Pulpitum
![The pulpitum in Exeter Cathedral, Devon, England, photographed in the early 20th century, The interior of the pulpitum was opened up in a 19th Century reconstruction, so as to provide worshippers with a view of the high altar; originally it was solid](/Images/godic/202502/05/Exeter_Rood4509.jpg")
![The 12th century ruined church of Castle Acre Priory looking west from the site of the High Altar. The foundations of two transverse screens can be seen. The closer was the pulpitum screen (which was attached to the choir stalls); the further was the rood screen, which had the altar of the Holy Cross attached to its western face.](/Images/godic/202502/05/Castle_Acre_Priory_034509.jpg")
The pulpitum is a common feature in medieval cathedral and monastic architecture in Europe. It is a massive screen, most often constructed of stone, or occasionally timber, that divides the choir (the area containing the choir stalls and high altar in a cathedral, collegiate or monastic church) from the nave and ambulatory (the parts of the church to which lay worshippers may have access). Typically the pulpitum is lavishly carved and decorated, and those of York Minster and Canterbury Cathedral preserve complete medieval sets of statues of the Kings of England.