Rib Vaults

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.

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.