Bishop Bubwith Sixth Centenary Symposium

Located at the southern tip of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and described as the “most poetic” of the English Cathedrals, Wells Cathedral is home to a thriving spiritual, musical and historical community that stretches back nearly 850 years.The Cathedral welcomes visitors all year round to experience its stunning architecture, world-class music, and a full programme of events, tours and concerts.

Wells Cathedral

The making of a medieval library - books &amp; reading, teaching &amp; learning at Wells Cathedral in the Middle Ages

The symposium presents a wide-ranging programme of talks exploring the rich history of the cathedral’s remarkable book collection, including the building of the library - in its day said to be the largest in northern Europe - the study of and performance from music books; the rare books that the cathedral captured from closed monasteries; and the cathedral’s role in the beginnings of England’s Renaissance. Expert speakers include Nicholas Orme (Exeter University), author of the acclaimed <a href="https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300266436/going-to-church-in-medieval-england/#:~:text=In%20this%20comprehensive%20study%2C%20Nicholas,affected%20how%20worship%20was%20staged." title="https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300266436/going-to-church-in-medieval-england/#:~:text=In%20this%20comprehensive%20study%2C%20Nicholas,affected%20how%20worship%20was%20staged." target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Going to Church in Medieval England</a>; David Rundle (University of Kent at Canterbury), Nigel Ramsay (University College, London), Desmond Atkinson (Victoria History of Somerset) and James Clark (University of Exeter), author of <a href="https://yalebooks.co.uk/book/9780300269956/the-dissolution-of-the-monasteries/" title="https://yalebooks.co.uk/book/9780300269956/the-dissolution-of-the-monasteries/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">The Dissolution of the Monasteries. A New History</a>.The symposium starts with a free talk on Sunday 27th October following Evensong in the Nave, a ticketed talk at 2pm Sunday in the Education Room, followed by a ticketed event on Monday 28th October. <h4>Programme Sunday 27th October :</h4>Dr Des Atkinson - Nicholas Bubwith and the late medieval English prelacy: the path to high office (2.00-2.30pm Education Room)Professor Nicholas Orme - Wells Cathedral as a Centre of Education, 1140-1550 (5.00-6.00pm Nave)(Arrivals from 4.30, Refreshments in North Transept) <h4>Draft Programme Monday:</h4>Arrival and Registration 9.00-9.30amDr David Lepine - Noble Clerkes and Konnynge of Clergie: the Scholar Canons of Wells Cathedral in the Fifteenth CenturyDr David Rundle - A Well of Wisdom, a Renaissance in SomersetDr Nigel Ramsay - Medieval Cathedral libraries outside the Cathedral LibrariesProfessor James Clark - Wells Cathedral Library and the Monasteries