68 THE CHURCH SCREEN'S OF DORSET. 



KNOWLE. 



This is a 13th century example of a mural screen and 

 consists of a plain triple arcade. Formerly the lateral openings 

 were lilled with a wall breast high, hut this has unfortunately 

 been removed, and the original effect quite spoiled. 



MILTON ABBAS. 



The noble Abbey Church of St. Sampson still possesses its 

 massive stone pulpitum at the west end of the choir, but the 

 upper part is largely modern work. The west side as it now 

 exists is severely plain with central doorway and string course 

 above. The loft is approached by two flights of stone steps 

 on either side of the choir entrance. The loft is wide and 

 spacious. The east side is plain and has been largely re- 

 constructed with odd pieces of material. Two ancient 

 paintings now stand on each side of the door on the east side, 

 one of which represents King Athelstan founding the Abbey, 

 and the other a Queen with a hawk. Possibly these came 

 from the loft, but it seems more probable that they formed 

 part of the wainscot of the canopies of the stalls. 



THORNFORD. 



The screen here has considerable affinity to its neighbour 

 at Bradford Abbas, and was evidently copied from it. The 

 detail however is inferior, and it is considerably later. One of 

 the door hinges is in situ, which shows that these screens were 

 originally provided with wooden doors. 



WOOL. 



Here is a mural screen of 13th century date consisting 

 of a triple arcade. It is undoubtedly the oldest screen in 

 Dorset, and shows the transition from the narrow Norman 

 chancel arch to the wide Early English and Decorated 

 examples. Doubtless the lateral arches were originally filled 

 up solid breast high, as at Knowle, 



