The buttresses on the exterior of the clerestory are of small size ([Fig. 547]), the building having evidently not been designed for a vault, but only intended to carry a wooden roof over the central choir. The side aisles, however, were vaulted and groined. About the centre of the side walls of the choir there is a projecting respond on each side (see [Fig. 545]), which seems to indicate that at one time it had been intended at this point to throw an arch over the choir to separate it from the presbytery, and the buttress at this point is of extra size; but some change of the first design has apparently taken place, and the space above the caps of the responds has been sloped off in a pyramidal form, and ornamented with a series of small leaf enrichments. Whether this change of design was adopted voluntarily, or in consequence of damages caused by the fire above referred to, it is now impossible to say, but the result proves how beautifully an accidental alteration could be turned to good account in the olden time. Possibly the choir only extended to this point before 1270.
The aisles of the choir do not extend the full length of the choir, but stop short, as is usual, by two bays so as to admit more light into the presbytery. The north aisle is separated from the central choir by a solid wall, having only one opening, through which a passage leads from the choir across this aisle to the chapter house. Along the south side of the choir there runs another and wider aisle ([Fig. 548]), which is said to have formed the lady chapel. It was connected with the choir by wide arched openings having first pointed piers and mouldings with round moulded caps, and contains several ancient monuments. The tracery and other details of this aisle (see [Fig. 547]) prove that it has been considerably altered at a later date than the choir.
Before completing the description of the choir it may be pointed out that the north wall presents some peculiarities. It has already been mentioned that the wall is solid, having in the lower part no openings to the side aisle, except that leading to the chapter house. It would appear, however, that this was not always the case, as there are traces in the side next the aisle of a window which has been built up. The wall is also in its lower part built with rubble, and it may be conjectured that this wall was part of the original choir of the Church of the Holy Trinity, which had been begun when the see of the bishop was transferred to the site of that church. Another peculiarity is that the windows in the triforium of the western portion are smaller than those of the rest of the choir. Possibly the western aisle, which was cut off from the choir by a solid wall, was used as the sacristy.
Fig. 548.—Elgin Cathedral. South Aisle of Choir, or Lady Chapel.
The transepts, like the nave, have been greatly destroyed, and the
Fig. 549.—Elgin Cathedral. Western Doorway.