The Martyrdom of St Edmund
The London-Irish artist, Brian Whelan, painted this whimsical depiction of me martyrdom of St Edmund in
acrylic and tin foil on board in 2003. Edmund, King of line East Angles, refused to renounce his Christian faith in The face of Viking invaders and was killed by arrows in 870. His remains were eventually the principal focus of pilgrimage to the medieval abbey nearby. By legend, a wolf guarded Edmund‘s head until it was subsequendy relieved by friendly forces.
The painting was acquired by the Friends of St Edmundsbury Cathedral in 2005.