 Louis on the cathedral grounds, 2007 | |
| Species | Felis catus |
|---|---|
| Breed | Domestic short-haired cat |
| Sex | male |
| Born | c. 1998 |
| Died | November 14, 2019 (aged 20–21) Doulting, Somerset |
| Cause of death | Euthanisation after pleural effusion and possibly lung cancer |
| Nation from | England |
| Occupation | Cathedral cat, Mouser |
| Years active | 2004-2016 |
| Successor | Pangur |
| Residence | Wells Cathedral (2004-2016) Doulting (2016-2019) |
| Appearance | Ginger Tabby |
Louis, (/ˈluːi/) briefly known as Lulu (/ˈluːˌluː/),[1] and frequently known as 'Louis the Cathedral Cat' or simply 'The Wells Cathedral Cat' (c. 1998 - 14 November 2019)[2][3] was a ginger tabby cat that lived in Wells Cathedral, Somerset, England after being found as a stray by cathedral staff in 2004.[4] He would later[5] retire in 2016 to a house in Doulting, Somerset, in which he would pass away from a short illness 3 years later at an age thought to be over 20.[6]
Louis became a popular attraction in Wells Cathedral, described as one of the cathedral's most photographed features,[6] he had his own range of merchandise at the cathedral gift shop, and a children's story written about him.[7] He had gained national, and international publicity throughout his life through multiple major news networks, and was featured on BBC's The One Show.[4][6]
Arrival to Wells Cathedral
editIn 2004, Louis was discovered as a stray in the Mason's yard south of Wells Cathedral by Mark Rowe who was a member of the cathedral yard team at the time,[8][4][9]: 1 a few days later he was adopted,[8] and the cathedral workers made him a bed in one of their rooms and installed a cat-flap to allow him to come and go during the night.[9]: 1 During this time he was known as the cathedral yard cat.[8]
He would later eventually become accustomed to the cathedral, choosing a specific radiator and a chair in the Sugar Chantry as his place of choice to rest during the day. Now he was known as Louis the Cathedral Cat.[10][9]: 1 [8]
Life at Wells Cathedral
edit
Louis often passed by congregations to sit at the front as services were ongoing, he also enjoyed going for a lie in his favourite chair. He was known locally as a terror to visiting dogs which would later develop into somewhat of a controversy contributing to his internation recognition.
Louis also had to compete for attention and food with a cat called Pangur, another local tabby cat which liked to steal food as well as the limelight from Louis.
Popularity and controversy
edit
Louis had a wide plethora of products based off of him at the gift shop in the cathedral such as fridge magnets, pencils, mugs, and other trinkets including paperweights, clocks, bottle stoppers and candle-snuffers
Retirement
editDeath
editChildren's Book by Barbara Cooke
edit
Plot
editIn Literature and the Arts
editLiterature
edit- Louis is the only non-fictional character in the murder mystery novel Murder at the Cathedral by Frances Evesham (official website).[11]
- Louis is featured in Lisa Rogak's book Cats on the Job: 50 Fabulous Felines Who Purr, Mouse, and Even Sing for Their Supper, described as "perhaps the most well-known church cat in Great Britain" (after Doorkins Magnificat of Southwark).[12]
Art
edit- The painting 'Louis, Wells Cathedral' by Celia Pike depicts Louis sitting on the Cathedral Grounds, with Wells Cathedral in the background.[13] Pike describes her work as "Louis Guarding his territory—the beautiful Wells Cathedral".[14]
References
edit- ^ Rose, Simon (14 April 2011). "Louis the Wells Cathedral Cat" (Video). Interviewed by Jason Bryant.
- ^ Rayner, Gordan (16 March 2015). "Saint or sinner? Louis the Wells Cathedral cat accused of a string of savage attacks on dogs". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 17 March 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ "@WellsCathedral1 on Twitter". Twitter. Wells Cathedral. 15 November 2019. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "RIP Louis: Wells Cathedral Cat". englishcathedrals.co.uk. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ McGrail, Ben (16 December 2018). "Meet Pangur - the Wells Cathedral cat...sort of. After lovely Louis (who was the Cathedral cat for many years) retired to a loving home-". Facebook. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "Wells Cathedral's resident cat Louis dies". BBC.com. BBC News Somerset. 18 November 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ Morris, Steven (2015-03-17). "'Semi-feral' cathedral cat suspected of attacking dogs in English city". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
- ^ a b c d Taylor, Michael (16 November 2019). "Much loved Louis the Wells Cathedral Cat has passed away". SomersetLive.co.uk. SomersetLive. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d Cooke, Barbara (1 April 2012). Louis the Cathedral Cat. Printed by St Andrew's Press of Wells Ltd. Close Publications, Somerset. ISBN 9780957239302.
- ^ Roberts, Patrick (2011). "Church Cats 11". Purr 'n' Fur, Featuring Felines. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ Evesham, Frances (11 May 2020). An Exham-on-Sea Murder Mystery, Murder at the Cathedral. Boldwood Books. p. 148. ASIN B08592T6S6.
- ^ Rogak, Lisa (2015). Cats on the Job: 50 Fabulous Felines Who Purr, Mouse, and Even Sing for Their Supper. Designed by Omar Chapa. New York: Thomas Dunne Books, St. Martin's Griffin. pp. 167–169. ISBN 9781250072375.
- ^ Pike, Celia. "Louis, Wells Cathedral". Celia Pike. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ Pike, Celia (24 April 2017). "Louis, Wells Cathedral". Facebook. Retrieved 12 February 2024.