Did you know that medieval churches were once adorned with intricate, beautifully decorated walls separating the chancel from the nave? These structures, known as rood screens, were much more than barriers. They were works of art, stages, and symbolic thresholds between the sacred and the worldly. Today, rood screens are rare across much of Europe, with some surviving examples in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. But in England, they are strikingly common in churches and cathedrals. In this article you’ll find 5 reasons why they did survive there, while disappearing elsewhere.
The answer takes us on a journey through the splendor of medieval architecture, the religious upheavals of the 16th century, and England’s unique choral traditions. But first, let’s ask: what exactly is a rood screen?
What is a Rood Screen?
A rood screen (in French, jubé) is a wooden or stone wall that divides the nave of a church from the chancel. In the Middle Ages, it had a dual function: it marked the boundary between the worldly and the sacred, while also serving as a practical platform for readings, singing, or even smaller altars. The name jubé comes from the Latin words Jube, Domine, benedicere (“Lord, bless me”), a prayer the deacon would say before reading the gospel from the screen.
Many rood screens were elaborately decorated with carvings, sculptures, and paintings. Take York Minster’s screen (photo below), for example, where portraits of English kings not only add decorative charm but also reinforce royal legitimacy. In other churches, rood screens depicted scenes from Christ’s passion, transforming these barriers into masterpieces of storytelling and devotion.
But as the centuries passed, rood screens became targets of reform, destruction, and changing tastes.
Why Did Rood Screens Almost Disappear Across Europe?
From the 16th century onwards, rood screens began to vanish from European churches. Three key factors drove their disappearance:
The Counter-Reformation: Openness and Visibility
The Counter-Reformation (16th–17th centuries) was the Catholic Church’s response to the Protestant Reformation. During the Council of Trent (1545–1563), it was decided that the altar, as the heart of the church, must be visible from all parts of the building to better involve the faithful in worship. Rood screens, which often obstructed this view, were deemed obstacles and were removed across much of Catholic Europe, particularly in France and Italy.
Baroque architects like Gian Lorenzo Bernini embraced this new directive, designing churches with dramatic sightlines, light-filled interiors, and grand decor. In this new vision of church architecture, rood screens simply didn’t fit.
The Reformation and Iconoclasm
In Protestant regions, such as the Netherlands, rood screens vanished for entirely different reasons. Here, they were seen as symbols of Catholic extravagance, at odds with the simplicity and accessibility emphasized by Protestant worship. Many rood screens were destroyed during waves of iconoclasm, such as the Beeldenstorm of the 16th century. In some cases, their remains were repurposed into simpler furnishings, like in the Grote Kerk of Schoonhoven, where a rood screen was converted into a plain gentlemen’s bench.
Architectural Trends: From Gothic to Baroque, and Then Neogothic
Gothic architecture, with its emphasis on verticality and enclosure, gave way to the open, light-filled focus of Baroque design. This transition was particularly influential in Catholic countries, where the Baroque style dominated church design.
Interestingly, while many rood screens were removed during the Baroque period, some new ones were constructed. A remarkable example is the Baroque rood screen of St. John’s Cathedral in ’s-Hertogenbosch, built in 1629 after earlier screens were destroyed during the Reformation and iconoclasm. Modeled after the screen in Tournai, it was an exception to the trend. However, in 1866, under the influence of neogothic tastes and on the advice of architect Pierre Cuypers, the screen was removed and sold. Today, it can be admired at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Why Did Rood Screens Survive in England?
England took a different path. Here, rood screens were not only preserved but adapted to meet the needs of the Anglican Church. There are five main reasons why they endured:
- The English Love of Choral Music
Choral music plays a central role in Anglican worship. Rood screens provided the perfect platform for choirs or organs that enhanced the musical experience. The screen in Exeter Cathedral, still prominently supporting its organ, is a testament to this tradition. - Reused as Organ Lofts
After the English Reformation, many rood screens were repurposed to support organs, giving them a practical and indispensable role in Anglican churches. A fine example can be found in Rochester Cathedral, where a medieval rood screen with a striking organ is still in use. Architectural Durability
English rood screens were often built of stone, like the one in York Minster. This made them more durable than their often wooden counterparts on the European mainland, which were more vulnerable to damage and decay.
Symbolism Without Total Obstruction
The Anglican Church sought to balance tradition and accessibility. Rood screens in England subtly marked the division between nave and chancel without fully blocking the altar from view. This suited Anglican liturgy, which values both ceremony and inclusivity.
No Counter-Reformation Pressure
England, having embraced Protestantism after 1534, did not experience the Counter-Reformation. As a result, there was no pressure to remove rood screens to create the open, dramatic interiors favored in Catholic Baroque churches. They simply continued to fit the architectural traditions of English churches.
Notable Rood Screens in England and Europe
England is home to some of the most magnificent surviving rood screens. Highlights include:
- York Minster: Featuring a screen adorned with statues of 15 English kings and a grand organ atop it.
- Wells Cathedral: A stunning example of a functional and decorative rood screen with exquisite sculptures.
- Rochester Cathedral: A medieval screen that still serves as a striking organ platform.
Although most of Europe lost its rood screens, a few exceptional examples remain:
- Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, Paris (France) (photo below): A Renaissance masterpiece in marble and one of the last remaining screens in France.
- St. Maternus Basilica (Walcourt, Belgium): A 16th-century screen reportedly gifted by Emperor Charles V.
- Naumburg Dom (Germany): Uniquely, this Romanesque cathedral features two surviving screens—one in the eastern choir and another in the western choir—both preserved through the Reformation.
Rood screens are more than architectural relics. They tell the story of a time when religion, art, and architecture were deeply intertwined. While many have been lost, those that remain remind us of the creativity and craftsmanship of the Middle Ages.
So, next time you find yourself in a cathedral, look for the rood screen. It’s not just a wall—it’s a window into a time when faith shaped every detail of a church’s design. And in places like York, Rochester, or even the Victoria and Albert Museum, these screens still hold the power to inspire awe.
I’d love to hear: what is your favorite rood screen? Leave it in the comments below!
Sources
- Stephen Bicknell, “The History of the English Organ”
- Helen Gittos, “Liturgy, Architecture and Sacred Places in Anglo-Saxon England
- Wikipedia
2 thoughts on “5x Why England Preserved Its Rood Screens – and Europe Lost Them”
Fascinating! I had no idea about any of this, I’m so interested to read it. Thank you. Amazing how worship and liturgy influence architecture, and vice versa.
Thank you Sophia! What is your favorite rood screen?