A Community Service Website by Roy Romsey - romseys@yahoo.com
Romsey Abbey
Guide
A Medieval Gem
A.D. 1120 - A.D.2020
This page is only partially complete
currently under construction
Choir Screen
This intricately carved medieval screen is to be seen on the south side of the transept. it had in past years stood in the nave, alongside the chancel step. separating the body of the church from the high altar.
The Reverend Berthon b1813 - d1899) discovered it in storage in one of the galleries of Romsey Abbey and had it restored to its present form in memory of his wife, he had it erected alongside the chancel step, separating the body of the church from the big altar. It was moved to its present position in 1920s.
Many of the carved heads in the string along the top were replaced, as were some of the foliated frieze.
Grid plan location:- G-D09-S4
Last updated February 24th 2021
Carved Heads
There are 20 carved heads in the string above the choir screen. 6 are the original medieval 14th century carvings: and X14 newly carved during the victorian period.
Of the 14 Male heads, there are 4 shaven faces, the rest are with beards or moustaches or both.
The hair of the men is mainly long and wavy or curly whereas the 5 females have hair styles varying from plain to ringlets.
There is also an interesting array of head coverings: from headbands to helmets and from skull caps to wimples, two of the heads are wearing crowns.
The heads on the current screen represent various historical figures, a list of which had been kept by the abbey until a curate erroneously threw it away before its importance was realised. However, it is known that Alfred the Great, Henry I, Queen Eleanor and the poet Chaucer are represented.
Grid plan location:- G-D09-S4
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Image Title
This is the first of the string of medieval carved heads on the Romsey Abbey Choir screen, many of which were replaced during the tenure of Rev Edward Berthon 1863 -92?
It is believed to be the head of ........ as represented by the headcoveing......
Face No 'A'
Photo - P1130653.A1 JPG
Grid plan location:- G-D06-??
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A
Image Title
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Face No ??
Photo - P1130654.B
Grid plan location:- G-D06-??
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Image Title
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Face No ??
Photo - P116????
Grid plan location:- G-D06-??
Image Title
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Face No ??
Photo - P116????-B
Grid plan location:- G-D06-??
Image Title
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Face No ??
Photo - P116????
Grid plan location:- G-D06-??
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Photo - P116????
Grid plan location:- G-D06-??
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Face No ??
Photo - P116????
Grid plan location:- G-D06-??
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Face No ??
Photo - P116????
Grid plan location:- G-D06-??
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Face No ??
Photo - P116????
Grid plan location:- G-D06-??
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Photo - P116????
Grid plan location:- G-D06-??
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Face No ??
Photo - P116????
Grid plan location:- G-D06-??
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Face No ??
Photo - P116????
Grid plan location:- G-D06-??
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Face No ??
Photo - P116????
Grid plan location:- G-D06-??
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Face No ??
Photo - P116????
Grid plan location:- G-D06-??
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Photo - P116????
Grid plan location:- G-D06-??
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Face No ??
Photo - P116????
Grid plan location:- G-D06-??
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Face No ??
Photo - P116????
Grid plan location:- G-D06-??
