Stained Glass of Percy Bacon & Brothers

Tower West: Memorial to Dean Samuel Raynolds Hole (1819 - 1904).

Centre light: Saint Andrew, a likeness of Dean Hole (though bearded).

Left light: Saint Margaret of Hungary.

Right light: Saint Dorothy.

Top of lights.

Top of left light.

Top of centre light.

Top of right light.

Left predella - Arms of the Diocese of Rochester.

Centre predella.

Right predella - Arms of Sauel Reynolds Hole.

Tower West: Memorial window to Dean Samuel Reynolds Hole.

Posted 13 October 2023.

The single Bacon Studios window of three lights without tracery is high in the west wall of the tower in the bell-ringing gallery. It is dedicated to Dean Samuel Reynolds Hole, vicar of St Andrew's, Caunton for 43 years from 1850 to 1887, and then Dean of Rochester. The window presents three standing figures; St Andrew in the centre light, to the left St Margaret of Hungary, and to the right, St Dorothy. St Andrew, who holds a saltire cross, the symbol and implement of his martyrdom, is a likeness of Dean Hole. Although St Andrew is shown traditionally, sporting a full beard, Dean Hole seems always to have been clean-shaven. The figure of St Elizabeth of Hungary has similarities with the image of the Blessed Virgin at Mawgan-in-Pyder, Cornwall (NN1). She holds a bunch of roses and lilies. St Dorothy also holds roses and apples, references to Samuel Hole's love of horticulture.

At the top of the two outer lights angels play horns, while in the centre an angel floats with arms outstretched, above which are the words from Isaiah 35:1, in another reference to Hole's rosarian expertise, "The desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose". In the predella of the outer lights are coats or arms, the one on the right being that of Samuel Reynolds Hole (Azure Three crescents between in chief two horses and in base a unicorn's head), and that on the left the Diocese of Rochester (Argent on a saltire Gules an escallop Or). Beneath St Andrew, two angels hold a scroll inscribed with the words; "Right dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" (Psalm 116).

An illustration in the 30th September 1905 edition of The Gardener's Chronicle ¹ shows how the original design

The original design (left) for the window at St Andrew's Caunton, from The Gardener's Chronicle, 30 September 1905. This design was modified during the manufacturing process in a number of ways. At the base of the two outer lights were amended to contain the arms of Rochester (left) and Dean Hole (right). The two angels at the base of the central light were to hold a shield containing these arms. In the final execution the angels hold a scroll with the words; "Right here in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints".





The window as installed. was modified during the manufacture of the window. Initially the bases of the outer lights were to be extensions of the niches, and the central pair of angels were to hold a shield on which the arms of Rochester impaled that of Dean Hole. The window was unveiled on 6th October 1905.²

The dedication reads:

The window is unsigned.

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1. The Gardener's Chronicle, 30 September 1905, p251. Also The Sphere, 30 September 1905, p19.
2. Ibid.