WALL PAINTINGS & TEXTS
These date from the Abbey restorations in firstly c.16301640 and secondly c.1701–1710. Unusually, the painter in 1701 is named: William ...er of Hereford over one of the texts. The texts, inscribed in Roman lettering, were taken from the Authorised (King James) Version of the Bible (and here are recorded by Revd. Dennis Monger). The texts are of great interest as they indicate the use for each area of the Church. These paintings and texts cover the original wall decoration on the side walls and on part of the Church west wall. On the west wall they also cover the blocked nave and the two aisles of the Abbey.
SOUTH TRANSEPT:
On the south wall of the south transept:
1) painting of upper half of human skeleton with a spade handle, ornamental border and inscription – Memento Mori (remember you must die). The adjacent door led to the Abbey cemetery and the modern graveyard.
By the main door:
2) panel I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of
wickedness.
(Psalm 84 verse 10)
Under the western window:
3) panel with bayleaf surround and ornamental cresting:
William ...er of H(erefo)rd, painter 1701
In the middle of the wall:
4) panel with bayleaf surround O Death, where is thy sting? O Grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(I Corinthians, chapter 15 verses 55–57) c.1701On west wall, upper part of the north bay:
5) painting of Time with scythe and an hourglass, overpainted in the 19th century.
6) below, nearest to the font, panel with ornamental surround And they brought young children
that He should touch them, but His disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased and said unto them:
'Suffer the children to come unto Me for of such is the Kingdom of God'.[Adjacent to the Font]
(Saint Mark's
Gospel, chapter 10 verses 1314) c.1701
7) under this lower panel is a black letter inscription c.1630–1640.
