- Faldstool
Faldstool (from the O.H. Ger. "falden" or "falten", "to fold," and "stuol", Mod. Ger. "Stuhl", "stool"; from the
medieval Latin "faldistolium" derived, through the old form "fauesteuil", from the Mod. Fr. "fautcuil") is a portable folding chair, used by abishop when not occupying the throne in his owncathedral , or when officiating in a cathedral or church other than his own; hence any movable folding stool used during divine service.Its liturgical use likely came from the campstool used by military commanders in the field, being the ceremonial chair that accompanied the bishop in his official visitations. The bishop will either use the faldstool as a seat, or kneel in front of it, resting his forearms on it in prayer like a
prie-dieu , depending upon the rubrical requirements. Otherprelate s may be granted the use of a faldstool during services, with certain limitations. The faldstool may be covered with silk cloth in red, green or violet, depending upon the liturgical season or the rank of the prelate.The term also describes the small, cushioned stool at which the
British sovereign kneels at hiscoronation .In the
Anglican Church , a faldstool is a desk at which alitany is recited.The term "faldistory" has a similar meaning.
References
*1911
*"American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language " (Houghton-Mifflin Co. Boston, 1973), s.v., "faldstool".External links
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05770b.htm Faldstool] article in the online edition of the "
Catholic Encyclopedia ", 1913
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