Gatehouse, The Bishop's Palace, Wells
Introduction
The photograph on this page of Gatehouse, The Bishop's Palace, Wells by David Dixon as part of the Geograph project.
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Gatehouse, The Bishop's Palace, Wells
Image: © David Dixon Taken: 10 Dec 2013
The three-storey gatehouse has a bridge over the moat and dates from 1341. The entrance was protected by a heavy gate, portcullis and drawbridge, operated by machinery above the entrance, and spouts through which defenders could pour scalding liquids onto any attacker. The drawbridge was still operational in 1831 when it was closed after word was received that the Palace of the Bishop of Bristol was subject to an arson attack during the Bristol riots (although the riots did not reach Wells); that was the last time the drawbridge was raised.
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Image Location
Latitude
51.209272
Longitude
-2.643853