GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE IN EUROPE. 275 containing the bishop and clergy, is that to the eastward of the crossing. Each of these divisions is further divided into a central nave and side aisles, separated by columns or piers. The principal entrance, often richly ornamented, is at the west end, or by a porch on the south or north sides. The columns or piers support arches (the nave arcade), which carry the main walls, rising above the aisle roof (Nos. log a and 141 g). Above this arcade are a series of small arches, opening into a dark space caused by the height of the sloping roof of the aisle ; this is called the tvifovium, or " blind story." Above the triforium is a range of windows in the main wall, admitting light into the upper part of the nave ; this division is called the clerestory, or " clear story," probably derived from the French word clair, light being admitted by the windows in this portion of the nave wall. The head of these windows is generally the level of the ridge of the stone vault of the nave, which is covered by a high pitched wooden roof. The east ends or choirs, usually square-ended in England (Nos. 117, 118, iig and 120) are generally richer than the remainder of the church, and the floor is raised above the nave level by steps. The east ends of Norwich (No. 118 d), Gloucester (No. 118 c), Peterborough (No. 117 d), Lichfield (No. 120 j), and Canterbury (No. ii8b), all of Norman origin, were circular, while West- minster Abbey has a ring of chapels or chevet (No. 127). The lady-chapel is placed beyond the choir at the extreme east end, as at Norwich, Peterborough, and Salisbury (No. 117 e), or on one side, as at Ely (No. 117 a). The cloisters attached to so many of the English cathedrals, forming part of the original monastic buildings, were probably derived from the atrium of the Early Christian period (page 180). They are generally, but not invariably, south and west of the transept, in the warmest and most sheltered position, forming the centre of the secular affairs of the monastery, and a means of communication between different parts of the Abbey. Such is the general distribution of the parts of a cathedral or large church, from which, naturally, there are many deviations, such as, for instance, the position and number of transepts (Nos. 117, 118, 119, 120, 155, 159, 167 and 187). Great length, and central towers (see Chichester, Durham, Worcester, Rochester, Oxford, York, Chester, Gloucester and Wells), are features of English cathedrals ; western towers also occur in many examples, as at Lichfield (with spires), Durham, Canterbury, York, Wells, Lincoln and Ripon. Compared with such long, low, and highly grouped examples. Continental cathedrals seem short, high, and often shapeless, owing to the intricacy and profusion of their buttressing (Nos. 109, 153, 154). T 2
