Norfolk, UK
Visitors to York Minister now have a unique opportunity to see intricate details of the St Cuthbert Window, one of the rarest medieval narrative windows in existence.
The window, which is currently undergoing restoration, was created around 1440 and is prominently located at the east end of York Minister beside the high altar.
St Cuthbert was a seventh century Anglo-Saxon monk, renowned for his good works and miracles. It is believed that he was consecrated bishop of Lindisfarne during a visit to York. Thomas Langley, Dean of York who subsequently became Bishop of Durham, commissioned the window.
A panel from the St Cuthbert Window. PICTURE: Courtesy of York Glaziers Trust.
Helen Rawson, head of Heritage York Minster, said “the panels show the career of Cuthbert and his miracles, and how he was closely linked to nature and animals”.
“It shows the power of God being demonstrated by His control over nature. Typical miracles include standing all night the ocean, with sea otters crowded around his feet to keep him warm.”
One of the most significant panels shows St Cuthbert dressed as a bishop, and carrying the head of St Oswald, which was placed in his coffin when ninth century Viking raids forced the monks to flee the island, taking Cuthbert’s coffin with them. They finally found refuge in Durham, many miles to the north.
The £5 million restoration project has been undertaken due to the state of the surrounding stonework, which involves rebuilding the huge supporting buttresses and repairing the window tracery. The York Glaziers Trust delicately removed the stained glass last June, and all 152 panels are now being restored. This involves checking the condition of the glass, undertaking any necessary repairs, dealing with rust on the support bars and replacing lead. A very thin layer of glass is being placed over the exterior of the stained glass so that it is protected from the elements when back in the window.
An exhibition entitled Light, Glass & Stone which looks at the story of St Cuthbert, the history of the window and the conservation is now underway. It includes an animated projection and soundscape relating to one of St Cuthbert’s miracles.
Rawson has described the exhibition – which features scaffolding to give access to the windows – as “complex”.
“We have placed exhibition texts on the scaffolding and cases for the stained glass underneath, giving people the opportunity to see the original glass close up.”
Also on display are images from a 12th century manuscript about St Cuthbert, which was consulted when the window was designed. It reveals how images were combined to create an artistic version combining several elements in one panel. For example, there is scene showing St Cuthbert and a companion out walking, when an eagle provides them with food, which Cuthbert then divides between the three of them.
The newly conserved figure of St Cuthbert has just been returned to the minister.
Conservation work at York Glaziers Trust studios. PICTURE: Courtesy of York Glaziers Trust.
Professor Sarah Brown, director of York Glaziers Trust, explained that its detailed restoration has highlighted unusual medieval techniques depicting jewels.
“It’s fantastic to be able to return St Cuthbert to the minister on All Saints Day, the annual date when Christians remember all the Saints who have inspired the church over generations, and to be able to showcase the work that has gone into conserving these panels,” she said.
“The jewels were produced using a glazing technique first described in the very earliest source book for stained glass technique from the 12th century, as a way to enrich white glass with colours without the need to use lead.”
“The discovery in this 15th century window is evidence of the expertise of the glaziers at the time, and the status afforded to the figure of St Cuthbert as one of northern England’s most significant saints.”
