Cornwall Screens.

The medieval rood screens of Cornwall, like those across England, have a complex history of construction, destruction, and restoration. They were originally magnificent and multi-functional structures, but today survive as fragments of that former glory. The English iconoclasts had their day. Cornish medieval rood screens today are valuable but altered heritage items. They typically consist of the lower screen structure, sometimes with original carved tracery and often with surviving, though damaged or stripped, painted panels, all standing as a powerful visual echo of the magnificent and complex ensemble that once defined the space in a medieval church. This website illustrates some of the surviving Cornish rood screens - it includes the few remaining figurative screens.

We include a couple of medieval screens that have been beautifully carved in various patterns - but with no painted figures. We also add a couple of Victorian rebuild screens.