In the midst rose the stupendous piers and arches which sustained the tower, between which the open lantern soared high above the church, while beneath this lofty centre of the stupendous cross were ranged the stalls of the monastic choir. I illustrate this wonderfully dignified and impressive structure by several drawings of the whole and of parts. It will be seen from this how simply and almost exclusively it trusts to the most elementary principles for its architectural effect. First, to its general grouping and proportions, which are a perfect model of a typical Norman church, bereft of its usual details; and, secondly, to the simple principle of divided orders, which I have before explained, but used in nearly all instances without the aid of decorative shafts or mouldings. The proportions of the internal elevation are such that, if the entire height of the wall be divided into nine parts, four go to the main arcade, two to the triforium or gallery, and three to the clerestory (Fig. 253). [Illustration: Fig. 253.--Sectional view of Nave, St. Alban’s.] The arches of each are of three orders, and are, for the most part, without shafts; the section of the jamb and arch being the same, severed only by a simple impost. A broad pilaster buttress runs up the face of each pier from floor to ceiling. [Illustration: Fig. 254.--St. Alban’s Abbey. Balusters.] In the transept, however, the triforium is differently designed, being subdivided into coupled arches, and supported by stone shafts. Many of these shafts are balusters (most likely of Offa’s church) made use of again, with the addition of a Norman capital and base, and sometimes eked out in length by the interposition of Roman tiles (Fig. 254). Like the balusters I have had the opportunity of examining at Dover and at Jarrow,[26] they bear evident marks of having been turned in a lathe. The outer wall of the gallery storey has been removed, but of its former existence there is distinct evidence; the mark of the roof, as seen against the transepts, showing that the aisle walls have been lowered by some 8 or 9 feet. Only three bays of the aisles retain their vaulting, which is of the most typical form of groining. It is capable of almost certain proof that the roofs were throughout devoid of parapets. The transept fronts were divided up the middle by a wide pilaster buttress, and flanked by similar ones. Their windows, as nearly all others, are of the greatest simplicity; three recessed orders in jambs and arches alike, with imposts to the two outer ones: above the springing line, however, of the gables, were ranges of double windows divided by stone shafts. Each transept has a staircase in its western angle which runs up into an ornamental round turret, with four double windows in its upper stage, and was most likely crowned with a cone. These staircases led into the triforium passages and into the roof. [Illustration: Fig. 255.--Belfry Stage of Tower, St. Alban’s.]