ST MARY S PRIORY CHURCH ABERGAVENNY

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1 On 7 July 2016 Helen s new Jesse Tree window for St Mary s Priory Church, Abergavenny, was dedicated by the Bishop of Monmouth in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales. Helen won the commission through a national competition open to Fellows and Associates of the British Society of Master Glass Painters. The iconography of the window was inspired by the survival of the splendid late-medieval oak sculpture of Jesse at St Mary s, and the lower part of the window incorporates Lamberts restauro UV-protection glass to help to preserve the wooden figure for the future. The composition of the window, and the positions of the many elements within the design, is controlled by a geometrical scheme of overlapping circles which spread out from the heart of Christ. Similar systems of sacred geometry underlie much of the greatest medieval art and architecture, based on an understanding of God as the divine geometer, architect of the universe. In this design, the circles overlap to create the sixfold shape of the lily flower associated with the Virgin Mary, to whom this church is dedicated, expanding into an infinite, organic pattern which is visibly present as a delicate network. The underlying geometry is also used to generate the golden vesicas which enclose the figures in the central light, and the branches of the vine supporting the figures in the outer lights.

2 The growth of the Jesse tree, or vine, demonstrating Christ s lineage continues through the window, spreading upwards and outwards. The brown leaves of the true vine (bearing grapes, emphasizing the importance of the Sacrament) connect the tree to its foundation from Jesse s loins. The brown colour, indicative of this rootedness, continues in the three lily flowers positioned around the central image of the Virgin and Child and forming a triangle, symbolic of the Trinity. In the outer sections green oak leaves represent the ancient woodlands of Wales (the material origins of the Jesse figure), and symbolise continuity, new growth and the need for responsible stewardship of God s creation. The underlying geometry, radiating from the heart of the Christ child in the arms of his Virgin mother, connects the five principal elements of the design: the genealogy and Kingship of Christ represented by the Jesse tree; the vine of the Sacrament; the figures and images illustrating the themes of prophecy, temptation, forgiveness and service; the Celtic saints and the Gifts of the Spirit; the Fruit of the Spirit and the Advent Jesse. The interconnectedness of all of the elements within the design draws the viewer in to explore, read and understand the characters, their relationships and their stories. The underlying geometry expands across the window and beyond, reaching out to the congregation of St Mary s and to the wider community in its care.

3 The figures of the Jesse Window The direct line to Christ is represented by the figures in the central light, enclosed within vesicas, all seated and facing forward. At the top sits the Virgin Mary with the Christ child on her knee. They are shown to a larger scale than the other figures, recognising their greater importance. Beneath the Virgin and Child sits King Solomon, and below him his father David, King of a unified Israel. Flanking the figure of King David are Ruth, his great grandmother, to the left and Bathsheba, his wife, to the right. To the left and right of Solomon are Zadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet. Together, Zadok and Nathan anointed Solomon as King of an earthly realm. Zadok the Priest is shown holding the horn of anointing oil towards King Solomon, and set against the Tabernacle of Israel; Ruth is gleaning corn in the fields belonging to Boaz, her future husband. Zadok the Priest Ruth

4 The figures standing to left and right on the lower branches of the vine in the outer lights of the window are Adam and Abraham, representing the differing, but reconcilable, versions of Christ s lineage as recorded by Luke and Matthew. Adam is shown expelled from the Garden of Eden, with the apple and serpent, while Abraham is raising his eyes to God, with the knife and wood ready for the sacrifice of his son Isaac. Above Adam and Abraham stand the prophets Isaiah and Daniel. Finally, at the top of the outer lights stand Moses and Elijah. Adam Abraham

5 The seven Celtic saints In the centre of the window, around and above the figures of Virgin and Child, are roundels containing images representing aspects of the lives of seven significant Celtic saints, demonstrating the life of the Church in the world and symbolising the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit (fortitude, piety, understanding, knowledge, wisdom, counsel and fear of the Lord). In the lower central traceries is Saint David; to the left, from top to bottom are Gwenfrewi/Winifred, Beuno and Gildas; to the right from top to bottom are Teilo, Non and Padarn. Garlanding these saintly images are fruits representing the nine attributes of the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These attributes relate to the human spirit, just as the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are characteristics of the awaited Messiah. St Winifred is represented by the spring of Tre Ffynnon (Holywell); beheaded by the chieftain Caradog when she rejected his advances, the stream sprang from the place where Winifred s head fell. Winifred was Beuno s niece and a virgin martyr committed to the religious life: the Gift of Piety. St Winifred St Teilo St Teilo is represented as a winged dragon tied to a rock, from Teilo s legendary taming of such a dragon. Founder of many monasteries and husbandman, Teilo was renowned for his wisdom: the Gift of Wisdom.

6 The Advent Jesse The tracery lights contain images connected with the Advent Jesse; a symbolic narrative drawn from scripture, which spells out the twenty-five days of Advent leading to Christmas. The images are symbolic, in joyful anticipation of Christ s birth and as a visual aid to the coming of Christ for all visitors to St Mary s, children and adults alike.

7 In memoriam Canon Jeremy Winston At the base of the window depictions of medical herbs, planted in groups according to the conditions which they treat, link the window with the Monastic Garden outside the church. A sparrow flies upwards below the lowest branch of the right hand light in remembrance of the late Canon Jeremy Winston, who requested that Lord Hailsham s poem A Sparrow s Prayer be read at his funeral. Plantain, St Johns Wort, Comfrey and Calendula for wounds and skin healing Elecampane, Lungwort, Chamomile and Hyssop for coughs and colds