 Wells was recognised as a free borough by a Royal charter of King John in 1201.The city remained under episcopal control until its charter of incorporation from Queen Elizabeth I in 1589.City status was most recently confirmed by Queen Elizabeth II by letters patent issued under the Great Seal dated 1 April 1974, which granted city status specifically to the civil parish; on that date major local government reorganisation came into effect, which involved the abolition of the municipal borough of Wells.