Bishop of Ely

The origins of the Diocese of Ely are very old. It was founded by the Holy Æthelthryth by establishing a double monastery. The monastery was first headed by an abbess and later by an abbot.

The monastery and large parts of the Ely city were destroyed during the Danish invasions by 870. A new Benedictine monastery was built and equipped by the Bishop of Winchester, Æthelwald. This was elevated to a cathedral in 1109 and the seat of the Bishop of Ely. From this point the line of bishops begins.