Medieval stained glass inserts from North Chancel Window Saxlingham
The church of St Mary the Virgin contains a superb collection of medieval stained glass including the earliest known in a Norfolk Church. Not only is most of the glass not in situ but there is supposition that in 1688, when the neighbouring church of Saxlingham Thorpe was closed, that the parishioners brought with them their thirteenth century glass (now in two of the south chancel windows). At one time much of the glass was displayed in the East window of the chancel however, between 1957 and 59 Dennis King of George King & Son carried out a cleaning and restoration programme. At this time the decision was made not to restore the glass to its original position but to arrange it so it could be seen to its best advantage. Thus today, 14th century glass can be found in the east window of the north aisle, despite the aisle not being built until 1867.
Contains 2 crowns of stained glass.
There is no zoomify for this window
This 1868 window by John Hardman illustrates the story of the Good Samaritan. It commemorates the life and work of Matthew Sallitt who was Churchwarden and Overseer of the Poor for 15 years. He died during the building of the chapel.
The renaissance shields of arms in this window are of the same design as glass heraldic medallions dated from 16th/ 17th century in Merton church i,e they could be linked.
All of the glass in this window is reset.
Glass from the c 1400 glazing scheme includes the canopy tops and the three small figures depicting a bishop, archbishop and a king (probably Edward the Confessor).
The two angels playing musical instruments date from c 1420 -30 and were possibly originally placed in the west window.
The central figure in the main light is made up of 15th and 16th century fragments.
All the figures in this window date from the 15th century.
The top pair of angels were originally placed in a north nave window, which was removed during the 19th century renovation when the new aisle was added. The window would have originally depicted Christ seated on a rainbow, with angels bearing Passion symbols to right and left and censing angels in the side lights. Thus, of our two remaining angels the one on the left holds a scourge and nails (relating to Christ’s Passion on the cross) and the one on the right carries a censor.
The remaining figures represent the Four Doctors of the Church namely : St Gregory (top left), St Augustine (top right), St Jerome (bottom left) and St Ambrose (bottom right). Although three of them are somewhat fragmented St Jerome in his distinctive red cardinal’s hat is delightful.
The top tracery lights appear to be in their original position and date from 1390 - 1413. They show a Coronation of the Virgin flanked by Pentecost on the left (note the dove) and the ascension on the right. The three large shields and the roundels with IHC and M in the main lights also belong in the East window and can be dated from the same period.
The two remaining roundels depicting the winged St Matthew and an unsophisticated bird with a scroll (representing St John) are later medieval panels.
The central crucifixion scene dates from 1868. The glass was erected in memory of Frederick Gooch.
This window contains the earliest figurative glass in Norfolk, made not later than 1250. Placed in slightly pointed medallions are pictured on the left, the seated figures of St John and St James below which is the martyrdom of St Edmund. Whilst on the right one can see the beheading of an unknown saint whilst again below St Edmund is offering up the arrows of his martyrdom to heaven.
The two scalloped shapes in the centre of the panels date from c1300 whilst the decorative motifs in the tracery, which include the Yorkist rose are from the 15th century
Awaiting information
This small window contains a c1500 roundel of Flemmish glass depicting the Virgin and child with St Anne. Below that there are two patched scenes of the Resurrection and the Nativity, dating from about the 15th century. They would have originally been in the tracery of the South Chancel window 1 and formed part of the same glazing scheme as the east window.
The window was installed in 1910. It is the work of Hugh Arnold and has been designed in the full Arts and Crafts manner. It depicts the Virgin Mary flanked by St Edmund and St Withburga of East Dereham.
This 1946 window made by G King and Son, is the most modern in the church. It is an RAF memorial window declaring “Never in the field of conflict was so much owed to so few”. St Michael (the archangel) stands resplendent having vanquished the dragon.