The west tower of Ely Cathedral, in Ely, Cambridgeshire, England
Originally a Benedictine abbey, first established in the late 7th century, the creation of the new diocese of Ely from part of the enormous Lincoln diocese saw the abbey raised to the status of a cathedral-priory in 1109, shortly after work had commenced on the present building. Unfortunately, as in many other large Norman churches, the central tower proved to be weak and it collapsed 12th February 1322, causing no loss of life, but a great deal of damage. Its replacement was the remarkable octagonal lantern for which the cathedral is justly famous. There was a further collapse in the 15th c. when the north-west transept fell – this, however, was not replaced, leaving the west front with the unbalanced look it has to-day. The priory was surrendered in 1539, after which the prior and monks serving the cathedral were replaced (1541) by a dean and prebendaries.
Size: 3613px × 5320px
Location: Cathedral Green, Ely, Cambridgeshire, England
Photo credit: © David Knighton / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: autumn, benedictine, britain, british, cambridgeshire, cathedral, ely, england, english, exterior, isle, kingdom, monks, priory, scene, topographical, uk, united
