The nave of the cathedral, considered one of the finest specimens of Norman work in England, was completed about 1174, and the west front, built by Geoffrey Ridel, the third bishop, about ten years later.  Originally there stood a square tower in the centre of the building, but this fell in 1322, crushing three arches of the choir.  The repair of this misfortune was undertaken by the sacrist, Alan de Walsingham, who erected in 1342 the octagonal tower now existing.

The choir contains much rich decorated Gothic; and the east end of the cathedral, with its two tiers of lancet windows, is very beautiful.  Another most interesting feature is the Lady Chapel, with a magnificent fan-vaulted roof; the walls were originally decorated with countless niches and statues of saints and martyrs, not one of which escaped the destroying hand of the Puritan.

[Illustration:  Photochrom Co., Ltd.

ELY CATHEDRAL.

The remarkable octagonal tower was rebuilt in 1342 by Alan de
Walsingham.]

ST. IVES, HUNTINGDONSHIRE

=How to get there.=—­Train from Liverpool Street or St. Pancras.  G.E.R. =Nearest Station.=—­St. Ives. =Distance from London.=—­70-1/2 miles. =Average Time.=—­Varies between 2 to 3 hours.

                     1st 2nd 3rd
=Fares.=—­Single 8s. 9d. ... 4s. 10-1/2d. 
          Return 17s. 6d. ... 9s. 9d.

=Accommodation Obtainable.=—­At St. Ives, “The Golden Lion Hotel,”
  “White Horse Hotel,” etc.
=Alternative Route.=—­From King’s Cross to Huntingdon.  G.N.  Rly.

St. Ives is a town of considerable antiquity, and in Saxon times was known as Slepe, which name is still retained by one of the two manors included in the parish, and it is applied to the town in the Domesday book.  The more modern name is derived from Ivo, or St. Ives, a Persian who is said to have visited England in the sixth century, and to have been buried here.

A considerable part of the place was destroyed by fire in 1689, but there are still a number of quaint and interesting buildings.  Over the Ouse is a stone bridge of six arches, supposed to have been built by the abbots of Ramsey.  The approach to the bridge on the south side is by a causeway raised on arches to admit the passage of the waters in time of floods, which have on different occasions caused much damage here; and over one of the arches, near the centre of the bridge, is a mediaeval building, originally intended for a chapel.

The first church, built by Abbot Ednoth in the reign of King Edgar, was burnt in 1207, and rebuilt.  The present structure, dedicated to All Saints, occupies the same site, close to the river, where it forms with the old houses adjoining a very charming picture.  Until quite recent years, by a quaint bequest, dicing for bibles on the altar of the church took place every Whit Tuesday.  The dicing is now done on a small table.