Ante-choir
Encyclopedia
Ante-choir, the term given to the space enclosed in a
church between the outer gate or railing of the rood screen
and
the door of the screen; sometimes there is only one rail, gate or
door, but in Westminster Abbey
it is equal in depth to one bay
of the nave
. The ante-choir is also called the "fore choir."
church between the outer gate or railing of the rood screen
Rood screen
The rood screen is a common feature in late medieval church architecture. It is typically an ornate partition between the chancel and nave, of more or less open tracery constructed of wood, stone, or wrought iron...
and
the door of the screen; sometimes there is only one rail, gate or
door, but in Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
it is equal in depth to one bay
of the nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
. The ante-choir is also called the "fore choir."