"Christopher Whall's windows in Gloucester Lady Chapel are arguably the finest post-medieval stained glass in any of our cathedrals, and, with the possible exception of the unexecuted Christchurch Priory designs, his finest large scale work", William Morris Gallery catalogue[1]
Ante-Chapel North
"Man's Fallen State"
The three-light window "The Fall and Deprivation of Paradise.
"Man's Fallen State"- The Fall and Deprivation of Paradise. Window in the Ante-Chapel North. 1898. This was the first window to be completed and at the top of the window are fragments of old glass found during restoration work in 1895.[2][3]
In this window Whall takes his inspiration from the Creation Story from the Old Testament (Genesis iii) and in the centre light he draws the serpent wound around the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. The inscription reads-"I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed". In the left hand light Whall depicts Eve with a child beside her and in the right hand light an angel in red bars the entrance to the garden. An image of this window is shown above. The memorial note was designed by Veronica Whall and inserted into the window in 1928 recording that the window was given in memory of Henry Bruton, J.P.(1813–1894).[3]
The Restoration in the Sacrament
The Restoration in the Sacrament of the Eucharist
The Restoration in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Window in the Ante-Chapel South. 1902. This three-light window links to the "Man's Fallen State" window opposite and through the death and resurrection of Christ we have gone full circle and man and God are now reconciled. Now Adam and Eve are clothed and kneel as though in contrition and look across at an angel who holds out a chalice in her left hand whilst in her right hand she holds a wheatsheaf. "Man has been restored through the sacrifice of Christ and the Sacrament of the Gospel" is the message and in the centre of his composition Whall depicts wheat stalks and vine leaves (the bread and wine of the Eucharist).[3]
Window was donated in memory of Archdeacon John William Sheringham. When Archdeacon he had raised a large amount of money for
the Cathedral's restoration.[2]
North Nave
"The Childhood of The Blessed Virgin Mary"
Window 1. This being the first large window on the North Nave side of the Lady Chapel. "The Childhood of The Blessed Virgin Mary". 1901
The Childhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary- Mary is shown with her mother who appears to be teaching her to read.
Two tiers of Window I. The five "Northern Saints" and below events associated with them
Angels 1 and 2 as depicted in the first tier of five lights
Angel of the Narrow way. She shows a path out through the thorns of the world.
Agnes and Lucy, two of the "Virgin Martyrs".
St Helen
Scene linked to Columba- "The story of the Wandering Stork".
St Cuthbert
"Et factus in arborem magnam"
St Chad places his bishopric at the disposal of Theodore.
St Chad
St Aidan.
St Aidan visits St Hilda's school.
Faith and Agatha, two of the "Virgin Martyrs".
"The Annunciation"
Window 2. This being the second large window on the North Nave side. "The Annunciation" 1901
The window was given by Baron de Ferrieres of Cheltenham. The inscription reads "Erected to the glory of God for the beautifying of His House in heartfelt gratitude for 75 years of continued and undeserved mercies".
Notice the little stained glass windows in the lower lights, a window within a window. Also note in bottom right hand corner by the dedication a small jug, a compass and carpenter's square with the initials P G-D, K T. R and S, these being of students and workmen who helped with the painting and fixing.[2]
The Annunciation-Gabriel brings Mary "Great News"
An angel with both scales and throne
St Catherine depicted to the right of the Annunciation scene
The "True Cross" is shown to a dying man
St Patrick is taught by St Germanus
St Bede shown dictating his translation of the Bible to a scribe
"The Salutation"
Window 3. This being the first large window on the South Nave side. "The Salutation". 1902
A note in the glass points out that this is one of four windows inserted 1900–02 when Dr. Spence was dean.[2]
The Salutation with two martyrs, St George and St Lawrence to the right
Etheldreda's Ash Tree
Frideswide hides away in a Pig-Sty
St Oswald shown having been killed in the Battle of Maserfield.
Edward and the "Danegelt" a tax he was to abolish. Satan sits gloating over a hoard of coins.
"The Nativity"
Window 4. This is the second large window on the south nave side. "The Nativity". 1909
This window was given by William Long J.P.of Gloucester in memory of his wife Anne.[2]
"Swords and Sceptres"
A monk carving for the Angel Choir at Lincoln. A reference to St Hugh.
The tiny figure of Eadburg makes her choice
Boniface cuts down the sacred "heathen" oak.
St Edmund's body is discovered.
"The Reconciliation of Man to God through the Incarnation"
Window 5.This being the large window on the North side of the Chancel. "The Reconciliation of Man to God through the Incarnation".1909
This window was given in memory of Charles James Monk (1824–1900) by his daughters. In the bottom right-hand corner
of the window are Monk's Arms and the motto "Fortifier, Fideliter. Feliciter". Monk was an M.P.for Gloucester, Chancellor of Bristol
diocese from 1855 and of Gloucester diocese from 1859. His father James Henry Monk was Bishop of Gloucester 1830-1836 and of Gloucester
and Bristol until his death in 1856.[2]
The Third tier down of window 5.
"Christ Enthroned"
St Peter
St Andrew with "lad"
The Presentation
Scenes from the life of Mary.
The window in memory of Sir John Dorington- angels in lower lights designed by Veronica Whall
South African War Memorial Window, Chapterhouse
Another of Whall's works in Gloucester Cathedral is the magnificent South African War Memorial window, the Great East Window in the Chapter House. Concerning this window, Whall points out that there is a full description available on a notice board just by the window and he reminds us that the Chapter House was the building in which the Domesday Book was compiled and points out that the lower centre lights of the window represent William the Conqueror directing the compilation of the Book. He asks us to notice the map hanging over the edge of the table and says that with the help of opera glasses the ancient names of the towns may be read.[3]
The window comprises 18 lights with seven tracery lights above. It is divided into three groups of six lights each, each group having an upper tier of three and a lower tier of three. Whall explains that he intends the window to depict the "Spirit of the Lord" (Isaiah xi, 2), divided into the two great branches- COUNSEL and MIGHT.[3]
Underneath the window are a series of tablets on which the names of the deceased are recorded. They are of hammered and chased copper, subsequently oxidised with a view to toning the metal, in order to get as far as possible a subdued effect and so to harmonise with the solemn dignity of the Chapter House.[2] See image below.
In the notice on the wall by the window are the closing words-
"TO THE GLORY OF GOD & IN MEMORY OF THE OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS & MEN OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE & THE COUNTY REGIMENT WHO FELL IN THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA,a.d. 1899-1902".
One of the tablets showing the names of those who had lain down their lives
Gideon
The South African War Memorial Window
Counsel in things Secular
Counsel in things Secular
Counsel in things Secular
Counsel in things Sacred
Angels in Tracery
Moses
King Alfred
David
Joshua and The Centurian.
St Louis
St Alban and St Edmund
Richard the Lionheart
Sixth window
Sixth window by Heaton, Butler and Bayne. 1899. Had the sixth window been elsewhere in the Cathedral it would one suspects have been treated as a typical Victorian window, the sort that Pevsner may have described as "over-sentimental". Below are some of the angels at the base of the window as well as the dedication. Whall has already told us that the faces of the angels were based on the faces of the people being remembered.[2]
Angel in sixth window.
Angel in sixth window.
Angel in sixth window.
Dedication of sixth window
The South Chantry Chapel
This small South Chantry is reserved by the Cathedral for the remembrance of musicians associated with the Cathedral.
There are two windows by Christopher Whall and a charming set of windows by Veronica in memory of Sir Herbert Brewer. Images are shown below.
Window by Christopher Whall
"Choristers" by Christopher Whall
Window by Veronica Whall.
Window by Veronica Whall.
Window by Veronica Whall.
Window by Veronica Whall.
Window by Veronica Whall.
Window by Veronica Whall.
Christopher Whall memorial window
Memorial window to Christopher Whall
Memorial window to Christopher Whall by Veronica Whall. It would seem fitting to conclude the article with this window which is in the wall opposite the fifth window in the Chancel and was by Veronica Whall. It is dedicated to the memory of her father. See image above shown courtesy Rex Harris.
As one looks at the child on St Christopher's shoulders it is tempting to think that in drawing that child
Veronica may have had herself in mind or perhaps thought of all the other aspiring artists who Whall had helped (carried) in their early years. The window was completed in 1926.
^In his windows Whall depicts St Michael, St Gabriel, St Raphael and St Uriel. In "How to read a Church", the other three Archangels are described thus "Jophiel, Chamael and Zadkiel. Christian art sometimes portrays three more archangels, since seven angels were recorded in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 1:20). They have been named Jophiel (or Zophiel), reputed to have been the angel who guarded Eden after Adam and Eve were driven out, and so shown with a flaming sword; Chamael (or Chemuel), who carries a staff and cup since he was meant to have strengthened Jesus during the Agony in the Garden (he is also meant to have wrestled with Jacob); and finally, Zadkiel, who was meant to have appeared to Abraham to stop him sacrificing his son Isaac. He appears with Abraham’s sacrificial knife".
^According to "How to read a Church"- "There are nine "choirs" of angels, separated into three orders. The first and highest order is known as the Counsellors, and is made up of three choirs called Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. The second order is the Governors (or Rulers), and its choirs are the Dominions, Powers and Virtues. The third order, the Messengers, embraces Principalities, Archangels, and at the bottom of the pile. the Angels.
^Presumably Whall is referring to Revelation 11:15- " The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever
^Coeli enarrant gloriam Dei et opera manuum eius adnuntiat firmamentum-The heavens shew forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of his hands." See http://www.medievalist.net/psalmstxt/ps18.htm
^Normally understood to refer to the time when Mary visited Elizabeth. Luke 1.41-45. "And when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby stirred in her womb. Then Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried aloud, "God’s blessing is on you above all women, and his blessing is on the fruit of your womb. Who am I, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? I tell you, when your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby in my womb leapt for joy. How happy is she who has had faith that the Lord’s promise would be fulfilled!"
^It is said that on her journey to Ely, she rested at Stow, and planted her staff in the ground, whereupon it grew into an Ash Tree under which she was able to shelter.
^Swithun’s best known miracle was his restoration of a bridge on a basket of eggs that workmen had maliciously broken
^When she was fleeing Aelfgar who had tried to consummate their marriage she was said to have hidden in a pig-sty. http://www.britannia.com/history/legend/berks/frideswide01 .htm l
^"There is a belated pane, formed by the stonework of a doorway, in one of the windows in the Lady Chapel of Gloucester Cathedral that expresses this idea (the thought of the unknown artists and craftsmen whose labour remains behind them). The demi-figure of a monk is displayed in the habit of a rough craftsman, chiselling at a stone representation of an Angel’s wing. The wing stretches out, grey and beautiful, across the lower field of the picture. The Monk is busy, so busy that one almost hears him singing at his work, but his face is hidden. He sees his work only. In doing so he is a type of the many unknown artists whose finished work delights us"
^A reading of Whall’s autobiographical notes covering his childhood, held at the National Art Library will show his knowledge of and love of butterflies
^"Boniface returned to Upper Hessia and repaired the losses which occurred during his absence, many having drifted back into paganism; he also administered everywhere the Sacrament of Confirmation. He continued his work in Lower Hessia. To show the heathens how utterly powerless were the gods in whom they placed their confidence, Boniface felled the oak sacred to the thunder-god Thor, at Geismar, near Fritzlar. He had a chapel built out of the wood and dedicated it to the prince of the Apostles. The heathens were astonished that no thunderbolt from the hand of Thor destroyed the offender, and many were converted. The fall of this oak marked the fall of heathenism" extract from http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02656a.htm
References
^Exhibition catalogue by Peter Cormack,"Christopher Whall 1849-1924: Arts & Crafts Stained Glass Worker" an exhibition organised by the William Morris Gallery. London Borough of Waltham Forest. 17th November 1979-3rd February 1980. This exhibition included many of Whall's designs for stained glass windows.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o"The Stained Glass of Gloucester Cathedral" by David Welander.ISBN 0 9510592 0 3. First published by Canon David Welander and the Priests of Gloucester Cathedral in 1985.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s tNational Art Library General Collection 89.J Box III and 86.W Box I Special -320053 contain Whall's notes on the Gloucester Cathedral work. Also those of his daughter Veronica Whall.
^ a bCatholic Online. "St. Agnes - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online". Catholic.org. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
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