“For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass.”

 

James 1:23

 

The Medieval Window

          Dawnay Chapel East

During the Reformation, figures of saints in windows were broken up and, although instructions were given not to destroy family arms and memorials, those involved often went further and destroyed everything. Such is the case in both the East and South windows of the Dawnay chapel where many armorial bearings were lost.

The altar in this chapel would have been underneath the East window. To the left of the window is a large stone bracket which almost certainly supported the image of a saint, no doubt a statue. The bracket bears the family arms (Dawnay impaling Rocliffe) of Sir John Dawnay who died in 1493.

Above and to the left of the window are fragments of armour, knightly insignia, and a mantrap, which were taken from the large tomb of Sir John Dawnay.

It can be difficult to see the armour due to the light coming in the East window. To get a better view, use your hand to shield the sunlight and things will become much clearer.

The armour includes a genuine helmet, handsomely engraved, of Italian manufacture; a pair of genuine spurs; a sword of wood, covered with leather; a gauntlet of wood; a helmet of wood, and a round shield with a baron’s coronet (probably that of the first Baron Dawnay of Cowick, 1796).

The memorabilia has, sadly, not been well looked after, and has suffered water damage on more than one occasion. It is the intention that it will be restored and placed in a place where it can be properly displayed at a future date.

Medieval glass in the East Window of the Dawnay Chapel