Ely Cathedral

According to Wikipedia, Ely Cathedral "can trace its origin to the abbey founded in Ely in 672 by St Æthelthryth (also called Etheldreda). The earliest parts of the present building date to 1083, and it was granted cathedral status in 1109. Until the Reformation, the cathedral was dedicated to St Etheldreda and St Peter, at which point it was refounded as the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Ely. It is the cathedral of the Diocese of Ely, which covers most of Cambridgeshire and western Norfolk, Essex, and Bedfordshire. It is the seat of the Bishop of Ely and a suffragan bishop, the Bishop of Huntingdon."

Tea & Croissant

 

 

Speaking of tea, this is how they serve it and almond croissants at The Fitzwilliam. So utterly civilized! :-)

Tea Set

 

 

So utterly civilized!

 

Staffordshire: William Adams, Tunstall, c1799-1800. Blue jasper with white reliefs. -- The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

Gold Coin

 

 

The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge has a wonderful collection of coins from around the world, including this cast replica of a dinner-plate-size (Sorry! Couldn't figure out any way to indicate scale.) 200-muhr gold coin from AD 1654, one of the largest coins ever made.

John the Baptist

Saw this carved alabaster relief of Head of St John on silver salver (15th century), flanked by two angels, in The Fitzwilliam. Painted in red, brown and black and gilded. Probably made in Nottingham, and used for private devotion in a domestic setting (rather than forming part of an altarpiece).

The Fowl Market

 

 

"The Fowl Market" by Frans Snyders at The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.

The Fitzwilliam

Spent part of the one day of vocal rest we were given on our tour visiting The Fitzwilliam Museum. Could easily have spent the better part of a week here! 

According to Wikipedia, "The Fitzwilliam Museum is the art and antiquities museum of the University of Cambridge. It is located on Trumpington Street opposite Fitzwilliam Street in central Cambridge. It was founded in 1816 under the will of Richard FitzWilliam, 7th Viscount FitzWilliam (1745–1816), and comprises one of the best collections of antiquities and modern art in western Europe."