Ranworth (Norfolk), Church of St. Helen (12 slides)
Foundation listed in Doomsday book (1086); building primarily 14th and 15th century.
The 15th-century painted screen is one of the best preserved of Norfolk examples.  The Apostles appear in the base in the center, selected male saints on either side (two warriors, two bishops, two deacons), on the left and right, with altars below them, are female saints.  (Duffy, Stripping of the Altars, 158, 181-183, pls. 74, 108-9).
The south group of four women is the “Holy Kindred,” the extended family of Jesus, and connected to childbirth and babies (who all play with toys).  Since at least the 13th century it was believed that St. Anne bore not only the Virgin Mary, but two other daughters.  Mary Salome is shown with her sons, the apostles James and John, then the Virgin and Christ Child, and then Mary Cleophas with her four sons and future apostles James, Joses, Simon, and Jude.  On the far right is St. Margaret, patron saint of childbirth.  The northern group presents an abbess (Ethedreda?), Agnes, John the Baptist (object of local devotion), and Barbara.
The Ranworth Antiphonal, a richly illuminated service book containing hymns sung for the Divine Office, was given to the church in the late 15th century by William Cobbe.  There are 19 miniatures.  Lost in the 16th century, it was returned to the parish in 1912. The book was only lightly amended for the reformers by only lightly crossing out feasts, such as that of Thomas Becket, with pen lines (Duffy, Stripping of the Altars, 418-9, pl. 132).
The lectern presumably dates from the late 15th century.  On one side is a chant notation for a “Gloria” and on the other the eagle, with the word In principium from its mouth, symbol of St. John the Evangelist.

RA1 (13a) Ranworth (Norfolk), Church of St. Helen, painted screen, 15th-century, full view.

RA2 (13b) Ranworth (Norfolk), Church of St. Helen, painted screen to north

RA3  Ranworth (Norfolk), Church of St. Helen, painted screen. St. Barbara

RA4 13c Ranworth (Norfolk), Church of St. Helen, detail of head of St. Barbara

RA5  Ranworth (Norfolk), Church of St. Helen, painted screen to south. The Holy Kinship: St. Mary Salome is shown with her sons, the apostles James and John, then the Virgin and Christ Child, and then St. Mary Cleophas with her four sons and future apostles James, Joses, Simon, and Jude.  On the far right is St. Margaret, patron saint of childbirth.

RA6  Ranworth (Norfolk), Church of St. Helen, painted screen, detail of Mary Cleophas with her four sons and future apostles James, Joses, Simon, and Jude

RA7 (13a) Ranworth (Norfolk), Church of St. Helen, painted screen, St. George

RA8 (13a) Ranworth (Norfolk), Church of St. Helen, painted screen, St. Stephen

RA9 (13a) Ranworth (Norfolk), Church of St. Helen, painted screen, St. Lawrence

RA10 (13a) Ranworth (Norfolk), Church of St. Helen, lectern.  Presumably dates from the late 15th century.  On one side is a chant notation for a “Gloria” and on the other the eagle, with the word In principium from its mouth, symbol of St. John the Evangelist