Stained glass
Great Malvern Priory has the largest collection of English 15th century stained glass…
of any parish church in England.
The 15th and 16th centuries were said to be the zenith of English stained glass. But there is a great variety to be seen as well. Although the largest windows are glazed with mediaeval glass, there is Victorian glass in the north aisle and modern glass in The Friends' Millennium windows.
The east window is the largest in any parish church in England. The west window was given to the Priory by Richard lll when he was still Duke of Gloucester in the early 1480s. Originally called the 'doom' window, it depicted the day of Judgement.
Imagine worshipping in the Priory with the passion, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ depicted in front of you in the great east window and the day of judgement lit up behind you in the west window.
The east window
The west window
All of the mediaeval windows suffered over the course of time.
In the 19th century the west window was re-glazed with pictures of angels, saints and bishops using mediaeval glass from other windows in the Priory.
The photo shows, from left to right, St Laurence, St George and St Christopher under the image of the Lord above.
Detail of the west window
The other royal donation was the so-called 'Magnificat' window in the north transept.
This was given in 1501 by Henry VII and besides depicting scenes from Mary's life, it contains the words (from the gospel of Luke, chapter 1) in which she praises God for making her the mother of Jesus. The picture (right) shows the central figure of Mary enclosed within a vesica of blue clouds studded with stars.
The Magnificat window
St Anne's Chapel has three south facing mediaeval windows depicting a chronological sequence of events from the Old Testament.
At the east end of the chapel is a window commemorating Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, executed by the well known Victorian glass studio of Charles Kempe. The crucifixion of Christ is depicted and either side are figures of Mary and St Michael, the patron saints of the Priory.
St Anne’s chapel
Kempe Jubilee window
Queen Victoria herself appears in a window in the north aisle, given to celebrate her Golden Jubilee. She can be seen in the panel (right) with her grandson, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany in a scarlet uniform standing behind her.
Queen Victoria and family
The two millennium windows in St Giles’ Chapel, at the east end of the north aisle were designed and made by Thomas Denny.
They were given to the Priory in 2003 by The Friends and are based upon themes taken from Psalm 36.
Thomas Denny millennium windows
Psalm 36 Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in their hearts; there is no fear of God before their eyes. For they flatter themselves in their own eyes that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated. The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit; they have ceased to act wisely and do good. They plot mischief while on their beds; they are set on a way that is not good; they do not reject evil. Your steadfast love, O lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your judgements are like the great deep; you save animals and humans alike, O lord. How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. O continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your salvation to the upright of heart! Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me, or the hand of the wicked drive me away. There the evildoers lie prostrate: they are thrust down, unable to rise. Psalm 36...
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Psalm 36 Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in their hearts; there is no fear of God before their eyes. For they flatter themselves in their own eyes that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated. The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit; they have ceased to act wisely and do good. They plot mischief while on their beds; they are set on a way that is not good; they do not reject evil. Your steadfast love, O lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your judgements are like the great deep; you save animals and humans alike, O lord. How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. O continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your salvation to the upright of heart! Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me, or the hand of the wicked drive me away. There the evildoers lie prostrate: they are thrust down, unable to rise. Psalm 36... 〰️
Psalm 36
The guidebook to the stained glass - "Tour of the Stained Glass of Malvern Priory" guide is very informative and available from the Priory Shop, costing £5.00.