Brown's Gatehouse, Wells

Brown's Gatehouse
Location within Somerset
Alternative names Dean's Eye
General information
Location Wells, Somerset
Coordinates 51°12′37″N 2°38′36″W / 51.2103°N 2.6434°W / 51.2103; -2.6434Coordinates: 51°12′37″N 2°38′36″W / 51.2103°N 2.6434°W / 51.2103; -2.6434
Construction started c1450

Brown's Gatehouse (also known as the Dean'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. Brown's Gatehouse has been designated as a Grade I listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument.[1][2]

The Brown's Gatehouse was built around 1451, by Bishop Thomas Beckington (also spelt Beckyngton), at a cost of 200 marks.[1] It provides an entrance to the Cathedral Precincts from Sadler Street. It is named after the shoemaker Richard Brown, who was the next door tenant in 1553[3] In the 19th century it was known as The Dean's Eye.[4]

It is a two-storey archway of Doulting ashlar stone, with a Welsh slate roof with coped gables behind parapets.[5] The arch has a ribbed vault.[2] There is a doorway within the porch to a staircase to the first floor.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Brown's Gatehouse". National Heritage List for England. English Heritage. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Medieval gatehouse called Browne's Gate.". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  3. Bush, Robin (1994). Somerset: The complete guide. Wimborne, Dorset: Dovecote Press. p. 222. ISBN 1-874336-26-1.
  4. "Wells Cathedral Precinct". Gatehouse. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  5. "Brown's Gatehouse, Wells". Images of England. English Heritage. Retrieved 2009-01-13.

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