A rood screen — known in the Low Countries as a *doksaal* and in France as a *jubé* — is a stone or wooden partition between the choir (where the clergy sat) and the nave (where the laity sat) of a medieval church, often topped by an elevated platform from which readings and singing took place. It is one of the most characteristic elements of a Gothic church.
Shape and function
A typical rood screen consists of:
- A wall or arcade — sometimes a single arch, sometimes a row of five, seven or nine openings
- A double passageway — two doors or openings into the choir
- A loft or gallery — on top of the screen, reached by a spiral stair
- A lectern or pulpit — for reading the Scriptures
- Decorative carving or painting — Passion scenes, saints, evangelists
The Dutch name *doksaal* comes from the Latin *doxale*, derived from *doxologia* (doxology, a hymn of praise), referring to the singing of psalms from the platform.
Application
The rood screen had several main roles:
- Separation of sacred and profane — the choir was reserved for the clergy, the nave for the laity; the screen physically marked this separation
- Place of the Gospel — Scripture readings, Passion narratives and sermons were given from the screen
- The crucifix — a large triumph cross (*Triumphkreuz*) often stood on top
- Organ — in later phases an organ was placed on the screen platform
History
- 12th to 15th century — peak in Western Europe; nearly every major church had a rood screen
- 16th century (Reformation) — Protestant churches removed rood screens because they no longer wanted a separation between laity and clergy
- 17th century (Counter-Reformation and Baroque) — many medieval Catholic screens were replaced by open communion rails so that worshippers could better follow the Mass
- 19th century (Gothic Revival) — restoration and reconstruction of medieval screens, sometimes based on archaeological remains
Famous examples
A few medieval rood screens survive in the Low Countries:
- St John’s Cathedral, ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NL) — 16th-century screen with elaborate sculpture
- St Saviour’s Cathedral, Bruges (BE) — Late Gothic in stone
- St Peter’s Church, Leuven (BE) — famous for its fine stonework
France’s most celebrated example is the rood screen of Sainte-Madeleine in Troyes, a masterpiece of Flamboyant Gothic.
Related terms
- Choir
- Loft
- Crucifix
- Church
- Gothic
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