Morning Birdsong: Day 5, Ely Cathedral

On Friday Matt and Vicki took us to see Ely Cathedral.

Ely Cathedral is "the principal church of the Diocese of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, England...It is known locally as "the ship of the Fens", because of its prominent position above the surrounding flat landscape." (Wikipedia) Ely Abbey was founded in 672, by Æthelthryth (St Etheldreda), daughter of the East Anglian King Anna. Later Vikings destroyed much of it, with the precise location of the original monastery unknown. "The church building of 970 was within or near the nave of the present building, and was progressively demolished from 1102 alongside the construction of the Norman church." (Wikipedia).

So this "modern" cathedral was built in pieces over 500 years from 1909 to 1541. In the 1500's during the Protestant Reformation the original stained glass and much of the statuary was smashed, removed, or defaced. Much of the painting and colored stained glass was re-done in the Victorian age.

On a pulpit...a symbol of each Gospel on each side...the Eagle for the Gospel of John (Jesus' ascension to the throne of Heaven and His divine nature)...

A man for the gospel of Matthew (Jesus' incarnation and human nature)

A bull for the Gospel of Luke (sacrifice, service, and strength)

For some reason I didn't take a photo of the winged Lion for the Gospel of Mark (courage and monarchy, Jesus the King).

The Lady's Chapel, built 1349.

This is the Octagon. In 1322 the Norman central tower of the cathedral collapsed as the boggy "fen" land under it could no longer support the central columns. "Alan de Walsingham, Sacrist of the monastery, created this major engineering feat, a structure of timber, glass, and lead standing on 8 massive stone pillars." (from the Ely Cathedral brochure)

Interior oak structure of the Octagon structure

Mural depicting how all of history, starting with Adam, points to and is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. By two Victorian artists: Henry le Strange and Thomas Gambier Parry.

Monuments lined the walls of the cathedral. Some pompous and fancy, others just plaques. This one said this beside it: "Sir Mark Steward, cousin of Robert Steward, the last Prior and first Dean of Ely. Ancestor of Oliver Cromwell. Died 1603. On the monument is a Latin inscription which tells a fictitious story intending to show that the Stewards were really of Scottish ancestry and members of the Royal House of Stewart. The falseness of this pedigree has been clearly proven. The family name was really Styward (meaning "keeper of the pig sties") and they came from Swaffham in Norfolk. 'People who are proud will soon be discgraced. It is wiser to be modest.' Proverbs 11:2"

Across from this one was a bust sculpture with this inscription: "Bishop Robert Butts Bishop of Ely 1738-1748; The bust of the Bishop above the memorial which contains a long and eulogistic account of one of whom we may say that he did 'nothing in particular and did it very well.'" Ha!!

A dragon lay at the feet of many of the statues to say that the person fought the good fight and was part of slaying evil in the world. This headless small worn statue was tucked in a crevice along an interior wall. I looked up at the plaque by it and found out this: "St. Hugh of Lincoln, Bishop of Lincoln 1186-1200; This marble slab of a headless bishop at whose feet lies a goose is alleged to be that of st. Hugh of Lincoln. He is generally represented with a pet tame swan, but it is recorded that while he was Prior of Witham, his pet was a tame goose. St. Hugh is described as one of the most attractive characters of medieval England. Deeply spiritual, and with a great sense of humor, he was easily roused to anger by injustice of any kind. He refused to undertake the office of Prior of Witham until King Henry II had given alternative accommodation and compensation to the people who had been turned out of their homes to make room for the monastery. 'What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.' Micah 6:8"

An example of a dragon at a Bishop's feet

Now THAT is a pipe organ.

Remember the peacocks symbolizing eternal life...

An eagle with babies in a nest...

Brad, Matt, and Vicki took the extra tour up to the top of the Octagon. I decided to stay down and look around...being woozy of heights. These photos are Brad's and Matt's.