Plan of lierne vault - Ely Choir, (liernes are shaded black).

A Lierne (from the French lier - to bind) in Gothic rib vaulting is an architectural term for a tertiary rib spanning between two other ribs, instead of from a springer, or to the central boss. The type of vault that utilizes liernes is called a lierne vault or stellar vault (named after the star shape generated by connecting liernes). Front of Ely Cathedral Ely Cathedral (in full, The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Ely) is the principal church of the diocese of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, England, and the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Ely. ... See also Gothic art. ... In architecture, a vault is an arched structure of masonry, forming a ceiling or canopy. ... Early English roof bosses at Salisbury Cathedral, England A Green Man roof boss from Dore Abbey, Herefordshire, England, no longer in its original position The nave of St. ... In architecture, a vault is an arched structure of masonry, forming a ceiling or canopy. ...

In England, the lierne came into use during the 14th century Decorated period. A good example of lierne vaulting is at Gloucester Cathedral. In France, examples can be seen in Flamboyant architecture, such as at Saint-Pierre, Caen. This 14th-century statue from south India depicts the gods Shiva (on the left) and Uma (on the right). ... The West Front of Exeter Cathedral The West Front of Lichfield Cathedral The Decorated Period, in architecture (also known as the Decorated Gothic, or simply Decorated) period is a historical division of English Gothic architecture. ... Gloucester Cathedral from the north east in 1828. ... Flamboyant is the name given to a florid style of architecture in vogue in France during the 15th and 16th century. ... Location within France Hôtel dEscoville, 16th century, Caen Anonymous pen-and-ink birds-eye view of the fortifications of Caen (Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris) South Wall of the Castle, a huge fortress in the center of the city Town Hall of Caen Caen train station. ...

The vault plan diagram of Ely Choir (right) shows the ribs as a double line, where the main longitudinal ridge rib (middle vertical lines) and transverse ridge ribs (alternate horizontal lines) intersect each other at the central bosses (large circles). The longitudinal ridge rib runs down the centre of the Choir, and the transverse ridge ribs span from the apex of each window at the sides of the Choir. Arched diagonal ribs span from piers between the windows, from springers to the central bosses, and arched transverse ribs (alternate horizontal lines) span from the springers to the main longitudinal ridge rib. Secondary arched diagonal ribs, called tiercerons, span from the springers to the transverse ridge ribs. Liernes (shaded black) span between the other ribs forming intricate patterning. Front of Ely Cathedral Ely Cathedral (in full, The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Ely) is the principal church of the diocese of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, England, and the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Ely. ... Early English roof bosses at Salisbury Cathedral, England A Green Man roof boss from Dore Abbey, Herefordshire, England, no longer in its original position The nave of St. ... The choir stalls in the quire of Bristol Cathedral, Bristol, England A quire is the area of a church where the liturgical singers sit, also known as the choir located usually in the western part of the chancel (between the nave and the altar), but occasionally in the eastern part... The choir stalls in the quire of Bristol Cathedral, Bristol, England A quire is the area of a church where the liturgical singers sit, also known as the choir located usually in the western part of the chancel (between the nave and the altar), but occasionally in the eastern part... Early English roof bosses at Salisbury Cathedral, England A Green Man roof boss from Dore Abbey, Herefordshire, England, no longer in its original position The nave of St. ...

Note: In French terminology relating to architecture, a lierne is a ridge rib, and hence has a different meaning. The Parthenon on top of the Acropolis, Athens, Greece Architecture (from Latin, architectura and ultimately from Greek, αρχιτεκτων, a master builder, from αρχι- chief, leader and τεκτων, builder, carpenter) is the art and science of designing buildings and structures. ...

Reference

• Bond, Francis (1906) Gothic Architecture in England, Batsford, London.