Stained Glass of Percy Bacon & Brothers

South Chancel 3: Allegorical figures.

South Chancel 3: An allegorical figure with flaming heart, possibly representing God's boundless and passionate love for mankind.

South Chancel 3: Right light. Allegorical figure possibly representing spiritual strength. The banner on the fort reads; "turris fortissima ma nomen dei" (the strongest fort is the name of God").

South Chancel 3: Predella (Left): An act of corporal mercy.

South Chancel 3: Predella (Right): Unknown reference.

South Chancel 3..

South Chancel 2: Faith and Hope with narrative scenes in the predella.

South Chancel 2: Faith.

South Chancel 2: Hope.

South Chancel 2: Predella-left: A woman before Jesus.

South Chancel 2: Predella-right: A woman before Jesus.

South Chancel 2.

Posted 19 April 2023.

SC2 and SC3 are geometrically identical windows of two lights and rose tracery. Both were installed at the same time to form a pair. Both depict virtues or allegorical figures, though the identities of those in SC3 are not entirely certain. In the predellas are small narrative scenes which, again, are not fully identified for this project. An inscription on a brass plaque within a large carved alabaster niche in-between the windows, dedicates both to the memory of Lady Georgina White Ridley (nee Marjoribanks), daughter of the Right Honourable Dudley Coutts Majoribanks, Lord Tweedmouth, and wife of Sir Matthew White Ridley, 1st Viscount Ridley of Blagdon. She predeceased her husband on 14th March 1899.

Within classic Bacon style ornate architectonic niches of white glass and yellow stain stand the figures of (SC2) Faith and Hope, and (SC3) two unidentified allegorical figures. In the heads of each niche demi-angels look on. They hold blank scrolls, which may have been intended to contain a message which was never written. In the tracery copying the style of the other windows in the chancel is an angel playing instruments surrounded by putti.

SC2: The figures are the virtues of Faith and Hope, each carrying their respective symbols of cross and anchor. Beneath the figures in each predella angels hold a picture on which a narrative scene is painted in yellow stain. Both show the standing figure of Christ before a kneeling un-haloed woman with hands clasped as if beseeching or in prayer. Christ's hand raised is as if in blessing, or perhaps as a calming gesture.

SC3: The left figure is androgynous and rather young looking. They are dressed in a white robe with red cloak and wear the crown of victory. They hold a flaming heart in their right hand, traditionally a symbol of God's boundless and passionate love for mankind. In the right light is the figure of a woman holding a sword in her right hand, and a shield in her left, possibly representing the virtue of spiritual strength. On the shield is the image of a fort flying a banner which reads, "turris fortissima ma nomen dei" (the strongest fort is the name of God"). In the predella, copying the style of those in SC2, are two more narrative scenes. The left seems to depict an act of corporal mercy (clothe the naked). The right depicts a Roman soldier in full armour standing next to a woman who holds his spear. Quite what this refers to is moot, but this might represent the strenth of women.

Both these windows seem to attest to the faith and piety of Lady Georgina. Neither window is signed.¹

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1. For further attribution see Proceedings by Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne Vol X; Jan 1901 - Dec 1902, p124.