Bk. YII. Ch. III.

PIER AECIIES.

369

explain the usual arrangement, as well as the changes afterwards
introduced. At Winchester the two lower divisions are practically
equal, the upper
somewhat less, and
the alternate ar-
rangement of the
piers hints at a
hexapartite vault, if
such should ever
come to be executed.

When William of
Wykeham undertook
to remodel the style
of the nave, he first
threw the two lower
compartments into
one, as shown on the
left-hand side of the
cut. He then
divided the whole
height, as nearly as
the masonry would
allow him, into two
equal parts, ailotting
one to the pier
arches, and appor-
tioning the upper as
nearly as he could
by giving two-thirds
to the clerestory
and one-third to the
triforium. With
pointed arches this
was the most pleas-
ing and satisfactory
arrangement adopted
during the Middle
Ages ; but when
something very hke
it was attemptcd in 821
the nave of Glou-
cester with round arches, the efFect was most unpleasing. Before the
architects, however, settled down to this proportion, a variety of
experiments were tried. One of the most successful was the nave of
Lichfield Cathedral (AVoodcut No. 812). Here the whole height is

Choir of Ely Cathedral. (Cath. Hb.)