The medieval parish church was a colourful place. Its walls were painted with moralities and biblical scenes; its windows were glazed with stained and painted glass. Figures of saints and evangelists filled the panels of its rood-screen. Even the sculptured font was picked out in colour. Little light may have penetrated the small windows of the older churches, but their interiors were illuminated by lanterns and candles. There were candles for all occasions. They stood before the rood; they illuminated the carved and painted images of saints; they were carried in procession, and, in their silver candlesticks, they stood upon the altar. Mass might not be celebrated without two lighted candles upon the altar, or, as a concession to the poorest churches, ‘at least one’. Money was bequeathed to maintain lights before images, and there were even gilds whose ostensible purpose it was to burn lights at certain times of the day, week or year. There were giant paschal candles for Easter, carefully fabricated at some considerable expense, and smaller font candles, lighted at times of baptism.