Bells Cathedrals: Chichester | Page 6

pressure, and these were to be
provided for. We shall see presently that all the real beauties of this
most interesting work were the outcome both of the needs of practical
structure and the requirements of ritual and a ceremonial expression of
the liturgy.
[Illustration: HISTORICAL SECTION FROM WILLIS'S
ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY. Original Elevation. Present Elevation.
Two Bays of Retro-choir. (Scale 29'2 feet to 1 in.)]
[Illustration: THE CLERESTORY, NORTH SIDE OF NAVE. _From a
photograph by Mr. Francis Bond_. ]
It is not possible for us to discover exactly when the several parts of the
work undertaken after the fire of 1186-1187 were begun, nor when they
were finished. Of dates we have little knowledge, except that of the
dedication in 1199, the fall of two towers in 1210, and the various
indications of architectural activity at certain periods given by the
several dates mentioned in connection with donations, bequests, and

royal sanctions in the episcopal statutes and other documents. These
nearly all show that the time of greatest activity was after 1186 and
before 1250. If such a feat as has been mentioned was performed at
Canterbury between 1174 and 1184, was it not possible also at
Chichester? Then it becomes necessary to assume that the structural
alterations were continuing during the whole of the period suggested;
and this was so. Enough work had been done by 1199 to allow of
another dedication of the building. Seffrid II. had been bishop from
1180-1204, and the register of Bishop William Rede, written one
hundred and sixty years later, explicitly states that Seffrid "re-edified
the Church of Chichester." This is a comprehensive statement, but it
might easily include at least the greater part of the vaulting with some
form of external roof. Such a change as this involved the alteration of
the nave and aisle piers, so that the slight vaulting shafts of finer stone
might be inserted in the older masonry. The lower part of each of the
piers of the nave arcade on the side towards the centre of the church
was re-faced with the same material, and smaller shafts of Purbeck
marble were introduced upon the piers, replacing probably the heavy
ones of an earlier date. These shafts formed the support to a more
delicate moulded member, which was now substituted for the original
and very simple outer order of the original arch. A string-course of
Purbeck marble was inserted as a line of separation between the nave
arcade and the triforium, and also between the triforium and clerestory.
The triforium itself remained as it had been before 1186; but the
clerestory was dressed again, so that it obtained quite a new character.
It was re-faced with the fine-grained stone, and the slight shafts which
supported the clerestory arcades were provided with Purbeck capitals
and bases. This arcading itself was also changed from its earlier type.
The central arch was still made round in form, but those on either side
of it were each pointed, and all were more finely moulded than before.
Above this point rises the new stone vault, which is carried upon a
framework of strong transverse and diagonal ribs. Between these the
shell, or filling, which formed the surface of the vault, is of chalk,
roughly cut and irregularly laid; above this was placed a thick coat of
concrete.
Some flying-buttresses were built now in order to meet the thrust

exerted by the new arched vault of the nave. These were constructed in
two series, one being concealed under the sloping roof over the
triforium and acting in place of the earlier round-arched abutment. Its
supports were provided at the points where the transverse and diagonal
arches of the nave vault began to spring away from the vertical plane of
the walls. The other series was the immediate counter-poise to any
direct thrust exerted by the arching of the vault against the upper
section of the same walls. There was, in fact, a large buttress added to
support these nave walls at that point from which each set of
vault-carrying ribs began to rise. This buttress, though apparently
sub-divided, was one thing, but of composite structure. It was pierced
first by the aisle, next by the triforium, and then again above the roof of
the triforium. It will be seen that most of these alterations were the
direct result of the introduction of a stone vault. But the almost entire
renewal of the eastern part of the cathedral was made possible by the
destruction and total removal of the apsidal terminations of the earlier
work. It has been suggested that the fire may have so badly damaged
this portion as to allow no alternative but rebuilding. What may have
been the actual cause of its removal it is impossible for us now to know;
but the