”-o 
[25) 
WELLS CATHEDRAL 
The remainder .of the early English part of the 
building may, I think, be given, as it usually is, to 
Joceline Trotman de Welles, who was consecrated 
May 28th, 1206; died November 19th, 1242. 
All accounts say that he pulled down the greatest 
portion of the building,* which had fallen into 
decay, particularly that part west of the choir, 
(even what bishop Robert had wrought,) rebuilt it 
from the ground, and hallowed or dedicated it 
October 23, 1239. If he began the building soon 
after he came to the bishopric, it must have pro- 
ceeded at a very slow rate, for some years. In 1208 
he was banished by king John, for having at the 
command of the pope published an interdict. He 
was five years abroad in consequence, and during 
all this time and six years more, he was engaged 
in a struggle (doubtless expensive) with the monks 
of Glastonbury, who did not like the union of their 
abbey with the see of Wells. The severance was 
obtained May 18th, 1218; and from that time 
calling himself, instead of Bath and Glastonbury, 
“ Bath and Wells,” he setto work in earnest about 
the building. His life was spared for more than the 
20 years, which it took to complete and dedi- 
cate it: to use old Fuller’s quaint words, “ God, to 
square his great undertakings, giving him a long life 
to his large heart.” The principal features of his 
work are; on the outside—the very elaborate en- 
*Ecclesiam vetustatis ruinis enormiter deformatam prostravit et a 
pavimentis erexit dedicavitque.—“‘ Canon of Wells.’ 
I 
