THE P RTAL
June 2018 Page 8
met by the side wall of the monastic choir ; then they came round to the shrine . They would continue their pilgrimage with a visit to the Lady Chapel as well .
Jackie asked if Etheldreda was known for healing or anything like that . Fr Mark informed us that the Latin form of her name is Audrey . From this we get Tawdry after the , perhaps , trashy trinkets sold in Ely at the time . But Audrey , also because of the tumour in her neck and things to do with throats . It was the cause of her death , so she was implored by pilgrims for the healing of their own neck and throat problems . While she was escaping from the pursuit of her second husband , Egfrith , there are many stories of his threats and of her escapes . One of the stories is that she planted her staff in the ground on the way back to Ely . It flowered overnight .
Returning to the impressive cathedral building , Fr Mark told us that the central octagonal tower , with its vast internal open space and its pinnacles and lantern above , forms the most distinctive and celebrated feature of the cathedral . But what Pevsner calls Ely ’ s ‘ greatest individual achievement of architectural genius ’ came about through a disaster . On the night of 12th-13th February 1322 , possibly as a result of digging foundations for the Lady Chapel , the Norman central crossing tower collapsed . Work on the Lady Chapel was suspended and attention transferred to dealing with this disaster . Instead of being replaced by a new tower on the same ground plan , the crossing was enlarged to an octagon , removing all four of the original tower piers and absorbing the adjoining bays of the nave , chancel and transepts to define an open area far larger than the square base of the original tower . The construction of this unique and distinctive feature was overseen by Alan of Walsingham . The extent of his influence on the design continues to be a matter of debate , as are the reasons such a radical step was taken . Mistrust of the soft ground under the failed tower piers may have been a major factor in moving all the weight of the new tower further out .
St Etheldreda ’ s Hand
After this , part of the chancel was knocked down and three arches built beside the shrine . As the carving gets closer to the shrine , it becomes more ornate . When it comes to the Triform level it is noticeable that there is no roof beside the shrine space , unlike with the other arches . and that allowed the light to shine . It still allows light to shine on the area of where the shrine was . If you stand under the magnificent octagon , it is difficult to see from ground level , but around the top of the arches under the octagon there are scenes of
Etheldreda ’ s life carved in the 14 th century stone work .
It seems that at the time of the Reformation , Bishop Goodridge was responsible for demolishing the shrine and all the statues in the Cathedral . His tomb , topped with a brass , is now right by where the shrine once stood . Bishop Goodridge was a man who went with the flow . He became a keen reformer and on his memorial it says he published his decree in 1541 “ that all images , relics , table monument of miracles be totally demolished and obliterated with speed and diligence that no remains or memory of them be found for the future ”. So because of him there is no trace of Etheldreda ’ s shrine nor of the figures in the chapels here , nor in the Lady Chapel . But when Queen Mary came to the throne in 1553 he was reconciled as a Roman Catholic which is why on his tomb he is resplendent in mitre , staff and chasuble , or as Fr Mark said , “ the whole shooting match !”
The Dean felt that the relic of St Etheldreda in the Catholic Church in Ely “ is quite well authenticated ”. He also informed us that the Cathedral keeps two feast days for Etheldreda . One is June 23rd which is her death day , the other is 17 th October , her translation . Jackie said , “ We were talking earlier about the church in London .” Fr Mark told us , “ St Etheldreda ’ s , Ely Place in London , that is a Catholic Church isn ’ t it ? That is because the Bishop of Ely had a house in London in Ely Place , it was his London Chapel ”.
Jackie asked if Fr Mark knew any stories of how the hand was rescued . Fr Mark said , “ I don ’ t know if they did any archaeology when they put the stone in here marking the place of the old Shrine . The floor here now is all 19 th Century . There is a memorial here to Bishop Northwold . He died in 1254 , and the shrine built in was 1252 . He was the bishop who was responsible for this bit of the restoration . He put Etheldreda ’ s remains in the shrine . I gather around St Etheldreda were placed her sisters , who are all also Saints . St Sexburga succeeded her as Abbess , and maybe also their cousin St Wendreda . They are all the saints of Ely , and I think some of those are here as well .”
We are grateful to Fr Mark for his time and words . When visiting Ely , do make sure you visit the Cathedral as well as the Catholic Church . The site of the Shrine is clearly marked in the floor before the High Altar , and it is surrounded by four large candles and a pricket stand , as well as a notice of information . May St Etheldreda and all the Saints of Ely , pray for us .