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An Owl in a Cathedral?

Like most mediaeval Gothic cathedrals, Wells Cathedral was completed in stages over a period of centuries. By 1313 a high tower topped by a lead covered wooden ...
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Like most mediaeval Gothic cathedrals, Wells Cathedral was completed in stages over a period of centuries. By 1313 a high tower topped by a lead covered wooden spire had been constructed but, as the foundations were not stable enough, large cracks began to appear in the tower structure. In fear of a total collapse, several attempts at internal strengthening and buttressing were made, until the famous ‘scissor arches’ were put in place by master mason William Joy as a final solution.

These unique and beautiful arches, which often visitors believe to be later, modern additions, were constructed from 1338-48 as an elegant engineering solution to a very real problem.

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