Ely Cathedral – UK
View of Ely Cathedral from the River drawn and engraved by Robert Farren (b. 1830). Ely Cathedral in the East of England on the Isle of Ely falls within the diocese of Ely. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘Ship of the Fens’ because of its prominence in the surrounding flat and watery landscape known as ‘The Fens’. It has been a centre of pilgrimage for many centuries. The first church on the site was founded by St Etheldreda (c. 630–679). The Abbot Simeon began construction of the present building in 1083 for the Benedictines in the reign of William I (William the Conqueror); it became a cathedral when the Diocese of Ely was created in 1109. The cathedral was added to over two centuries and completed in its present form by the fourteenth century. The original central tower collapsed in 1322 and was replaced by the present octagonal lantern tower. At the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries, in the reign of Henry VIII, the cathedral was only slightly damaged, but the Shrine of St Etheldreda was destroyed. There have been three major renovations, the last of which was completed in 2000. The artist and engraver Robert Farren (1832–1910) was born in Cambridge and his work was exhibited in the National Gallery in London in the late 19th century. He specialised in paintings and engravings of the region in and around Cambridge.
Size: 8000px × 5516px
Location: Ely, Cambridgeshire, UK
Photo credit: © Cameni Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 19th, abbot, cambridge, cathedral, century, conqueror, diocese, ely, engraving, etheldra, farren, fens, isle, pilgrimage, pilgrimages, place, robert, ship, simeon, st, surroundings, william
