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Reference

In the RIB-VAULT the main thrust is carried by masonry ribs to the corners of each bayGlossary Term. The ribs of cut stone form a framework, so that lighter material can be used to fill the cells in between. The adoption of the stronger and more adaptable pointed archGlossary Term, a concept borrowed from the eastern Mediterranean, made it possible to vaultGlossary Term awkwardly shaped spaces while keeping the vaultGlossary Term to a more or less even height.

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Warmington, Northants, St Mary, C13

From the later 13th century most major churches aspired to stone vaults, although such costly additions were not always carried out, and sometimes a timber vaultGlossary Term simulating stone was provided instead.