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I Location

II General Description

The infirmary complex lies to the S of the cathedral, E of the E walk of the cloister, to which it was once connected by a vaulted passage known as the Dark Cloister. It consists of a nine-bay aisled hall running E–W, terminated by a stone screen at the E with a doorway or archway into the four-bay nave of the chapel. At the E end of this is a square-ended sanctuary vaulted in two bays. A doorway in the W bay of the chapel N nave aisle gave access to the monks' cemetery. Much of this survives, but it has been incorporated into later buildings. Except for the sanctuary of the chapel the roofs are gone, and the open passage remaining is now called Firmary Lane.

The N chapel arcade and the E bay of the N hall arcade were blocked for the construction of Alan of Walsingham's building, named after a sacrist and later prior of the monastery who was in office between 1321 and 1364, and probably begun in the 1320s or '30s. On the N side further W is Powcher's Hall, also begun in the 14thc. Thus the N chapel arcade and the first bay of the hall arcade are visible in the wall of Alan de Walsingham's Building. Pier 2 of the N hall arcade is lost, and bays 4 to 9 on this side are visible, built into the wall of Powcher's Hall. On the S, the chapel arcade is lost, and is now overbuilt by the Chapter Office. Further W, the wall of the Black Hostelry, a 13thc. building at least in part, incorporates bays 1–4 of the S arcade of the hall. The next two piers are missing, and bays 8–9 are visible in the wall of the Canonry House.

At the E the sanctuary of the chapel has been incorporated in the two-storey block containing the Chapter Office entrance and the Deanery. The Dean's Office, on the first floor, contains the upper part, including the vault. The alignment of the infirmary does not accord with that of the cathedral, but corresponds with a simple vaulted building to the S, and for Dixon (2003), 149 this indicates that it may preserve the arrangement of earlier buildings on the site. The arrangement of an aisled hall with a chapel at the E end is similar to infirmaries at Peterborough, Canterbury and (later) Chichester. The Infirmary complex was restored in 1989–96, and Horton-Krayenbuhl (1997) is an account of the survey carried out at that time.

III Exterior Features

1. Doorways

(i) E end of hall into chapel.

See section IV.1.c.

(ii) Chapel N nave aisle, bay 4.

This is now in Walsingham's Building and was not accessible in the present survey. It is illustrated in Horton-Krayenbuhl (1997), Illus. 10.

2. Windows

(i) Chapel, sanctuary W bay (two windows)

In the centre of the N and S walls of the W bay under the vault are blocked windows, visible only from within, the N now occupied by a fireplace. What survives in each case is a single order on en-delit nook shafts with double scallop capitals with keeled scallops and pointed shields. Their neckings are square and the chamfered imposts with deep grooves on the face appear to be replacements. The corresponding windows in the E bay are 13thc. replacements.

(ii) Hall, N clerestorey bays 5, 6 and 7

The clerestorey windows survive to their full height in bays 5, 6 and 7 of the hall, and are visible inside Powcher's Hall, which was not accessible at the time of the present survey. The bay 7 window is illustrated in Holton-Krayenbuhl (1997), illus.11.

IV Interior Features

1. Arches

a. Chancel arch/Apse arches

(i) Chancel arch

The arch between the chapel's nave and its sanctuary has been incorporated into the wall of the Chapter Office and Deanery, but remains visible in part at least from both E (inside the Dean's Office) and W. Round headed, one order visible to W, and two to E. On the W face the upper part of the N en-delit nook shaft remains, with four regularly-spaced shaft rings. The capital is block-shaped and carved with a complex linenfold design, symmetrical on either face, with a narrow, spade-shaped ridged leaf at the angle. The necking is square and the impost hollow chamfered with a roll between face and chamfer. Of the arch, the N section going just beyond the apex survives. It has a row of frontal chevron of quirked hollow profile. The label is chamfered with a row of nailhead on the chamfer.

E face

First order: paired, coursed half shafts. The whole of the E shaft of each pair is visible, while the W shafts and their capitals are largely within the wall. Capitals are variants of the slipped scallop type. On the S side, two scallops on the N face and one on the E with circular slots in the slipped sections. On the N, ogee-shaped shields pointing alternately up and down with alternate scallops sheathed in linenfold. Neckings are square and imposts hollow chamfered with a heavy angle roll between face and chamfer. In the arch is hyphenated point-to-point chevron; a single roll on face and soffit meeting over an angle roll.

Second order: en-delit nook shafts with three shaft rings on each side. The capitals are slipped double-scallops with plain square neckings and imposts continuous from the first order. The arch is plain and chamfered.

c. Nave arches

(i) Arch at E end of hall into nave of chapel

Round-headed, two orders to W only.

First order: plain square jambs without capitals, hollow chamfered imposts with a groove at foot of the face. No arch (removed?).

Second order: en-delit nook shafts, the N with a shaft ring, worn but once decorated with rolls. They stand on worn, possibly hollow chamfered, bases. The capitals are worn and encrusted with black deposits, but appear to be double scallops with an extra roll between each pair of scallops, and roll neckings. Imposts are the same as the first order. The arch has a single roll of double-quirked frontal chevron between two rolls. The label is chamfered with four rows of billet covering face and chamfer.

2. Arcades

c. Nave

(i) Infirmary chapel, N nave arcade

The four bays of the N arcade are visible embedded in the wall of Alan of Walsingham's building (now the Choir House of the King's School). The arcade is round headed and carried on piers that are alternately octagonal (E respond and pier 2) and circular (pier 1 and W respond). Capitals are all cross-shaped in plan, corresponding to two orders in the arch, with square neckings and hollow chamfered imposts with an angle roll between face and chamfer. The bases of the E respond and pier 2 only survive in good condition. They have a hollow chamfer above a roll with lily-shaped spurs. Designs of capitals and arches vary from bay to bay and are described below.

E respond capital: of multi-scallop design with a tuck on every scallop and a V-shaped double groove on each shield, forming a row of zigzag running across the shields. Bay 1 arch: first order has angle rolls to N and S with a quirk between them in the middle of the soffit. The second order has an angle roll, then hyphenated frontal chevron on the face (single roll profile quirked at either side). There is a chamfered label decorated with a row of oblique nailhead on the chamfer. The decoration survives on the W part of the arch only - the E section has been replaced without carving. Pier 1 capital: of multi-scallop design, the scallops in the form of spade-shaped leaves with a central groove at the top broadening into a sheath at the bottom. At the angles are heavy volutes. Bay 2 arch: first order has a keeled angle roll, deeply quirked on face and soffit. The Second order has a keeled angle roll with slender face and soffit rolls. There is a chamfered label decorated with a row of oblique dogtooth on the chamfer. Sections of the E part of the first order and the W part of the second have been replaced in the same pattern. Pier 2 capital: of multi-scallop design, a row of hyphenated scallops with shields defined by a groove, and slipped scallops below the hyphens. All scallops are sheathed. Bay 3 arch: first order has angle rolls to N and S with a quirk between them in the middle of the soffit. The second order has an angle roll, then frontal chevron on the face (single roll profile quirked at either side). There is a chamfered label decorated with a row of nailhead on the chamfer. Pier 3 capital: multi-slipped scallop design, the shield cusps are formed of ogee-headed, bifurcated sheaths but the slipped scallops themselves are cylindrical, except in the units to either side of the angles, where the scallops do not slip and are of the same section as their sheaths.

Bay 4 arch: first order and soffit of second are hidden in the walling. Second order has a keeled angle roll and a quirked face roll. The chamfered label has a row of nailhead on the chamfer. W respond capital: only one quarter of the capital is visible. This is another multi-scallop form, with a trefoil in the centre of the surviving main face, flanked by continuous cusping that carries on in the minor faces. The scallops on the shield alternate with wedges in the hollows.

(ii) Infirmary Hall, N arcade

Of nine bays, the ninth now within Powcher's Hall and not accessible to the present survey. The arches are round-headed with alternating round (E respond and even-numbered piers) and octagonal (odd-numbered piers) supports on roll/hollow/roll bases and cross-shaped capitals supporting two orders in the arch. Labels are plain and chamfered. Neckings are described for each capital, all imposts are hollow chamfered with an angle roll between face and chamfer.

E respond capital: multi-scallop with zigzag scallops and angle volutes. Chamfered necking.

Bay 1 arch: first order has a keeled angle roll with single-roll gaping frontal chevron on the face. Second order has a row of undercut directional chevron occupying face and soffit with an angle roll.

Pier 1 capital: multi-scallop with nebuly shields housing slipped cylindrical scallops. There are volutes at the angles, and the necking is chamfered.

Bay 2 arch: only survives in the six E voussoirs of the second order. There is a keeled angle roll, and gaping frontal chevron with a central groove on the face.

Pier 2 is missing

Bay 3 arch: the two W voussoirs of the first order soffit survive, carved with three rows of gaping frontal chevron with central grooves, divided by keeled rolls. On the face, the three W voussoirs of the twond order survive, carved with frontal chevron in the form of a double-quirked roll.

Pier 3 capital: multi-scallop with zigzag shields, sheathed scallops and angle volutes. The necking is chamfered.

Bay 4 arch: of the first order an angle roll survives. The second has a keeled angle roll and rows of gaping frontal chevron on the face and soffit, each with a central groove.

Pier 4 capital: multi-slipped scallop as chapel nave N arcade pier 3 (see 2.c.(i) above). The necking is chamfered.

Bay 5 arch: first order has a keeled angle roll and rows of gaping frontal chevron on the face and soffit, each with a central groove (as bay 4, second order). Second order has a row of dovetail ornament on the face.

Pier 5 capital: multi-scallop with sheathed scallops and slightly tapered rolls between the scallops. Roll necking.

Bay 6 arch: first order has an angle roll with face and soffit hollows. The second order has a keeled angle roll and rows of gaping frontal chevron on the face and soffit, each with a central groove (as bay 4, second order). Pier 6 capital: multi-scallop with linenfold scallops and angle volutes on first order angles only. The necking is chamfered.

Bay 7 arch: first order has a keeled angle roll and rows of gaping frontal chevron on the face and soffit, each with a central groove (as bay 4, second order). Second order has an angle roll and frontal chevron on the face, in the form of a double-quirked roll.

Pier 7 capital: multi-scallop, the shields with a semicircular bite removed from the bottom and the result grooved for emphasis; the scallops therefore keeled. The angle scallops are heavy rolls with a groove on the scallop and concave shields. The necking is chamfered.

Bay 8 arch: first order has an angle roll with face and soffit hollows (as bay 6, first order). The second has a keeled angle roll and rows of gaping frontal chevron on the face and soffit, each with a central groove (as bay 4, second order).

Pier 8 capital: only half of the S main face, and rather less of the E main face remain visible, but these indicate that the main faces of the cross-shaped capital were treated as triple scallops, heavy enough to resemble cushions. All scallops are sheathed, and the shield of the E face scallop is carved with a fluted half-daisy (a design also found at St Mary Magdalene's, Cambridge.

Bay 9 arch: all that is visible is the E section of the chamfered label. The necking is chamfered.

(iii) Infirmary Hall, S arcade

Of nine bays. The arches are round-headed with alternating round (E respond and even-numbered piers) and octagonal (odd-numbered piers) supports on roll/hollow/roll bases and cross-shaped capitals supporting two orders in the arch. Labels are plain and chamfered. Neckings are described for each capital, all imposts are hollow chamfered with an angle roll between face and chamfer.

E respond capital: As N arcade E respond.

Bay 1 arch: only part of the second order is visible, and this follows the design of the N arcade bay 1.

Pier 1 capital: similar in form to the chapel N arcade W respond (of which less is visible). It is a multi-scallop form with the main visible (N) face treated as a double trefoil. The shields are grooved for emphasis. The necking is chamfered.

Bay 2 arch: only the face of the second order is visible. It has a keeled angle roll and a row of frontal gaping chevron with a central groove on the face.

Pier 2 capital: multi-scallop with wedges between the scallops. The necking is chamfered.

Bay 3 arch: first order (face only visible) has a keeled angle roll and a row of frontal gaping chevron with a central groove on the face. Second order has an angle roll and frontal chevron on the face, in the form of a double-quirked roll.

Pier 3 capital: multi-scallop consisting of a row of hyphenated scallops with double-grooved pointed shields and sheathed scallops, and below this, in the hyphens, a row of sheathed scallops with normal shields. The necking is square.

Bay 4 arch: the face of the first order and the whole of the second are visible. The first has an angle roll and face hollow; the second a keeled angle roll and rows of gaping frontal chevron on the face and soffit, each with a central groove (as N arcade, bay 4, second order).

Pier 4 capital: multi-scallop consisting of a row of hyphenated scallops with grooved shields, and below this, in the hyphens, a row of keeled scallops with pointed shields. The necking is square.

Bay 5 arch: only the E section of the second order arch face is visible, and is carved with a row of dovetail ornament, like its counterpart in the N arcade.

Piers 5 and 6 and bay 6 are entirely missing.

Bay 7 arch: the W section survives. The first order soffit is carved with three rows of gaping frontal chevron with central grooves, divided by keeled rolls, as N arcade, bay 3. On the face of this order is a single row of similar gaping frontal chevron. The second order is carved on its face only with an angle roll, a row of double-quirked single roll frontal chevron and a face roll, similar to the N arcade, bay 7, second order.

Pier 7 capital: multi-scallop, the shields with a semicircular bite removed from the bottom and the result grooved for emphasis; the scallops therefore keeled, but also sheathed. The necking is square.

Bay 8 arch: only the face of the second order is visible. It is carved with a keeled angle roll and a row of frontal gaping chevron with a central groove.

Pier 8 capital: triple scallop on the main face, with wedges between the scallops. Roll necking.

Bay 9 arch: first order has a keeled angle roll and a row of frontal gaping chevron with a central groove on the face. The soffit has the beginning of a similar design, and it may be assumed to resemble that of bay 7. The second order has directional chevron resembling that of the N arcade, bay 1.

W respond capital: multi-scallop with shields grooved for emphasis and multiple sheathing on the scallops. Roll necking.

4. Vaulting/Roof supports

d. Other

(i) Infirmary chapel sanctuary

This is vaulted in two bays with quadripartite rib vaults. There is a transverse arch between the bays.

Transverse arch:

This is carried on coursed half columns to N and S, which carry multi-scallop capitals consisting of two syncopated rows of shields, the upper row half-round with a groove around the lower edge, the lower row sometimes like this, but with an occasional shield outlined by a lozenge-shaped groove. There are more of these on the N side than the S. The scallops on the N capital have an axial groove while those on the S do not. Neckings are square and imposts hollow chamfered with a heavy angle roll. The rib profile is a triple roll, the central roll keeled.

Diagonal ribs:

These are carried on nook shafts in the angles of the bays (either the corners of the room or the angles between the sidewalls and the transverse arch responds). The rib profile is a central fat roll flanked by slimmer rolls. Capitals all have imposts and neckings as on the transverse rib supports. They are described individually below:

W bay, NW capital:

Scallop capital, double to E and triple to S with a shared angle scallop. In form they are slipped scallops in ogee cusps with defining edge rolls. At the angles the scallops are not slipped but they are keeled axially and on the shields.

W bay, SW capital

As NW capital.

W bay, NE capital

As transverse arch capitals.

W bay, SE capital

As transverse arch capitals.

E bay, NW capital

As transverse arch capitals.

E bay, SW capital

As transverse arch capitals.

E bay, NE capital

As W bay, NW capital.

E bay, SE capital

As W bay, NW capital.

VII History

No building dates are known, but the sculpture shows that the Infirmary workshop did not work at the cathedral, and indicates a date in the 1170s or '80s. The earliest dateable reference to an infirmary at Ely is in Liber Eliensis (386), when monks are said to have carried Archdeacon William to the infirmary where he died a few days later. His death is dateable between 1159 and 1169 (see Johnson (1984), 198), so it is just possible that the reference is to the present building, newly constructed.

VIII Comments/Opinions

The infirmary arcades in particular provide a spectacular display of the possibilities available to a sculptor working within the constraints of the scallop capital. Some similar, though less elaborate, forms may be seen in the Prior's House undercroft, and Pevsner has pointed out the connection with work at St Mary's, Ely, which is found in some of the simpler capital forms of the arcades and in the use of directional chevron.

IX Bibliography