| Now go to the back of the church, left past the font, and you will see on your right a narrow lancet window. On the splays of this window are the oldest known paintings in Willingham. On each side is a Lady Saint. The one on the right is thought to be St Etheldreda, the Foundress of the Monastery at Ely in 672. On the left is a beautifully proportioned slender figure, with particularly delicate feet. Both are set off with scrollwork and petalled roses The paints used are ’earth’ paints, commonly used in the 13th Century charcoal black, red ochre and yellow ochre. They have been dated to around 1250. It is known that King Henry III stayed in Willingham in 1244, and we like to think that they were most probably painted then in his honour. |  |
| This is the last page in the Wallpaintings tour.
All these paintings were finally limewashed over sometime late in the 17th century. There they remained until 1894, when they were painstakingly uncovered by the newly arrived rector, John Watkins. Recent years have seen major conservation projects on some of the paintings in recognition of their national importance. The paintings of Saint Etheldreda, Saint Christopher, The Visitation, and the Last Judgement have all been conserved since 1979. Much of course remains to be done. |
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