Rood screens first appeared in England and Wales churches during the 14th century, especially when monastic foundations added them to their churches, and parish churches later followed suit. They served to separate the chancel from the nave, and the rood lofts were mounted by sculptures of Christ on the cross and with Mary and John the Baptist as supporters. The screens often displayed great sculptural and painting embellishments. On holy days, various decorations and candles were added to the screen and loft via the rood stairs still visible in many churches today. After the huge changes during the Reformation, most of the rood lofts were taken down during Elizabeth 1'st reign but the screens were allowed to remain. Unfortunately, over the next 500 years many figurative screens have disappeared - not least in Victorian times.