Bell's Cathedrals

This illustrated volume by the Rev. W. D. Sweeting gives a history and description of the cathedral church of Ely, with a short account of the former monastery and of the see. The preface names the Liber Eliensis and the Inquisitio Eliensis among the authorities that proved specially valuable for Ely. The history includes the story of Etheldreda, who is married at York, lives for twelve years at the Northumbrian court, and is admitted among the nuns at Coldingham by Wilfrid, Archbishop of York. When the king comes to bring her back, the abbess Ebba recommends escape to the Isle of Ely.

The description of the building covers the nave, originally of thirteen bays and now of twelve since the fall of the central tower, and compares its Norman work with the nave at Peterborough. Another passage notes a west window of four lights and stained glass figures said to have been brought from Cologne. The book carries forty-seven illustrations.