Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

MODEM* YORK. 59
more than five hundred feet;* all obstructions of the
choir with its screens, lying far beneath the eye : and the
mild lustre of the western window being fully displayed
at the termination."
The Crypt next claims our attention. It was always
the most curious part of the Cathedral ; but has been in
vested with an extraordinary interest since the discovery
of the remains of the Anglo-Saxon and Norman Minsters
to which we have already referred. It lies beneath the
grand altar and the choir ; and is entered by nights of
steps, which descend on each side from the north and south
aisles. This crypt has four aisles from east to west, or
three aisles from the north to the south side ; the arches of
which are supported by cylindrical columns five feet six
inches in height. The arches are groined, with ribs
crossing ; but are without key-stones. The side piers, or
half columns, are octagoned, with capitals. The side
arches are wrought with cheverons, constructed so as to be
seen from the side aisles, and are fronted by arches obtusely
pointed. Britton conjectured that the crypt extended
further eastward; and that it was formed in a semicir-
* The following are the dimensions of the Minster in its several parts :
Feet. In.
The whole length from base to base of buttresses, east and west - 519 Internal length from base to base 483 Breadth of the East Front - - - - 105 Breadth of the West Front - - - - - 109 0
Length of the Transepts, from north to south - 223 6
Height of the Lantern Tower - 200 Height of the Body of the Church 99 0
Breadth of the Centre Aisle of the Nave - - - - 46 6
Breadth of the Side Aisles - 18 Height of the Side Aisles - 42 0
Breadth of the North Transept 81 Breadth of the South Transept - - - 78 6
From the west doors to the entrance of the Choir - - 261 From the organ screen to the east window - 222 0
Length of the Choir 157 Breadth of the Choir - 46 6
Height of the East Window - - - • - 75 0
Breadth of the East Window - - 32 0
Height of the Chapter House, to the Canopy - - - 67 9
Diameter of the Chapter House - - - - -63 0