St Mary's East Window.

(6) Gold monogram of the Virgin with ground and frame as in (4) except for the finials which are green.

(7) Gold and white scrolled medallion with blue finials at top and bottom and red at either side, bearing a shield with the diocesan arms of Canterbury:

Blazon: Az an archiepiscopal staff in pale Or, ensigned with a cross patée Arg surmounted of a pall Arg charged with four crosses formée fitchée Sa, edged and fringed Or [SEE OF CANTERBURY] (ref b)

Tracery Lights 8 and 9

(8),(9) Wavy gold rays extending from the Holy Dove fill the upper zones above a white scroll across the centre of both lights bearing a text from the Benedicite canticle in black roman caps and l/c: O all ye works of the LORD Bless ye the LORD /

Arching up to frame the scroll in each light are the wing tips of the archangel in light (13).

(10) Medallion as in (7), bearing a shield with the diocesan arms of St Albans:

Blazon: Az a saltire Or a sword Ppr hilt Or in pale pointing to a celestial crown Or in chief [SEE OF ST ALBANS] (ref b)

Main Lights Benedicite

Christ in majesty occupies the central light of the five lancets, flanked by a depiction of the four seasons in pictorial medallions placed vertically on a blue band, one season in each of lights (11), (12), (14) and (15).

The medallions have a continuous scrolling white and gold border with red, blue or pink finials. Above the lowest medallion in each light the scrolling encloses a white star on a red ground. Medallions are described from top to bottom.

(11) Spring a) Bird's nest with four white eggs

b) Girl in mauve dress carrying a lamb. Five more sheep in the flowery field, one of them a lamb cropping the grass by her feet.

Three daisies enclosed in the scroll border beneath.

c) Man in brown hat and leggings and pink shirt sowing seed from a basket slung round his neck.

Three buttercups enclosed in scroll border beneath.

d) White horse and brown foal beside a river beneath a flowering horse chestnut tree.

Deer with fawn running across a field.

(12) Summer

a) Blue sky and white cloud with one white and two yellow butterflies flying over a spray of white flowerbuds and green leaves.

b) Two brown cows grazing in a flowery meadow; purple hills and blue sky.

In scroll border beneath a seagull flying above sea.

c) Angel with purple, blue and gold wings, gold and white wreath of flowers round the head and similar garland around neck, holds basket of multi-coloured flowers and foliage. The medallion frame here, and in the corresponding 'Autumn' scene in light (14), is almost obscured by the figure.

d) Man sitting on haystack with a staff beside him shelters from rain beneath a cloth held over his head. Lightning flash in purple sky.

e) Two boys paddling in a stream.

(13) In the upper zone an archangel with red, pink and gold wings, palms held outwards, presents Christ, with cruciform gold and white rayed nimbus, to the viewer.

He is placed against a gold-starred mandorla, red with wide blue border emitting wavy gold rays. Both hands are raised, displaying the stigmata, the right hand in blessing (Latin form).

His feet rest on a blue globe across which is a white scroll bearing a text from the chorus of the Benedicite canticle in black roman caps and l/c: Praise Him and magnify Him for ever

Below Christ an angel with blue, green, gold and white wings holds her cloak of gold with both hands, the left hand displaying the dark purple lining scattered with white stars. Behind the right wing of the angel is the rising sun, its rays extending across a red ground to where a cockerel stands beside the right foot of the angel. Above the left wing is a black roundel displaying the white crescent moon.

Beneath the angel's left elbow is a small bare tree on which perches a white owl against the starry backdrop of the cloak.

(14) Autumn

a) Squirrel on a branch

b) Barefoot girl sitting on a branch picks apples from a tree. Two baskets of apples hang on branches either side of her.

In scroll border beneath, a heron, wings extended.

c) Angel with pink wings carries a cornocupia basket of gold and white fruits slung over the left shoulder. Ripe corn grows in the background.

d) Man in blue coat and brown trousers bends into the wind holding onto his hat, his red scarf blowing out. Windblown trees behind him.

e) Flood scene with half-submerged tree and floating branches.

(15) Winter

a) Dark blue starry sky with comet

b) Man in brown jacket and hat with a rake in his hand tends a bonfire. Behind him is a wheelbarrow full of sticks and straw. A fence in the background.

Spray of mistletoe against snow in the border beneath.

c) Snow scene with a fox among black trees In the border below, a decorated Christmas tree in a pink pot with white angel on top.

d) One girl and two boys skating, a bare black tree in the background

e) Spouting whale swims in the sea with an iceberg in the background.

The maker's mark and name appear at the lower r/h corner of light (15) together with the names of the painters and date.

2 Stained and painted glass

3 1954

4 Est h. 490 x w. 295cm

5 CHRISTOPHER WEBB / S^T ALBANS. 1954. / 6 PAINTED BY - / F. A. PINNOCK. / T. WALDEN. /

The window was installed as part of the rebuilding and repair programme following the fire of 1952 (ref b). A service of dedication was held at Matins on December 19th 1954 (ref c).