Ancestors of Christ in Canterbury Cathedral's Stained Glass

Canterbury Cathedral's Stained Glass
Introduction and Plan
Stained Glass Window Photo Gallery
Ancestors of Christ
Corona Redemption Window
Typological Window 2
Becket Miracle Windows

Becket Miracle Window 4

The ancestors of Christ are listed in two places in the New Testament: Luke 3:23-28, where 76 names are given, and Matthew 1:1-17, with 46 names. This was the theme chosen for the stained glass windows in the clerestory of Canterbury Cathedral after the fire of 1174. As many as 86 ancestors were painted in these upper windows, taken mainly from Luke with some additions from Matthew.

The figures began with Adam on the north side and ended with the Virgin Mary and Christ on the south side. At the east end of the choir was a Last Judgment, emphasizing the ancestors of Christ as witnesses to the Second Coming. The series was interrupted by panels of Christ and Ecclesia (the Church) in the south oculus window and Moses and Synagoga in the north.

In total, 43 original panels of Canterbury Cathedral's ancestors of Christ survive, which is the largest number of such figures remaining anywhere. It is possible their lofty location spared them from the hammers of the Puritans. Nine ancestors are still in the clerestory, 22 have been placed in the South Window, and 12 are in the West Window. The oldest window (c.1180) is a charming scene of Adam delving, which occupies a place of honor in the bottom center of the west window.

Some of these ancestors are well known, such Adam, Jesse, David, Noah, and Abraham. But in many cases the people listed in Matthew and Luke are no more than names - they are not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible and nothing is known about them. Yet the artists of the Canterbury windows have given each figure a unique appearance and personality and they make for engaging viewing. One source of inspiration might have been the Glossa Ordinaria, a contemporary textbook that assigned significance to virtually every member of the genealogy in terms of Christ's life.

Ancestors of Christ in the West Window

Unknown figure with book and bowl of coins; possibly Jechonias. Middle row, first light.	Obed. Middle row, second light.
Rehoboam. Middle row, third light.	Abia. Middle row, fifth light.
Jesse. Middle row, sixth light.	Possibly Salathiel. Middle row, seventh light.
Naason, Seth, Adam, Joseph, and Aminadab. Lights two through six in the bottom row of the west window. Close-ups below.
Esrom. Bottom row, first light.	Naason. Bottom row, second light.
Seth. Bottom row, third light.	Adam. Bottom row, fourth light.
Joseph. Bottom row, fifth light.	Aminadab. Bottom row, sixth light.
Aram. Bottom row, seventh light.

Ancestors of Christ in the South Window

Joanan. Top row, first light. (Apologies for blurriness.)	Er. Top row, second light. (Apologies for blurriness.)
Joseph. Top row, third light.	King David. Top row, fourth light.
Nathan. Top row, fifth light.	Unidentified, possibly Jonam. Top row, sixth light.
Jose. Top row, seventh light.	Juda. Top row, eighth light.
Abraham. Middle row, first light.	Unidentified; possibly Salmon. Middle row, second light.
Hezekiah, with the Dial of Ahaz. Middle row, third light.	Josiah. Middle row, sixth light.
Unidentified. Middle row, seventh light.	Zerubbabel. Middle row, eighth light.
Lamech. Bottom row, first light.	Noah. Bottom row, second light.
Tareh. Bottom row, third light.	Lareth. Bottom row, fourth light.
Methuselah. Bottom row, fifth light.	Phalec. Bottom row, sixth light.
Ragau. Bottom row, seventh light.	Enoch. Bottom row, eighth light.

Ancestors of Christ in the Clerestory

Neri and Rhesa. East side of southeast transept, Window 1.	Judah. East side of southeast transept, Window 2.
	Phares. East side of southeast transept, Window 2.

Other medieval ancestors in the clerestory include Shem and Isaac (E side of NE transept), Heber (W side of NE transept), and Matthat or Maath (E side of SE transept). There are also some modern replacements in the clerestory, including Nahum, Amos, Esli, and others.