MONUMENT NO. 375293

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Claustral buildings of Ely Cathedral dating from the 12th century. Features include the Bishops Palace, the Deanery. the Almonry and the Prior's House.

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(TL 53978025) Bishop's Palace (NR) (1)

(TL 54048014) Chapel (NR)
(TL 54008003) Ely Porta (NR)
(TL 54158018) Deanery (NAT)
(TL 54258029) The Almonry (NAT) (2)

The following buildings associated with the cathedral are
listed buildings: -

The Almonry Grade 1. A late 12th century building of stone
rubble with Barnack stone dressings. It is built above a
vaulted undercroft of about 1200.

Wall Grade 1. A high 14th century stone rubble wall extends
east from the Almonry to the west end of No 2 Fore Hill. A
stone rubble wall also extends south and west on the boundary
between the Cathedral precinct, and the gardens of the Almonry
and Painted Chamber.

The Sacristy, Gate and Goldsmith's Tower Grade 1. Built by Alan
of Walsingham soon after he became sacrist in 1322, probably
incorporating an older building known as The Old Hall in the
14th century. The only part of Walsingham's building which
survives is the north wall; the remainder is
mainly 19th century.

The Great Hall (Bishop's Residence) Grade 1. The Great Hall or
Guest Hall was built in the mid 13th century and was remodelled
in the early 14th century. It is built above a fine vaulted
undercroft with ribbed vaults.

The Queen's Hall Grade 1. Built by Prior Crauden about 1330.
Many 14th century features remain, including the undercroft with
ribbed vaulting. It is now the Headmaster's House of the King's
School.

Guest Quarters of the Monastery Grade 1. Two ranges of
buildings, now part of King's School, extending south from the
Queen's Hall and backing on the The Gallery (shown as West
Range on Plan). The north range was built, probably as a
granary, about 1180, and converted to guest quarters in the
14th century. The south range was also built in the 14th
century, shortly after the north range was completed.

Walls to the Guest Quarters of the Monastery and Ely Porta
Grade 1.

Prior's House Grade 1. The Prior's House, now a boarding house
of the King's School, was largely rebuilt in the early 14th
century by Prior Crauden above a 12th century vaulted
undercroft.

Prior Crauden's Chapel Grade 1. A private chapel built by Prior
Crauden in 1324-5, adjoining the south west corner of the hall.
It was built over a 13th century vaulted undercroft.

Barn and Storehouse Grade 1. Built about 1374. It stands to
the south of Ely Porta and is a long, rectangular building and
is now part of King's School.

The Infirmary was built in the 12th century and consisted of a
long nave with side aisles and a chapel at the east end. Between
the 12th and 14th centuries various buildings were built into
and added to the aisles. The nave has now become the approach
road to the buildings (Infirmary Lane).

The Dark Cloister Grade 1. A mid 13th century vaulted passage
originally connecting the Dormitory with the Infirmary, with a
storey above which probably contained a school. All that now
remains is the south wall of the vaulted passage and a short
length of the upper storey.

Poucher's Hall Grade 1. The building at the north west end of
Infirmary Lane was originally the Blood Letting House, built in
the early 14th century. It was rebuilt in 1416 by Prior
Powcher, and a third storey, timber frame, was added in the
early 16th century.

The Painted Chamber (Walsingham House) Grade 1. Built in the
early 14th century by Alan of Walsingham for his own
occupation. It contains some 12th century features. Now a
boarding house of King's School.

The Chapel of the Infirmary (Deanery) Grade 1. The Chapel of
the Infirmary was originally an extension of the Infirmary Hall
and had a chancel at the east end. The chancel is now
incorporated within the present Deanery and part of the chancel
arch survives on the west wall. The building retains many 12th
century features. Brick dwellings were added on the south and
east sides in the 18th century, and there are some 19th century
alterations.

The Black Hostelry and Cellarer's Chamber Grade 1. The Black
Hostelry stands to the south of Infirmary Lane and was built
about 1291-2. The vaulted under-croft is of the early 13th
century and the building has a number of later features. The
cellarer's chamber now the Chapter Office, adjoins the Black
Hostelry on the east side. It was built into the south aisle of
the Infirmary in the 15th century.

Cellarer's House Grade 1. The Cellarer's House, now a boarding
house of King's School, extends south at the west end of
Infirmary Lane. It is probably earlier than the Infirmary. The
ground storey has massive walls and a Norman barrel vault. Much
of the building was demolished in 1770 when a house was built
on the south side.

Bishop's Palace (The Palace School) Grade 1. Bishop's Palace
stands on the south side of Palace Green to the west of the
Cathedral and was originally built in the 15th century by
Bishop Alcock (1486-1501). The only surviving part of Alcock's
palace is the east tower and the lower part of the west tower.
The upper part of the west tower and the west wing were built
Bishop Goodrich in 1550. The recessed centre part and the
block facing south were built by Bishop Laney (1667-75) who
demolished the major part of Bishop Goodrich's palace. The
interior was remodelled in 1771 by Bishop Keen.

No 9 The Gallery (Stables to Bishop's Palace) Grade 1. A 13th
century stone rubble building, originally a range of stables
with lofts and living quarters above, now a single dwelling.
The north front was remodelled in the 16th century and faced in
red brick, probably by Bishop Goodrich. (3-4)

Bishop's Palace extant and in good condition. See ground
photograph. (5)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

1:2500 1974

( 2) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

1:2500 1972

( 3) List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest

DOE (HHR) City of Ely 19/6/72 Page(s)11-25 32

( 4) edited by R.B. Pugh, M.A., F.S.A. 1953 The Victoria history of the county of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely : volume four

The Victoria history of the counties of England 1953, plan Page(s)77-82

( 5) Field Investigators Comments

F1 FDC 01-NOV-69

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Description

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A double religious house was founded on the present site by Etheldreda, a daughter of Anna, King of East Anglia, in 673. The monastery was laid waste ...

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Ely Porta was begun in 1397 and was completed by Prior Poucher (1401-1418). It is a large rectangular, three storey block. The Bishop's prison was con...

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