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England |
| Cambridgeshire |
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 Ely
Ely
began life as an island, effectively isolated by the surrounding fens. Its name
means Isle of Eels, for the eels which swam in the waters surrounding it. So abundant
were the eels that they were used as currency in the past. Imagine paying your
rent in eels!
It
was the isolation of Ely which attracted the last great "English" hero
to hold out against the Norman invaders. Hereward the Wake used Ely as his base
during his bitter rebellion against William the Conqueror. The rebellion lasted
several years against the superior Norman forces, before Hereward was finally
defeated, or as some histories suggest, bribed to stop.
It
was not until the Fens were drained in the 17th and 18th centuries that Ely's
isolation ended. The cathedral still rises above the surrounding flat land like
a beacon, calling to pilgrims.
There
is more to Ely than the cathedral, however, though the cathedral is reason enough
to visit. Several fine medieval buildings grace the city, notably the Bishop's
Palace, King's School, and St. Michael's.
Oliver
Cromwell once lived in Ely, and his 14th century half-timbered house is now home
to the local Tourist Information Centre.
Near
Ely is another remarkable church, this time in ruins. Crowland Abbey was once
the grandest abbey in the country. It was founded by King Ethelbald of Mercia
in memory of his kinsman, St. Guthlac, who lived here as a hermit until his death
in 714.
Ely
is a peaceful small town, filled with beautiful Georgian buildings.
What
to see
The
Bishop's Palace - 15th century residence of the Bishops of Ely.
Ely
Cathedral - One of the finest Norman cathedrals in Britain.
Ely
Museum - In the Old Gaol House.
Oliver
Cromwell's House - Home to Cromwell from 1636-46 - a fine half-timbered house.
Stained Glass Museum
- In the Cathedral.
Ely
Tourist Information Centre
Oliver Cromwell's House
29 St Mary's Street
Ely
Cambridgeshire
England
CB7 4HF
Tel: 01353 662062
Fax: 01353 668518
Email: tic@eastcambs.gov.uk
Map
Cambridgeshire
links Text
© David Ross and Britain Express 2001 | |
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