Spandrel

the triangular spaces included between the arch of a doorway, etc., and a rectangle formed by the outer moldings over it. The term is also applied to other similar spaces included between arches, etc., and straight sided figures surrounding them: they are usually ornamented with tracery, foliage, shields, or other enrichments. In the Perpendicular style the doorways most commonly have the outer moldings arranged in a square over the head so as to form spandrels above the arch. In the earlier styles this arrangement is very seldom found in the doorways, but sprandrels are sometimes used in other parts of buildings, especially in decorated work, in which they are frequent, as at Ely. In the west door of the chapel of Magdalen College, Oxford, the spandrels of the outer arch (which stands considerably in front of the actual doorway, so as to form a shallow porch) are cut quite through and left open. The spandrels of a door were sometimes termed the hanse or haunch of a door.