stall

In church architecture, an elevated seat in the choir or chancel of a cathedral or other church. It is wholly or partially enclosed by a high back and sides, and has projecting arms separating it from its neighbour; there is usually a ledge for books. Stalls are generally of wood, though sometimes of stone embellished with sculptured foliage and grotesques. In some cases the stall is covered with a canopy of tabernacle work.

Most of the stalls in English churches and chapter-houses date from pre-Reformation times and were intended for the use of the clergy, chapter, or monks. In cathedral and collegiate churches they are occupied by the canons and prebends. Sometimes there is a row of stalls for the choir, because they fulfil part of the duties of the monks, the chanting of the divine office.