ELY CATHEDRAL, Interior, Anglophile Friday

Nave, Ely Cathedral

Some weeks ago, my Anglophile Friday post contained photos of the exterior of Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire, England. Today we're finally inside, working our way from the nave to the altar. I'm hoping that the photos here are in the correct order. These are just a few of the photos, but we can't stay in Ely Cathedral forever (although it is tempting).

From easterncathedrals.org:

'The city of Ely may be small in comparison to other cities, but its cathedral is a magnificent structure with a history dating back over 1300 years. Despite its remoteness, Elly has an association with well known kings and saints who have shaped our history: King Canute, William the Conqueror, Hereward the Wake, Henry III, Edward III, Queen Phillipa and Oliver Cromwell.

'The near-legendary founder of this cathedral was Etheldreda, the wife of a Northumbrian king who established a monastery on the spot in 673 A.D. Etheldreda's monastery flourished for 200 years until it was destroyed by the Danes. It was re-founded as a Benedictine community in 970.

'The present structure dates from 1081 and is a remarkable example of both Romanesque and Norman architecture.'

Ely Cathedral Crossing
Lantern and Ceiling of Quire

From elyonline.co.uk:

"When the dust had settled from the collapse of Ely’s Romanesque crossing tower in 1322, there was just a large open space where the crossing tower on its four great piers had been. Rather than replace the tower as it was, they decided to build an enormous octagonal lantern built over this open space. Now known as the Ely Octagon, it is one of the most spectacular spaces ever built in an English church.

"The lantern is supported on eight large stone piers formed out of the first pairs of piers of the nave, transepts, and rebuilt choir. Above this, the superstructure is made of timber, although it was carved and painted to look like stone. The timber–work was done by William Hurley, the king’s own carpenter. The wooden vaults joining the lantern to the piers are largely decorative and conceal the real supporting framework."

Ceiling in SW Transept

Rood Screen

Entrance to the Quire

From ElyCathedral.Org

"Etheldreda (Æthelthryth, Ediltrudis, Audrey) (d.679), queen, foundress and abbess of Ely. She was the daughter of Anna, king of East Anglia, and was born, probably, at Exning, near Newmarket in Suffolk. At an early age she was married (c.652) to Tondberht, ealdorman of the South Gyrwas, but she remained a virgin. On his death, c.655, she retired to the Isle of Ely, her dowry. In 660, for political reasons, she was married to Egfrith, the young king of Northumbria who was then only 15 years old, and several years younger than her. He agreed that she should remain a virgin, as in her previous marriage, but 12 years later he wished their marital relationship to be normal. Etheldreda, advised and aided by Wilfred, bishop of Northumbria, refused. Egfrith offered bribes in vain. Etheldreda left him and became a nun at Coldingham under her aunt Ebbe (672) and founded a double monastery at Ely in 673. (from FARMER, David: The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, 3rd ed. OUP, 1992.)" 

Admittedly, this is extremely a bit odd. Nevertheless, it's amazing to me that Ely Cathedral was founded in 673, back when buffalo were roaming the plains of what we now call the United States (and the British seem to want to call 'America.') :-)

I would be happy to spend a lot more time in Ely Cathedral. It was beautiful and awe inspiring.

Oddly, you don't hear of many people naming their daughter Etheldreda these days, do you.

 In the Quire

 Quire Floor

 Etheldreda Stone (r)

Ah, the missing year: A.D. 673

My favorite, again

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This post is linked to
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