Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Tuesday, 5 August 2025

Cleaning St Thomas’s Church in Salisbury


The BBC News website recently had a report about a project to clean the carved and painted ceilings of the very handsome late medieval church of St Thomas in the centre of Salisbury.

The church is, of course, famous for its restored fifteenth century Doom Painting on the chancel arch, which is also illustrated in the online article. 

I hope the current programme of work in the Lady Chapel can, ais is hoped, be extended to the rest of the church and that more of its medieval colour and decoration can be revealed and appreciated.

The illustrated report from the BBC can be seen at Salisbury church clean unveils medieval craftmanship


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