Rood Screen

The rood screen is 14^th century, with square headed lights.  It is capped by a later plinth and seven candlesticks which are believed to be 18^th century.  The original rood loft would have been removed during the Reformation, but the staircase that led to it remains and can be accessed from a doorway at the north east corner of the south aisle.

Nuns Gallery

The staircase leading to the rood loft continues to a passage running above the chancel arch from the south to the north aisle, with openings looking both east and west into the Church.  This highly unusual feature of enigmatic purpose is referred to as the Nuns Gallery, but how the name originated is unknown.  There has been much speculation about its purpose – it was possibly used to light lanterns/lamps which illuminated the Rood below, or it could have been a place which enabled people to watch over relics that may have been placed at the Altar when Archbishops stayed at the adjoining Archbishop’s Palace.