[6] The periods were thus divided by the late Mr. Sharpe: Norman, a.d. 1066-1145; Transitional, 1145-1190; Lancet, 1190-1245; Geometrical, 1245-1315; Curvilinear, 1315-1360; Rectilinear, 1360-1550.
[7] Lecture on Ely Cathedral by the late Sir G.G. Scott, at the Etheldreda Festival, Oct. 1873.
[10] The Restorations, which have been for some years in progress, have been executed throughout with the most scrupulous care, preserving every portion of uninjured surface, and re-producing what is mutilated or destroyed as nearly as possible in exact conformity with the indications of the ancient work afforded by the parts which remain, and in the same material. They were at first carried out under the directions of the late Dean Peacock, assisted from time to time by Professor Willis, and by the occasional advice of Professional friends: but towards the end of the year 1847, Sir G.G. Scott was appointed architect to the works, and under his direction the rearrangement of the Choir was effected, and other restorations in progress carried out until his death. The windows have been filled with stained glass chiefly through the munificence and exertions of the late Canon E.B. Sparke.
[15] By an Act of Parliament passed in 1840, the number of Prebendaries was in future to be reduced to six, two of which stalls were to be attached respectively to the Regius Professorships of Greek and Hebrew in the University of Cambridge.
[22] Hewitt's description of Ely Cathedral, p. 13.
[23] The name "Galilee" is thus accounted for by the late Rev. G. Millers in his "Description of Ely Cathedral," p. 43. "As Galilee, bordering on the Gentiles, was the most remote part of the Holy Land from the Holy City of Jerusalem, so was this part of the building most distant from the sanctuary, occupied by those unhappy persons, who, during their exclusion from the mysteries, were reputed scarcely, if at all better than heathens."
Another writer gives as a reason for the name, that upon a woman applying for leave to see a monk, her relation, she was answered in the words of Scripture, "Behold he goeth before you into Galilee, there you shall see him."
[26] Parker's "Introduction to the study of Gothic Architecture," p. 91.
[27] At the time these works were in progress (Oct., 1845), Mr. Bassevi, the eminent architect of the Fitzwilliam Museum, at Cambridge, visited the Tower, and unfortunately fell from one floor to another, and was killed. He was buried in the north aisle of the Choir, and an elegant monumental brass, by Messrs. Waller has been laid over his remains.
[28] A font, the gift of Dean Spencer, in 1693, formerly stood under the third arch on the south side of the Nave, but having no accordance in style with the architecture of the building, it has been removed, and placed in a newly erected church at Prickwillow, near Ely.
[29] Bishop Turton by his will left the sum of £500 towards this object, and Bishop Harold Browne gave a like sum towards the completion of the paving of the Nave and aisles.
[30] A portion of the expense of this work was defrayed by a bequest by the Rev. G. Millers, a Minor Canon, augmented by the liberality of his Executors to £400.
[31] In the key to the ceiling as represented in the two following pages, we have placed the words of the legends under the principal subjects, and the contents of the scrolls under the names of the persons represented.
[32] A new door, with scrollwork in iron, has been put in at the cost of the Bedfordshire ArchÆological Society.
[34] He was made Sub-Prior, then Prior, and elected Bishop, a.d. 1344, but the election was not confirmed.
[35] These were contributed by the Bishop of Carlisle (5), Dr. Kennedy, Sir G.G. Scott, Captain Horton, Canon Underwood, and others.
[36] Bishop Sparke gave £1500 stock in the Reduced Three per cents. about 1833, but the east window was not completed until 1857; the amount had in the mean time accumulated considerably, and proved sufficient to defray the cost of the east window, of six windows in the clerestory of the Choir, of the four windows of the triforium of the Presbytery, and half the cost of the north-west window of the Octagon.
[37] This great work is designed as a memorial of Dean Peacock, and a more fitting one could scarcely be found, as it is one of the great works he had in contemplation. "The Dean and Chapter felt that they could not propose any record of the zealous exertions of the late Dean, so appropriate as the restoration of the central portion of the Cathedral Church; which, after the great improvements executed under his superintendence in the eastern and western portions of the fabric, would form as it were a keystone of the whole work." Subscriptions amounting to about £10,000, were given by many noblemen as well as other friends of Dean Peacock; the capitular body contributing very largely towards the work.
[38] Previous to the last removal, the custom was that only one sermon was preached in the morning to the congregations severally from the Choir, St. Mary's Church, and Holy Trinity Church, who assembled together, and occupied generally seats provided by themselves, in the Octagon and the two bays east of it, the third being taken up by the screen dividing it from the Choir with the organ loft over. The sermons were usually preached by the Canon in residence at the time.
[44] In the centre are the arms of the Duke of Bedford; on the south side those of Alexander Beresford Hope, Esq., and the Rev. T. Halford; on the north those of J. Dunn Gardner, Esq., and J.C. Sharpe, Esq.
[46] "O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, grant us Thy peace. Lamb of God, have mercy upon us."
[47] Wolstan, Archbishop of York; Osmund, a Swedish bishop; Ednoth, Bishop of Dorchester (Lincoln); Alfwyn, Elfgar, and Athelstan, severally Bishops of Elmham; and Brithnoth, Duke of Northumberland. An interesting account of the removal of these remains may be found in the Addenda to Bentham's History, vol. ii. p. 23, &c.
[48] The Professor left the sum of £10,000 towards the erection of Divinity Schools in connection with the University of Cambridge, which have just been completed.
[49] Millers' Description of Ely Cathedral, p. 89.
[51] Millers' Description of Ely Cathedral, p. 85.
[52] At the meeting of the Diocesan Conference at Ely, in July, 1874, the subject of the Restorations of the Cathedral was discussed, and the following Resolution passed unanimously.—"That it is desirable that a Diocesan Committee of Clergy and Laity, with Branch Committees in each Archdeaconry, be formed to co-operate with the Bishop, Dean, and Chapter, for raising funds to carry on the Restoration of the Cathedral by rebuilding in the first instance, after the completion of the works now in hand, the north-west Transept."—Ely Conference Report, 1874.
[54] We understand it is intended to make some further alterations, and to build a new "hostel," on a plot of ground nearly opposite the gateway on the western side, forming a block of buildings to include accommodation for sixty boys, with masters' and servants' offices, as well as the dormitories, studies, and day rooms for the boys.
[55] This door was blocked up when the Church was repaired in 1829.
[56] Millers' Description of Ely Cathedral, p. 148, 149.
