“The building was begun as soon as the space was cleared. The stonework was finished in 1328, little more than six years after the tower fell. The woodwork of the vaulting and lantern took longer time; but this also was quite complete in 1342. Walsingham had become prior in the previous year. The weight of the lantern, it need hardly be said, is not borne, though it looks like it from below, by the vaulting that we see. There is a perfect forest of oak hidden from sight, the eight great angle posts being no less than 3 feet 4 inches by 2 feet 8 inches in section. “With such a man as Walsingham on the spot we cannot be wrong in assigning to him the authorship of all the architectural designs that were carried out in his lifetime. It is believed--for the date is not exactly known--that he died in 1364. Besides the Lady-Chapel and Octagon, he must have designed the singularly beautiful bays of the presbytery between the Octagon and Northwold’s work. The exquisite way in which the main characteristics of the Early English work are adapted to the Decorated style demands our highest admiration. The arrangement of the three western bays on each side is exactly like Northwold’s work, while the additional grace and beauty of ornamentation mark the advance in taste that distinguished the Decorated period. Bishop Hotham undertook the whole expense of rebuilding this portion of the cathedral. He did not live to see it completed, as he died in 1337, but he left money for the purpose.”--(W. D. S.) Walsingham, though elected bishop by the monks, was not confirmed by the Pope. However, when they placed the brass over his resting-place in front of the choir they represented “The Flower of Craftsmen” (_Flos operatorum_ was his epitaph), with mitre and crozier. Ely suffered less than many churches during the Puritan wars. The most important work of late years has been the restoration of the octagon and lantern, as originally designed by Alan de Walsingham. The great =West Tower= (Early English and Decorated) was built before the Galilee Porch, about the last year of the Twelfth Century. It is surmounted by an octagon with a window of three lights in each face. An octagonal turret ornaments each corner. Windows and arcades mark each story. A fine view of it is obtained from the south side. The =Galilee Porch= is one of the finest examples of Early English in existence and is only surpassed by Bishop Hugh’s Choir at Lincoln.