Lectures on the rise and development of medieval architecture; vol. 2

by Sir George Gilbert Scott

I may mention early specimens of it at Chester, both in the Chapter-house ([Fig. 385]) and in the Lady Chapel, the latter with raised ridges; but in each the addition being only in the side cells. The Chapter-house at Wells has the intermediate ribs added throughout to those of the more normal examples at Westminster and Salisbury, giving its vaulting a peculiarly full and rich, though rather crowded, effect. Bosses are usually introduced at all points of meeting, adding greatly to the richness of the whole.

Fig. 385.—Chapter-house, Chester Cathedral.

Though I have called these ribs non-functional, such is the case only in a limited sense, for, though not necessary, they nevertheless do their work: they divide and strengthen the vaulting spaces, and tend to do away with the necessity (if such may be supposed to exist) for any great thickness of filling in. They form, in fact, a stone framework or centering, with frequent supports on which the vaulting permanently rests. Nearly the whole of Exeter Cathedral is groined in this manner, and excellent specimens, though of rather late date, may be seen in the west and south walks of the cloisters of Westminster Abbey, and in the two vestibules through which the cloister is approached. These have the advantage of close proximity to the eye, which enables one to study them with facility.

The next step in the history of vaulting may be said to be wholly decorative in its motive. It is the addition of short cross ribs between those already described, and arranged in patterns, such as stars, etc., round the central bosses, adding much to the complexity and ornamental character of the vault, and making a farther increase to the number of the bosses.

Wonderful skill is often evinced in the arrangement of these patterns, which, traversing the changing planes or surfaces of the vaulting, produce in the perspective an extraordinary diversity of effect. These ribs have received from Professor Willis the name of “Liernes,” a term given by Philibert de l’Orme to the ridge-ribs (perhaps in common with these), but, as we are short of an English name for these cross-ribs, it comes in conveniently to our aid. The term means, I believe, in carpentry, a short joist or rail, serving as a tie to steady other timbers, which is very appropriate to its use (real or apparent) in vaulting.

We have a few excellent specimens of this class of vaulting in London; more particularly that of St. Stephen’s crypt, and of a bay of the cloisters opposite the entrance to the Chapter-house, both erected in the first half of the fourteenth century.

In the former, both the intermediate ribs and the liernes are very subservient in size to the main ribs; which gives an excellent effect: indeed, I know of no work more studious in design and detail than that piece of vaulting.

The vaulting of three bays of the eastern limb of Ely Cathedral, built by Alan de Walsingham at about the same period, is also of excellent design, as is that of the chancel of Nantwich Church in Cheshire.