Clear-story

Clear-Story

(or CLERE-STORY); the upper part of the central aisle of a church, raised above the roofs of the adjoining side aisles, with windows to light the nave below. In many cases the clear-story is evidently a subsequent addition to the original design, especially when the high-pitched roof, which included the body and aisles in its span, gave way to a flat roof covering the nave only. The walls were then raised over the arches of the nave to receive the clear-story windows.