ar, as in the great west
windows, and the middle windows of the towers built about the same time.
Perhaps, however, the geometrical forms were found to give the greater
support, necessary owing to the absence of a central pillar. On the
whole, the evidence of details, particularly of the foliage in the
beautiful arcading inside the chapter-house, seem to point to its not
having been begun until 1320 or later.

[Illustration: The West Front (1810).]

In 1362 John of Thoresby became archbishop. The times were unpropitious
for building. Yorkshire was suffering much from the black death, there
was great poverty among the peasantry, and the diocese was in great need
of discipline and reform. Thoresby gave himself up for nine years to
this work, and in 1361 he thought the time had come for the rebuilding
of the choir. We have already seen how at York, one great work led to
another. The transepts were rebuilt that they might be in harmony with
the grandeur of Roger's choir, the nave that it might not be eclipsed by
the transepts; and now it was contended that the choir must not be
inferior to the rest of the church. Therefore, on the 20th of July 1361,
it was resolved by the archbishop and chapter that "It was right that
every church whatsoever should agree in the fitting decoration of each
particular part, and that the choir in particular, where the holy
sacrifice of the mass took place, should be especially rich in
ornament." Thereupon they decided to rebuild the choir. The foundation
stone was laid on the 30th July 1361, and the work was begun at the
extreme east end. There was a very good reason for this procedure. The
design of the new choir, both as to size and the planning of the bays,
was modelled on that of the nave. It was Thoresby's object to build the
largest and most magnificent choir in England. It was therefore both
wider, loftier, and longer than that of Roger's, and beginning at the
east end it was possible to complete almost the whole of the portion
east of the altar as it now stands--that is to say, the presbytery,
without interfering with Roger's choir. While, therefore, the presbytery
was being built, the service of the church was still carried on in
Roger's choir, and only the aisles behind Roger's east end were
destroyed. Even when the four bays of the presbytery were completed, say
about 1370, it was possible to continue the aisles of the new choir
proper without interfering with Roger's work, except t