An Angel Presenting a Fallen Soldier to the Risen Christ

Photo © Martin Crampin, Imaging the Bible in Wales

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Two-light window. The risen Christ, carrying the cross, blesses a soldier presented by an angel.


Designer: Mary Lowndes

Church of St Mary, Spittal, Pembrokeshire
east wall of the chancel

Text: 'Greater Love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend'.

Plaques beneath the window, concealed behind the reredos, read 'In memory of Major John A. Higgon, Pembrokeshire Yeomanry late Royal Welch Fusiliers, attached Austalian Infantry. Killed in action at Fleurbaix, France, July 19th 1916. This window is erected by his wife Llurline.' The window was previously thought to have been given in memory of Archibald Bellairs Higgon, who was killed in action at Gallipoli, 9 September 1915. With thanks to Patricia Johnson for the correction.

The Higgon family had been domiciled at Scolton Manor in the parish for over 200 years. The composition seems to be a sustained meditation on Charles Wesley's hymn 'Let saints on earth in concert sing', as there are references to almost every verse in the depiction. Note also the Eucharistic imagery (pelican in her piety, chalice and host) and references to the Resurrection (the Agnus Dei and the rising sun behind the soldier, which is probably a portrait of Major Higgon).

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Record added by Martin Crampin, Additional contribution by John Morgan-Guy. Last updated on 21-11-2023

 

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• angels 
• carrying of the cross: Christ bearing the cross, alone or with the help of others  [Matthew 27:31-33; Mark 15:20-22; Luke 23:26-33; John 19:17]
• the soldier; the soldier's life 

Show more subjects

• lamb bearing cross or banner, 'Agnus Dei' - symbol of Christ 
• Pelican 
• Pelican in her Piety 
• sun as celestial body 
• the Eucharist - chalice bearing the Host 

Martin Crampin, Stained Glass from Welsh Churches (Talybont: Y Lolfa, 2014), p. 201.

Martin Crampin and John Morgan-Guy, Imaging the Bible in Wales (Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2010), The Victory of Good Over Evil: A Crown of Life.

Thomas Lloyd, Julian Orbach and Robert Scourfield, The Buildings of Wales: Pembrokeshire (New Haven/London: Yale University Press, 2004), p. 456-7.

Painton Cowen, A Guide to Stained Glass in Britain (London: Michael Joseph, 1985), p. 223.

Photo © Martin Crampin, Imaging the Bible in Wales

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