THE CHURCH SCREENS OF DORSET. 67 



above with quatrefoil heads, and an embattled cornice. It is 

 constructed of Ham Hill stone, and has been carefully restored. 

 The base is quite plain and the west side shows traces of the 

 lateral altars; grooves for half door remain. At each end are 

 engaged crocketed pinnacles and slight traces of colour. 



BRADFORD ABBAS. 



The screen here, like that at Batcombe, has a solid base 

 with traces of the lateral altars, and narrow openings above 

 acutely pointed with cusped arches and pierced trefoil 

 spandrels; the central doorway is so cusped with trefoiled 

 spandrels. The cornice is plain, and it seems probable that 

 the wooden loft rested directly on it. This screen dates from 

 the end of the 14th century, when the present church was 

 rebuilt. We may add that this church contains some fine 

 bench ends, and a good panelled timber roof painted with red 

 and white roses. 



CERNE ABBAS. 



The screen is late Perpendicular and originally supported a 

 solid stone wall, there being no chancel arch. However, at 

 the restoration, the stone wall was removed and a chancel arch 

 constructed, while the screen was provided with a cornice. 

 The base is plain, and clearly formed a background for the 

 lateral altars. The screen has been much restored and the 

 original effect lost. 



COMPTON NETHER. 



This screen is an excellent piece of work and seems to date 

 from the latter part of the 14th century. There are traces of 

 colour. The base as usual is solid and the outline of the altars 

 is clearly defined. The upper part on the north side consists 

 of an open arcade, but the south side has one large opening in 

 which it is possible that a wooden reredos for the altar was 

 plac'ed originally; but of this no traces remain. The space 

 above the screen was formerly filled with masonry. 



