THE CHURCH SCREENS OF DORSET. 69 



WORTH MATRAVERS. 



In a squint on the south of the chancel arch were some 

 fragments of stone tracery which probably formed part of the 

 screen. Traces of colour remained. These fragments were 

 discovered by a former Rector in a farmhouse in the neigh- 

 bourhood, and placed by him in the church. On making 

 recent enquiries no traces of this screenwork could be found. 



WOODEN SCREENS. 

 (1) Prc- Reformation. 



AFFPUDDLE. 



Part of the rood screen is now in the tower arch. It is 

 early 16th century, but has been much pulled about. The 

 cresting is of cast iron ! The wainscot is now in two tiers, 

 but the lower has Jacobean panelling like that behind the 

 altar. The upper division has cusped arches. The frame of 

 the doorway is modern. The middle rail is chamfered. Above 

 are ogee cusped arches with dagger- shaped quatrefoils in the 

 spandrels. The top beam is plain. There was formerly 

 a tympanum in the chancel arch. The screen is spoilt by 

 varnish. In the altar rails are eleven tracery heads from the 

 screen and two modern ones. The reading-desk incorporates 

 part of the panelling of the rood loft with tracery. 



BERE REGIS. 



The vestry screen in the north aisle is composed largely of 

 early 16th century panelling mostly linenfold. It is possible 

 that this originally formed part of a screen, but it is more 

 probable that it belonged to the old seating in the nave, some 

 of which is still in use. There are two corbels, one bay west 

 of the chancel arch, and these probably supported the front 

 of the loft. As the rood stairs are on the north side of the 

 chancel arch, the loft must have extended the width of the 

 first bay, and was therefore of imposing dimensions. 



