The point at which the nave and chancel of a church cross the transepts is called "the crossing". When, as is the case here, at Malvern Priory, Worcestershire, the crossing has a tower above it, the crossing has vaulting, much of which directs some of the tower's weight outwards to the main arches and the vertical walls. In the vaulting above some of the ribs do not do this "spreading" work. These are the short "lierne" ribs that give this style of vaulting its name.The period of the crossing at Malvern is Perpendicular i.e. broadly of the c15. It is a particularly fine example of crossing vaulting, one I've photographed quite a few times over the years.
photo © T. Boughen Camera: Nikon Z 5
