"It was one of the most beautiful spaces in England, built in the fourteenth century in the decorated style. Its sculpture, carvings and stained glass had been destroyed by Reformation zeal to leave an open space in bleached Weldon stone. The foliated arcading and the milky green light suggested a transcendent architectural garden: assured, contemplative, sacred."
That description of the Lady Chapel in Ely Cathedral (from James Runcie's Sidney Chambers and the Forgiveness of Sins, which I've just been reading) is enough to make me rush there at the first opportunity. I've never been to Ely, but that passage - and the Cathedral's 'appearances' in two other novels, The Dean's Watch by Elizabeth Goudge and, to a lesser extent, Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce - is somehow better than any guidebook.
You can find photographs of the chapel here, and a painting, by Alexander Creswell, here.
Since childhood I have always enjoyed fiction set in 'real' places, especially here in the UK. As I have read your final two books, and visited Ely years ago I can see I shall be adding J Runcie to my teetering TBR!
Posted by: Fran | 04 June 2015 at 09:14 AM
I love Ely best of all the British cathedrals ... partly because of its brilliant siting above the Fens; you can see it from miles away in most directions, and partly because of it's unique architecture: the lantern is a sight to behold.
However, I haven't read the James Runcie book so I don't know if it mentions the vandalism in the Lady Chapel: almost every statue has had its head knocked off by Puritans and also there is (to my eyes) a truly hideous modern Madonna and Child at the east end of the Lady Chapel ... when did those in charge of our great churches lose all taste?
Still I carp too much, it's a magnificent cathedral, Ely is well worth a visit and, of course, it has a branch of your favourite booksellers!
Posted by: jane Mackay | 05 June 2015 at 12:09 PM
May I add another comment? Jim Kelly has written a wonderful crime fiction series set in The Fens, and centred on Ely, he's also written another series set in and around Kings Lynn, but the Ely ones are marvellously redolent of that strange landscape and the dominating cathedral.
Posted by: jane Mackay | 05 June 2015 at 07:12 PM
jane Mackay has said it "I love Ely best of all the British cathedrals'. Walking into the Lady Chapel is, for me, a purely spiritual experience. I hope you get an opportunity to visit and love it as much. And thank you, Jane, for the Jim Kelly recommendation too.
Posted by: Teresa | 05 June 2015 at 08:51 PM
We made a special detour to see Ely Cathedral on the way to somewhere else. So worth doing. The lantern reminded me of course of Testament by Alis Hawkins.
Posted by: Juxtabook | 09 June 2015 at 03:34 PM
I agree with ALL that Jane M says,above. Ely is my favourite ( and local) cathedral and it would be great to take you there if you ever found yourself in the vicinity....a mere 12 nin train ride from Cambridge!
Posted by: Adele Geras | 12 June 2015 at 04:09 PM
That should be Min of course,not nin!
Posted by: Adele Geras | 12 June 2015 at 04:09 PM
I too love to read novels set in real places, especially ones I know.
Posted by: Cornflower | 12 June 2015 at 05:37 PM
Indeed, Jane!
I've seen pictures of that Madonna you mention, and it didn't seem to be in keeping at all.
Posted by: Cornflower | 12 June 2015 at 05:38 PM
Off to look them up. Thank you.
Posted by: Cornflower | 12 June 2015 at 05:38 PM
I hope to go sometime, Teresa.
Posted by: Cornflower | 12 June 2015 at 05:41 PM
Of course!
Posted by: Cornflower | 12 June 2015 at 05:42 PM
We must do that, Adele!
Posted by: Cornflower | 12 June 2015 at 05:42 PM