Derbyshire (England) -- Antiquities; Derbyshire (England) -- History
The stone screens, then, existing, or accountable for as known to
have existed, in Derbyshire comprise those at Allestree, Chelmorton,
Darley Dale, Ilkeston, and Monks’ Dale. Another one also must be
included in the list, viz., the former rood-screen at Bakewell. From
a description of it in 1823, while it might still be seen _in situ_
separating the chancel from the rest of the church, it appears to
have been of Decorated workmanship. Either half of it measured six
feet long, exclusive of the space for the central entrance. The
recorded height, 4 ft. 9 in., implies that it was the base or plinth
merely, not the complete screen. At some subsequent time during the
“repairs” which went on from 1841 to 1851—a sad decade of disaster for
Bakewell church!—its stone screen was carried off by that notorious
archæological raider, Mr. Thomas Bateman, to swell his predatory
collection at Lomberdale House. The virtuoso himself being long
since dead, and the contents of his museum dispersed, there is now
practically no likelihood of the missing screenwork ever being traced
and recovered. If it be still in existence anywhere, it should probably
be sought for in the Weston Museum at Sheffield, whither most of the
Derbyshire spoils from Lomberdale House are said to have found their
way. If that be so, the screen ought certainly to be restored to its
rightful place again at Bakewell. The loss of so venerable a monument
cannot be too deeply deplored, and reflects the utmost discredit on all
persons concerned in the removal of this ancient screenwork from the
church to which it belonged.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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