Illustrated Dictionary of British Churches - Clerestory Definition

History and Architecture

Clerestory

An upper storey of a church, raised above the level of the aisles. The clerestory is often pierced with large windows, admitting welcome light into the nave. Many medieval churches were initially constructed without clerestories, but growing wealth and improved architectural techniques during the medieval period led to expansion upward, pushing the height of the nave up above the aisles, with the addition of a clerestory with windows. In some large churches the clerestory is topped with a third storey, called a triforium, often with blank arcading in place of windows.

Also sometimes spelled: clearstory

Related: Nave   Triforium  

Dalham, Suffolk

Dalham, Suffolk




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Canute and his Danes defeated British forces under Edmund Ironside on 18 October, 1016



18 May, 1152

Prince Henry, son of Queen Matilda, marries Eleanor of Aquitaine

Eleanor was divorced from Louis VII of France only a few weeks earlier

This king was buried beside his father at Fontevraulx Abbey



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