The Choir and Apse.
The choir, where, on the completion of the south arm of the transept, Bishop Nivelon of Chérisy continued the building of the Cathedral (1200–1212), is one of the earliest examples of Pointed Gothic—so-called on account of the sharp outline of the arches. A notable characteristic of this is the transformation of the wide galleries of the triforium into a narrow gallery, which gives greater importance to the wide arches of the ground floor and to the high windows of the upper story.
Its general plan is similar to that of the nave, built immediately afterwards: lofty wide arches, narrow triforium, high windows (but without mullions, forming a single bay), and pointed vaults of rectangular plan.
The Choir is flanked by side-aisles, off which open, on each side four rectangular chapels with groined vaults.
The second chapel of the aisle has an inscription recording the date on which the Canons took possession of the Choir:
Anno milleno biscenteno duodeno hunc intrare chorum
Cepit grex canonicorum tercio idus maii.
(In the year 1212, on the third Ides of May, the Canons first took
possession of the Choir).
THE CHOIR.
On the left and at the back sand-bags protected the art treasures.
The south side-aisle communicates with the chapel attached to the south arm of the transept by a 15th century vaulted corridor (D on plan p. [18]) in which there is a fine 16th century statue of the Virgin and Infant seated.