Unveiling the mysteries of medieval religious beliefs as shown in the incredible and stunning Wenhaston doom painting.
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The old phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words” is very appropriate when looking at the magnificent Wenhaston doom painting. In the medieval world where few people could read, a painting of the events of the “Last Judgement” would carefully show what was going to happen to souls when the world comes to an end. This would guide people to manage their lives to ensure a wonderful future.Traditionally, Jesus or God would be in the centre at the top and as the dead rose from their graves, they would be judged and those who committed numerous sins which could not be forgiven, would be sent to Hell and the Devil, for eternity. This was always on Jesus’ left and would depict “Hell” as a terrifying place where there was no escape. Those “without sin” would be depicted on Jesus’ right and go to Heaven and have a marvellous time for ever.
The painting covered eleven planks of wood with a further two added to the bottom for some verses from “St Paul’s Epistle to the Romans”. Originally it was placed above the “Rood Screen” and shaped to fit the top of the medieval chancel arch. It was thought that it was painted by one of the canons living in the nearby Blythburgh Priory but recently it has been argued that there were only three canons in the Priory at the time of painting (around 1520) and they would have been far too busy. It was probably the work of an itinerant artist or possibly two, who travelled from church to church. My research for our blog on the Chaldon doom painting in Surrey, showed that it was done in this manner.
How did it come to be preserved?
During the reign of the Protestant King, Edward VI, he demanded that all paintings, had to be whitewashed over. Rood screens and statues all had to go along with stained glass. Fortunately, in 1892, the church was restored and in the process the whitewashed boards were taken down and put outside to be disposed at some later date. Overnight it rained and some of the whitewash disappeared to expose pictures of the Virgin Mary and John the baptist. From here, the painting was cleaned and taken back inside to be on permenent display.
What can you see at Wenhaston?
Above; Jesus or God is sitting on a rainbow and judging the souls. The arrow at the bottom points to the hands of an angel who would probably be playing a trumpet. The top arrow is the sun on Jesus’ right, the saved side. The moon was somewhere on the opposite side, the dark side.
Above; on the left is the Virgin Mary and on the right is John the Baptist, two key people in the New Testament, who are praying on behalf of the dead (bottom right of the photo) in the hope that they will be saved and go to heaven. Notice that the dead are all naked or virtually naked which fits with the view that people came into the world naked and will leave the world naked.
Above; the Archangel Michael with his scales to weight the souls of the dead to see if they should be saved or condemned to Hell. The Devil is usually close by to cheat to ensure that the soul will go to Hell. Here the two souls in one pan are weighed against a pure soul in the other and he outweighs them !
Above; a close up of the scales and the head sticking out of the Devil’s abdomen.
Above; all the sinners being dragged to Hell by devils. At the bottom a soul is being dragged into hell by its leg to give the message that no-one can escape. A soul at the top has been put over a devil’s shoulder and is being carried to Hell. Finally, the large chain gets the message home that there is no escape. In doom paintings, the mouth of Hell is usually in the form of a monster’s mouth and in this case it is a monster with a lot of teeth of which some are particularly sharp.
Above; the saved. Here, from the hats you can recognise a king, a queen and a bishop mix with an ordinary person. Again this message comes across in most doom paintings although in this painting, unusually, neither royalty or bishops are seen going to Hell. On the left is St Peter with a key to the gates of Heaven.
Above; lastly, souls are entering Heaven. There are no chains but on the left a welcoming hand.
Above; of great interest is this 13th century “Sanctuary Knocker”. Anyone accused of law breaking could run to the church, knock on the door using the knocker and claim sanctuary. The accused then had 37 days to make peace with his accuser or be banished from England forever. The accuser was not allowed to arrest the accused whilst he was in the church but could wait outside.
Above; St Peter’s Church Wenhaston, Suffolk. A Church was mentioned being here in the Domesday survey and when restoration took place in 1892, some stones were recognised as being from an earlier, Saxon church.
Essential information
Getting there;
Church Lane, Halesworth IP19 9EG Use a sat Nav to locate. Please beware some roads are single lane with passing places. We used the nearby village hall car park.
Opening times; any reasonable time. We found it was open at 4pm albeit with a stiff door. It is free to go in but please make a contribution for the upkeep of the church and buy a doom guidebook. No need for cash, they take cards.
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The old phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words” is very appropriate when looking at the magnificent Wenhaston doom painting. In the medieval world where few people could read, a painting of the events of the “Last Judgement” would carefully show what was going to happen to souls when the world would come to an end. This would guide people to manage their lives to ensure a wonderful future. The picture of Hell left no one in doubt that sinners would have a horrible future. The doom painting at Wenhaston is in remarkable condition with very little missing or incomprehensible.