Lena Rivera
St Albans Cathedral, officially the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban, is a Church of England cathedral in St Albans, England. The cathedral stands on the supposed site of Alban's martyrdom and holds several paintings that are of the highest importance. The 12th-century medieval wall paintings of St Albans Cathedral are a national treasure, with no other cathedral preserving so many wall paintings ranging from the Romanesque to the Tudor period. These paintings include depictions of the crucifixion and the life of the Virgin, saints Christopher, Thomas Becket, Sitha, and a scene from the story of Alban and Amphibalus. The paintings were nearly destroyed in the 14th century and were later defaced and whitewashed after the Reformation. In 2019, light projections were used to recreate the original appearance of these paintings, providing a glimpse into the past and allowing us to understand the significance they held for medieval pilgrims.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 12th century |
| Subject matter | Scenes depicting the crucifixion and the life of the Virgin, saints Christopher, Thomas Becket, Sitha, Alban, Amphibalus |
| Materials | Gold leaf, lapis lazuli, red lake |
| Style | Romanesque, Tudor, Gothic |
| Conservation status | Four nave figures were damaged and whitewashed over after the dissolution of the monastery in 1539; they were rediscovered in 1862 and restored using light projection in 2019 |
| Location | The north side pillars, facing south |
| Dimensions | 3 metres tall |
| Other paintings in the cathedral | St. William of York painting in the Shrine Chapel, Doubting Thomas in the North Transept, The Passing of Eleanor by Frank Salisbury (stolen in 1973), stained glass designed by Alan Younger for Grimthorpe's north transept rose window |
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What You'll Learn
The history of St Albans Cathedral
St Albans Cathedral, officially the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban, also known as "the Abbey", is a Church of England cathedral in St Albans, England. It is named after the very first British martyr, Alban, who is believed to have lived in Verulamium during the 3rd or 4th century when Christianity was a forbidden religion. Alban gave refuge to a Christian priest called Amphibalus, who was fleeing for his life. Inspired by the priest's faith, Alban asked to be taught about Christianity. When the Roman authorities came for Amphibalus, Alban helped him escape by exchanging garments with him. However, Alban was arrested and brought before the city magistrate. During his trial, he publicly declared his newfound faith and refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods, resulting in a death sentence. He was beheaded on a hill where the cathedral now stands, becoming the first British martyr. A simple church was built over his grave, making it the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain.
The present building of St Albans Cathedral dates back to the 11th century, featuring Norman or Romanesque architecture with Gothic and 19th-century additions. The cathedral boasts the longest nave of any cathedral in England, measuring 85 metres in length. The wall paintings of St Albans Cathedral are of significant historical importance, with no other cathedral preserving as many wall paintings ranging from the Romanesque to the Tudor period. These paintings served as teaching aids for the medieval church, telling stories that captivated medieval pilgrims who entered the abbey. The four largest paintings, facing southwards, are particularly notable as they are the only ones of their type to survive from medieval England. These paintings were defaced, whitewashed, and hidden from view after the dissolution of the monastery by Henry VIII in 1539, and an order issued under Edward VI in 1547 mandated the destruction of all shrines and paintings.
In the 20th and 21st centuries, efforts were made to restore and enhance the paintings of St Albans Cathedral. John Oldrid Scott contributed to the cathedral's architecture and designed the tomb of the first bishop. In the 1970s, a new visitors' centre was constructed, and in 1982, Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the 'Chapter House', built with 500,000 replica Roman bricks. The St Albans Cathedral Wall Hangings Project aimed to digitally recreate the original colours and effects of the wall paintings, utilising photography, new artwork, and technology. This project not only enhanced the visual experience but also ensured the preservation of these important artworks for future generations.
St Albans Cathedral has played a significant role in British church history, with its architecture, paintings, and shrine attracting visitors and pilgrims alike. The cathedral continues to be a place of worship, music, learning, heritage, and events, preserving its rich history while incorporating modern innovations.
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The significance of the paintings
The paintings in St Albans Cathedral are significant for several reasons. Firstly, they are a national treasure, with no other cathedral in England preserving so many wall paintings from the Romanesque to the Tudor period. These paintings provide a glimpse into the past, allowing us to understand what life was like for medieval pilgrims and parishioners. They also serve as important teaching aids for the medieval church.
The four largest paintings, facing southwards, are particularly significant as they are the only ones of their type to survive from medieval England. These paintings, each 3 metres tall, include scenes of the crucifixion and the life of the Virgin, as well as depictions of saints such as Christopher, Thomas Becket, and Sitha. They were originally painted with a fine palette of gold leaf, lapis lazuli, and red lake, and have been recreated using light projections to restore their original colours.
The paintings of St Albans Cathedral also hold religious significance. The cathedral is named after St Alban, Britain's first martyr, who lived in Verulamium during the 3rd or 4th century. St Alban protected a Christian priest named Amphibalus and enabled his escape from the Roman authorities, who then sentenced St Alban to death. The cathedral stands near the site of St Alban's martyrdom, and the paintings depicting him and St Amphibalus hold special importance for pilgrims and parishioners.
Additionally, the paintings in St Albans Cathedral demonstrate the artistry and craftsmanship of different eras. The painted flat wooden panels of the nave, the ornately decorated ceiling of the tower, the Presbytery ceiling paintings, and the chantry fan vaults all showcase different artistic styles. The tower ceiling, repainted in 1952, features the Red and White roses associated with the Houses of Lancaster and York, possibly commemorating the battles of the War of the Roses fought in St Albans.
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The restoration process
One notable project is the St Albans Cathedral Wall Hangings Project. This project focuses on the four largest paintings facing southwards, which are the only ones of their type to survive from medieval England. These paintings were defaced, whitewashed, and hidden from view after the dissolution of the monastery by Henry VIII in 1539. The project aims to bring them back to their former glory using digital technology.
The process began with high-resolution photography, capturing the current state of the paintings. Detailed photographs were also taken to better understand the areas where important features survived. New measurements were taken, and each layer of work was carefully documented archaeologically, peeling back the layers of time to rediscover the original paint surface.
To create the digital image of each painting, a carefully staged process was followed, resulting in six layers within the film sequence. The final layer includes further layers within the colours to create a clear, bright image that reflects the impression of the original. This digital restoration brings the paintings to life, allowing visitors to experience their original colours and grandeur.
In addition to digital restoration, St Albans Cathedral has also undergone physical restoration over the centuries. The church, which became a cathedral, was restored in the 19th century after being purchased by the townspeople of St Albans in 1553. Sir Edmund Beckett played a significant role in the restoration, contributing generously to the project. The restoration work included repairing the ruinous west end and preserving the original features affected by the Reformation.
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The impact of the Reformation
The paintings in St Albans Cathedral were significantly impacted by the Reformation. The church, originally part of the Benedictine abbey of St Albans, was one of the wealthiest and most influential monasteries in medieval England. However, during the Dissolution of the Monasteries (1536-1541), the abbey was dissolved, and the church was largely abandoned.
As a result of the Reformation, the wall paintings in the cathedral were defaced, whitewashed, and hidden from view. This was done under Henry VIII, who dissolved the monastery in 1539, and his son, Edward VI, who issued an order in 1547 to "Take away, utterly extinct and destroy all shrines … pictures, paintings … so that there remain no memory of the same in walls or window." Despite these efforts, some of the paintings survived, albeit heavily damaged.
In the mid-1800s, several of the paintings were rediscovered under their whitewash. However, it wasn't until the 2010s that efforts were made to restore and recreate the original images. This was achieved through the use of light projections, digital technology, and archaeological techniques. The project aimed to enhance and re-colour the paintings without causing further damage, allowing visitors to see them as they may have appeared in their original glory.
The four largest paintings, each 3 metres tall, were the focus of the restoration project. These paintings, facing southwards, are believed to depict saints Christopher, Thomas Becket, Sitha, and a scene from the story of Alban and Amphibalus. The original paintings would have been brightly coloured, with gold leaf, lapis lazuli, and red lake.
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The future of the paintings
Recognising the significance of these paintings, the cathedral launched the St Albans Cathedral Wall Hangings Project in 2015. This project aimed to enhance and re-colour the paintings without causing any damage, allowing them to resume their original role within the modern cathedral. The initiative focused on the four largest paintings facing southwards, which are the only ones of their type to survive from medieval England.
The project utilised a combination of history and technology, employing digital projections, photography, new artwork, and archaeological documentation to recreate the original appearance of the paintings. This process involved layering film images, starting with high-resolution photography and working back to uncover the original paint surface. The final layer includes further layers of colour to create a clear, bright image reminiscent of the paintings' original splendour.
The project has ensured a detailed record of the paintings, preserving them for future generations. Additionally, the use of light projections to illuminate the paintings has enhanced their visibility during daily tours.
Another project, titled "Alban, Britain's First Saint", aims to recreate the original effects and colours of the wall paintings using digital technology. This innovation promises to be a significant technical milestone, being the first of its kind in an English cathedral.
Through these initiatives, the future of the paintings in St Albans Cathedral is being safeguarded and celebrated, ensuring their continued role in telling the stories and history of the cathedral to visitors and pilgrims alike.
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Frequently asked questions
These projects aim to enhance and re-colour the paintings without damaging them, so that they can play their original role within the modern cathedral. The Alban, Britain's First Saint project will bring to life the original colours of the paintings.
The paintings depict saints Christopher, Thomas Becket, Sitha, Alban, and Amphibalus. They also show the crucifixion and the life of the Virgin.
St Albans Cathedral is officially the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban and is a Church of England cathedral in St Albans, England. The cathedral stands on the supposed site of Alban's martyrdom. It is believed that Alban lived in Verulamium during the 3rd or 4th century and was the first British martyr. The present building is Norman or Romanesque architecture dating back to the 11th century, with Gothic and 19th-century additions.
The 12th-century medieval wall paintings of St Albans Cathedral are a national treasure and are the only ones of their type to survive from medieval England. They provide a glimpse into the past and help us understand what it was like to be a pilgrim during the Middle Ages.
