Screenwork in the Churches of North-East

Somerset.

(Paper No. 2 of the Series.)

BY F. BLIGH BOND, F.R.I.B.A.

THE

HE churches of the more northerly parts of the county present a striking contrast to those of the western and southern extremity. Whilst the latter in most cases reflect to a great degree in their plan and general structure the character of the Devonshire and Cornwall churches, the former approximate more nearly to the average English type found all over the south-midland districts. The division between nave and chancel is more strongly defined; the chancel arch is a customary feature; the nave is generally far superior in height to the aisles, and these are not carried continuously so far to the eastward as is the case in the true West-country type of church.

Hence as might be expected, the arrangement of the screenwork is found to exhibit corresponding differences of character, and, saving in one class of churches of an intermediate type, the continuous screen running across nave and aisles without a break does not appear to have been an usual feature, as it is in Devonshire, but in place of this there would appear to have been ordinarily a central high screen between nave and chancel, with its rood-loft, and separate screens to the aisles or aisle chapels, where such existed.

The naves being superior in height to the aisles, and often clerestoried, it is not improbable that the subsidiary screenwork was lower in many cases than the rood-screen.