Sinclair de la Behottiere, Normandy
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Nave, Rouen Cathedral

The over 300 hundred metre length of the large body, at its fine proportions, the compatibility of nave and chancel notwithstanding their differences is breathtaking.

It is four storeys

  1. the great arches supported by pillars which divide the nave from the aisles,
  2. a storey of tribunes,
  3. a gallery, the triforium, making it possible to supervise the state of the construction,
  4. the upper windows which light the nave.
The building is characteristic of early Gothic (l2th century), a period when tribunes, acting as tighteners of the edifice, are the only means to resist the thrust of the rib-vaulting. Before the use of flying buttresses.

When they erected the first pillars at the end of the l2th century, tribunes were necessary. When Jean dAndely Master builder resumed the work he no longer needed them. For continuity's sake as well as for economic reasons he did not reject the original plan but did not build the unnecessary tribune. Their arches were only to be used decoration above the main arcade.

Each window was widened from 12 onwards and is now filling the whole bay. To support the glass it was necessary to have a tracery of stone; its pattern varied according to centuries. characteristic of 14th century Gothic named in French "gothique rayonnant" that is of which the pattern "radiate" (in French rayomir) from the centre (Corresponding period in England decorated Gothic).

Sinclair

Last changed: 99/08/06 10:29:48