81. GATE TO THE SOUTH CHOIR AISLE
On the South side of the nave altar we find this gate to the South choir aisle of the presbytery. Our intention is to investigate now the South transept, and then we shall explore the presbytery. PLAN
82. SOUTH TRANSEPT
As mentioned earlier, the transepts form the oldest part of the Cathedral still standing and date from around 1090. As we look across the nave altar, we notice similarities here to the North transept, especially the hammer-beam roof with the flying angels. However, the end window arrangement is quite different here.
83. SOUTH TRANSEPT EAST WALL
Along the East wall are two paintings and the archway to a small chapel. Notice particularly the superb angels with trumpets at left. These came from the 17th century organ case originally in this transept. They have been placed here in memory of architectural historian Thomas Cocke.
84. TRANSEPT PAINTINGS
The painting at the left is ‘The Transfiguration’ by Raphael. The painting at centre by José de Ribera (1588 – 1652) shows the angel releasing St Peter from prison, as described in Acts 12. The small Tabula Eliensis at right is said to represent a painting formerly hanging in the monks’ refectory, depicting the Norman knights stationed with the monks after the defeat of Hereward the Wake.
85. CHAPEL OF ST DUNSTAN AND ST ETHELWOLD
At the end of this transept wall is the small chapel of St Dunstan and St Ethelwold. In the photo, at left is the Ely Mothers’ Union banner, and to the extreme left we get a glimpse of a hanging tapestry. At centre, a simple altar stands before the chapel window.
86. CHAPEL DETAILS
St. Dunstan (909 - 988) and St. Ethelwold (908 - 984) together were responsible for the revival of organised monasticism in England. Ethelwold, Bishop of Winchester, refounded Ely monastery. The present Coronation rite of the English soveriegn derives from the rite compiled and used by Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, at the coronation of Edgar as King of England at Bath in 973.
87. END WALL OF SOUTH TRANSEPT
We gain here a closer view of the windows in the South wall, but below these is an interesting sculpture by David Wynne (1967). The thinness of the figures is designed to command attention. It depicts the moving encounter between Jesus and Mary Magdalene on the first Easter Day. The movement of the sculpture is in the arms of the figures. As she reaches out to touch Jesus, he says, 'Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father' (John 20.17). [Cathedral Photo at left]
88. TRANSEPT TOP WINDOW
This wonderful colourful window in the South transept shows the Risen Christ seated with the Old Testament patriarchs. From left to right we have: Aaron, Moses, Melchizedec, Christ, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. [Photo Copyright Evelyn Simak]
89. TRANSEPT MIDDLE WINDOWS
The window at left gives scenes from the story of Abraham: entertaining an angel, and the sacrifice of Isaac. These are paralleled with Jesus at the Last Supper and the Crucifixion. The window at right gives scenes from the story of Jacob: Jacob receiving Isaac’s blessing, the death of Isaac; reconciliation with Laban; and Jacob’s ladder, wrestling with the angel. [Cathedral Photo]
90. TRANSEPT LOWER WINDOWS
Each window shows two main scenes, but they are unclear from this photo. In fact the window at left gives scenes from the story of Moses, and the window at right gives scenes from the story of Joseph.
91. SOUTH TRANSEPT WEST WALL
There is a wall along the West side of the transept which separates off a vestry area. The wall is colonnaded, and at right is a door through to the vestry.
92. BISHOPS, PRIORS, DEANS, ORGANISTS
There are various lists on this wall: the bishops, priors, deans and organists of Ely. There is a lot of history here. For example, the bishops’ list begins with Hervey le Breton, 1109 – 1132.
93. VESTRY WINDOWS
The vestry area is private and not open to the public. These two of the three vestry windows show the story of Jeremiah (left) and the story of the Venerable Bede (right). [Cathedral Photo]
94. ACROSS THE CROSSING
We now leave the South transept, and walk across the crossing. We aim to explore the presbytery, and will enter by the gateway to the North choir aisle which we glimpsed earlier.
95. THROUGH TO THE NORTH PRESBYTERY
As we look through the delightfully intricate wrought iron gates, we see regimental colours hanging, a spiral staircase at right – presumably leading to the organ, and an ornate chantry straight ahead.
96. AISLE MEMORIALS
As we walk up the North choir aisle, we pass on our right two memorials. The first is for William Fleetwood (1656 – 1723) who was an English preacher, Bishop of St Asaph and Bishop of Ely. He is remembered by economists and statisticians for constructing a price index in his ‘Chronicon Preciosum’ of 1707.
97. AISLE MEMORIAL WINDOW
On our left is this memorial window for the Princess of Wales RAF Hospital 1940 –1992. These panels were given in gratitude by the people of Ely and district.
98. TOMB OF BISHOP RICHARD REDMAN
Just past the spiral staircase is the tomb of Bishop Richard Redman. Richard Redman (died 1505) was a medieval Bishop of St Asaph, Bishop of Exeter, and Bishop of Ely, as well as the commissary-general for the Abbot of Prémontré between 1459 and his death. Redman was consecrated as Bishop of St Asaph after 13 October 1471. He was translated to Exeter on 6 November 1495. Redman was then translated to Ely on 26 May 1501. He died in 1505 while Bishop of Ely.
99. RAF MEMORIAL WINDOW AND BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE
The window panels show a pilot, St George and St Michael and an officer. The book of remembrance contains the names of those who gave their lives for their country between 1809 and 1945.
100. THE NORTH CHOIR AISLE EAST
Ahead of us lie more plaques, flags, memorials (to the left), tombs (to the right), with a chantry at the end. Also to our left are more stained glass windows, and we get a glimpse of the high altar to our right.