medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Cyprian Alston has that useful description of Roods and their uses in his
article in the old [and incredibly useful] Catholic Encyclopedia:
...they were usually of wood, richly carved, painted or gilded, with
foliated or crocketed sides, and with the arms of the cross terminating
either in fleurs-de-lys or in emblazoned medallions of the symbols of the
four Evangelists. Rood-lights were kept burning before the rood in medieval
times, consisting either of a wick and oil in a cresset, or rood-bowl, or of
a taper on a pricket in the centre of a mortar of brass, latten, or copper
... when the rood was exceptionally large or heavy, its weight was sometimes
taken partly by wrought-iron rood-chains depending from the chancel-arch,
which were generally of elaborate design ... the rood, however, striking and
prominent as it was intended to be, was often eclipsed by the rood screen
over which it was placed .... Over such screens was a loft or gallery
(rood-loft), which, according to some authorities, was used for the reading
of the Epistle and Gospel, certain lections, the Pastorals of Bishops, the
Acts of Councils, and other like purposes. The Episcopal benediction was
also sometimes pronounced, and penitents absolved, from the loft ... [which]
likewise provided convenient accommodation for the organs and singers ....
In England they were generally lavishly coloured and gilded; also, the rood
frequently stood not on or near the screen and loft, but on a separate
transverse beam called the rood-beam, which was similarly carved and gilded.
On the western side [was placed] the rood-altar, which in monastic churches
often served as the parish altar, the parishioners being accommodated in the
nave. The altar, being immediately under the great rood, was dedicated to
the Holy Cross .... The daily parish Mass said at the altar under the rood
screen, was called the Rood Mass.
Best wishes,
Paul
M.P. Bryant-Quinn
Y Ganolfan Uwchefrydiau Cymreig a Cheltaidd /
Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies
Aberystwyth
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