How to Visit the English CathedralsSingleton, Esther
History
How to Visit the English Cathedrals
Singleton, Esther
Cathedrals -- England
“The glass in the choir is almost wholly Perpendicular. As in the
nave, it is very fragmentary and disordered. The change in the
character of the design will be easily noticed. The Perpendicular
glass is not so clear and delicate in colour, and the architectural
and other patterns are less pronounced. This glass, regarded simply
as decorative, is perhaps superior to that in the nave.
“Mr. Winston has pointed out that the earliest Perpendicular glass
in the choir is contained in the third window from the east in the
south aisle; in the third and fourth windows from the east in the
north clerestory; and in the fourth clerestory window from the east
on the opposite side. These windows date from the close of the
Fourteenth Century. There is also an early Perpendicular Jesse in
the third window from the west in the south aisle of the choir. The
other windows of the choir aisles east of the small eastern
transepts, as well as the glass in the lancet windows on the east
side of the great western transepts, appears, he says, to be of the
time of Henry IV.; the rest of the glass in the choir is of the
reigns of Henry V. and VI., chiefly of the latter. He notices also,
that the white glass in the windows is generally less green in tint
than usual, and that he has learnt from Mr. Browne that it is all
of English manufacture.”--(A. C.-B.)
We now come to the smaller transepts situated between the four eastern
and four western bays of the choir. They are practically one bay of the
choir with the triforium and clerestory removed. At each end are immense
windows. Each is 73 feet long by 16 feet wide. Both have been restored;
but the glass is original and very splendid. The north window contains
scenes from the life of =St.= =William=; the south window depicts the
history of =St. Cuthbert=, and is thought to date from about 1437. In it
are members of the house of Lancaster.
The east end of the choir is almost entirely filled with the great =East
Window=.
The space behind the altar is sometimes called the =Lady-Chapel=. This
occupies four bays. It was built in 1361-1405, and is Perpendicular in
style. The Altar of the Virgin stood under the great east window and
here also was a chantry founded by the Percys.
“The great east window was glazed by John Thornton of Coventry. The
terms of the contract for this work, dated 1405, are extant. They
provide that Thornton shall ‘portray the said window with his own
hands, and the histories, images, and other things to be painted on
it.’ It was to be finished within three years. Glass, lead and
workmen were to be provided at the expense of the chapter, and
Thornton was to receive 4s. a week, £5 a year and £10 at completion
for his trouble.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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