At the triforium base foliated brackets support vaulting shafts of three clustered columns. At the point of contact with the base of the quatrefoil parapet they are ornamented with rings, and their capitals are foliated, but not so naturally as the capitals below. Great semi-circular rafters spring from the capitals and cross the choir. Smaller rafters start from the cornice of the clerestory. These are intersected in the centre of the ceiling by a longitudinal beam. Small moulded ribs divide the space between each great rafter and the longitudinal beam into sixteen panels. The intersections are decorated with carved bosses.
Hammer-beams.—From the foot of three of the principal ribs hammer-beams project. They seem to indicate an intention on the part of the builders to cover the choir with an open-timber roof like that of the Great Hall at Westminster. But having decided on the waggon-headed roof, they did not trouble to remove these beams. Wall pieces and curved struts now connect them with the vaulting shafts, and they have been decorated with "carvèd angels ever eager-eyed, with hair blown back and wings put cross-wise on their breasts."
More than one hundred carved figures ornament the cornice, and the following texts in black-letter appear above them:—
North Side.—Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of the Lord. (Eccles. v. 1.)
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord. (Ps. cxxxiv. 2.)
Praise ye the name of the Lord. (Ps. cxxxv. 1.)
Praise God in His sanctuary, (Ps. cl. 1.)
Exalt ye the Lord our God and worship at His footstool. (Ps. xcix. 5.)
South Side.—How amiable are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts! (Ps. lxxxiv. 1.)
My praise shall be of Thee in the great congregation. (Ps. xxii. 25.)