The Dutch churches have, for the most part, been completely gutted of
their ancient Catholic fittings, but S. Bavon, at Haarlem, is a
fortunate exception. It has preserved the brazen screens of its choir;
they are of wrought work, exceedingly open, and very similar in design
and execution to those at Lubeck. There can be no doubt that all the
churches were provided originally with similar screen-work, the traces
of which may be frequently discerned in the piers and pillars. I have
been informed of some brass screens yet remaining in the more northern
part of Holland; but not having personal knowledge of them, I can give
no description of their dates or design. There is, however, quite
sufficient to establish the great fact, that in Catholic times the Dutch
churches were in no way inferior in this respect, but that screens were
as usual in them as in other parts of Christendom.[11]
The finest example of a Pointed screen remaining in Belgium is at
Louvain; but even this has been sadly modernized, and its use and
symbolical signification both destroyed. It consists at present of three
open arches, through which people can pass into the choir. Within the
memory of many persons yet living, the side arches were filled by two
altars and reredoses, and the centre one closed by two gates of open
metal-work. The removal of this beautiful and essential furniture for
the screen was coeval with the destruction of the sedilia, the
demolition of the ancient high altar, and the substitution of a Pagan
design in marble, and a variety of other enormities, by which the whole
character and ecclesiastical arrangement of the choir was destroyed; and
what is most lamentable, all this was brought to pass by those very
ecclesiastical authorities who ought to have been foremost in preserving
the ancient traditions.
But to return. The upper part of the screen and rood loft is still,
happily, perfect, and is surmounted by the original rood, with its
attendant images. The details of the cross are admirably executed, and
the whole effect is most striking and devotional. The cross is gilt, and
relieved in colour; the images are also painted. The arms of the cross
are supported by wrought-iron chains, fixed to the stonework of the
great arch, on the rood loft. The three staples to sustain these chains
may yet be discerned in most of the Belgian churches, and point out the
ancient position of the rood, which modern innovation has removed.