Lenten Array.

Fairford, Gloucestershire,

originally uploaded by Vitrearum (Allan Barton).

The Lady Altar in the Tame Chapel, at Fairford, in Gloucestershire, has a Reredos of 1913, by Geoffrey Webb, covered during Lent with Lenten Array.

The Reredos Veil is decorated with a Central Rood Group,

in Grisaille, with Ox-Blood Stencilling around it.

The Tabernacle containing the image of Our Lady, that

forms an Upper Level of the Reredos, is enclosed with

doors and the backs of the doors are also Stencilled.

Sadly, these seem to be the extent of the surviving

Lenten Array; the Blue Frontal (Editor: Antependium)

remains in place during Lent, as does the very

Festal Dorsal with its Armorial embroidery.

Consequently the Lenten Veiling rather loses its impact.

Text and Illustration: MEDIEVAL CHURCH ART