Windows

Summary. There is a wide range of stained glass in the cathedral made by a diverse group of artists, but almost all is from the Victorian Gothic Revival Era. The Herkenrode glass, 1532-9, is exceptional and the triangular windows in the clerestory are unique. The wheel window on the south transept is innovative.

Christ said he was the light of the world and bringing light into the Gothic church was intrinsic and better if the light passed through coloured glass. Windows in the early cathedral showed pilgrims what it might be like in heaven and to penitents what they might do to change from dark deeds to living in the light. At Reformation, the iconography of the stained glass was considered idolatrous and for three centuries plain glass was normal. The Gothic Revival of the 19th century brought back coloured glass in profusion and almost all the windows date from this time. With one exception, the Lady Chapel has bought glass from Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, dated 1532-9. Thus, most of the glass in the cathedral dates from the 19th century with the earliest, 1819, on the east side of the south transept.[1] Much glass was donated, and their iconography usually reflects the sponsor.

Artists include Kempe, Betton & Evans, Hardman, Wailes, Clayton & Bell, Burlison & Grylls, Bryans, Stammers, Powell, and Ward & Hughes. [2]

 

                                                               Location of some of the glass.

 

The figures in the windows in the chapter house in clockwise direction are:

St Chad and King Wulfhere. Chad is made bishop. Chad baptises Wulfhere’s sons (a fable)

Chapterhouse with Chad and Wulfhere

 

St Oswald and St Aidan. Aidan preaching and Oswald interpreting. Aidan teaching Chad.

Archbishop Theodore and Saint Owini. Chad teaching. Chad being called home by angels.

King Oswiu and Bishop Diuma. Bishop Jaruman promising to build a church. King Æthelwald

Archbishop Hygeberht. Bishop Cantelupe. Bishop Ealdwulf who renounced the archbishopric, c, 799[3]. Bishop Clinton.

Dean Mancetter. Bishop Stavenby.

 

South transept window.     

  

                                                                                                     North transept window

 

Great West Window. The window consists of six lights, which are filled with figures of the Archangel Gabriel, St. Joseph, the Virgin and Child, and the Three Magi; under which respectively are scenes representing the Annunciation, the Angel appearing to St. Joseph, the Birth, with angels adoring; the Journey of the Magi, the Magi before Herod, and the Flight into Egypt.

 

  

Herkenrode fragments in South Choir aisle

 Wheel window on the outside of the south transept   

           Triangular windows in the clerestory (top)

[1] P. Scaife, The stained glass of Lichfield Cathedral, Lichfield Cathedral publication. (2009), 1-13.

[2] H. Prentis, Stained glass of Lichfield Cathedral. Unpub. articled in Cathedral Library. (2002)

[3] A. B. Clifton, The Cathedral church of Lichfield. (London: 1900).