If i'm not mistaken, this is by design for Gothic buildings. I forget what the proper term is, but Gothic architecture exploits dynamic tension really thoroughly. The whole building is fighting against itself to destroy itself, and so remains balanced and static.
Take a component out, and the result is unstable.
Appropirately for a cathedral, the sermons practically write themselves.
Take a component out, and the result is unstable.
Appropirately for a cathedral, the sermons practically write themselves.