English Churches - Cambridgeshire

Ely Cathedral - Part 3

The Nave and Side Aisles

The nave really does have the WOW factor with its three rows of round arches soaring to the ceiling. It is breathtaking with its Norman architecture and painted ceiling. It is also very long, reflecting the power and importance of the newly arrived Normans. This must rank as one of the best cathedrals in the country. 

Ely Cathedral    Ely Cathedral

Ely Cathedral

The ceiling panels tell the story of the ancestry of Christ, beginning with Adam and Eve, continuing through Abraham, Jacob and David, to the Annunciation, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi and ending with Christ in Majesty.  The detail can be seen better from the Stained Glass Museum in the south east triforium, although not all of the panels can be seen.

Ely Cathedral

Ely Cathedral

The side aisles have vaulted stone ceilings and blind Norman arcading along the walls.

Ely Cathedral  Ely Cathedral

The Prior’s Door on the south wall dates from around 1135. Near it is Ovin's stone,  which is the base of a wayside cross from a nearby village. The Latin inscription translates as ‘Give o God to Ovin your light and rest. Amen   

Ely Cathedral    Ely Cathedral

The South door by the south transept leads into the remains of the cloisters and has a beautifully carved outside.

    Ely Cathedral

Ely Cathedral

Tombs along the side aisles reflect the changing styles of architecture from the early C17th tomb of dean Henry Caesar, to the simple memorial to the early C18th Bishop William Fleetwoord to the Victorian Gothic style of C19th Bishop James Russell with its iron railings.
 
Ely Cathedral     Ely Cathedral


Ely Cathedral

Ely Cathedral
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