Ely Cathedral

Ely Cathedral
Name	Ely Cathedral
Fullname	The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Ely
Caption	The cathedral viewed from the south, showing the Norman nave and the unique Octagon tower.
Denomination	Church of England
Previous denomination	Roman Catholic Church
Diocese	Diocese of Ely (since 1109)
Province	Province of Canterbury
Founded date	673 (abbey), 1109 (cathedral)
Founder	Æthelthryth (abbey), Henry I of England (cathedral)
Dedicated date	17 October 1252
Style	Romanesque, Gothic
Length	537 ft (164 m)
Length nave	250 ft (76 m)
Height	215 ft (66 m) (Octagon lantern)
Tower height	215 ft (66 m) (West Tower)
Bells	12 (plus 5 in the Galilee Porch)
Parish	Ely
Country	England
Website	https://www.elycathedral.org/

Ely Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, is a magnificent Anglican cathedral in the city of Ely. Founded as a monastery in the 7th century, it became the seat of the Bishop of Ely in 1109 and is renowned for its scale, history, and unique architectural features. Often called the "Ship of the Fens" because of its prominent silhouette rising from the flat East Anglian landscape, it remains a major centre for worship, music, and pilgrimage.

History

The site's history begins with Æthelthryth, a Northumbrian princess who founded a double monastery here in 673, later becoming an important centre of learning. Destroyed by Danish invaders in 869, the community was refounded in 970 as a Benedictine abbey under Bishop Æthelwold. Following the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror appointed Abbot Simeon, who began constructing the great Norman church. In 1109, King Henry I of England created the Diocese of Ely, elevating the abbey to cathedral status. The monastery was dissolved in 1539 during the English Reformation under Henry VIII, but the cathedral continued as a Church of England foundation, with its dean and chapter established by letters patent from Elizabeth I.

Architecture

The building is a masterpiece of medieval engineering, showcasing both Norman and Gothic styles. The vast nave, begun under Abbot Simeon, is a superb example of Norman design with its massive pillars and triforium. The cathedral's most celebrated feature is the central Octagon and its wooden lantern, built by William Hurley following the collapse of the original Norman tower in 1322. This revolutionary structure, supported by enormous oak beams, floods the quire with light. The Lady Chapel, built in an exuberant Decorated style, is one of the largest in England. The western facade is dominated by a 14th-century Gothic tower, while the north transept retains its original Norman gallery.

Stained glass and art

The cathedral holds an important collection of medieval stained glass, particularly in the presbytery windows which depict scenes from the Old Testament and the lives of saints. Much of the original glass was destroyed by Puritans in the 17th century, but significant 19th-century restoration was undertaken by the firm of William Wailes. The painted wooden ceiling of the nave, dating from the 1850s, was designed by Henry Styleman le Strange and completed by Thomas Gambier Parry. The Lady Chapel contains rare 14th-century stone carvings, though its statues were defaced during the Reformation.

Music and choir

The cathedral has a distinguished musical tradition maintained by its choir, composed of boy choristers and adult lay clerks. The choir sings daily services and has a renowned recording and touring schedule. Notable organists have included Arthur Wills and Paul Trepte, and the cathedral is home to a famous four-manual Harrison & Harrison organ installed in 1908 and later rebuilt. The annual Ely Festival and regular concerts feature the choir and the cathedral's other musical groups, continuing a legacy that dates back to the monastic plainsong of the Benedictine community.

Dean and chapter

The cathedral is governed by the dean and chapter, led by the Dean of Ely. The chapter, which includes residentiary canons, is responsible for the cathedral's spiritual life, fabric, and mission. The current diocesan bishop is the Bishop of Ely, whose throne (cathedra) is located in the quire. The cathedral's administrative structure has evolved from the medieval monastic chapter, reformed after the Dissolution of the Monasteries to its current form under the Cathedrals Measure 1999.

Burials and memorials

The cathedral serves as the final resting place for many notable figures. These include Æthelthryth, the foundress, whose shrine was a major pilgrimage site until its destruction in 1541. Other burials include William de Louth, a 14th-century Bishop of Ely; Louis de Luxembourg, the Archbishop of Rouen; and John Tiptoft, known as the "Butcher of England." A notable 19th-century memorial commemorates Edward James Stanley, a former dean. The cathedral also contains memorials to men of the RAF and Royal Engineers and to Oliver Cromwell, whose family had strong connections to Ely.

Category:Church of England cathedrals Category:Grade I listed buildings in Cambridgeshire Category:English Gothic architecture Category:Norman architecture Category:Diocese of Ely