Chain Gate, Wells, Medieval entrance gateway near Wells Cathedral, England.
Chain Gate is a medieval gateway structure in Wells featuring three arches at its lower level, with a central wagon passage flanked by two smaller pedestrian openings all built in Doulting stone. The upper level forms an elevated corridor connecting the cathedral to Vicars' Close.
Bishop Thomas Beckington commissioned the construction of Chain Gate around 1460 to create a passageway between the cathedral and Vicars' Close. This structure allowed cathedral staff to move between these two key ecclesiastical areas while avoiding weather and public observation.
The gate displays religious niches with statues and bears Bishop Beckington's coat of arms on its outer walls, reflecting its role as a vital link between two ecclesiastical spaces.
The passage is most easily accessed via stairs near the cathedral or from Vicars' Close, with clear routes visible from both sides. Visitors should be aware that the inner corridor is narrow and light levels are limited inside.
The upper passage features a slight bend because the cathedral and Vicars Hall entrances do not align directly. This pragmatic adjustment reveals how medieval builders worked within existing constraints rather than altering established structures.
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