The rood screen was the visual focus of the medieval parish church, dividing the nave from the chancel. Most were built of wood and were adorned with intricate carved decoration painted in bright colours, often with images of saints. Defaced and often dismantled during the Reformation in the mid-sixteenth century, most surviving screens have been restored to their former glory since the nineteenth century and are now among the most prized treasures of our parish churches. This fully illustrated book explains the symbolic and practical significance of rood screens and describes the ways in which they were constructed and decorated. There is also an extensive list of churches in England and Wales where screens can be found.

The Pride of the Parish
Origins and Development
Building a Rood Screen
The Structure of Rood Screens
Screen Decoration
Use of Screens, Lofts and Roods
Reformation
The Church of England
Further Reading
Places to Visit
Index