Screen

Screen, as an architectural term, denotes a partition separating one portion of a chamber or an edifice from the remainder. In the halls of mediaeval residences the space thus cut off formed a lobby which communicated with the hall proper through doors in the screen, and was surmounted by a gallery, These screens were of wood, and consisted of close panelling below, and open work above. In churches, screens separated chapels from the nave, choir, or aisles, or they were put up as a protection to tombs; but the most important was the rood-screen, which divided the nave from the choir. It was so-called because, prior to the Reformation, it was surmounted by a figure of the rood or cross, As a general rule, the upper part of church screens was open, but in cathedrals and large churches the rood-screen was close throughout. These screens, which were constructed either of wood or stone, were very ebborately carved and also ornamented with painting and gilding.