Page:A History of Cawthorne.djvu/95

 The Screen has five shields bearing the sacred emblems of the Saviour's Passion: the centre one has the cross with a crown of thorns; those at the sides, two scourges, the hammer and nails, the spear and sponge, and the ladder. The old entrance to the ancient Roodloft—the loft or gallery across the Chancel arch in front of which, towards the Nave, stood the Holy Rood or figure of our Blessed Lord upon the Cross—was opened at the east end of the Nave wall on the north side, but was built up again for fear of its endangering the arch's safety.

The oak seats which were in the Nave since 1864 are now made use of in the North and South Aisles: they replaced the former pews of 1811. By a deed dated April 8, 1811, there was an "Agreement among the Proprietors of Pews, seats, and sittings for new pewing the Church, and making further alterations:" these alterations will be more conveniently spoken of after the description of the Church in its present state.

The oak-work throughout is stained to a dark tint, which gives a quiet, rich tone of colour to the interior.

The present Chancel, which is entirely new, is fourteen feet longer than the former one, being 37 feet 6 inches by 15 feet 6 inches. It rises one step above the Nave at the lofty Chancel Arch which springs from the wall without any capital, and it is paved in the centre with black and white marble, and at the sides with white Roche Abbey stone. The Choir-stalls of oak and all the Chancel fittings are new: the east end of the north stall has carved on it the arms of the Spencers, that of the south the arms of the Stanhopes. The Choir Organ is brought through the south wall, between the two arches into the South Chancel Aisle and the east end of the Church, and its richly carved and decorated case breaks in a pleasing manner the length of Chancel wall. It bears the legend "My soul doth magnify the Lord" in the front, with "Alleluia" at each end, and in the diaper work on the wall below are the words, "My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." On the floor below the first step are two