So much medieval art has been lost since the mid 16th century, here I look at some wonderful visual evidence of a lost rood screen from Norfolk.
Neglect, apathy and fire – a lost Norfolk screen
The Somerton reredos
Set into the east wall of Somerton church in Oxfordshire is what appears to be at first glance a complete medieval reredos. It portrays the Last Supper with Christ and the disciples ranged behind a long table covered in a pleated cloth. They are all tucking in to food and drink, eating from wooden trenchers... Continue Reading →
The Penn Doom, Buckinghamshire
High up in the roof space, attached to the east wall of the nave of Holy Trinity church in Penn in Buckinghamshire, is a very rare object indeed. Painted on a series of wooden boards, forming a Tympanum, is a vibrantly coloured Doom painting. It is one of only five Doom paintings on boards that... Continue Reading →
The Image of Pity – the Wellingham rood screen.
Wellingham is a remote little hamlet in the middle of Norfolk to the south of Fakenham. It's church, heavily rebuilt in 1896 is rather undistinguished, but it contains a great treasure. The dado of a rood screen from the 1530s. Rather interestingly the screen is inscribed and precisely dated. The inscription on the upper... Continue Reading →
