Stained Glass c. 1175–1250

References to glazing in the period c. 1175–1250 occur in several contemporary records. Bishop Hugh du Puiset (1153–95) gave glass in the east end of Durham Cathedral: ‘multiplicatis insigni pictura fenestris vitreis circa altaria.’ Robert de Lindesey, Abbot of Peterborough between 1214 and 1222, is known to have glazed thirty windows in his church. ¹ William, Abbot of St Albans (1214–35), was responsible for the glazing of the west front and many other windows in the abbey church and in St Cuthbert’s chapel and an extension to the dormitory. By 1240 Chichester Cathedral had glass windows which were already described as ancient. In addition there are references to the extensive glazing carried out in Henry III’s residences. ² Not a trace survives of any of the church glass described in these records; conversely the glazing that still exists is hardly mentioned at all in contemporary documents. This even applies to the principal monument, Canterbury Cathedral. Leaving Canterbury aside, the material, compared with France and Germany, is hardly plentiful. ³ There is some late twelfth-century glass at York Minster and the surviving glazing of Lincoln Cathedral dates mainly from the early thirteenth century. After these, there are slight remains at Salisbury Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Beverley Minster. In addition fragments of early thirteenth-century glass can be found in parish churches throughout England.