St Agatha's Church, Easby

English Churches - North Yorkshire
St Agatha's Church, Easby - Part Two The C13th wall paintings in the chancel

The chancel walls of St Agatha's Church are covered with C13th wall paintings. These were covered with whitewash at the Reformation and were rediscovered and carefully restored by the Victorians. On the north wall, the frieze depicts the Creation of Eve from the rib of Adam to the tempting by the serpent and the expulsion from the Garden of Eden. On the window reveals are agricultural scenes with a sower sowing seeds with a raven waiting beside him, a man on horseback out hawking and finally spinning and digging. On the south wall are scenes from the New Testament beginning with the Annunciation, Nativity with a very laid back Mary and Joseph fast asleep. Above Mary is the swaddled baby Jesus with an ox and a sheep watching. The angels are telling the shepherds and the three wise men are bringing their gifts. Below are scenes of the Crucifixion with Christ’s body being taken down from the cross, burial and discovery of the empty tomb. The back walls of the sedilia are painted with images of bishops. The paintings are most attractive with simple lines and are in predominant shades of red, cream and blue black. They are some of the best and most complete early medieval wall paintings in the country.
<<Previous page	Back to top	Next page>>

English Churches - North Yorkshire