The Angel Roof at Westminster Hall (looking East): Built by Hugh Herland for Richard II mainly between 1395-8, this is the earliest known angel roof, and a masterpiece of medieval timber engineering. Photograph © The Houses of Parliament 2012. Photographer: Michael Rimmer.
The Angel Roof at Westminster Hall (looking West): This is the largest medieval timber roof in Northern Europe, with a span of 68 feet x 240 feet. It has been estimated that the roof timbers alone weigh over 660 tons. Photograph © The Houses of Parliament 2012. Photographer: Michael Rimmer.
The Angel Roof at Westminster Hall (Roof Detail): Showing the combination of huge arch ribs and horizontally projecting hammerbeams (carved into the shape of angels) which give the roof its strength and which made it possible to span such a huge space without the need for floor columns. Photograph © The Houses of Parliament 2012. Photographer: Michael Rimmer.
A close up of one of the hammerbeam angels at Westminster: The angels bear the arms of Richard II, the lions of England quartered with the fleur-de-lys of France. Photograph © The Houses of Parliament 2012. Photographer: Michael Rimmer.
A close up of another of the hammerbeam angels at Westminster: These are undoubtedly the work of talented specialist carvers , known in the Middle Ages as imaginours or imagers. We know the names of four of the men who carved the angels for Westminster Hall, and what they were paid. Photograph © The Houses of Parliament 2012. Photographer: Michael Rimmer.
A close up of another of the hammerbeam angels at Westminster: One can see the hands of different carvers in the angels shown on this page, evident from the different styles in which they render hair, facial features, hands and drapery. Photograph © The Houses of Parliament 2012. Photographer: Michael Rimmer.
A close up of another of the hammerbeam angels at Westminster: One can see the hands of different carvers in the angels shown on this page, evident from the different styles in which they render hair, facial features, hands and drapery. Photograph © The Houses of Parliament 2012. Photographer: Michael Rimmer.
A close up of another of the hammerbeam angels at Westminster: One can see the hands of different carvers in the angels shown on this page, evident from the different styles in which they render hair, facial features, hands and drapery. Photograph © The Houses of Parliament 2012. Photographer: Michael Rimmer.