St Thomas's Church Salisbury

Overshadowed sadly by the famous Salisbury Cathedral, is this gorgeous medieval church - St Thomas's. Though 'small' in comparison to the enormous Cathedral, St Thomas's parish is extensive and the church itself is large - in fact when we went on Easter morning , it easily held 300 people.

Its particularly beautiful and noted for its rare medieval paintings and wooden vaulted ceilings. The Doom Painting above the main arch is a  feature which is the main drawcard for  visitors.

 It is believed to be the largest such painting in England and was painted in 1475 as a thank-offering for a safely returned pilgrim. The painting was white-washed over in 1593 ( the reformation period) and was re-discovered in 1819 but not restored until over a hundred years later.. However, we do have to be thankful to the reformation for whitewashing it - because its kept it so beautifully.

I loved the detail - particularly the bishop, queen and king ,all chined to each other and being dragged into the jaws of hell.  Says alot for the thoughts of corruption in the upper classes at the time ( not much it seems has changed!)