THE INNOVATIONS OF THE IOTH CENTURY

4 'metrical system" was found to articulate the whole of a dhiurch,
the system followed by Central European architects for the next two
centuries. St. Michael's at Hildesheim (fig. 13) was begun immedi-
ately after the year 1000. It had (for now, alas, it is completely
gutted) two transepts, two chancels and two apses, a logical develop-
ment of ideas first tried out in a rudimentary form at Centula. Thus
the monotony of the Early Christian arrangement was replaced by
a grouping less single-minded and rhythmically more interesting.
And St. Michael's went decisively beyond Centula in dividing the

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13. HILDESHEIM: ST. MICHAEL'S, BEGUN SHORTLY AFTER 1000.
nave into exactly three squares, with aisles separated from the nave
by arcades that have an alternation of supports, pillars to stress the
corners of the squares, columns in between. Each transept again con-
sisted of a centre square flanked by a rectangle. The f entre squares
were clearly singled out by means of chancel arches not only to the
east and west, but also to the north and south. In later buildings
each transept was to be square too, and the aisles consisted of sequen-
ces of squares. On the east side at Hildesheim a square chancel was
inserted between crossing and apse. Chapels branched off the tran-
septs parallel to the main apses—a complex ground plan, yet fully
ordered by an active conquering power of reason.
Who conceived this "metrical system" we do not know. What
we do know, however, and have no reason to question, is the fact,
recorded by his biographer, that St. Bernward, die bishop who was
responsible for the building of St. Michael's, was "foremost in