seen the completion of the Lady-chapel. The recasting of the eastern limb of the church was then undertaken; and the presbytery, nearly as it now exists, was completed under Bishop RALPH OF SHREWSBURY (1329–1363).

The upper portion of the south-west tower was the work of Bishop HAREWELL (1366-1386); and the north-west tower was raised in the same manner in accordance with the will of Bishop BUBWITH (1407— 1424), who also built the library above the eastern walk of the cloister. The western cloister-walk, and part of the southern, were the work of Bishop BECKINGTON (1443-1464). The latter was completed, soon after Beckington's death, by Thomas Henry, treasurer of Wells.

II. In accordance with these dates, the existing cathedral displays very rich and peculiar work of the Early English period in the portions built by Bishop Jocelin and his successors, and affords excellent examples of early Decorated (geometrical) in its choir, Ladychapel, and chapter-house. "Though one of the smallest, it is perhaps, taken altogether, the most beautiful of English cathedrals.... Externally, its three well-proportioned towers group so gracefully with the chapterhouse, the remains of the vicars' close, the ruins of the bishop's palace, and the tall trees by which it is surrounded, that there is no instance so characteristic of English art, nor an effect so pleasing produced with the same dimensions." Seen from a distance, the b Fergusson's Handbook of Architecture, p. 867.

picturesque group of towers and pinnacles derives increased effect from the beauty and variety of the surrounding landscape. On one side rises the long ridge of the Mendips, with its rocky outliers; whilst in the southern distance the lofty peak of Glastonbury Tor lifts itself above the marshes, marking the site of what was generally believed, throughout the Middle Ages, to have been the earliest Christian church in Britain, if not the first in Christendom. The cathedral itself seems to nestle under its protecting hills; and the waters of the bishop's moat, sparkling in the sunshine, indicate the spring or great well' which may have led King Ine to establish his church here, if, as is most probable, such a church ever existed, and was the reason why Wells was chosen, in 909, to be the seat of the bishopric. (See Part II.)

The best nearer views of the cathedral are gained from an eminence on the Shepton-Mallett road, about a quarter of a mile from the city [Plate I.], and from the terrace in the garden of the palace. The former is very striking, and should not be missed.

III. From whichever direction the visitor enters the Close, he must pass under one of the three gatehouses built by Bishop BECKINGTON (1443--1464), all of which display his shield of arms, and his rebus, a beacon enflamed, issuing from a tun or barrel. Over the Chain gate passes the gallery which connects the Vicars'

See Part II., note a.

On a fesse, a mitre with labels expanded, between three bucks' heads caboshed in chief, and as many pheons in base.

College with the cathedral. The gate called the 'Penniless Porch' opens to the Market-place; but the cathedral will be best approached for the first time through Browne's gate, at the end of Sadler-street. From this point an excellent view of the west front is obtained, rising at the end of a broad lawn of greensward, bordered with trees. [ [Frontispiece.] The cathedral close of Wells is scarcely so picturesque as those of Salisbury or Winchester. It is more open, however, and its short, bright turf contrasts very effectively with the grey stone of the buildings which encircle it, and with the grand old church itself. This, with the exception of its shafts of Purbeck, is built throughout with stone from the Doulting quarries, about nine miles from Wells. These quarries, which are still worked, are in the inferior oolite, and the stone differs but little from that of the Bath quarries, which are in the great oolite. The quarry which is said to have supplied the stone for both Wells and Glastonbury is called 'St. Andrew's.'

IV. The cathedral of Wells suffered considerably at the time of the Reformation, but does not seem to have been much damaged during the civil war, although the troopers of Prince Rupert were more than once quartered in the town. It did not escape so well, however, from the troubles of Monmouth's rebellion, and it was then probably that many of the statues on the west front were destroyed and defaced. On their way to Bridgwater, after the retreat from Philip's Norton, "the rebels proceeded to Wells, and arrived there in no amiable temper. They were, with few exceptions,