So much more to see by iandsmith
One of the great advantages of guided tours is that whatever you're looking at tends to come alive. Wells Cathedral is full of wonders, some of which become apparent only when they're pointed out, others are obvious but unexplained. This falls into the latter category but, with a guide to enlighten, an extraordinary story comes to light, one of many such that abound in this wondrous building.A close examination, that I undertook when I first wandered through in the early morning before the guided tour, had me shaking my head at this stained glass window. Try as I may, I couldn't make out what it was all about.
Our oh-so-knowledgable guide was less daunted however and she explained that the glass had been smashed during various episodes of history, notably the civil war, but all the pieces had been gathered up and stored away until, lights-flashing, bells-a-ringing, a bishop had an idea - lets put it all back up and to hell (whoops, sorry about that) with the consequences and any idea of getting the jigsaw right.
The legend has it that when the place was being systematically destroyed during the civil war one of the destroyers fell and died whilst taking a swing at the glass so the commander halted the destruction, seeing the death as an omen.
For those of you unfamiliar with stained glass in churches, you read it from the bottom up, but, in this case, you might as well stand on your head, you still won't get it right!
This then, is how this kaleidoscope of colour came into being - but it's only one of the wonders of this cathedral.
