Ely: The Hidden History (original) (raw)

Abstract

Ely, Cambridgeshire, is known to tourists as an incredible city steeped in myth and legend and dominated by the Norman Cathedral, a masterpiece of medieval architecture. There have been many popular books written about the Isle, but in 'Ely: A Hidden History' the approach is to look at the longue duree of life on the isle focusing on continuity and change in cultural practices. The work combines the latest archaeological discoveries to tell the story of the settlement of the Isle from its earliest beginnings through to the seventeenth century. With vivid illustrations, the authors trace the origins of life in Ely, and bring the most recent archaeological excavations alive. Topics covered include: the geological origins of the Isle of Ely, the first prehistoric settlement, including important archaeological sites at Haddenham, Wilburton and Barway. The foundation of the monastic centre by St Etheldreda, and the archaeological evidence for the Anglo Saxon foundations of the city, together with current thoughts on the site of St Etheldreda's first settlement. The story of Hereward the Wake, and his resistance against the Norman invaders. The Norman foundation of the cathedral and castle. Key features of the book are discussion and synthesis of the latest research on the nationally important later Bronze Age hoard from Wilburton, and the Iron Age bog body from Soham, which highlight the importance of the Isle of Ely to British archaeology. The findings from Channel 4’s Time Team excavation of the medieval Broad Street are included, with illustrations, as are the stories of Hereward the Wake. Richly illustrated and extensively researched, this is a fascinating look at the early history of an amazing city.

Figures (8)

Fig 4. Location of the parishes, on and around the Isle of Ely, considered in this book Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, CC BY-SA.

Fig 6. View of a typical fen landscape around the Isle. In the foreground ts one of the many artificial drainage ditches, Source: the authors.

Fig 7. Examples of dry islands. Left: The Isle of Flegg in Norfolk. Right: the lost Fylde Island in Lancashire, were both once surrounded by a combination of sea and peat bog, a fact largely forgotten by the local populations Courtesy Chester-Kadwell 2009, fig 5.5, and Barrowclough 2008, fig 5 Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, CC BY-SA.

Fig 9, Braudel’s model of historical time short-, medium- and long-term history. Source: the authors, ELY- THE HIDDEN HISTORY

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