Ely
Statue of St. Ethelreda at Ely Cathedral
Ely is the second smallest city in England. The name derives from an Old English word meaning 'Eel Region'. This is because the Isle of Ely was surrounded by marshland with an abundance of eels in the waters. These eels formed a mainstay of the local diet.
The city's origins come from the foundation of an abbey, by St. Ethedreda, in AD 673. The abbey was later destroyed by the Danish invaders in AD 870, but was not rebuilt for a further 100 years.
The city's origins come from the foundation of an abbey, by St. Ethedreda, in AD 673. The abbey was later destroyed by the Danish invaders in AD 870, but was not rebuilt for a further 100 years.
Ely Cathedral
'The Ship of the Fens'
The Cathedral is known as 'The Ship of the Fens', it can be seen from miles around as you approach the. Of course, if you imagine the Fens before they were drained you can imagine how the cathedral might seem like a ship floating on the water!
The building that we see today was begun in the reign of William the Conqueror in 1083. The diocese of Ely was created in 1108 and the cathedral opened in 1189. The main tower collapsed in 1322 and was rebuilt as an octagon. The cathedral was finally completed in 1351.
To learn more about the cathedral visit http://www.elycathedral.org/
The building that we see today was begun in the reign of William the Conqueror in 1083. The diocese of Ely was created in 1108 and the cathedral opened in 1189. The main tower collapsed in 1322 and was rebuilt as an octagon. The cathedral was finally completed in 1351.
To learn more about the cathedral visit http://www.elycathedral.org/
Oliver Cromwell's House
Oliver Cromwell's House
Oliver Cromwell lived in Ely for many years. The house he lived in was already old when he lived there and had been extended many times. The house is now a museum and the Ely Tourist Information Centre. For opening times and admission prices please visit http://www.ely.org.uk/tic.htm
Ely & Littleport Riots 1816
Five men were executed for their part in the Ely & Littleport Riots of 1816
After the Ely and Littleport Riots of 1816, 24 men were condemned. Of these 24, 19 were transported, but 5 of them were executed. There is a plaque to these men on the wall of St. Mary's Church (next to Oliver Cromwell's House). One of these men was Isaac Harley, a relative of William Sylvester Harley (co-founder of Harley-Davidson).
The plaque reads:-
"Here lye interned in one grave the Bodies of: WILLIAM BEAMISS, GEORGE CROW, JOHN DENNIS, ISAAC HARLEY, and THOMAS SOUTH, who were all executed at Ely on the 28th Day of June 1816 having been convicted at the Special Assizes holden there of divers Robberies during the Riots at Ely and Littleport in the Month of May in that year. May their awful Fate be a warning to others."
For more information about the Ely and Littleport Riots of 1816 please visit http://www.btinternet.com/~strawson.online/riots/riot.htm
The plaque reads:-
"Here lye interned in one grave the Bodies of: WILLIAM BEAMISS, GEORGE CROW, JOHN DENNIS, ISAAC HARLEY, and THOMAS SOUTH, who were all executed at Ely on the 28th Day of June 1816 having been convicted at the Special Assizes holden there of divers Robberies during the Riots at Ely and Littleport in the Month of May in that year. May their awful Fate be a warning to others."
For more information about the Ely and Littleport Riots of 1816 please visit http://www.btinternet.com/~strawson.online/riots/riot.htm
Click here for 'A Day out at Ely Cathedral' brochure
You can click on this link to visit the Ely tourist information site. http://visitely.eastcambs.gov.uk/
You can click on this link to visit the Ely tourist information site. http://visitely.eastcambs.gov.uk/