The rood screen dates from around 1425 and is a particularly rare and fine example that has survived over 600 years. There is finely carved foliage, birds, dragons, lions’ heads and paws to the panels on the south side. On the north side, there is a carved griffin, dragon and bearded man’s head and further detailed foliage. The rood screen gates are also original. Above the screen are lifelike carved heads of medieval men and women looking towards the Nave and the chancel. Carved into the plain panels are a number of devotional marks. These are in the forms of house outlines, scratched crosses, and initials. These medieval marks are prayers made by worshippers who were largely illiterate. LM denotes prayers to Mary the Mother of Jesus as is the M intertwined with an inverted M creating a ‘butterfly’ or ‘marion’ mark. Confessions from the parishioners would be heard at the chancel steps by the clergy who would have remained on the other side of the screen. The small rose symbols around the entrance to the chancel represent the flower symbol for Mary and is a visual reminder of the sanctity of the confessional.
