the west front of Wells is intermediate between the west fronts of Lincoln (the work of Bishop Hugh of Wells, brother of Bishop Jocelin of Wells, 1209— 1235), and of Salisbury (completed in 1258). It is throughout of decidedly Early English character; and differs in the most marked manner from the nave. (See § XII.) Hence Professor Willis" has suggested that it was not commenced until after the death of Bishop Jocelin. The evidence of the lower courses of stone, however (an observation for which we are indebted to Mr. J. H. Parker), proves that all the foundations were laid at once, although the west front itself may have been erected by a different body of workmen from those -in all probability belonging to a local school-who built the nave and aisles. (See, for farther remarks on the date of the west front, APPENDIX, Note II.)

The front consists of a centre [Plate III.], in which are the three lancets of the western window, and above them a gable receding in stages, with small pinnacles at the angles; and of two wings or western towers, projecting beyond the nave. The upper part of these towers is of Perpendicular character. That to the north-west was completed by the executors of Bishop BUBWITH (1407-1424), whose statue remains in one of the niches: that to the south-west was the work of Bishop HAREWELL (1366-1386). Both these towers, fine as are their details, have a truncated appearance which is far from pleasing; and it is possible that the

See the report of his lecture in the Bristol volume of the Archæological Institute.

original Early English design terminated at the uppermost band of sculpture. (See APPENDIX, Note III.) The three western doors are of unusually small dimensions, perhaps in order to leave ample room for the tiers of figures which rise above them. Six narrow buttresses, at the angles of which are slender shafts of Purbeck marble, supporting canopies, divide the entire front into five portions. The whole of the statues which fill the niches are of Doulting stone.

The mouldings throughout are composed of a succession of rounds and hollows, rarely with fillets; and they differ in a marked manner from those in the nave. (See APPENDIX, Note IV.)

Whether the west front was raised before or after the nave, it is certain that its architectural portion is more ancient than the sculpture which decorates it. This, although intended from the first, was not added until about 1280; and the unusual position of the western towers was, probably, designed for the more complete display of the subjects.

The Purbeck shafts had fallen into great decay when their restoration was undertaken in 1869. The work was completed in 1874, and includes much new stonework. The sculptures are untouched. The work was carried out under the direction of Mr. Ferrey, and with the personal superintendence of Mr. Irvine.

VII. The identification of the "populus statuarum' which throng the front of the cathedral is still most uncertain, notwithstanding the great labour which has been so lovingly bestowed on the subject by Mr.

West Front-Statues.

293

Cockerell. Below the central gable six distinct tiers of sculpture may be recognised, all of which encircle the north-west tower. The first, or lowest, now nearly empty in front, consisted of full-length figures under canopies. The second is a series of small quatrefoils, in which are angels variously arranged. The third contains a series of subjects from the Old and New Testaments. The fourth and fifth tiers are of full-length statues; and the sixth exhibits the final resurrection in a series of small figures of most remarkable character and design. The three stages of the central gable have statues representing the celestial hierarchy, the twelve apostles, and above all, the Saviour in Majesty. Only the feet of this last figure remain.

In the tympanum within the porch is the Virgin scated on a throne, treading on a serpent, and supporting the Divine Infant. This group displays remains of colour. The ground, according to Mr. Cockerell, was originally painted in ultramarine, the mouldings in gold and red. In a niche above this porch is a coronation of the Virgin; the heads of the figures have, however, been destroyed. An especial reverence for the blessed Virgin was encouraged in the Church of Wells by Bishop Jocelin.*

The number of figures on the entire west front is upwards of 300, of which 152 are either life-size or

Iconography of Wells Cathedral.

"Hic (Jocelinus) primo anno consecrationis suæ, servitium B. Mariæ in ecclesiâ Wellensi fecit cotide decantari."- Canon Wellen. ap. Wharton, Anglia Sacra, i. p. 564.