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Churches: How to Read Them

Richard Taylor

Karen Selway

Jonathan Mayo

William Lyons

Churches: How to Read Them: Episode 3: Medieval Death

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Episode 3

Episode 3: Medieval Death

Medieval Death

BBC Four - Churches: How to Read Them, Medieval Death

How churches were designed to give medieval people a way to 'escape' death.

Richard Taylor shows how churches were designed to give medieval people a way to escape death, with their Judgement scenes, cadaver tombs and crucifixion depictions.

The medieval church cannot be understood without recognising that death was at its heart. Richard Taylor shows how churches were designed to give medieval people a way to escape death, with their Judgement scenes, cadaver tombs and graphic depictions of the crucifixion. 

He explains why scenes of suffering on the cross became so prominent and why the instruments used in the persecution of Jesus were depicted in the decoration of windows, floors and walls at such remarkable sites as Malvern Priory in Worcestershire. 

Taylor explains the medieval obsession with purgatory and how this again transformed our churches with the building of elaborate chantry chapels, where Masses could be said to ease the journey of departed souls into heaven.

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BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

Richard Taylor examines the imagery, symbols and architecture of English parish churches

Author Richard Taylor examines how the imagery, symbols and architecture of English parish churches have inspired, moved and enraged people down the centuries

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