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Medieval Wall Painting
in the
English Parish Church

Edingthorpe, Norfolk (†Norwich) C.14

St Christopher

St Christopher, Edingthorpe

This St Christopher was discovered behind plaster in 1937 during repairs to the church. Apart from two fish (not shown here) near where Christopher’s left leg would have been, the lower part has been lost The Child has the tripartite halo of the Trinity, and his orb of the world is divided into three (compare the more elaborate one at Haddiscoe, also in Norfolk). His gesture of blessing shows very well here.

A very interesting version of the Seven Works of Mercy, further east on the north wall of the church was discovered at the same time, and there may be still more paintings under the plaster. There is also a very fine painted screen, praised by MR James, at Edingthorpe – it is 14th century work, and thus much earlier than most East Anglian painted screens.

† in page heading = Diocese