Rood

I know this is a four letter word, but it's not a rude one!

A rood is the name given to the cross on which Christ died.  It is also used for any images of this (painting, sculpture, etc.) found in churches.  The word was used from before 1121, but spelt rode, which later became rood by the end of the fouteenth century.  It comes from the Old English rod, used before 830, which meant a cross, a pole, or a measure of land.

The rood is now used to mean a depiction of Christ on the cross, attended by the Virgin Mary and Saint John the Apostle, and it usually carved from wood.  Sometimes this was suspended from the ceiling, but most surviving examples are placed above a rood screen, which divided the Medieval Catholic church into two - one area for the congregation, and the other, behind the screen, was where the altar was placed, where only the priests were allowed.  One splendidly and intricately carved rood screen survives in the eleventh century church of Partrishow (aka Patrishow or Patricio) near Abergavenny in the Brecon Beacons, South Wales (see left).

Another more accessible example, is found in St. Teilo's Church in St. Fagan's National History Museum, near Cardiff (depicted right).  Dating from the twelfth century, this church (originally from Pontarddulais, near Swansea) has been recreated in the time of 1520, with marcellously bright murals and carvings.  This church, with its wonderful rood screen, gives you a chance to experience a Medieval church in all its glory.  I recommend a visit.

Sources:
Chambers Dictionary of Etymology (1988), Chambers.
Curl, James Stevens (1999) A Dictionary of Architecture, Oxford University Press.
Images:
Decoration - The Rood Screen (2009?) [online], http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/1207/ (Accessed 17 February 2011).
The Rood Screen at Partrishow/Patricio (2000) [online], http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1212550 (Accessed 17 February 2011).





Juliana