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Rood screen figures

Mary
St Apollonia
St Luke
St Simon
Who are the figures that are painted on these screens? To many of us today they may seem a bit obscure. But 600 years ago they symbolised some very real people. Basically, they are a mixture of New Testament apostles, Old Testament prophets and local (or localish) saints. To many people they were a source of inspiration, invocation (when illness or other problems emerged) and general familiarity within small social circles. Many of these figures symbolised issues that were relevant to the local populations. Maybe the best example is Apollonia who suffered tooth removal during her martyrdom. To a small Devon community who only had crude dental services, Apollonia was a comfort. That's why she is such a popular saint on the Devon rood screens.
  • Saints became very popular in late Medieval times. People were expected to desist from most work and take mass in their church instead - and maybe an evening service too. Fasting the evening before was expected. Holyday - not quite the holiday we might expect.

  • From about 1470, parish churches experienced investment in building and decoration. In many cases this reflected growing economic conditions and certainly Devon was experiencing prosperity with its wool exports, tin mining, maritime connections and good overall diversity. New images were painted in churches and many older ones were refurbished. Rood screens show this well. Symbolically, the painted saints provided a mediation between parishioners and the Rood Cross which symbolised Christ's passion. The apostles represented this function in particular, since they were the primary witnesses of the crucifixion.

  • The choice of saints in a church is sometimes unclear. The contributions of donor, priests, congragation, and local interests are all probably intertwined. In some Devon churches the location would have encouraged certain saints eg. coast based East Portlemouth with St Winwaloe - a Breton saint - and there are many Devon screens that figure the Exeter martyr St Sidwell.

  • A choice of 12 Apostles is commonly found in Devon screens. These are sometimes interspersed with 12 prophets (eg. Chudleigh and Ipplepen). The central doors of the screen frequently have 4 panels from which 4 doctors of the church, 4 Evangelists or the Annunciation may be found. Prophets are usually depicted with a scroll that contain the foretelling of Christian truths and the Apostles show up with a sentence from the Apostle's Creed. Apostles may have bare feet.

  • Competition between neighbouring churches doubtless occured and may result in certain similarities in style (eg. Alphington and Cheriton Bishop).

  • Stories of the saints usually derive from the Golden Legend (compiled by Jacobus de Voragine in the 13th Century) and consequently published by Caxton in 1483. Artists would be aware of these stories and their symbolisms and would incorporate them into their images.

  • The Virgin Mary was very popular in the Middle Ages, but because she was so often revered in statues and other paintings then she may be less commonly found on rood screens. This is also the case with St Christopher who is rarely found on screens. He was typically found as a wall painting on the north wall of a church, so that a traveller could pop in to the church using the south door, see St Christopher and thereby get a good luck addition to his consequent travel.

  • God (and Christ) are not commonly represented on screens

  • The 4 Evangelists are usually accompanied by their symbols (Luke - ox, Mark - lion, Matthew - man, John - eagle)

  • The Apostles are often shown wearing a long robe and a cloak. Usually with bare feet. Here is a list with some of their common symbols.

  • The Doctors of the Church (ie. they wrote the scriptures) are often found on the Devon screens. They are:

  • Prophets are usually depicted with elaborate hats. This was to emphasise that they are Jews. Unlike the saints, few prophets have emblems (although David may have his harp and Moses his stone tablet.) In Devon they are depicted with a scroll that contains prophetic sayings. Prophets include: Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, David, Joel, Zecheriah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Micah and Zephaniah

  • Virgin saints are often the subjects of miracles and great torments. As a result of their sufferings they could offer great help and consolation to their supplicants. They include:

    • Devon Screens

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