The Probert Encyclopaedia of Architecture

SQUINT

In architecture a squint or hagioscope is an opening through the wall of a church in an oblique direction, for the purpose of enabling persons in the transepts or aisle to see the elevation of the Host at the high altar. The usual situation of these openings is on one or both sides of the chancel-arch, and there is frequently a projection, like a low buttress, on the outside across the angle to cover this opening. These projections are more common in some districts than in others. They are particularly abundant in the neighbourhood of Tenby, in South Wales but the openings themselves are to be found everywhere, though they have commonly been plastered over, or sometimes boarded at the two ends, in other cases filled up with bricks. In some instances they are small narrow arches by the side of the chancel-arch, extending from the ground to the height of ten or twelve feet, as at Minster Lovell, Oxfordshire. Usually they are not above a yard high and about two feet wide, often wider at the west end than at the east.

They are commonly plain, but sometimes ornamented like niches, and sometimes have light open panelling across them. This is particularly the case in Somerset and Devon. There are many instances of these openings in other situations besides the usual one, but always in the direction of the high altar, or at least of an altar. Sometimes the opening is from a chapel by the side of the chancel, as at Chipping-Norton, Oxfordshire. In Bridgewater church, Somerset, there is a series of these openings through three successive walls, following the same oblique line, to enable a person standing in the porch to see the high altar. In this and some other instances, it seems to have been for the use of the attendant who had to ring the sanctus-bell at the time of the elevation of the Host. There are numerous instances of this bell being placed in a cot on the parapet of the porch, and as frequently there are windows or openings from the room over the porch into the church, probably for the purpose of enabling the person stationed in this room to see the elevation. .

There seems to be no good or ancient authority for the name of squint applied to these openings, but it has been long in use. The name of hagioscope has lately been applied to them, but it does not seem desirable to many authorities give new Greek names to the parts of English buildings.
Research Squint