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."

HISTORICAL SUMMARY.

a.d.
673Foundation 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.
870The Monastery destroyed by the Danes.
970The 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.
1071The Abbey, after a long defence by Hereward, surrendered to William the Conqueror by Abbot Thurstan.
1083The building of the present Cathedral commenced with the south-eastern Transept, by Abbot Simeon, brother of Walkelin of Winchester.
1109Erection 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.
1235Erection of the Presbytery, eastward of the Choir, by Bishop Northwold. A spire erected on the Tower.
1321Building of the Lady Chapel (Trinity Church) commenced.
1322Fall 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.
1340The 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.
1440Erection of the Cloisters, and towards the end of the century, Bishop Alcock's Chapel.
1534Bishop West's Chapel.
1541The Abbey dissolved by Henry VIII. and reconstituted as a Chapter of Dean and Canons. Robert Steward last Prior and first Dean. The conventional 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.
1642Dean 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.
1649Commissioners under the Commonwealth survey and cause further destruction of the conventual buildings.
1676Pavement of the Nave restored by Mr. Clopton.
1699Fall of the north-west angle of the north-eastern Transept; rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren.
1754Extensive repairs of the roof of the Octagon and Choir by Bishop Mawson, and Deans Allix and Thomas.
1770The stalls transferred from the Octagon to the Presbytery by Essex, architect, and important repairs of the fabric executed.
1771Publication of Bentham's "History and Antiquities of Ely Cathedral"
1801The upper parts of the Tower repaired.
1823The Nave, Octagon, Lantern, and Transepts coloured, and the Stalls painted. This was done at considerable expense, and deemed at the time a great improvement.
1831A new Organ put in the old case.
1842A 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.
1845Commencement 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.
1847Sir 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.
1851The Organ re-modelled, enlarged and removed to the triforium.
1857The east windows filled with stained glass.
1858Restorations 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.
1867The Organ further enlarged and improved, towards which some of the inhabitants of the town contributed £80 for a sub-base of 32 feet tone.
1870Restorations 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.
1873Celebration of the Bissexcentenary or Twelve-hundredth anniversary of the foundation of the Monastery.
1874Commencement of the decoration of the Octagon, Lantern, &c.
1875Several new sculptured figures placed in the Octagon, and the decoration of the Octagon and Lantern completed and re-opened.
1876The paving of the north Transept completed.
1878The ceiling of the Baptistry painted by Mr. Parry.
1879The corona of pinnacles on the exterior of the Octagon completed. A monument to Canon Selwyn placed in the South Aisle of the Choir.