On either side of the chancel arch is a hagioscope or squint, the south one being slightly larger than the north one, to allow for a view of the altar from the side pews.
They could not enter churches, but were allowed to look through hagioscopes or ‘squint windows’.
At the time when the north aisle was added, a hagioscope was made in the pier beside the chancel arch.
The squints, or hagioscopes, were originally angled but were unfortunately straightened by the Victorians.
Up to 60 years ago there was only one central arch with window or hagioscope on either side.
Definition of hagioscope in US English:
hagioscope
nounˈhaɡēəˌskōp
another term for squint (sense 3 of the noun)
Example sentencesExamples
On either side of the chancel arch is a hagioscope or squint, the south one being slightly larger than the north one, to allow for a view of the altar from the side pews.
At the time when the north aisle was added, a hagioscope was made in the pier beside the chancel arch.
They could not enter churches, but were allowed to look through hagioscopes or ‘squint windows’.
Up to 60 years ago there was only one central arch with window or hagioscope on either side.
The squints, or hagioscopes, were originally angled but were unfortunately straightened by the Victorians.