (1991 pop. 9,252), Somerset, SW England. Primarily a cathedral town, it has changed little since medieval times, although shopping and tourism have become important. The first church was erected by King Ine of Wessex in the early 8th cent. The earliest part of the present cathedral dates from 1176. The towers were built in the 14th cent., much of the woodwork dates from the 15th cent., and there are more than 300 13th-century sculptured figures. The grounds of the bishop's palace include ruins of the original 13th-century structure and the complete 14th-century moat and wall. A theological college is in Wells.

well1 spring of water, pit dug to obtain a supply of spring water OE.; various transf. senses from XVII. OE. (Angl.) wella, wælla, *well(e), (WS.) *wiella, late will(a), wyll(a), wylle, corr. to OHG. wella (G. welle) wave, ON. vella boiling heat, ebullition, f. Gmc. *wall-; see WELL2.

Wells. A minster existed in Wells by the third quarter of the 8th cent., perhaps as early as 705. About 909 this church became the cathedral of the newly created diocese of the Somerset people. After the see was removed to Bath (between 1088 and 1091), the establishment at Wells fell into neglect, but Bp. Robert of Lewes (1136–66) refounded the chapter and endowed the deanery and 22 prebends. The present cathedral was begun c.1180 and the main structure consecrated in 1239. The 13th-cent. west front has 293 medieval figures and reliefs. The most striking interior feature is the inverted arches (14th cent.), by which the piers of the tower are strengthened. See also BATH AND WELLS.