Entered from the Market Place and lying to the south of Wells Cathedral, the Bishop's Palace and Gardens are as good an example as there is of the oppulent life to which medieval bishops had become accustomed as a reward from the monarch for political service. Building started around 1210 by Bishops Jocelin of Wells and Reginald Fitz Jocelin. The chapel and great hall were added by Bishop Robert Burnell between 1275 and 1292. The walls, gatehouse and moat were added in the 14th century by Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury who was so unpopular because of the taxes he levied on the local population that he had to build a moat and 5 metre-high crenellated walls to defend himself. The views across the gardens to the cathedral are stunning.
