Penniless Porch, Wells

Last updated
Penniless Porch
Penniless Porch.jpg
Somerset UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location within Somerset
General information
Location Wells, Somerset
Coordinates 51°12′35″N2°38′41″W / 51.20971°N 2.64472°W / 51.20971; -2.64472
Construction startedc1450

The Penniless Porch in Wells, Somerset, England, is an entrance gateway into a walled precinct, the Liberty of St Andrew, which encloses the twelfth century Cathedral, the Bishop's Palace, Vicar's Close and the residences of the clergy who serve the cathedral. It has been designated as a Grade I listed building. [1] [2]

The Penniless Porch was built around 1450, by Bishop Thomas Beckington (also spelt Beckyngton) and bears his rebus or badge on the cathedral side. It forms one of a pair with The Bishop's Eye which formed the gateway into the Bishop's palace from the market place. [3]

It is a three-storey building of Doulting ashlar stone. [4] The roof is behind a battlemented parapet. [2] It is connected to the adjacent buildings and the rooms above the archway are used by the company occupying No 16 Market Place. [5] The first floor room has panelling from the 17th century. [2]

The Penniless Porch was painted by Joseph Mallord William Turner in 1795. [6]

It was named for the beggars who plied their trade there, [3] [7] however in 2016 a man was prosecuted for begging nearby. [8]


Related Research Articles

Wells, Somerset Cathedral city in Somerset, England

Wells is a cathedral city and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills. Although the population recorded in the 2011 census was only 10,536, and with a built-up area of just 3.244 square kilometres, Wells has had city status since medieval times, because of the presence of Wells Cathedral. Often described as England's smallest city, it is actually second smallest to the City of London in area and population, but unlike London it is not part of a larger urban agglomeration.

Durham, England City in England

Durham is a cathedral city and the county town of County Durham in North East England. The city lies on the River Wear, to the south-west of Sunderland, south of Newcastle upon Tyne and to the north of Darlington. Founded over the final resting place of St Cuthbert, its Norman cathedral became a centre of pilgrimage in medieval England. The cathedral and adjacent 11th-century castle were designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986. The castle has been the home of Durham University since 1832. HM Prison Durham is also located close to the city centre. City of Durham is the name of the civil parish.

Wells Cathedral Anglican cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England

Wells Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England, dedicated to St Andrew the Apostle and seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, whose cathedra it holds as mother church of the Diocese of Bath and Wells. Built in 1176–1450 to replace an earlier church on the site since 705, it is moderately sized for an English cathedral. Its broad west front and large central tower are dominant features. It has been called "unquestionably one of the most beautiful" and "most poetic" of English cathedrals.

Durham Castle Grade I listed historic house museum in Durham, United Kingdom

Durham Castle is a Norman castle in the city of Durham, England, which has been occupied since 1837 by University College, Durham after its previous role as the residence of the Bishops of Durham. Designated as a cultural World Heritage Site in England, along with Durham Cathedral, since 1986, the facility is open to the general public to visit, but only through guided tours, since it is in use as a working building and is home to over 100 students. The castle stands on top of a hill above the River Wear on Durham's peninsula, opposite Durham Cathedral.

Milborne Port Human settlement in England

Milborne Port is a village, electoral ward and civil parish in Somerset, England, east of Sherborne, and in the South Somerset district. It has a population of 2,802. The parish includes the hamlets of Milborne Wick and Kingsbury Regis.

St Cuthbert Out Human settlement in England

St Cuthbert Out, sometimes Wells St Cuthbert Out, is a civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, England. It entirely surrounds the city and parish of Wells. According to the 2011 census it had a population of 3,749.

Dinder Human settlement in England

Dinder is a small village 2½ miles west of Shepton Mallet, and 2 miles east of Wells in Somerset. It falls within the civil parish of St Cuthbert Out and the Mendip district.

Croscombe Human settlement in England

Croscombe is a village and civil parish 2 miles (3 km) west of Shepton Mallet and 4 miles (6 km) from Wells, in the Mendip district of Somerset, England. It is situated on the A371 road in the valley of the River Sheppey.

Wookey Human settlement in England

Wookey is a village and civil parish 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Wells, on the River Axe in the Mendip district of Somerset, England. The parish includes the village of Henton and the nearby hamlets of Yarley and Bleadney where the River Axe, travels the length of the village. There used to be a port at Bleadney on the river in the 8th century which allowed goods to be brought to within 3 miles (5 km) of Wells. Wookey is often confused with its sister village Wookey Hole, site of the Wookey Hole Caves.

Bishops Palace, Wells Grade I listed historic house museum in Mendip, United Kingdom

The Bishop's Palace and accompanying Bishops House at Wells in the English county of Somerset, is adjacent to Wells Cathedral and has been the home of the Bishops of the Diocese of Bath and Wells for 800 years. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building.

Mendip is a local government district in the English county of Somerset. The Mendip district covers a largely rural area of 285 square miles (738 km2) ranging from the Mendip Hills through on to the Somerset Levels. It has a population of approximately 11,000. The administrative centre of the district is Shepton Mallet.

The Bishops Eye, Wells Grade I listed architectural structure in Mendip, United Kingdom

The Bishop's Eye in Wells, Somerset, England, is an entrance gateway into a walled precinct, the Liberty of St Andrew, which encloses the twelfth century Cathedral, the Bishop's Palace, Vicar's Close and the residences of the clergy who serve the cathedral. It has been designated as a Grade I listed building.

Browns Gatehouse, Wells Grade I listed architectural structure in Mendip, United Kingdom

Brown's Gatehouse in Wells, Somerset, England, is an entrance gateway into a walled precinct, the Liberty of St Andrew, which encloses the twelfth century Cathedral, the Bishop's Palace, Vicar's Close and the residences of the clergy who serve the cathedral. Brown's Gatehouse has been designated as a Grade I listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Vicars Close, Wells street in Wells, England, one of the oldest surviving residential streets in Europe

Vicars' Close, in Wells, Somerset, England, is claimed to be the oldest purely residential street with original buildings surviving intact in Europe. John Julius Norwich called it "that rarest of survivals, a planned street of the mid-14th century". It comprises numerous Grade I listed buildings, comprising 27 residences, built for Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury, a chapel and library at the north end, and a hall at the south end, over an arched gate. It is connected at its southern end to the cathedral by way of a walkway over Chain Gate.

The Old Deanery, Wells offices of the Diocese of Bath and Wells; former residence of the Dean

The Old Deanery of Wells Cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England, dates from the 12th century. Along with the gatehouse and boundary walls has been designated as a Grade I listed building.

Chew Court

Chew Court is a Grade II* listed building next to St Andrew's church in Chew Magna, Somerset, England.

St Davids Bishops Palace Ruined medieval palace; adjacent to St Davids Cathedral

St Davids Bishops Palace is a ruined medieval palace located adjacent to St Davids Cathedral in the city of St Davids, Pembrokeshire, one of the most important ecclesiastical sites in Wales. The site dates back to the 6th century, although the building that stands today dates largely from the late 13th and 14th centuries.

Chain Gate, Wells Grade I listed architectural structure in Mendip, United Kingdom

The Chain Gate in Wells, Somerset, England, is an entrance gateway adjacent to the north side of Wells Cathedral, controlling access from St Andrew Street to the Cathedral Green within the Liberty of St Andrew. It is a Grade I listed building. It was built around 1460 to link the cathedral to Vicars' Close.

Cheddar Palace

The Cheddar Palace was established in the 9th century, in Cheddar, Somerset, England. It was a royal hunting lodge in the Anglo-Saxon and medieval periods and hosted the Witenagemot in the 10th century.

Wells St Andrew former civil parish in Wells, Somerset, UK

Wells St Andrew, or St Andrew Liberty, or derivations thereof, was a liberty, ecclesiastical parish, and later a civil parish, containing Wells Cathedral and surrounding land, in Somerset, England.

References

  1. Historic England. "Penniless Porch Gateway to Cathedral Green, Wells (1383024)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  2. 1 2 3 Historic England. "Penniless Porch (1383024)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  3. 1 2 Bush, Robin (1994). Somerset: The complete guide. Wimborne, Dorset: Dovecote Press. pp.  222. ISBN   1-874336-26-1.
  4. Historic England. "Penniless Porch Gateway to Cathedral Green, Wells (1383024)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  5. "Wells Cathedral Precinct". Gatehouse. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  6. "Wells: Penniless Porch and Bishop's Eye Gateways from the Market Place 1795". Tate. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  7. "Penniless Porch". Wells Cathedral. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  8. "Man admits begging in Wells to top up benefits". Somerset Live. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.[ permanent dead link ]

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Penniless Porch, Wells at Wikimedia Commons