Lierne
The lierne vault boss in the nave at Tewkesbury Abbey features angels playing musical instruments. |
The Penguin Dictionary of Architecture (third edition) was published in 1980. It was created for Penguin Reference and compiled by John Fleming, Hugh Honour and Nikolaus Pevsner. It defines lierne as ‘a tertiary rib, that is, one which does not spring either from one of the main springers or from the central boss. A lierne vault is a ribbed vault with liernes.'
Lierne ribs have no specific structural function. Lierne vaulting is a late 13th century development that became more common in the 14th century as a feature of English Perpendicular architecture.
In the Pevsner Architectural Guide on Churches (published in 2016 by the Yale University Press and written by Simon Bradley), a lierne is described as ‘a shorter type of rib that can connect the main and secondary ribs at any point, thus liberating the mason to create multiple variants of star- and cross-shaped patterns.'
For this reason, lierne vaults are sometimes referred to as stellar vaults.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Noise in the built environment
BSRIA guide TG 20/2021.
17,000 people suffer conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work.
Turning down the noise: Auditory health
A pervasive risk with far-reaching consequences.
UK Construction Week, London is here !
Debuting major international pavilions and much more.
Getting the most out of heat pumps and heating
How heat pumps work and how they work best.
Plumbing and heating for successful retrofit and renovation
Low temperature underfloor systems and heat pumps.
Cost-of-living crisis and home improvement plans
Starting on the right footing and top tips for projects.
Delays on construction projects
Types, mitigation and the acceleration of works.
From Chaucer to Fawlty Towers.
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
New project and cultural district described in detail.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.