Medieval Stained Glass in Canterbury Cathedral

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 medieval stained glass windows in Canterbury Cathedral are among the earliest and finest in Europe. The oldest window, a charming depiction of Adam digging with a spade, dates from about 1180 AD, and more continued to be added throughout the Middle Ages. Thanks to a thorough program of cleaning and restoration in recent years, many of these windows are more beautiful now than they have been for centuries.

No one visits Canterbury Cathedral without gazing up in awe at this great gallery of medieval art and no education is needed to appreciate its beauty and historical significance. Most of the subjects depicted in the windows, however, can be quite mysterious, and some of them are so high as to be difficult to see. Getting a closer look at the details and knowing what is being depicted brings an even greater depth of enjoyment and appreciation of the magnificent stained glass, which is the reason for this special feature.

The photographs in this guide were taken by me during a visit to Canterbury Cathedral in November 2007. Large, fully captioned photos can also be browsed in our Canterbury Cathedral Stained Glass Gallery. The captions and accompanying information rely heavily on M.A. Michael's excellent Stained Glass Windows of Canterbury Cathedral and Jonathan Keates' Canterbury Cathedral, and include a few of my own observations. Please contact me if you have any further information or corrections, and enjoy!

Plan of Canterbury Cathedral Stained Glass

The "visual index" below is a work in progress, with detailed treatments of some windows still in the works. Note: This page has large photos, which may take some time to load - but they are worth the wait! Where available, click on a link below for more detailed information and large photos. As mentioned above, large, fully captioned photos of even more stained glass are available in our Canterbury Cathedral Window Gallery.

Ancestors of Christ (c.1180-1200) Lively and fascinating portraits of 43 ancestors of Christ originally displayed in the clerestory are now in the west and south windows.

South Window S. XVIII Ancestors of Christ from the clerestory interspersed with some later coats of arms and saints in the upper tracery.		West Window W; west end; c.1180-1200; c.1399 21 large windows plus 44 small tracery lights
Typological Window 2 n. XV; north choir aisle; c.1180 A theological window with New Testament events and Old Testament parallels, made of original panels from Typological Window 2 (with a theme of the Gentiles) plus some originally from Typological Window 6 (on the Parable of the Sower and the Eucharist).		Typological Window 3 n. XIV; north choir aisle; c.1180 The only other surviving typological window of the six originals, incorporating panels from Typological Windows 3, 4 and 6. The scenes center around the ministry of Christ and its Old Testament parallels.

	Redemption Window Corona I; c.1200-07 Another typological window with four Old Testament types for each of five scenes related to the Passion and Resurrection of Christ. 1. Pentecost Christ in Glory Moses Consecrating Aaron Jethro Before Moses Giving of the Law to Moses 2. Ascension Ascent of Elijah Ascent of Enoch Entry of the Priests into the Holy of Holies Sundial of Ahaz 3. Resurrection Jonah Emerging from Whale Dove Returning to Noah ? ? 4. Entombment Samson and Delilah Whale Swallowing Jonah ? ? 5. Crucifixion (central panel replaced 1853) Sacrifice of Isaac Grapes of the Valley of Eschol Moses Striking the Rock Tau on the Lintel (Passover)		Tree of Jesse Window Corona n. III Only Josiah and Mary are medieval survivals 1. Christ 2. Virgin Mary 3. King Josiah 4. Ezechias? 5. Josephat? 6. Rehoboam 7. David 8. Jesse

The Becket Miracle Windows Introduction to the Becket Windows, their creation and their significance.

	Becket Window 1 n. VII; north ambulatory Life and Death of Thomas Becket Scenes include: Thomas kneeling before an altar with a monk King Henry II and Thomas in happier times Three knights in chain mail at the cathedral door Armed knight and distraught monk inside the cathedral Portrait of Thomas Becket (assembled from fragments in 1919)		Becket Window 4 n. IV; north ambulatory

	Becket Window 5		Becket Window 6 n. II; north ambulatory

	Becket Window 7 s. II; south ambulatory		Royal Window N. XXVIII; Northwest Transept; c.1480 14 large windows with 38 (my count) small lights 1. Saints - 10 2. Saints - 12, including: 4. Andrew with saltire cross 5. James Major with staff, scallop 6. Peter with key 7. Paul with sword, book 3. Saints - 14, including: 1. Dennis (holding head) 2. Wilfrid of Ripon 3. Augustine of Hippo 4. Martin of Tours 5. Jerome dressed as a cardinal 6. Dunstan 7. Thomas 8. Gregory 9. Augustine of Canterbury 10. St Anselm 11-14. ? 4. Royals, kneeling in prayer 1. Richard, Duke of York (1473-83?) 2. Edward, Prince of Wales (1470-83?) 3. King Edward IV (1442-83) 4. ? 5. Queen Elizabeth Woodville (d.1492; e 7, 8) 6. Anne (1475-1511), Catherine (1479-1527), Bridget (1480-1517?) (f 7, 8) 7. Elizabeth of York (1466-1503) and Cecily (1467-1509)