Saturday, November 23, 2013

Ely Cathedral in London


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This is where the Ely Cathedral in London is located. This is a main church of the Diocese of Ely, which is in Cambridgeshire, England. This is also the seat of the Ely Bishop and the Huntingdon Bishop.

I chose this because it is really unique. My ancestors are from Britain. The details of the chapel itself really portray the particular time period it was describing.


The church stands 217 feet in the air.

As you can see the architectural styles are Romanesque, English, Norman and Gothic.


 
The Ely Cathedral was founded in 679 by Etheldreda who was queen, foundress and abbess of Ely.
 
The Cathedral was first restored in the 18th century by leader James Essex. The second restoration came in 1839 with the leader Dean George Peacock. The Ely Cathedral was finally restored to its original state by architect Sir George Gilbert Scott. The latest restoration to date was in 1986 and completed in 2000.

The church has many parts to it. It includes:

    
 
A. Galilee Porch - Entrance porch, doors are made of medieval oak
B. The West Tower - stands 215ft, lower 2/3 were added in the 12th century, top 1/3 was added in    the late 14th century, labyrinth floor
C. The South West Transept - Romanesque interiors, Stained Glass Museum
D. The Nave - most inspiring interiors in England, medieval decoration
E. The Prior's Door - carved doorway, carvings around doorway depict Zodiac signs
F. The South Transept - fine Norman stonework and carvings
G. The Octagon - width of 74ft, internal height of 142ft, weighs 400 tons
H. The North Transept- 2 chapels: one dedicated to St. George, and the other to the Cambrideshire Regiment
I. The Processional Way - built with English timber and stone
J. The Lady Chapel - light and open space, statue of Mary, the largest that is attached to any British cathedral, highly colored, stained glass, painted statues, Purbeck marble floor
K. The North Choir Aisle - spacious, "church within a church", detailed carved vault ceiling
L. St. Etheldreda's Chapel & the East Window - St Etheldreda statue, black stone, stalls, table for prayers; window tells the story of Jesus
M. The South Choir Aisle - various memorials: artistic styles and religious beliefs, John Tiptoft's tomb, memorial brasses,
N. The Presbytery - where the priests officiate, Early English style, arched rib vault ceiling, Purbeck marble columns, panels of the Holy Week
O. The Choir - Early English style "Decorated", embellished, carved panels, Victorian stalls and desks, Old Testament scenes, medieval organ


Monday, November 4, 2013

Western Han Chinese Banners



This painting is of the Chinese stable of horses being fed in the year 1324. In this time period, Ferghana horses were just one of the countries biggest imports, which originally came from the central area of Asia. During the Han Dynasty, China had power of the military to protect Dayuan, which is a city in Ferghana. As the Chinese imported these large amount of horses, the kings of Ferghana restricted this trade by shutting down their borders to China. This action created a war, which made China victorious. In 102 CE, the Chinese ordered that the country of Ferghana offer a minimum of ten of their best horses so they could use them for breeding. They would also use 3,000 of Ferghana horses of regular quality for daily purposes.