East window (c.1465-80), Church of St Peter & St Paul, East Harling, Norfolk.

Photo: Peter Hildebrand

Detail of east window (c.1465-80), Church of St Peter & St Paul, East Harling, Norfolk.

Photo: Peter Hildebrand

Church of St Peter & St Paul, East Harling, Norfolk

Address

Church of St Peter & St Paul, Church Road, East Harling, Norfolk NR16 2NB

Recommended by

Norfolk Stained Glass (10)

Highlight

East Window

Artist, maker and date

15th-century Norwich School of glassmakers

Reason for highlighting

Although there has been a church at East Harling since the 11th century it was largely rebuilt during the 15th century. The beautiful building we see today contains many medieval treasures not least of which is its East Window.

It is believed that the window was made over the period c.1465–c.1480. Accredited to the Norwich school of glassmakers, as a collection of glass it is second only to the East window of St Peter Mancroft (Norwich). According to David King many of the designs at the two locations are the same, in particular decorative motifs and painting styles are similar.

Other comments

The window has twice survived being destroyed. To escape the ravages of Cromwell’s troops, it was removed and hidden in the attic of East Harling Hall, the ancient home of the Lovell family. In 1736, when the manor was sold to Thomas Wright, the glass was returned to its original setting. It was again removed during the Second World War and replaced and releaded in 1947.

A summary of the 20 panels in the lower lights, including the 15 scenes showing the Joys and Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is here.

The tracery mostly consists of nineteenth century glass. The exceptions are the little red squirrel (c.1524-30) cracking a nut on the far left, which is from the arms of the Lovell family (Sir Thomas Lovell (d.1524) built East Harling Hall), and the angels from a Te Deum (c.1430-50) in the centre.

Further reading:
Norfolk Stained Glass – East Harling
Stories in Glass – A Guide to Medieval Stained Glass in Norfolk by David King (The Lutterworth Press, 2024)

Highlighted dates at this location

15th century (Go to date search)

All artists mentioned at this location

Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque glaziers