A ‘leper squint’ or ‘lepers’ squint’, or 'lepers window', is a type of hagioscope found in medieval churches. A hagioscope or squint is an opening in an interior wall of a church to provide a view of the altar to those in the transept. A ‘leper squint’ is a similar opening, cut into an exterior wall of a church. This is thought to have allowed people affected by leprosy to see the service without coming into contact with the rest of the congregation.
Sources: Merriam-Webster, ‘Hagioscope’, Merriam-Webster website, accessed 20/02/2025.
Merriam-Webster, ‘Leper’s Squint’, Merriam-Webster website, accessed 20/02/2025.
Oxford Reference, ‘Lychnoscope’, Oxford Reference website, accessed 20/02/2025. Wikipedia, ‘Hagioscope’, Wikipedia website, accessed 20/02/2025.
This is part of the Series: RCH01/120 Archaeological Photographs; within the Collection: RCH01 Royal Commission On The Historical Monuments Of England (Rchme) Archive
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Curator: Davies, Angela
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