Doom Paintings in Medieval English Churches
Doom Paintings were a common feature within medieval churches. These images depict the Last Judgement, with the outcomes of Heaven or Hell being visualised very clearly. Heaven is bright, enticing, wonderful, whereas Hell is rather predictably portrayed as being a perpetual nightmare. The purpose is to prompt the viewer to live a life free of sin in order to ensure that when the day of judgement arrives, they will be sent to Heaven rather than Hell. This is typically done by showing souls rising from graves and being judged. There are roughly 60 Doom Paintings remaining in the United Kingdom, ranging from fully restored and visually striking through to ones that are partial, faded, or in need of urgent restoration.
Pictorial representation is made use of in churches for this reason: that such as are ignorant of letters may at least read by looking at the walls what they cannot read in books.
Pope Gregory
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Weighing of Souls – Exterior painting on English Cathedrals and Churches – Medieval representations of the Cruxificion
St Thomas’ Church, Salisbury.
The Doom Painting at St. Thomas’ Church in Salisbury is the best preserved example of a medieval visualisation of the last judgement in England. Recently restored, the large image is unusual in that the demons illustrating the route to hell are small, rather than large brutish demons. They are shown taking sinners into the mouth of a dragon, which represents the entrance to Hell. The Kingdom of Heaven is depicted at the top of the image, with judgement being made in the central part of the top of the image. To the bottom left is the depiction of heaven, with angels guiding the righteous souls into heaven. This image, in the chancel arch, is believed to have been painted in 1470, at the time of upheaval in England as Edward IV was ousted from the throne and Henry VI restored, albeit briefly.
Holy Trinity Church, Coventry
This image shows a wide range of people rising for the last judgement. This includes religious figures such as Popes, along with Kings and other significant people. Christ has his hands raised in judgement. Heaven is depicted as a large town or city, Hell is diagnally opposite and shows souls being enveloped by flames.
St Peter and St Paul Church, Chaldon
The wall painting at St Peter and St Paul Church in Chaldron in Surrey dates from c1170. This makes it one of the oldest surviving examples of a visual representation of the Last Judgement and Harrowing of Hell. The illustration shows a ladder leading from purgatory to heavem, or hell. This image was hidden for centuries after being whitewashed and was rediscovered during restoration work undertaken in 1870. It also incorporates St. Michael weighing suls. Some parts of the medieval artwork have not survived but this depiction is considered to be one of the finest examples of early English medieval wall art on this subject.
Saint Mary’s Church, Great Elvendon
A Doom Painting was discovered at St, Mary’s Church whilst repairs and refurbishment wok was undertaken. The painting was restored and revealed during the reopening of the church in 2017. This Doom Painting is a little different to most. It shows Christ bleeding from the spear wound in his side. Jesus is surrounded by angels who are intricatly illustrated with feathered wings. They appear to be praying.
St. Peter ad Vincula, South Newington
The Doom Painting at St. Peter’s ad Vincula is the subject of a restoration project at the moment. Details can be found on the villages website here.
St Peter”s church at Wenhaston in Suffolk
Waltham Abbey Church
The chapel in which this painting is found was built in the 14th century with the Doom Painting being added in the second half of the 15th century, probably contemporary to the Wars of the Roses. The left of the image shows people who have led a good and honest life being welcomed into the kingdom of God. To the right there are demons dragging sinners, bound by ropes, towards the entrance to hell.
Featured Image
Doom Painting at St. Thomas’ Church, Salisbury. Cropped from original byBenjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia.
Links relating to Medieval Doom Paintings in churches
Archaeology Travel – The Doom Painting of Waltham Abbey
Christianity Today – Are the Arts a Tool, a Temptation, or a Distraction?
Experience Salisbury – St Thomas’ Church Doom Painting