Christopher Whall works in Gloucester Cathedral is a narrative list of works that Christopher Whall executed for Gloucester Cathedral.
"Christopher Whall's windows in Gloucester Lady Chapel are arguably the finest post-medieval stained glass in any of our cathedrals, and, with the possible exception of the unexecuted Christchurch Priory designs, his finest large scale work", William Morris Gallery catalogue[1]
"Man's Fallen State"- The Fall and Deprivation of Paradise. Window in the Ante-Chapel North. 1898. This was the first window to be completed and at the top of the window are fragments of old glass found during restoration work in 1895.[2][3]
In this window Whall takes his inspiration from the Creation Story from the Old Testament (Genesis iii) and in the centre light he draws the serpent wound around the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. The inscription reads-"I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed". In the left hand light Whall depicts Eve with a child beside her and in the right hand light an angel in red bars the entrance to the garden. An image of this window is shown above. The memorial note was designed by Veronica Whall and inserted into the window in 1928 recording that the window was given in memory of Henry Bruton, J.P.(1813–1894).[3]
The Restoration in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Window in the Ante-Chapel South. 1902. This three-light window links to the "Man's Fallen State" window opposite and through the death and resurrection of Christ we have gone full circle and man and God are now reconciled. Now Adam and Eve are clothed and kneel as though in contrition and look across at an angel who holds out a chalice in her left hand whilst in her right hand she holds a wheatsheaf. "Man has been restored through the sacrifice of Christ and the Sacrament of the Gospel" is the message and in the centre of his composition Whall depicts wheat stalks and vine leaves (the bread and wine of the Eucharist).[3]
Window was donated in memory of Archdeacon John William Sheringham. When Archdeacon he had raised a large amount of money for the Cathedral's restoration.[2]
Another of Whall's works in Gloucester Cathedral is the magnificent South African War Memorial window, the Great East Window in the Chapter House. Concerning this window, Whall points out that there is a full description available on a notice board just by the window and he reminds us that the Chapter House was the building in which the Domesday Book was compiled and points out that the lower centre lights of the window represent William the Conqueror directing the compilation of the Book. He asks us to notice the map hanging over the edge of the table and says that with the help of opera glasses the ancient names of the towns may be read.[3]
The window comprises 18 lights with seven tracery lights above. It is divided into three groups of six lights each, each group having an upper tier of three and a lower tier of three. Whall explains that he intends the window to depict the "Spirit of the Lord" (Isaiah xi, 2), divided into the two great branches- COUNSEL and MIGHT.[3]
Position in South African War Memorial Window | Image (s) depicted | Comments |
---|---|---|
The three central upper lights | "COUNSEL IN THINGS SACRED" | Whall depicts Osric, the King of Northumbria. A.D.729 (founder of the Abbey as an act of penance) with the Saints Peter and Paul on either side. The three lights are drawn together by the drawing of the Abbey Church across all three.[3] |
The three central lower lights | "COUNSEL IN THINGS SECULAR" | Here we see William the Conqueror giving directions for the great Domesday Survey of England.[3] |
The three upper lights on the North side (left as one faces the window). | "DISCIPLINE"- Michael, Joshua and the Centurian. | In the descriptive notes it says that Michael "subdues the enemy by appeal to God"; "The Lord rebuke thee". Jude ix. Joshua is shown standing at the salute and acknowledges the "Captain of the Lord’s Host"; "What saith my Lord unto his servant"- Joshua v.14. The Centurian Longinus is described as "A man under authority" – Matt.viii. 9.[3] |
The three lower lights on the North side (left as one faces the window) | "DISCIPLINE"- Moses, King Alfred and Gideon | Moses is described as "The great leader-only erring when transgressing Discipline"- Numbers xxi.12. King Alfred we are told "recovered the larger part of England from the Danish invaders", whereas Gideon represents "The triumph of Discipline over Numbers". |
The three upper lights on the South side (on the right as one faces the window). | "Valour"- St George in the centre with St Alban and St Edmund. | The notes describes St Alban as "The Martyr-and the first in England to be faithful unto death" and St Edmund "King of the East Angles and Martyr, A.D.870- Slain by the Danes (One of the Patrons of English Valour all through the Middle Ages)"[3] |
The three lower lights on the South side (on the right as one faces the window.) | "Valour"- St Louis, David and Richard the Lionheart. | The notes remind us that St Louis was "King of France-Crusader. A.D.1270" and represents "Valour under Defeat". Whall explains that his painting of St Louis was adapted from the portrait by Giotti in Florence. David is described as "King of Israel" and representing "Valour against Odds". Richard- "Coeur de Lion" represents "The natural born Soldier". |
Base of window | Shields | Shields include- 1. Edward the Confessor. 2. The Gloucestershire Regiment. 3. William the Conqueror. 4. Dean and Chapter and Diocese. 5. Henry VIII. 6. City of Gloucester. 7. Richard I. 8. The Gloucestershire Yeomanry. 9. Dean of Gloucester-Dr Spence-Jones. |
Underneath the window are a series of tablets on which the names of the deceased are recorded. They are of hammered and chased copper, subsequently oxidised with a view to toning the metal, in order to get as far as possible a subdued effect and so to harmonise with the solemn dignity of the Chapter House.[2] See image below.
In the notice on the wall by the window are the closing words-
"TO THE GLORY OF GOD & IN MEMORY OF THE OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS & MEN OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE & THE COUNTY REGIMENT WHO FELL IN THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA,a.d. 1899-1902".
Sixth window by Heaton, Butler and Bayne. 1899. Had the sixth window been elsewhere in the Cathedral it would one suspects have been treated as a typical Victorian window, the sort that Pevsner may have described as "over-sentimental". Below are some of the angels at the base of the window as well as the dedication. Whall has already told us that the faces of the angels were based on the faces of the people being remembered.[2]
This small South Chantry is reserved by the Cathedral for the remembrance of musicians associated with the Cathedral. There are two windows by Christopher Whall and a charming set of windows by Veronica in memory of Sir Herbert Brewer. Images are shown below.
Memorial window to Christopher Whall by Veronica Whall. It would seem fitting to conclude the article with this window which is in the wall opposite the fifth window in the Chancel and was by Veronica Whall. It is dedicated to the memory of her father. See image above shown courtesy Rex Harris.
As one looks at the child on St Christopher's shoulders it is tempting to think that in drawing that child Veronica may have had herself in mind or perhaps thought of all the other aspiring artists who Whall had helped (carried) in their early years. The window was completed in 1926.