Stained Glass of Percy Bacon
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Posted 13 October 2023.
A relatively late window of 1929 from the Bacon Studios, the window in the south aisle at St Mary Magdalene exemplifies Percy Bacon's trademark style laid down in his manifesto of 1894. In this he called for each light to stand alone in telling a story, and scenes not to be cut up by mullions. His "question of light" is also fulfilled by surrounding each of the standing figures with predominantly white glass in the form of wide columns and elaborate canopies. Although many of the studios windows do not fully conform to this strict hierarchy of rules, probably a result of using contract artists, this window certainly does, and is undoubtedly by Percy Bacon himself.
The Perpendicular window of five tall lights with tracery depicts the figures of ten English Saints, mostly from the midlands and north. Each figure is framed within its own niche, standing in front of a bejewelled rug tide to the side columns. Over each figure a scroll unfurls with scriptural text. These are, from left to right starting with the top row:
St Columba: "Go ye into all the world and preach".
St Wilfrid: "Preaching the wisdom of God".
St Oswald: "The sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre".
St Aldhelm: "The light of the glorious gospel of Christ".
Ven Bede: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom".
St Chad: "A servant of the church".
St Aidan: "When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren".
St Cuthbert: "Marvellous work and a wonder".
St Hugh: "Blessed are they that are persecuted".
St Richard of Chichester: "Can they hear without a preacher".
All except Oswald, Columba and the Venerable Bede are depicted as Bishops with their respective symbols or attributes, or holding a model of the churches they founded. Cuthbert, as Bishop of Lindisfarne holds a book on which the severed head of King Oswald rests; Hugh, as Bishop of Lincoln has a swan at his feet; Richard, a chalice, representing the one he dropped during mass and which spilled not a drop; Aidan stands by his reclining stag.
The window is dedicated to the Rev. James Manders Walker, D.D. Canon of Southwell, and vicar of St Mary Magdalene from 1919 to 1929, who died 5th January 1929. The Rev Walker donated two windows by Percy Bacon, at St Euny's, Redruth, Cornwall, and St Peter's, Tempsford, Bedfordshire.
The window is signed, "PERCY BACON".
Location Map:
Sat Nav Post Code: NG24 1JS