Ely Cathedral | Page 8

the munificence and exertions of the late Canon E.B. Sparke.]
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St. Etheldreda's church was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin; the church
erected by Ethelwold to St. Peter and St. Etheldreda; but since the
Reformation the dedication of the Cathedral has been to "The Holy and
Undivided Trinity."
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HISTORICAL SUMMARY.
A.D.
673 Foundation of the Monastery for men and women, married and
single, by Queen Etheldreda. Etheldreda, first abbess, succeeded by (1)
her sister Sexburga. (2) Erminilda, daughter of Sexburga. (3)
Withburga, daughter of Erminilda.
870 The Monastery destroyed by the Danes.
970 The secular clergy, who had returned to Ely, dismissed by
Ethelwold, bishop of Winchester, and the monastery reconstituted for
monks only under the rule of St. Benedict. Brithnoth first abbot.
1071 The Abbey, after a long defence by Hereward, surrendered to
William the Conqueror by Abbot Thurstan.
1083 The building of the present Cathedral commenced with the
south-eastern Transept, by Abbot Simeon, brother of Walkelin of
Winchester.
1109 Erection of the Diocese of Ely, Hervè le Breton being appointed
the first Bishop. Building of the Nave, Transepts, Tower and Choir
continued through the twelfth century.

1215 (about) Erection of Galilee Porch.
1235 Erection of the Presbytery, eastward of the Choir, by Bishop
Northwold. A spire erected on the Tower.
1321 Building of the Lady Chapel (Trinity Church) commenced.
1322 Fall of the Central Tower, followed by construction of the
Octagon and Lantern, by Alan de Walsingham. Western portion of the
Choir reconstructed by Bishop Hotham.
1330 (about) Prior Crauden's Chapel and the Guest Chamber, now the
Deanery, erected.
1340 The Stalls, the work of Alan de Walsingham, placed in the
Octagon, the position of the Choir before the fall of the central Tower.
1400 (about) William de Walpol, prior, erected the great gate of the
Abbey (Ely Porta). About this time erection of the Octagon or
Campanile on the West Tower, followed by the strengthening of the
piers below.
1440 Erection of the Cloisters, and towards the end of the century,
Bishop Alcock's Chapel.
1534 Bishop West's Chapel.
1541 The Abbey dissolved by Henry VIII. and reconstituted as a
Chapter of Dean and Canons. Robert Steward last Prior and first Dean.
The conventional [Transcriber's Note: so in original, probably should
be "conventual"] buildings sold and destroyed, portions only reserved
for residence of Dean and Canons and other officers. The Guest
Chamber used as the common Hall of the College, but converted at a
later period into the Deanery.
1642 Dean Fuller deprived by the Parliament. During the Rebellion Ely
occupied by Cromwell's soldiers, and the Cathedral said to have been
used for stabling their horses.

1649 Commissioners under the Commonwealth survey and cause
further destruction of the conventual buildings.
1676 Pavement of the Nave restored by Mr. Clopton.
1699 Fall of the north-west angle of the north-eastern Transept; rebuilt
by Sir Christopher Wren.
1754 Extensive repairs of the roof of the Octagon and Choir by Bishop
Mawson, and Deans Allix and Thomas.
1770 The stalls transferred from the Octagon to the Presbytery by
Essex, architect, and important repairs of the fabric executed.
1771 Publication of Bentham's "History and Antiquities of Ely
Cathedral"
1801 The upper parts of the Tower repaired.
1823 The Nave, Octagon, Lantern, and Transepts coloured, and the
Stalls painted. This was done at considerable expense, and deemed at
the time a great improvement.
1831 A new Organ put in the old case.
1842 A fire accidentally commenced in the roof of the Nave adjoining
the Tower, but was soon extinguished. The roof of the Nave re-covered
with lead.
1845 Commencement of the modern Restoration of the Cathedral under
Dean Peacock. St. Catherine's Chapel rebuilt. South-western Transept
restored. Interior of the western Tower opened and ceiled.
1847 Sir G. Gilbert Scott appointed architect. The stalls removed
westward and Choir re-arranged. Painting of the Nave ceiling
commenced, &c. A large number of stained windows introduced.
1851 The Organ re-modelled, enlarged and removed to the triforium.

1857 The east windows filled with stained glass.
1858 Restorations continued under Dean Goodwin. The Reredos
erected. The Lantern reconstructed as a memorial to Dean Peacock.
Western entrance repaired. Commencement of pavement of the Nave,
&c., &c. Foundations of the South Aisle of the Choir repaired.
1867 The Organ further enlarged and improved, towards which some of
the inhabitants of the town contributed £80 for a sub-base of 32 feet
tone [Transcriber's Note: so in original; possibly "of stone."].
1870 Restorations continued under the present Dean. Foundations of
south-east Transept and south side of the Choir repaired. Western
Tower braced with iron bands. Pavement of Nave and Aisles completed.
Further additions to stained glass in Choir. Fourth stained window
placed in the Octagon.
1873 Celebration of the Bissexcentenary or Twelve-hundredth
anniversary of the foundation of