Penniless Porch, Wells

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]

Penniless Porch
Penniless Porch, Wells is located in Somerset
Penniless Porch, Wells
Location within Somerset
General information
LocationWells, Somerset
Coordinates51.20971°N 2.64472°W / 51.20971; -2.64472
Construction startedc1450

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.[1] 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.[4] The first floor room has panelling from the 17th century.[2]

The Penniless Porch was painted by Joseph Mallord William Turner in 1795.[5]

It was named for the beggars who plied their trade there,[3][6] however in 2016 a man was prosecuted for begging nearby.[7]

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

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