Eastwell's unusual chancel screen
When I came back to Leicestershire in 1986 one of the first churches I visited was at Eastwell. And spotted the unusual stone chancel screen. And ever since 1986 I've been looking for a similar one. And I've been inside lots of churches in most counties of England and in various parts of Wales too. I've yet to spot another. Please email me:– bobtrubs@indigogroup.co.uk if you know of one anywhere else in Britain.
The Historic England National Heritage List for England describes this as 'Stone C14 chancel screen extended up to roof by plastered walling: arched central doorway and to each side one 3-light ogeed window under straight heads.'
Most churches were constructed or rebuilt with a much wider and taller chancel arch. Before the Reformation there would have been a wooden screen surmounted by a rood – life-size wooden carvings of the Crucifixion with Christ, the Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist. All roods were removed by the end of the seventeenth century and often the chancel screen too. However the nineteenth century Gothic Revival resulted in medieval screens being restored or 'mended with a new one'.
Close to Eastwell is Eaton where the church has a fifteenth century chancel screen.
Eastwell church seems always to be unlocked during the daytime so do go and take a look. Step through into the chancel where there is an effigy of an early fourteenth century priest depicted in eucharistic vestments: alb, stole, chasuble and maniple. On his chest are a chalice and paten.
The chancel roof at Eastwell is sixteenth century. The Listing reads 'Rustic C16 chancel roof: ties support Queen posts rising to collars, 3 tiers butt purlins and curved windbracing.'
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