Cathedral of the Holy Trinity

The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is a large cathedral begun in 1083 by Simeon, a relative of William the Conqueror, and largely complete by 1350. Subsequent to this, no major building took place. The nave and transepts exhibit exceptionally fine 12th-century work, while the chancel and west porch date to the 13th century. The central crossing, lantern, and Lady Chapel are 14th-century. Some 15th-century work is present in the inner porch. The Lady Chapel was started in 1321, and a year later the Norman crossing tower collapsed. It was replaced by an octagonal tower designed and built under the sacrist Alan of Walsingham, and the timber-framed lantern crowning it was constructed under the direction of William Hurle, a renowned carpenter and Chief Carpenter of the King's Works. The cathedral's masonry is almost entirely ashlar faced Barnack limestone. The architectural impact of the cathedral and college dominates the small surrounding town, primarily composed of 18th and 19th-century buildings clustered closely around it. The cathedral serves as the central point connecting four distinct groups of buildings, collectively known as The College. These include a group to the north containing the Almonry, wall to its gardens, Painted Chamber, Sacristy Gate and Goldsmith's Tower; to the southwest, the Great Hall (Bishop's residence), Queen's Hall (Headmaster's House), walls to the Bishop’s residence gardens, Guest Quarters of the Monastery, walls to the Guest Quarters, Ely Porta, Prior's House (Boarding House for The King's School), Prior Crauden's Chapel, walls to the Prior's House gardens, Guest Hall, Ely Porta, Barn and Storehouse of the Monastery, and the wall to the Barn and Storehouse; to the southeast, the Dark Cloister, Powcher's Hall, Painted Chamber (Walsingham House), Chapel of the Infirmary, Black Hostelry and Cellarers Chamber, and Cellarers House; and to the west, the Bishop’s Palace and its walls. Considerable restoration work was undertaken by Sir Gilbert Scott in the mid-19th century.