Glossary

Spire Terminology

Altar

Ambulatory - A passage around the East End of a church, passing behind the the altar and the choir and sometimes giving access to side chapels.

Barrel Vaulting

Boss

Chapter House - A building attached to the cathedral where meetings of the clergy associated with the cathedral hold meetings.

Clerestory - The part of the nave riding above the aisle roof punctuated by windows.

Cloister - A covered walkway around an open square connecting the Cathedral to other parts of the monastery.

Crossing - The intersection where the forms of a cruciform church come together with the nave typically to the West and the choir to the east, and with transepts opening out on each side like the short arms of the cross.

Crocket - An architectural element

Crypt

Dissolution

Evensong

Fabric

Frontal Gargoyles

Gothic

Groin Vaulting

High Altar

Minster

Misericord

Pilgrimage

Pulpitum

Quire or Choir – The area where the choir is seated.

Reredos

Rib Vaulting

Romanesque

Transepts

Undercroft

Vaulting