The inside decoration of these ancient Religious buildings has changed over the years - but the walls of the Chapter House retain their 14th century decoration. The wall paintings show the Apocalypse and the Last Judgement.
It must have been a happy place for people to visit!
This first group of figures is known as the Doom Group.
You can find more macro shots - and less end of the world - at Macro Monday 2 and I Heart Macro. SM
This would have been about the time when the plague peaked in England.
ReplyDeleteBelief in something greater than our human understanding is a given if you want to stay sane and not wonder what there is beyond what we can see and beyond that but why religion is so focussed on punishment, death and destruction, is beyond me. If God is a God of love, why all these gruesome imaginings?
ReplyDeleteNice to see though that some old things still persist.
A happy place, really? I would not want to be known as part of a Doom Group. Awesome photos of these ancient paintings. Have a happy new week ahead!
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing those and wasn't there an interesting story of how they were found by chance? I didn't know one was allowed take photos in there, so I didn't.
ReplyDeleteI think you should have italicized "happy" so we would be sure you were being a bit facetious. It clearly was a difficult time in history and the doom and gloom seems to have overtaken even the supposedly uplifting religious beliefs. I take issue with the way religion has been managed by man so that they can control the populous ... I am quite certain that was not the way it was meant to be. Amazing how men have the propensity to destroy everything that is good about our world. Sorry to sound so cynical. Wonderful shots, Stewart and I am guessing you weren't expecting to get such a rise out of people ... Good Job!
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
:) um, yeah...
ReplyDeleteWhat extremes the Church won't do to instill the fear of God and eternal damnation into the poor common man and woman. Looks like the paintings could use some restoration but that may not be in the plan.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures of these murals, Stewart.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a beautiful church.
Ah, I do agree with John!!
ReplyDeleteFascinating to look at these old paintings. Nice photos.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. I think they're more scary than happy. :)
ReplyDeleteyep...i feel happier :)
ReplyDeleteMakes me wanna sing Pharrel Williams' "Happy"! Thanks for sharing your photos of this very interesting place. Keep it between the ditches is an old country greeting from my childhood. I like your cheers much better!
ReplyDeleteFascinating relics Stewart!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots, Very interesting to look at.
ReplyDeleteFearing god made the people obedient...so much cruelty in the name of god .
ReplyDeleteStill love the fading images and love that they have not been restored .
Beautiful shots
ReplyDeleteLovely old things
How wonderful to see something so old, though the subject may be pretty grim.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful stuccos! I love seeing them.
ReplyDeleteThe Doom Group certainly seems to be right into a dark mood. Such serious expressions. Love the colours.
ReplyDeleteApocalypse and Doom always have thrilled painters...
ReplyDelete