Chapter 13 / Rose Window (north) & Lancets

Chartres Cathedral / 13th century

This elaborate stained glass window reside in the Chartres Cathedral, 40 miles southwest of Paris. The cathedral includes three "rose windows", one (the north one) which will be talked about in detail in this post. They are called rose windows because of their circular formation and the arrangement of smaller windows in a rose like, circular formation. The construction of the cathedral lasted from around 1134 to 1220. The circular bit is referred to as the Rose Window while the five windows below are lancets.

In the center of the circular window, Mary is shown holding the baby Jesus. Surrounding her are images of doves and angels carrying candlesticks, showing that this is no typical mother and child, but one of heavenly nature. Next, the twelve major prophets circle them in diamond windows. Next, there are twelve quartrefoil windows showing lily's, which is a common symbol that Mary is often shown holding in the annunciation, indicating purity (since she was a virgin at the time of Jesus' birth). Also present are the signs of the french king and his mother, showing royal patronage for the window.

Below this circular window are five lancets. In order, they include King Melchizedek, King David, St. Anne with the young virgin, King Solomon, and Aaron. The middle window shows the virgin Mary as a child being held by her mother. Each of the Old Testament figures in the other four lancets are shown symbolically standing over enemies that they have defeated, for example, David stands over Saul, and Aaron stands over Pharaoh.

The amount of detail in the window is overwhelming and amazing. Each of the other rose windows also depict scenes through symbols, including the creation story and the last judgement. Since much of the population that would have spent time in the cathedral during the time of its construction in the 13th century would have been illiterate, it is important that the scenes in the bible are not only written down, but also read aloud, and heightened by the visual representation of scenes that the beautiful windows provide.