Ely

Ely (in Latin Elia), a cathedral town of Cambridgeshie-e, on a height on the left bank of the Ouse, 15 miles N.E. of Cambridge. It consists of one principal street, from which branch several smaller ones, and which has a market-place in the centre. The most notable of its buildings is the abbey-cathedral of St. Etheldreda, on the site of a monastery founded by her in 673. It is 517 feet long from east to west, and the western tower is 270 feet high. There is a beautiful Norman nave, and most of the succeeding styles have been harmoniously incorporated. The Precincts are entered by a fine gateway of Richard II.'s time. The church of the Holy Trinity is a good specimen of 14th century architecture. There are a Town Hall, a Corn Exchange, and a cattle market, and some very old houses. The town has no special manufactures, the industries of the neighbourhood being chiefly agricultural, and there are several market gardens near it. A sight of Ely from the railway when the floods are out gives a good idea of its former appearance.