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Lincoln Cathedral
Picture from Wikimedia Commons.
Photo taken by Ian Carrington
on Christmas Day, 2005.
One major architectural feature of Lincoln Cathedral is the spectacular vaults. The varying vaults within the Cathedral are said to be both original and experimental. Simply comparing the different vaults seen in Lincoln Cathedral clearly shows that a great deal of creativity was involved when designing.
The vaults, especially, clearly define the experimental aspect seen at Lincoln. There are several different kinds of vaults that differ between the nave, aisles, choir, and chapels of the cathedral.
Along the North Aisle, there is a continuous ridge rib with a regular arcade that ignores the bays. Meanwhile, on the South Aisle, there is a discontinuous ridge rib that puts an emphasis on each separate bay.
Lincoln Cathedral Chapter-House
(Picture from Wikimedia Commons)
The North-West Chapel has quadripartite vaults and the South Chapel has vaults that stem from one central support column.
The use of sexpartite vaults allowed for more natural light to enter the Cathedral through the clerestory windows, which were placed inside of each separate bay.
Saint Hugh’s Choir exhibits extremely unusual vaults. It is a series of asymmetrical vaults that appear to almost be a diagonal line created by two ribs on one side translating into only a single rib on the other side of the vault. This pattern divides up the space of the vaults and bays, perfectly placing the emphasis on the bays.
The Chapter House vaults are also interesting. It is a circular building with one column where twenty ribs extend from. Each separate area of Lincoln Cathedral can be identified solely by the different vaults of the space.
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Lincoln Cathedral (East End)
Picture from Wikimedia Commons
Author: Mark Hope
Photo taken April 2004
Each vault, or each variation of the vault, is fresh and original. They illustrate innovative thinking and great creativity. There is no doubt that these vaults, and all of the other experimental aspects of Lincoln came with a slight risk; however, the results are truly wonderful.
According to the Cathedral website, over £1 million a year is spent on keeping the Cathedral in shape; the most recent project completed has been the restoration of the West Front in 2000. About ten years ago, it was discovered that the flying buttresses on the East End were no longer connected to the adjoining stonework, and repairs were made to prevent collapse. The most recent problem was the discovery that the stonework of the Dean's Eye window in the transept was crumbling, meaning that a complete reconstruction of the window has had to be carried out according to the conservation criteria set out by the International Council on Monuments and Sites.
According to the Cathedral website, over £1 million a year is spent on keeping the Cathedral in shape; the most recent project completed has been the restoration of the West Front in 2000. About ten years ago, it was discovered that the flying buttresses on the East End were no longer connected to the adjoining stonework, and repairs were made to prevent collapse. The most recent problem was the discovery that the stonework of the Dean's Eye window in the transept was crumbling, meaning that a complete reconstruction of the window has had to be carried out according to the conservation criteria set out by the International Council on Monuments and Sites.
Lincoln Cathedral's Cloisters
There was a period of great anxiety when it emerged that the stonework only needed to shift 5mm for the entire window to collapse. Specialist engineers removed the window's tracery before installing a strengthened, more stable replacement. In addition to this, the original stained glass was cleaned and set behind a new, clear, isothermal glass, which offers better protection from the elements. By April 2006, the renovation project was completed at a cost of £2 million.
PART FIVE FOLLOWS
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