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)