The clerestory is designed on the same principle as the triforium, and consists of a continuous arcade, without the interruption of the vaulting shafts.
In the view of the exterior of this portion of the choir ([Fig. 313]), the outside of the windows of the clerestory is visible, being simple round-headed openings, with flat buttresses between them. The remainder of the wall is plain, but, judging from the level of the triforium window, the vaulting of the aisle, which was very high, and partly covered the windows, seems to have been added at a later date. The choir was 28 feet in width from centre to centre of the piers, only two of which survive.
The crossing is square, and measures 28 feet from centre to centre of the piers; but of these the north-east one is wanting. The piers are about nine feet square, that at the south-east angle standing detached in consequence of the opening into the south aisle, while those at the north-west and south-west angles are incorporated with the walls.
The piers are designed as a series of shafts set in square nooks (four on each of the complete sides), with a larger semicircular shaft at each angle. (See Figs. [312] and [314].) The shafts are all built in courses with the piers. They have transition bases and caps. From the latter spring large pointed arches, with plain chamfered orders. The pointed arch indicates the transitional character of this part of the building. It was probably introduced in this position to give strength to sustain the tower.
As already mentioned, the three arms of the cross branching to the north, south, and west from the crossing are of equal size. This is a
Fig. 318.—Kelso Abbey. Doorway of North Transept.
very unusual arrangement, the western arm or nave being generally much the longest division of the church. We have not heard any satisfactory explanation given of the shortness of the nave of Kelso. This arrangement of plan has apparently been part of the original design, as the western doorway ([Figs. 315] and [316]) is one of the most prominently Norman portions of the edifice. The upper part of the west front (see [Fig. 315.]), although much broken away, has been in the transition style; while the Norman arcading, which runs round the interior of the nave, was continued across the west end.
The nave and the north and south transept each measure about 22 feet in width by 18 feet in length. Each contains four stories in height (Figs. [315] and [317]), consisting of an interlacing arcade of Norman work in the interior of the ground level, and three stories of windows above. The upper arcades of the choir do not extend round the nave and transepts, except in a portion of the south transept. (See [Fig. 312.]) Another arrangement was found desirable in those portions where there were no aisles, as windows could be obtained in that case; while, with aisles (as in the choir), the first floor was darkened by the roof of the