FAIRFORD WINDOWS
Reading edition
Are much admired, says the provincial historian of Glocestershire, for their excellent painted glass. There are twenty-eight large windows, which are curiously painted with the stories of the Old and New Testament: the middle windows in the choir, and on the west side of the church, are larger than the rest; those in the choir represent the history of our Saviour’s Crucifixion; the window at the west end represents Hell and Damnation; those on the side of the church, and over the body, represent the figures in length of the prophets, apostles, fathers, martyrs and confessors, and also the persecutors of the church. The painting was designed by Albert Durer, an eminent Italian Master: the colours are very lively, especially in the drapery: some of the figures are so well finished, that sir Anthony Vandyke affirmed that the pencil could not exceed them. This curious painting was preserved from zealous fury in the great rebellion, by turning the glass upside down.
John Tame, esq. founded this church in the year 1493. He was a merchant, and took a prize-ship bound for Rome, in which was this painted glass: he brought both the glass and workmen into England, built the church for the sake of the glass, and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary.
Atkyns’s Hist. of Glocestershire, p. 226. 1768. fol.
It is to be observed that the tradition of the famous Albert Durer having furnished the drawings will not, as Mr. Dallaway justly observes, bear the test of chronology; for he was not twenty years of age when these windows were put up; nor is it probable that he had then attained to such proficiency—to say nothing of the time necessary for the perfecting such works.
UPON FAIRFORD WINDOWS.
Tell me, you anti-saints, why brass With you is shorter lived than glass? And why the saints have scap’t their falls Better from windows than from walles? Is it, because the Brethrens fires Maintain a glass-house at Blackfryars? Next which the church stands North and South, And East and West the preacher’s mouth. Or is ’t, because such painted ware Resembles something that you are, Soe py’de, soe seeming, soe unsound In manners, and in doctrine, found, That, out of emblematick witt, You spare yourselves in sparing it? If it be soe, then, Faireford, boast Thy church hath kept what all have lost; And is preserved from the bane Of either warr, or puritane: Whose life is colour’d in thy paint, The inside drosse, the outside saint.