ROOD-LOFT. In Roman Catholic churches a large crucifix usually occupies a conspicuous position at the entrance to the chancel. Prior to the Reformation the same custom was, of course, observed in Euglish churches. The crucifix, here called a Rood, was placed on a team—called the Rood-Beam—fixed across the chancel arch, or on the screen which divided the nave from the chancel ; but more commonly in large churches the Rood was placed on a gallery called the Rood-Loft. The rood was of Large size, painted in natural colours, sometimes ornamented in front with the emblems of the evangelists; and had figures of the Virgin and St. John standing one on each side of the foot of the cross—the figures being all turned towards the nave. The screen which supported the gallery was of wood or stone, often richly carved or panelled. A flight of stone 'steps in the wall of the nave usually led to the rood-loft ; but in sonic instances the stairs were carried up an external turret. Roods are of great antiquity. A cross) surmounting a chancel screen in the church of Santa Sophia, Constantinople, is mentioned by a writer of the 6th century; but there is no evidence of such a cross having a figure of Christ upon it before the 8th century. In England roods were introduced as early as the 11th century ; but rood-lofts seem to have been first erected in English churches in the 14th century. The galleries as well as the roods were
in most instances destroyed by authority in the reign of Edward VI., but more or less perfect examples remain in various country churches, among others at Hartwell, Long-Sutton, Minehead and other churches in Somereetehire ; Newark, Nottinghamshire ; Great Handborough, Great Rollwright, and Chariton, Oxfordshire ; Dartmouth and else where in Devonshire; and Worm-Leighton, &c., Warwickehire. In some churches a email turret was erected over the chancel arch, and consequently over the rood, in which was hung the sanctus bell [Bets Cote], and this was often called the Reed-Tourer. The chancel-arch in like manner, from the rood being placed beneath it, was sometimes termed the Rood-Arch. On the continent the gallery-cross, in French Croix di jabl, had gradually fallen into disuse sometime before the present century, and old examples are now very rare. One of the most perfect is in the great church of Louvaiu. In Germany, France, and the Netherlands, the rood was often suspended from the chancel arch by three ornamental chains, of which fragments still remain in several churches.