Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas
Chartres Cathedral, France
photos courtesy of Gordon Plumb
Chartres is said to have one of the most complete collections of medieval stained glass in the world. The glass escaped harm during the 16th century religious wars. During World War II it was safe-guarded by being removed and stored in the surrounding countryside. Following the war it was reinstalled. One of the large, tall windows on the north of the nave, bay 39, is devoted to the life and legends of Saint Nicholas. The glass dates from the early 13th century. The window is shown in sections, reversed, with links for the stories. The whole window may be seen below. The progression is shown from the bottom up, as that is the way a viewer would "read" the window. The cathedral has another large Saint Nicolas window from the same period.
Middle: Answer to Prayer: Birth of Nicholas Birth of Nicholas First Bath Top: Infant Nicholas fasting Bottom: Donors: spice merchants, apothecaries |
Bottom: Nicholas the Student
Middle: The Story of the Dowries Nicholas gives gold; Father thanks Nicholas Top: How Nicholas Became a Bishop |
 Famine Relief Nicholas asks for grain; Grain unloaded for Myra |
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Top: Consecration as Bishop Bottom: Fire Did Not Consume Middle: One Cup or Two Boy falls into sea; Boy returned to parents |
 The Evil Butcher Innkeeper lures students; Murders students |
Top: The Guardian Bottom: Hollow staff fraud Middle: The Deceitful Borrower Nicholas as guarantor; Cart reveals fraud |
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