To mark the Feast of St Michael here, courtesy of a post on the Medieval Religion discussion group by that splendid photographer of medieval stained glass the Rev. Gordon Plumb, are three fourteenth century images of the Archangel:
Eaton Bishop, Herefordshire, Parish Church of St Michael,
East window, St Michael the Archangel
Tewkesbury Abbey, Choir Clerestory East Window, 3d-4d, St Michael the Archangel
St Michael is in the place normally occupied in Last Judgement scenes by John the Baptist (who has been moved to the far left among a group of Apostles). Here Michael supports a shield, now filled with fragmentsby a restorer but in a seventeenth century account this was clearly then the "Arma Christi" - the shield of the Passion on which the instruments of the Passion were displayed.
Sarah Brown in her summary of her ongoing research into the glass for her CVMA volume on the glass which she presented in the 2003 history of Tewkesbury Abbey volume, speculates that this reordering of the standard iconography of a Last Judgement scene perhaps reflects a personal devotion on the part of one of those involved in the window's creation to the "Arma Christi". The Arma became linked with protection and indulgences were soon attached to it. According to the Golden Legend it is St Michael who will present the cross, nails and spear and crown of thorns at the Last Judgement, so his carrying this shield here is perhaps appropriate.
Exeter Cathedral, Choir Clerstory, East window,
St Michael the Archangel
This figure of St Michael the archangel was not made originally for the East window. It was painted by an atelier that worked extensively in the West Country, and is best known for the schemes at Doddiscombsleigh and Ashton. This panel was subject to some extensive repairs by Drake, including the lively dragon at St Michael's feet which is entirely his work.
1 comment:
Beautiful photographs.
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