From Tony Clarke
According to the information disseminated by Ely Cathedral in the east of England, King’s College Chapel’s fan vaulted roof in Cambridge and the even wider one over the Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral were built as learning exercises for the building of such a roof over the nave of the cathedral, which is wider still (10 June, p 42). It is further stated that the sacristan who controlled, designed and even initiated such activities was John of Wisbech. He died, as did most of his crew, in the Black Death of 1348, hence the nave still has a wooden roof. This would appear to be a little earlier than the date of 1501 mentioned by your correspondent.
Canberra, ACT, Australia
