St. Mary's Eastry
Medieval Frescoes - "St. Mary's Medallions"
The beautiful church of St. Mary's Eastry, a place associated with the notable Prior of Canterbury, Henry of Eastry (after whom the "Bell Harry Tower" of Canterbury Cathedral is named), contains a most unique feature, restored during 1987.
Above the Chancel Arch, enclosed within a rectangular frame, are rows of seven "medallion" wall paintings; the lower group was discovered in 1857 and the rest in 1903. They remained in a rather dilapidated state until the Canterbury Cathedral Wall Paintings Department brought them back to life.
The medallions are evidently of the 13th Century, having been painted while the mortar was still wet. Each medallion contains one of four motifs:
 . |
The trefoil flower, pictured left, is perhaps a symbol of the Blessed Virgin Mary to whom the church is dedicated; or symbolic of Christ. |
 |
The lion; symbolic of the Resurrection |
 |
Doves, either singly, or in pairs, represent the Holy Spirit |
 |
The Griffin represents evil, over which victory is won by the power of the Resurrection and the courage of the Christian. |
The whole was a painted hanging (much less costly than a tapestry!) behind a large Cross. traces of other paintings can be detected outside the border; however all was probably obliterated at the Reformation when Crosses were destroyed.
Let us thank God for the past generations who have left us such beauty to enjoy and pray that those who worship in St. Mary's both now and in the future may find peace and security within its walls.