http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ely_Cathedral
The unique Octagon 'Lantern Tower' was constructed during the 1300s and replaced the old central tower which collapsed. 'The Lantern' is 23m (74ft) wide and is 52m (170ft) high. From the floor to central roof boss 'The Lantern' is 43m (142ft) high.
The cathedral is built from stone quarried fromBarnack in Northamptonshire (bought fromPeterborough Abbey, whose lands included the quarries, for 8000 eels a year), with decorations in Purbeck Marble and local clunch. The plan of the building is cruciform (cross-shaped), with the altar at the east end. The total length is 537 feet (163.7 m)[6], and with the nave at over 75 m long (250ft), remains the longest in Britain.
Attached to the north transept is the Lady Chapel (built 1321-1349 in the Decorated style) by the sacristAlan of Walsingham. It was to his plans, too, that the octagonal tower or octagon (1322-1328) was built after Simeon's original crossing tower collapsed in 1322, injuring nobody but destroying the choir. This central octagon rises from the whole breadth of the building and towers up until its roof, a wooden lantern, forms the only Gothic dome in existence. The north-west transept collapsed in the 15th century and was never rebuilt, leaving a scar on the outside of that corner that can still be seen. Dating from the early 16th century, is a set of 44 misericords.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mist_clearing_from_Ely_Cathedral_Octagon_tower.jpg
Lichfield Cathedral
"At one time a cathedral of surpassing charm, not all of which has evaporated, despite restorations rendered necessary both by serious damage in the Civil War and by the friability of the local red sandstone. The building is chiefly known for its three stone spires, the Ladies of the Vale, the only English cathedral to have these. Elaborate front with a profusion of platitudinous Victorian sculpture. On the central doors, beautiful scrolled hinges of wrought-iron the two upper pairs original work of c.1300. The interior possesses in full measure the linear richness so characteristic of English Gothic, yet wears an inescapably Victorian air. Fine Lady Chapel, the same height as the choir, but without aisles: the nine very tall windows, suggesting continental inspiration, contain 16 c. Flemish glass. Chapter-house, 1249, an elongated octagon vaulted from a central pier, approached by a vestibule containing a lovely carved arcade." (Clifton-Taylor, p.269)
 Plan of Lichfield Cathedral Adapted from Clifton-Taylor |
Mother Eliora,
Mother Superior OHR
http://abbeyoftheholyrose.webs.com/welcome.htm.
http://www.myspace.com/akathistos
CHRISTUS REX - TO HIM BE EMPIRE AND GLORY FOREVER AND EVER! AMEN
