The chancel screen in the nineteenth century -the effects of Pugin and others
The medieval church supported the installation of chancel screens and rood lofts in parish churches based on the separation between heaven and earth described in the book of Genesis and reflecting the separation of the holy of holies in the early temple as the place where only the priest had access. The rood cross illustrating the crucifixion of Christ would often be flanked by figures of St Mary and St John and the loft would be a place where musicians could be situated. Whilst the placing of a rood and chancel screen at the time of the Reformation was not banned, the installation of both declined in this period. After the restoration of the monarchy after the English Civil War chancel screens returned but often with a coat of arms above them rather than a rood. In the nineteenth century the work of Pugin was influential in the return of chancel screens and the rood, particularly in Roman Catholic Churches from where he received the most commissions for his work. The Cambridge...