| The Bishop's Eye | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location within Somerset | |
| General information | |
| Location | Wells, Somerset |
| Coordinates | 51°12′34″N 2°38′41″W / 51.2095°N 2.64467°W |
| Construction started | c. 1450 |
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.[1]
The Bishop's Eye was built around 1450, by Bishop Thomas Beckington (also spelt Beckyngton), and provides the entrance to the Bishop's Palace. It forms one of a pair with the Penniless Porch which formed the gateway into the cathedral from the market place and is in a similar style.[2][3]
It is a three-storey building of Doulting ashlar stone, with a copper roof.[4] The timber gates were added in the 18th century. On the front of the structure facing into the market place are a statue niche and heraldic shields carved into the stonework.[1]
It is frequently photographed and has appeared in films such as Hot Fuzz. It was drawn in 1785 by Joseph Mallord William Turner and painted in 1920 by Ernest Haslehust.[5][6]
- ^ a b Historic England. "The Bishop's Eye (1383026)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
- ^ Bush, Robin (1994). Somerset: The complete guide. Wimborne, Dorset: Dovecote Press. pp. 222. ISBN 1-874336-26-1.
- ^ Historic England. "Penniless Porch (1383024)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
- ^ Historic England. "The Bishop's Eye, Wells (1383026)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
- ^ "Wells: The Bishop's Eye Gateway 1795". Tate. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
- ^ "The "Bishop's Eye", Wells. Somerset. By Ernest Haslehust - 1920". Amazon. Retrieved 17 September 2016.