Guildhall Wall Paintings

You can still see rare medieval wall paintings in the Guildhall. They were probably whitewashed during the Reformation, and only fragments of the original paintings remain. But we've consulted experts to find out how they would have looked in their heyday. In the Lower Guildhall you can see a stunning replica of the original altar painting in the Priests' Chapel, recreated using 'smart glass' technology.

The painting shows Jesus being crucified, with God the Father above. Jesus' mother, the Virgin Mary, stands on the left of the cross, and St John the Evangelist stands on the right. Ongoing work is revealing more figures, including John the Baptist. You can also see the Greek letters IES (the first letters of Jesus' name) and a crowned 'M' - the symbol of the Virgin Mary. This remarkable scene is flanked by the coats of arms of the Kings of England and the powerful Beauchamp-Despenser family.