Ely Cathedral | Page 2

to time the best information in his power upon the improvements which have for many years been in progress. He tenders his best thanks for the kindness of many friends who have afforded him information, and has availed himself of the important remarks of the late Sir G.G. Scott at the Etheldreda Festival in 1873, and of the valuable work of Mr. Stewart to correct as well as to verify and support his own statements, for which his grateful acknowledgments are due. The whole has been revised, and some additions have been made, which he is induced to hope will enhance its value, and render it more worthy of public favor.
April, 1880.

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TO THE FIRST EDITION.
This Hand-book is intended simply as a "guide" for those who visit Ely for the purpose of seeing the Cathedral, the remains of the ancient Monastery, and other objects of similar interest.
The Compiler acknowledges himself greatly indebted for much valuable information to the elaborate works of Mr. Bentham and Mr. Millers; and, although he is conscious that his task has been performed but imperfectly, he still ventures to hope that, in the absence of the larger works above referred to, his little compilation will prove both interesting and useful.
May, 1852.
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CONTENTS.
Introduction Page 1
Historical Summary 14
The See of Ely 17
List of Abbots, Bishops, &c. 19
Officers of the Diocese 22
Dean and Chapter 23
List of Priors and Deans 24
List of Clergy and Officers 26
The Cathedral--West Front 27
Galilee or Portico 30
Interior of the Tower 31
South-west Transept, Baptistry, &c. 34
Nave 35
Nave Aisles 40
Transept 45
Octagon 49
Choir 58
North Aisle of Choir 77
Retro-Choir 80
South Aisle of Choir 81
Lady Chapel, or Trinity Church 88
Upper parts of the Church 91
Exterior 91
Dimensions of the Cathedral 99
The Monastic Buildings, &c. 101
Prior Crauden's Chapel 105
The Bishop's Palace 110
St. Mary's Church 112
The Grange 115
St. John's Hospital 115
Appendix I. The Cathedral Organ 117
II. Statement of Restorations, &c. 120

THE MINSTER.
Copied, by permission, from "Good Words."
Stone upon stone! Each in its place, For strength and for grace, Rises stone upon stone!
Like a cluster of rods, Bound with leaf-garlands tender, The great massive pillars Rise stately and slender; Rise and bend and embrace Until each owns a brother, As down the long aisles They stand linked to each other; While a rod of each cluster Rises higher and higher Breaking up in the shadow, Like clouds that aspire. While here in the midst, 'Neath the great central tower, The strength and the unity Mingle in power, And the mystery greatens: Nowhere in the place Can the eye see the whole, Or the sun light the space. And here the gloom gathers, And deepens to dense, While yonder the white light Breaks sharp and intense.
Unity! Mystery! Majesty! Grace! Stone upon stone, And each stone in its place.
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+Introduction.+
The introductory chapter of a book is often passed over without the careful perusal it very frequently deserves, when, perhaps, its purpose is to promote a better understanding of the subject contained in the main portion of the work. In the present instance our object is to give our readers an outline--a very brief one it is true--of the history and foundation of the monastery at Ely twelve centuries ago, which led to the subsequent erection of one of the noblest Cathedrals in the kingdom, in order to enable them to understand more fully some of the remarks in our description of this grand edifice as we now see it. To those who desire a more elaborate detail or fuller description than we can offer in our limited space, we would recommend a reference to The History and Antiquities of Ely Cathedral, by the Rev. James Bentham; or a more recent work, The Architectural History of Ely Cathedral, by the Rev. D.J. Stewart, M.A., formerly Minor Canon of Ely.
Christianity was first introduced into East Anglia about the end of the sixth century, by Redwald, the grandson of Uffa, founder of that kingdom; but it appears that little progress was made in his time, although Ethelbert, king of Kent, is said to have founded a monastery at Ely about A.D. 604. Eorpwald, and after him, Sigebert, sons of Redwald, greatly promoted the cause of Christianity, and it was during the reign of Sigebert that the truths of the Gospel spread over the kingdom; three monasteries were founded, one at Bury St. Edmunds, another at Burgh Castle, near Yarmouth, and a third at Soham; and the first Bishop of East Anglia was consecrated. The pagan king of Mercia frequently disturbed the tranquility of the kingdom, and Sigebert and his cousin Egric (to whom Sigebert had resigned his kingdom) were both slain in repelling an invasion. Anna met with the same fate; he was a prince greatly esteemed for his good qualities; he married Heriswitha, sister of St. Hilda, the foundress of Whitby Abbey, and had a numerous family, among whom may be