The Lady Chapel is a superb structure, with its beautiful sculptured work, one of the finest specimens of Decorated architecture in the kingdom in spite of the cruel mutilation to which it was subjected at the Reformation. It was completed in 1349, but the east window is a little later and shows evidence of the approach of the Perpendicular period. An arcade of sculptured canopies runs round the walls, of extremely delicate carving. The mythical history of the Virgin and of Julian the Apostate appear in the spandrels, and the bosses of the roof have some sculptured figures representing the Crucifixion, Ascension, Annunciation, the Virgin crowned, the Virgin and Elizabeth, and some which cannot be distinguished.
[My thanks are due to the Dean of Ely for his kind assistance in interpreting the history of the Cathedral which he knows and loves so well.]
Dimensions
| Total length | 517 ft. |
| Length of nave | 230 ft. |
| Breadth of nave | 78 ft. |
| Height of vault | 70 ft. |
| Length of transept | 190 ft. |
| Diameter of octagon | 65 ft. |
| Height of west tower | 215 ft. |
| Area | 46,000 sq. ft. |
Principal Building Dates
- 1083-1189—Transepts, nave, lower stages of tower, monks' and prior's doorways.
- 1189-1254—Galilee porch, presbytery, upper stages of tower.
- 1316-1349—Lady chapel, octagon, choir, windows of triforium of presbytery, buttresses, Prior Crauden's Chapel, stalls.
- 1388-1534—Highest stage of tower, chapel and some windows.
- 1699—North-west corner of north transept and doorway.
PLAN OF ELY CATHEDRAL