2»'i S. V. 120., Armi. 17. '58.] 



NOTES AND QUERIES. 



311 



of the original design. It is far from impossible 

 but that some of these rit6s may retain a partial 

 resemblance of their former existence ; but still, 

 are so far altered or perverted from their original 

 order, as to warrant the assumption that they are 

 with the things that have passed away. The wide 

 expanse of the Romanists' world at once defies 

 the selection of examples from periods presumed 

 to be of the earliest dates, especially in this short 

 notice, but which it is not unreasonable to hope 

 may lead to farther investigation and consequent 

 development. 



The Tabernacle, rising above every other archi- 

 tectural embellishment, claims the first notice. It 

 was the most conspicuous object in the church, 

 and unquestionably demanded, as the receptacle of 

 the Pix, the most reverential observances. Few 

 of these remain to tell the labours of their con- 

 struction, and none are appended to modern 

 churches. The finest example remaining is in the 

 churck of St. Laurence, built by Krafft, and 

 finished in 1500, at Nurembergh ; but those at 

 Louvain, one in the church of St. Pierre, con- 

 structed in 1433, and the other in the church of 

 St. Jacques in the same style, but bearing on the 

 protecting brass balustrade the date 1568, are 

 wonderful works of art. The one at L'Eau is fine, 

 and it is probable there are others, as at Deist, 

 but of less merit. The modern substitute for this 

 meritorious display of masonic labour and graphic 

 skill is formed of humble carpentry, aided by 

 carving, gilding, and upholstery ; and the locality 

 is subjected to convenience to the manifest de- 

 traction from the excellencies of church archi- 

 tecture. 



TTie Rood Loft. — These were adopted as a 

 means to give the utmost effect to the important 

 ceremonial of the "Elevation:" the gorgeous ap- 

 pliances harmonised with the solemn service, and 

 shed a due influence over the minds of the de- 

 votees. This glorious spectacle no longer awes 

 the prostrate throng, and the Roman services are 

 deemed sufficient with a far less imposing " Ele- 

 vation " at the altar. The most elaborately 

 decorated "rood loft," now called a "gallery," 

 is in the church of St. Gomer, at Lierre; ap- 

 proaching this in magnificence is the one in the 

 church of Dixmude, both in Belgium. Some few 

 as originally designed in wood, and not irrecover- 

 ably injured, are still to be found in England. 

 The remains of the one in Bawburgh church, near 

 Norwich, is very highly decorated, but of a later 

 date, and is very rich in fan tracery. It was pro- 

 bably built with the offerings at the shrine of St. 

 Walstan ; another Is In the church of Worstead, 

 but the most perfect is in the church of Sherring- 

 hara, near Cromer. 



Flights of Steps. — These were a necessary ad- 

 junct to every "rood loft," as a means of ascent ; 



they were generally built of masonry, and frag- 

 ments of them are very common throughout 

 England ; but they are not always substantially 

 designed, nor with due regard to architecture. 

 (See " N. & Q.," 2°'' S. iv. 409., &c., &c.) One 

 of the most perfect, and winding round a column, 

 is in the village church of Surlingham, near Nor- 

 wich. In this example the mural arch at the 

 base, and the one communicating with the " loft," 

 are small but accurate examples of the Tudor 

 period. 



Sedilia. — These very highly decorated appen- 

 dages to the altars appear to have formed pro- 

 minent features in the churches of England, and 

 either to have been omitted, or with unwearied 

 perseverance destroyed, on a greater part of the 

 Continent. A very meagre example, partly 

 secreted, remains In the chapel of the Virgin in 

 the cathedral of Notre Dame at Rouen, and is an 

 isolated example in that truly enriched city of 

 mediaeval architecture. The mutilated fragments 

 in the church of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, bear 

 signs of former splendour ; and from the colour- 

 ing must, when occupied, have produced a gor- 

 geous effect. In some instances the sedilia is made 

 cooperative in architectural design with the south 

 window or windows of the chancel, which, with 

 the high-coloured glazing, must have materially 

 enhanced and aided the destined ceremonial pomp. 

 The sedilia seldom exceeded six compartments ; 

 all were canopied, but the seats were differently 

 elevated. 



Confessional Oratory. — This was a small ex- 

 terior compartment, situated on the north side of 

 the chancel, and from which the penitent commu- 

 nicated through a tubular orifice, sufficient in size 

 only for the conveyance of the voice to the con- 

 fessor within the chancel. Remains of these 

 oratories and orifices are far from uncommon : 

 examples of them in ruins are to be found as de- 

 scribed in Yarmouth clmrch, Colton church, and 

 more particularly in Hargham church ; where, to 

 prevent the possibility of ocular communication 

 between the confessor and the penitent, the voice- 

 conveying tube is made to describe an angle. 

 These are all in Norfolk ; but there is an orifice 

 remaining in the beautiful Beauchamp chapel at 

 Warwick, well exemplifying their construction. 



The Piscena was attached to every altar, and 

 uniformly placed on the south wall ; many beauti- 

 ful examples are quoted by Britton, in vol. v. of 

 his Architectural Antiquities,^ and where the now 

 disused purposes are explained. The shelf des- 

 tined for the sacred napkins In many retired 

 churches still remains ; the basin and the chan- 

 nel for the escape of the waste waters are perfect 

 in many examples, but all have fallen into use- 

 lessness. One in the village church of Hemble- 

 ton, and another in the church of Blofield, possess 



