Squint. Usually, a narrow slot, allowing a view of the high altar from a side chapel, as at Kersey, Long Melford and Cowlinge. It enabled priests to co-ordinate the elevation of the host at Mass. So-called squint holes are also found in rood screens, supposedly to allow those kneeling by them to see what was happening, although this seems a little unlikely. A more mysterious kind of squint can be found allowing a view into a church from outside. Two particuarly strange examples survive at Lound and Blundeston. It may be that they were not intended to allow a human view at all, but perhaps for some sort of symbolic or sacramental connection between something internal and something external. My favourite of all is at Nettlestead - now, what on earth could it have been for? Answers in an e-mail, please ;-) |