The galleries, originally built across the ends of the transepts, were removed during later, though still Norman, times; and an arcade of slight projection substituted. The clerestory differs from Winchester in the arches of the three openings springing at equal height, and the plans of the piers differ considerably. Those in the transepts (as before said) are round and clustered, the latter consisting of the customary group of three shafts on its lateral faces, with a single shaft at back and front, for the vaulting and the roof, making together a perfectly uniform group of four larger and four smaller shafts (Fig. [260]). The round columns have a shafted pilaster attached to them on the side facing the aisle ([Fig. 261]).

Fig. 260.

Fig. 261.

Transept Piers, Ely Cathedral.

The nave piers are of alternating forms. The one is founded on the circular column, but has not only the shafted pilaster at the back, as those in the transepts, but two shafts, to carry an extra arch-order, in front, and a group of three running up to the roof ([Fig. 262]). The other form of pier is like that at Winchester, with the addition of an extra order, and has the triple shaft running up to the roof, as that last described ([Fig. 263]).

Fig. 262.

Fig. 263.

Nave Piers, Ely Cathedral.

The triforium piers are very similar, though lighter, excepting that the round pillar has lateral shafts to carry the sub-arcuation. All the orders are moulded.

How far the general plan was laid down from the first by Symeon is not known, but it differs from other cathedral and abbey churches in having a magnificent transept at the west end. Whether what we call the foundations of towers at Winchester may have been a foreshadowing of the arrangement, I cannot judge; but from its extraordinary scale (far exceeding that of western towers in general), I think it not unlikely. There was also some distant resemblance to this in the façade at Bury. Though, judging from the number of its bays, one would think the size of Ely and Winchester not very different, there is a disparity in the essential scale, which causes it to fall far short of the dimensions of Walkelyn’s church. The widths of naves from centre to centre of piers are respectively, 42 feet 6 inches and 37 feet 6 inches; and that of the bays, similarly measured, are about 22 feet and 19 feet 9 inches.