We start Part Two by looking at the 13th century extension to the eastern end of the cathedral, and its vaulting, which had to be followed by a new choir and vaulting after the collapse of the central tower in 1322. This disaster led to the central crossing being opened up with the brilliantly inspired octagon topped by the lantern tower which is unforgettable from all points of view. We take a detailed look at this remarkable work, from inside and outside, at low and high levels, and consider the true proportions of the timber structure that forms the lantern tower. We are very fortunate that all this amazing work in the Decorated style was finished just before the Black Death, which severely disrupted much church building work for many years.  We then look at the large and separate Lady Chapel which has the earliest stone vault to span 40 feet and a wealth of delicate carving in the arcades around the walls, although the statues were greatly damaged in the Reformation. The post medieval history of the cathedral is then considered, starting with the Dissolution, the closure of the cathedral during the Civil War, and restorations of the 18th and 19th centuries, which have left us some notable fittings. But overall we realise that political changes over the last 600 years have actually been far greater than fabric changes at Ely Cathedral.

In the Full Version only:  We conclude Part Two by looking at some splendid monuments and two fine chantry chapels which date from the final 50 years of monastic life at Ely. We also see the remarkable Prior Crauden's Chapel and some of the fine surviving monastic buildings, which are Europe's largest collection of medieval monastic buildings still in domestic use, many of them now used by the King's School, which was founded by King Henry VIII in 1541.

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