The ragged remnant - the surviving medieval rood crosses from pre-Reformation Britain

One the primary images in English parish churches, if not the primary devotional image, on the cusp of the Reformation, was the great Rood, a Crucifix with accompanying figures of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St John. The Rood, its name derived from the Anglo-Saxon word for tree, was invariably placed on a beam under the arch that formed the threshold between two spaces in the church building, the nave, where the people gathered for worship and the chancel that contained the high altar, at which the Mass was celebrated.
Of the 10,000 tha survived the remnants of only four now survive and the form the focus of this video. These fragments are achingly pitiful - but they are all the physical evidence we have of this important aspect of the iconographical landscape of the medieval English and Welsh parish church. They bear witness not only to that time, but in their condition and their discovery in hidden places and ignominy of their treatment, they witness to the turbulence of the Reformation.
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[@conemadam]

When I think about all that was lost after the reformation, I am reminded of the destruction wrought by the Cultural Revolution in China. It makes me so angry. Thank you again for bringing to light what was lost.

[@giovanniserafino1731]

Although sad, it was an absolutely wonderful and informative presentation. Sad as well, that parish churches and cathedrals once consecrated by Catholic bishops for the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass hundreds of years ago are now used for protestant communion services. Worse still, due to the decline of Anglicanism, many ancient churches are now being secularized and turned into social centres. Very sad indeed.

[@allanbarton]

Sadly a lot of Anglicans find their beautiful churches a burden.

[@suemorris4642]

I agree that this is achingly difficult to watch and also an important and necessary testimony of the past. It so much more than written words can. Thank you so much for your wonderful videos. I can't thank you enough.

[@Xanaseb]

'Achingly pitiful to look at' - agreed. This was such an important video, thank-you

[@allanbarton]

My pleasure - it is staggering to contemplate what we have lost.

[@AulicExclusiva]

How sad [and ANGRY] these brutalised images make me!

[@allanbarton]

Me too, we've lots so much through such extremism.

[@Herr_Flick_of_ze_Gestapo]

We should really stop using the word iconoclasts.... that word is way too flowery. Lets call them for what they really were: protestant terrorists.

[@YorkistRaven]

This video was presented with sorrow and respect; I think this makes it greater than one that was inspired by simple academic interest. It is a piteous sight to see, however. I am sickened by the thought of how much of our heritage was destroyed by a malignant Narcissist who probably also was psychopathic. Untold priceless artworks wiped out by one sick despot. The arrogance of h8's ego is beyond calculation. Imagine the suffering caused by the rampant destruction...and we still suffer from it today! "If h8 isn't in hell it is empty," a Medieval historian friend of mine once said...

[@reginaromsey]

Agreed!

[@giovanniserafino1731]

Excellent comment ! You have both a theological and historical understanding of the sad events of the 16th century and the diabolical destruction of the Catholic patrimony of an ancient land that was once known as the Dowry of Mary. Your evaluation of Henry VIII was spot on. Although for charity sake it might be best to leave the fate of Henry’s soul in the hands of God, ( He certainly is a perfect candidate for eternal flames!) his final resting place at St George’s Chapel in a broken coffin in a forgotten vault is a fitting end for a “sick despot!”

[@YorkistRaven]

@@giovanniserafino1731 Thank you Giovanni! There are certain subjects about which I am perhaps too passionate in my comments. It is best not to presume where souls end up, but I believe in divine justice, and I pray it is well served to the sadistic and despotic, as I pray for the victims of evil to be delivered from it.

[@YorkistRaven]

@@giovanniserafino1731 Thank you Giovanni! There are some subjects about which I may be too passionate in my comments. It is best not to presume the ultimate destination of souls; but I believe in Divine Justice so I pray that it is well served to the sadistic and despotic, just as I pray for the victims of evil to be delivered from it.

[@happycommuter3523]

My heart goes out to the nuns and monks turned out of their homes and basically left to starve, while the properties of the former monastic foundations were sold to the king’s favorites.

[@4sstg]

It pained me to watch, but watch I did. I honour your work. The mistreatment of these artifacts and others completely destroyed is unconscionable.

[@wanagi006]

Henry VIII.. what a selfish beast.

[@gillianstapleton7741]

Thank you for a very thoughtful and respectful video on this subject. I recall how aghast and indignant I was when we were studying the Reformation, and my university lecturer sadly explaining that the reformers thought they were doing the right thing at the time. I daresay he was correct, but that doesn't make the destruction any less tragic.

[@celiaparker6166]

Catholic churches built in the 19th century sometimes included a rood and rood screen. A case in point is St Marie's in the centre of Sheffield, now the cathedral of the diocese of Hallam. The rood remains, suspended from the roof, but ironically the screen was removed in the post-Vatican II period - by Catholics this time- so as not to 'exclude' the faithful. By the way, the Mass as representation of Christ's Sacrifice on the Cross is unchanging Catholic teaching, not just a 'medieval belief.'

[@allanbarton]

A lot Anglican churches similarly, particularly at the end of the 19th and beginning if the 20th century - though the screens have usually been retained. Thank your for your comment re Catholic belief, I realise there is continuation of sacramental understanding. I do choose my words very carefully in these videos and try to limit discussion to focused, neutral observation of the matter at hand. There are a number of reasons for that. Firstly, it is a tried and tested scholarly approach and I approach this subject from an academic perspective. Secondly, as an Orthodox cleric it is important that I am not an apologist for theology that from an Orthodox perspective is problematic. Thirdly, my audience is very broad coming from a Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, agnostic and aetheist background - everyone is welcome who wants to learn something of our shared heritage.

[@Xanaseb]

It is an absolute travesty that my recent Catholic forebears repeated the dismantling and, let's face it, iconoclastic pattern (without the direct head cutting image scratching sacrilege. That being said there is an infamous case of relics being *burnt* by the Jesuits at St.Aloysius, Oxford) of the 16th-17thC Protestants. Lord have mercy!

[@GrumpyOldTroll]

Pugin was so adamant that rood screens were of fundamental theological significance that he wrote a "Treatise on Chancel Screens and Rood Lofts", which you can read online. Excerpts from the introduction: >The subject on which I am about to treat is one of far more importance than the generality of men may be willing to admit; it is not a mere question of architectural detail, respecting a few mullions and a transverse beam, but it involves great principles connected with discipline, and even faith, and it is a question in which all those who either wish for the revival of ancient solemnity and reverence, or even the preservation of what yet remains, are most deeply interested. [...] >"There is no higher act in the Christian religion," says Father Le Brun, "than the Sacrifice of the Mass; the greater portion of the other sacraments, and nearly all the offices and ceremonies of the church, are only the means or the preparation to celebrate or participate in it worthily." Such being the case, it is but natural that the place where this most holy sacrifice is to be offered up, should be set apart and railed off from less sacred portions of the church, and we find this to have been the case in all ages, in all styles, and in all countries professing the Catholic faith down to a comparatively very recent period, when in many places all feelings of sanctity, tradition, and reverence, seemed to have been superseded by ignorant innovation and love of change. [...] >I cannot too strongly impress on the minds of my readers that the very vitals of Catholic architecture are assailed by the opponents of screens.

[@okiejammer2736]

Thank you very much.

[@monicacall7532]

Achingly pitiful is an certainly an understatement. It’s not only pitiful to see the few tiny bits that are left of what must’ve been lovingly carved and painted figures meant to remind those attending a Roman Catholic Church service (everyone in England until Henry VIII decided to leave the church) of the main purpose of the mass but to know that the wholesale destruction of these beautiful works of devotional art was encouraged and celebrated by two kings of the Tudor dynasty. What pain must many of the rank and file citizens and the low income people have felt when the “visual aids” of their faith that had brought them great comfort (this includes rosaries, pilgrim badges, etc. too) were suddenly taboo and against the law! I struggle to wrap my brain around what the effects of such incredible trauma would’ve been like.😢 Thank goodness that those tiny bits survived at all!

[@monicacall7532]

I hope that my comment made sense. Tonight is definitely a Covid Longhauler brain fog night.😵‍💫 This video really affected me emotionally.😩

[@csc7225]

@@monicacall7532 Your comment very much makes sense. I was born and raised a Methodist in the USA, so I have a very Protestant mindset. However, as a medieavalist and antiquarian since age 13, I can't help but wonder how spiritually bereft thousands were made through this period. If one was born in 1515, one's childhood and teenage years would have been a stable, Catholic, devotional experience. Then, entire upheaval during one's twenties and thirties, a brief return to the remnants of one's childhood spirituality in one's late thirties and early forties, only to be lost forever under Elizabeth. The anger and heartbreak would have been unimaginable.

[@alyu1129]

The Reformation was the British equivalent of China's Cultural Revolution but much more thorough and complete.

[@johnconnor6638]

How would it be different if the Catholic church had kept its majority role

[@allanbarton]

Yes agreed, the Puritans particularly where fundamentalists.

[@timhazeltine3256]

Sadly, very true. The loss of artistic and cultural heritage was immense.

[@AulicExclusiva]

@@timhazeltine3256 Not to mention the martyrs butchered.

[@Herr_Flick_of_ze_Gestapo]

protestant terrorism. nothing more nothing less.

[@mbvoelker8448]

I may be an evangelical protestant with electric guitars in the worship band at a church in a strip mall and a clear understanding of the danger that religious images can easily become idols, but I love the idea of devout Catholics carefully hiding their rood from the destroyers. I wonder how many knew the secret and how long the memory lasted before it was utterly forgotten.

[@novianovioTV]

The Reformation and Protestantism seem very confused. A representation of Christ isn’t an idol it’s a reminder and adjunct of the entire purpose of the mass. I joined a Protestant church of the electric guitar variety and found it all ultimately very soulless. Give me a proper church with decoration every time

[@wanagi006]

Iconography was and is still very important to the church. Without it, there would be no church ,there would be no followers of Jesus. Iconography was and still is used as a guide to the belief that Gid sent his son to save us. Think of them as a picture book ,but far more beautiful.

[@simonstanley8655]

Thank you so much for this. It's truly a privilege and a pleasure to see - albeit a rueful one.

[@allanbarton]

A pleasure, but a mixed one.

[@nancytestani1470]

Thank you very much for explaining all this…wonderful

[@england_my_england]

in st laurences church in the village of corringham in linconshire their is a rood screen and crucifix, the crucifix atop it is original as it was taken during the reformation and sold to a local lord who also bought alot of woodwork from the church as he offerd a price of 5 shillings a piece for every piece of woodwork, he then kept it in his estate where in the 19th century g.f. bodley found it and put it back in its place when the church was being restored, bodley was famous for reconstructing old churches in an early english style, although not everything was spared from the reformation as in the womens chapel of st laurence their was reported to be a statue of the virgin mary that was taken from the church and burnt in a bonfire

[@ianison9820]

They bear witness to what today would be condemned as cultural genocide.

[@Pe0ads]

Fantastic video, thanks for posting. I'm surprised we actually have so much left. Good comparison with other European crosses, although I must confess to a little jealousy...

[@allanbarton]

Sorry to overlook your comment. An awful lot of jealousy, we have lost so much.

[@1956paterson]

Excellent work!

[@the_birthday_skeleton]

Got a copy of ‘The Antiquarian’ today! Thanks it’s great and such nice glossy print 👍🏼✨

[@allanbarton]

Glad you like it, thanks very much!

[@MisterSplendy]

Thanksdoe showing us the poor, beaten up rood figures. Fascinating how they survived. Maybe there are more are buried or sealed up, etc.

[@jonescrusher1]

The Cartmel Fell rood is disturbing in the face, there's a bizarre realism still.

[@nancytestani1470]

Still a beautiful face of Jesus..the first one..

[@1956paterson]

The remains do provide a model of what the rood screens that will inspire the building of new rood screens.

[@sheilaathay2034]

It's amazing anything remains

[@bachdon]

allan, do you ever give tours of english country churches...that would be an amazing treat..

[@allanbarton]

I have in the past and will do again. Watch this space.

[@bachdon]

let me know ..id be very interested... @@allanbarton

[@alvanrigby6361]

Truly shocking vandalism. But is history about to repeat itself?

[@tintinhickey5869]

Thanks

[@myvintagelifestyle]

Wait, so rood screens in Anglican churches are just a Catholic holdover? I find it very interesting that my local parish in Canada (late 19th c.) has a rood screen with a rather plain cross lodged atop it, reminiscent of this exact Roman tradition I take it!

[@allanbarton]

Yes they are - a lot of them have survived in England. They were in fact ordered to be retained, it was only the imagery of the rood loft that had to be disposed of. In the 19th century ritualist movement there was a real revival of them across the anglophile world.

[@myvintagelifestyle]

Fascinating!

[@nancytestani1470]

What was the wood they carved the rood out..

[@schwarzalben88]

Im Churchwarden and Sacristan at St Augustine of Hippo in Grimsby ( FIF Anglican Church) we have a Rood and a screen, though of course its not very old

[@allanbarton]

I was a regular at E & B during Fr Stephen Jones time and used to provide mass cover for his holidays. I've always been very fond of St Augustines, it is a splendid and beautiful church. Fr Allan.

[@schwarzalben88]

@@allanbarton We still have E&B once per month ( though not in August) were in what looks like being a permanent interregnum so have to rely on Priests travelling for our Sunday Mass. We've not been able to have weekday masses for quite a while now. We managed this year to have the full Tridium at Easter ( Courtesy of the Bishop of Richborougfh) Stephen Jones was Vicar when I started attending St Augustines in 2010, It was through him I became a Churchwarden ( He knew I would "preserve the Faith") I was very distressed when he died and I haquired his dog, by accident rather than design, as I was dog sitting for him when he collapsed at the wheel of his car on his way to Lincoln Cathedral and of course he never came home.

[@allanbarton]

@@schwarzalben88 keep up the good work, the diocese of Lincoln is in disarray in many respects. Fr Stephen was a good friend to me, we often used to go out church crawling with one another. I miss him greatly.

[@Connie-z6k]

You must wonder the horror that Almighty God felt seeing All the destruction of his only begotten son Jesus Christ 🙏 all the loving sculptures of a peoples due diligence and love to the almighty Creator 🙏 we people of the world 🌎🌍 can only have been taught all the things that are upon us all 🙏 certainly Will stand with him now and Believe the truth of God and revere his commandments if not only to pay penence for the horrible travisty of the destruction and terribleness of the desecration of the Art

[@michaelperigo6746]

The English equivalent of the Eastern iconostasis?

[@ahorton880]

Yes in fact. Rood screen is also translated as "cross" screen. In the East the iconostasis, "icon wall" in Greek, usually has a crucifix or icon of the Crucifixion at the top as well.

[@davidevans3227]

ooo.. have you been to st fagan's in south wales? 🙂 i thought i recognised a photo..

[@allanbarton]

I have, I lived in Wales for some years. I love St Fagan’s such a wonderful museum and St Teilo’s is a superb reconstruction.

[@davidevans3227]

@@allanbarton i'm very pleased you been able to visit there and know the place.. it is very interesting and the church is something else isn it.. wonderful.. i like the wall paintings too and i've seen some original wall paintings here in south wales, i want to say llancarfen? (something like that)

[@skyhigh1154]

Is that an aquarium pump in the background? Or is the toilet running?

[@allanbarton]

At that point I was working on a main road with rudimentary equipment. It could be anything!

[@ruthannemackinnon588]

One respectful suggestion: you may want to change the "medieval mind" to the "Catholic mind" when speaking of catholic beliefs ie relics, Christ's real presence in the eucharist, intercession of saints etc. Reason being these are universal catholic beliefs which have not changed since those medieval times

[@allanbarton]

I don’t think I will, but thanks for the suggestion. This is an academic discourse and I adopt a common methodology that dispassionately and factually looks at such things in the context of the past. There is nothing that could be counted disrespectful in that as I don’t state these doctrinal ideas are nonsense! Incidentally I present these things in this scholarly way despite holding to Catholic faith beliefs myself - for my own faith and your own faith and the faith of any contemporary Catholic is irrelevant to the argument.

[@ruthannemackinnon588]

@@allanbarton I understand & I wasn't offended. Thank you for your response & I really enjoy your channel

[@peterkrauss6962]

The reformation was a dismal failure

[@garycannon1247]

Never heard of robot jesus!

[@Connie-z6k]

R foot