Canterbury Cathedral: Becket Window 4
Introduction and Plan
Stained Glass Window Photo Gallery
Ancestors of Christ
Corona Redemption Window
Typological Window 2
Becket Miracle Windows
Window "n. IV" in the north ambulatory of Canterbury Cathedral is one of eight depicting the posthumous miracles of St. Thomas Becket. It is attributed to the "Petronella Master" and dated to about 1215-20. (See The Becket Miracle Windows for more information.) In these windows the artist can be seen to miniaturize his figures in accordance with the emerging Gothic style, while retaining his characteristic sense of monumentality and clarity.
The window is composed of eight rows of two roundels each; the intervening spaces are filled with large flowers. The scenes share a common setting at the tomb of St. Thomas Becket, which is depicted with tow oval insets at the side for pilgrims to crawl up to and kiss the stone of the tomb chest. The scenes also incorporate an overlapping effect, with some figures standing behind the tomb and columns of a ciborium partially hidden behind the figures, an effect not seen in wall paintings until much later in the 13th century.
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"Mad Henry of Fordwich" is dragged by his friends to the tomb of St. Thomas, where he rants and raves all day. But after spending the night in the cathedral, he returns home perfectly sane. |
A dignified Henry prays at the tomb after his cure. The sticks and ropes that persuaded him to come can be seen left as ex-votos at the bottom. |
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