62 THE CHURCH SCREENS OF DORSET. 



study, and which contain features which differentiate them 

 markedly from the screens of the adjacent counties. One 

 outstanding feature is the stone screens, which are located 

 principally in the north of the county. These stone screens 

 are all closely related, and consist of a plain solid base against 

 which the lateral altars stood, and narrow openings above 

 with cusped arches and central doorway. There is usually an 

 embattled cornice on the top. These screens are to be found 

 at Bradford Abbas, Thornford, Batcombe, Nether Compton 

 and Cerne. The best is probably that at Nether Compton, 

 which has traces of colour; and it is the oldest, since it seems to 

 date from the latter part of the 14th century. At Cerne there 

 was formerly no chancel arch, and the screen \vas surmounted 

 by a stone tympanum. At the restoration the tympanum was 

 removed and a chancel arch erected. At Thornford the 

 hooks of the door remain. Wool and Knowle have mural 

 screens consisting of triple arcades, and the lateral openings 

 at Knowle were formerly filled breast high with walls against 

 which the altars were placed. The noble Abbey Church of 

 Milton retains the massive stone pulpitum, but the upper part 

 has been largely rebuilt. It is of very plain construction, and 

 has two flights of steps. 



The first thing to be noted \vith regard to wooden screens 

 is the fact that they are practically all of the rectilinear type, 

 as opposed to the Devon and Somerset screens, which for the 

 most part are of the arched form. It is true that both these 

 counties contain a few rectilinear examples, particularly the 

 latter county ; but the finest and most characteristic are 

 arcuated. So much so is this the case that the only arched 

 example now remaining in Dorset is at Trent ; and, as this 

 parish belonged to Somerset until 1896, the screen too being 

 in every sense a product of that county, it is hardly fair to 

 consider it an exception to the general rule. Of course it is 

 quite likely that some at least of the destroyed screens were of 

 the arched type, especially those on the Devon and Somerset 

 border, The majority of the surviving screens are late, and 

 probably were erected at the end of the 15th or beginning of 



