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Stained glass windows of Chartres Cathedral

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Life of Charlemagne (detail of bay 7)

The stained glass windows of Chartres Cathedral are held to be one of the best-preserved and most complete set of medieval stained glass, notably celebrated for their colours, especially their cobalt blue. They cover 2600 square metres in total and consist of 172 bays illustrating biblical scenes, the lives of the saints and scenes from the life of trade guilds of the period.

Some windows survive from an earlier Chartres Cathedral, such as the three lancets on the west front (1145–1155, contemporary with those made for Abbot Suger at the Basilica of Saint-Denis) and the lancet south of the choir known as 'Notre-Dame de la Belle Verrière', famed for its Chartres blue (1180). However, most of the windows were probably made between 1205 and 1240 for the present church, taking in the Fourth Crusade (bringing a large number of important relics to Chartres) and the Albigensian Crusade, as well as the reigns of Philip II Augustus (1180–1223) and Louis VIII (1223–1226), with the building's consecration finally occurring in 1260 under Louis IX (1226–1270).

Some of the windows were made later, such as those in the Vendôme Chapel (1400–1425) and some in the transepts (20th century), whilst some damaged 13th-century windows were restored from the 15th century onwards. The destruction of Reims Cathedral and its stained glass in 1914 caused shock across France and led to all Chartres' windows being taken out and stored throughout both world wars. Conservation and removal of pollution has been ongoing since 1972. Preliminary studies were carried out by the Laboratoire de recherche des monuments historiques [fr].

Why windows?

Plan of the windows

Since the late 10th century all churches across Europe had been built in a common Romanesque style, with thick walls supported by massive external buttresses and often with barrel vaulted naves. This limited the number of windows, leading to a play of light and shade which builders compensated for by adding internal frescoes in bright colours. In northern France buildings in this style would still be quite dark, with semi-circular arches not allowing large windows. The lateral forces on the walls were very important and higher vaults inevitably meant a thicker wall to support and reinforce them. By contrast, lancet windows and ogive crossings allowed the forces to be spread across multiple points, meaning the walls no longer had to support the structures' whole weight and could have far more openings for windows. Thus far more light was allowed into the structure for the glass-painters and their colours to work with, though nothing could now be seen of the exterior from the interior.

This architectural advance ran in parallel with theological developments in the 12th century, dominated by the clergy. Genesis 1.1-5 evoked darkness and light, as elaborated by Abbot Suger alongside his reasons for rebuilding the choir of the church at Saint-Denis Abbey. When his contemporaries assisting in the choir's consecration in 1144, they were astonished by the amount of light entering the building. In his "On the Construction of the Church of St Denis", Suger justified the bright side chapels "thanks to which the whole church shines with wondrous light, uninterrupted by sparkling windows which radiate their beauty into the interior". This new art (known at the time as Opus Francigenum and only named Gothic architecture in the 17th century) spread from the Kingdom of France right across Europe. To quote Louis Grodecki, it was in the Abbey Church of St Denis "that Gothic architecture first emerges as a consistent way of building, fruitful in its solutions of independent ogives, arcus singulariter voluti as the abbot called them. The works at St Denis also included the first-ever rose window in its west façade.

In around 827 Louis the Pious had given St Denis Abbey a Greek manuscript of the works of Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, which he had himself received from Michael II, Emperor of Byzantium. This manuscript and John Scotus Eriugena's interpretation of it was the origin for the whole mystical Free Spirit current in medieval theology, which strongly influenced Suger, an exact contemporary of Hugues de Saint-Victor, the most notable master in Paris at the time. He was comforted by his vision of the world, written in 1125 in his commentaries on Pseudo-Denis' Celestial Hierarchies. Georges Duby wrote "Hugues de Saint-Denis proclaimed that each sensed image is a sign or "sacrament" of invisible things, those things which the soul will discover when it is freed from its bodily envelope". He laid out three stages in this progression from the visible to the invisible:

  • Cogito: exploring the perceivable world by studying abstract thought
  • Meditatio: the soul looking upon itself introspectively
  • Contemplatio: intuition of truth

The first affirmation Suger made is work was "God is light", quoting from the First Epistle of John 1,5 ("The news that we have learned from him and are announcing to you is that God is light and that in him there is nothing of darkness"). He backed up this identification of God with light with other texts from the Old and New Testaments and argued that such a truth had to be made manifest in a cathedral, since in such a church a bishop taught his Christian flock, a foretaste of the heavenly Jerusalem described in Revelations 21, 11-14 ("Its lustre was like that of a most precious stone, of jaspar stone transparent like crystal"). Entering by the cathedral's west door and moving towards the choir and high altar to receive communion, the faithful had to be able to go through the different stages described by Hugues de Saint-Victor.

Using the language of colour and changing harmonies according to the time of day, the stained glass windows formed a doxological liturgy, a canticle whose words were the images, a metaphor first used by Pope Honorius III in his 1219 letter to Stephen Langton - "That the happy church at Canterbury may thus sing a new song to the Lord". Stained glass windows were also linked with theological questions about baptism and the eucharist, two sacraments violently affected by heresies but firmly doctrinally defended by Eudes de Sully and the Fourth Lateran Council. Augustine of Hippo's City of God had already written that heretics would escape eternal damnation if they had received baptism and communion. Sacraments were often at the centre of stained glass windows, such as the windows on the lives of St Martin, St Paul and St Sylvester at Chartres, the third of these showing that saint's baptism of Constantine the Great. The Chartres windows on the lives of the Apostles also showed them baptising new disciples. However, such windows could only obliquely refer to the fierce debates about the problem of real presence and the moment of transubstantiation - the central medallions of the Chartres windows on the life of St Lubin (bay 45) show the stages in the wine's transformation into the blood of Christ. Other windows referred to other rites under debate in the late 12th century - confession, the hierarchy of church power, marriage, extreme unction, finding relics and translating relics.

Some windows referred to political theology such as the status of princes and kings and the balance of temporal and spiritual power. At a time when the kings of France were defending their hereditary right to rule, Chartres' windows of the Tree of Jesse showed the continuous line from the Kings of Judah to Christ via the Virgin Mary, whilst the windows on the life of Thomas Becket showed the recent clash in England between temporal and spiritual power. The windows on the life of St Sylvester were placed symmetrically with those on the life of Charlemagne - the former show Constantine as a bloodthirsty tyrant who later summoned St Sylvester to hear his repentance and heal him of leprosy, hearing his preaching and submitting to him after baptism, whilst those of Charlemagne show a royal figure that the Church could support (indeed, one that had been canonised on 29 December 1165 by Antipope Paschal III, though that canonisation was not recognised by the mainstream Church). These windows were probably chosen by Reginald of Bar, Bishop of Chartres and cousin of Philip II Augustus, who portrayed himself as the new Charlemagne, taking up the theme Suger had chosen for Saint-Denis to flatter Louis VI of France.

Schemes

The windows as an ensemble

Understanding and interpreting the windows can be difficult in an era out of contact with medieval theology, teachings and sermons commenting on the Gothic cathedrals' stained glass windows. However, the presence of the famous 12th-century School of Chartres suggests that the precise placing of the windows had meaning for their designers. As taken up in the design of other Gothic churches, Suger's arguments showed how all four senses of scripture were present:

  1. Literal (the product of linguistic understanding of the statement)
  2. Allegorical or typological (stating one thing by saying another)
  3. Tropological or Moral (stages that the human spirit had to go through in order to ascend towards God; concerning the present)
  4. Anagogic (giving an idea of final realities which would become visible at the end of time; concerning the future)

The windows can be grouped in several different ways. One is between the lower levels with their narrative windows on the lives of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, the saints and the prophets, and the upper level with saints, major figures and prophets, showing the glory of the Christian Church. The narrative windows generally read from bottom to top and left to right, making connections between scenes, though the window of the Typological Passion (bay 37) is read from top to bottom. The scenes in a single window can be grouped together in squares, four-leaf flowers or lobes.

Another is reading from east (site of sunrise and reminiscent of Genesis 1) to west (site of sunset, reminiscent of Christ's death and resurrection as well as the Last Judgement) and north (with its scenes from the Bible and Christ's life) to south (announcing redemption and the Kingdom of God after Christ's second coming), two readings which can be combined across the cruciform plan of the cathedral. A rose window of the Last Judgement is placed above the main west door, whilst the north one centred on the Madonna and Child recalls the Incarnation leading to Redemption and the south one of Christ Triumphant surrounded by the 24 Elders of the Apocalypse announces Christ's second coming and the Kingdom of God.

Another interpretation divides the windows by their location in the nave, transepts and choir, with each of the three linked to a period in the history of revelation. This is more difficult to do at Chartres than in other churches. However, at this period Chartres Cathedral had hundreds of relics, not only the Virgin Mary's veil but also relics of Saints, Peter, Thomas, Catherine, Margaret and others - as it was impossible to show them all to the public the windows became a reminder of the diocese's relic collection for the faithful and pilgrims.

Technique and workshops

Window glass had been made in France since the 5th century, with the oldest surviving figured glass from the country being the Wissembourg Christ. Recent restoration of the windows at Chartres has questioned Louis Grodecki's assertions that they were produced by two main workshops, one making the Good Samaritan window and the other making the Life of St Lubin window.

Stylistic analysis has revealed up to five different glass-painters who worked on the Good Samaritan window, including secondary glass-painters and a principal glass-painter, though it has also shown that a secondary glass-painter on one window might be a master glass-painter on another. This emphasis on individuals not workshops can be seen more clearly in 14th century stained glass and was probably to increase the speed of production.

Analysis of the glasses has shown they were originally the same colour and corroded identically, meaning that all the glass-painters used the same glass. The one exception is the Life of Saint Eustace window, whose glass has a different colour and has corroded differently, giving credence to Grodecki's conclusion that it was produced by an outside artist commissioned by the cathedral and bringing his own stock of glass with him.

The monk Theophilus Presbyter described glass-production in minute detail early in the 12th century in his treatise Schedula diversum artium - the glass-painter was to trace the composition of a window on a panel of bleached wood, before cutting the glass sections on it and finally painting and assembling them.

  • Bay 44 Parable of the Good Samaritan Bay 44
    Parable of the Good Samaritan
  • Bay 45 Life of Saint Lubin Bay 45
    Life of Saint Lubin
  • Bay 43 Life of Saint Eustace Bay 43
    Life of Saint Eustace

Bay numbering

Plan of the bays

The bays' numbers were set in the Corpus vitrearum, running from 0 to 99 on the lower level, starting at the chevet and going as far as the nave facade. 0 is the bay on the axis of the apse or the axis of the chapel. The odd numbers are bays on the north side and the even numbers the bays on the south side. The upper level windows run from 100 to 199 on the same principals - bay 100 is the bay on the axis of the choir.

The best view of the lower windows' details is from the aisle and ambulatory. Starting at the centre of the nave in front of the west rose window, the windows are described in an anti-clockwise circuit, running through the south side of the nave, the south transept, the ambulatory, the north transept and finally the north side of the nave.

The upper windows are best seen from the opposite side of the aisle to the window viewed, but as they are taller than the lower windows they are harder to view. The circuit is clockwise, from the north side of the nave, the south transept, the choir, the apse, the north transept and finally the south side of the nave. Those in the nave and transepts are made up of two lancets and an eight-lobe rose window, whilst those in the choir are made up of two facing lancets below a rose and those in the apse are made up of single lancets. One has to cross the choir to see the windows behind the high altar.

Rose windows

West

This consists of three lancets (bays 49–51) below a large rose-window (141), the latter formed of a 12-lobe eye and 12 sections each made up of 2 medallions, along with twelve smaller circles separated by quatrefoils. Together they form a large Christological canvas devoted to the Incarnation of the Logos as Jesus Christ, running from his Old Testament human roots (the Tree of Jesse), through his incarnation (nativity) and sacrifice (Passion), ending with redemption for those who have faith in him (the Last Judgement in the main west rose window).

The three lancets date to the mid 12th century, making them the oldest stained-glass in the cathedral. This section of the cathedral was built after a fire in 1135 and is the only part to survive the 1195 fire. The central lancet shows Christ's nativity and life and is flanked by two slightly smaller lancets of his Passion and his human and Davidic roots with a Tree of Jesse, the earliest surviving representation of this motif in stained glass, dating to 1145. It post-dates Suger's Stirps Jessein the stained glass of the chevet of Saint-Denis, named after the first words of the responsorial hymn by Fulbert of Chartres for the Feast of the Virgin Mary., but the latter has been heavily restored.

The rose window was made sixty years later, in 1215, after the 1195 fire, with the new cathedral's nave higher. Its centre shows Christ the Judge showing his windows, angels and the four beasts from the Book of Revelation. Above are Abraham and the Elect, whilst below are souls being weighed and the twelve apostles.

Rose window - The Last Judgement.

Bay 51 - Vitrail de la Passion.

Bay 50 - Nativity and Life of Christ.

Bay 49 - Tree of Jesse.

Click on images to enlarge

South (bay 122)

Offered by the Dreux Bretagne family, which included Pierre Mauclerc, it was made between 1221 and 1230. It is made up of five lancets below a large rose window formed of a twelve-lobe eye, then twelve sections made up of medallions, then twelve circles, then twelve quatrefoils and finally twelve semi-circles bearing medallions

Bay number Name Donors Dates Base Palissy Wikimedia Commons
122 Dreux Bretagne Family Window Pierre Mauclerc, Alix de Thouars 1221-1230 Base Palissy: PM28000814, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 122 at Wikimedia Commons

Lancets

The central lancet shows the Madonna holding the Christ Child in her arms, flanked symmetrically by the four evangelists (left to right Luke, Matthew, John and Mark) sitting on the shoulders of the major Old Testament prophets (left to right Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel and Daniel), recalling a famous image by Bernard of Chartres, master and chancellor of the School of Chartres, handed down by John of Salisbury in colophon 400 of his Metalogicon - "Bernard of Chartres said that we are like dwarves perched on the shoulders of giants, and we can see better and further than them not because our sight is more piercing or our size is larger, but because we are raised into the air and carried up into the air thanks to their gigantic height".

Below the Virgin Mary are figures of Pierre of Dreux or Pierre Mauclerc and Alix of Thouars, along with the coats of arms of the counts of Dreux on the left (to the left below Jeremiah) and representations their daughter Yolande of Brittany (below Ezekiel) and their eldest son Jean le Roux (born in 1217).

Rose window

This illustrates the first vision in the Book of Revelation (4, 1-11) of a figure with a face of jaspar and sardonyx sitting on throne in heaven, surrounded by a rainbow like emerald, twenty-four elders in white robes and golden crowns and four living creatures, with seven lamps before the throne. At the window's centre is Christ in Majesty, whilst running clockwise from bottom left the first circle shows the four living creatures of a lion, a bull, a man and an eagle, also seen as symbols of the Four Evangelists. The other windows show censing angels. The next two circles show the twenty-four elders, with quatrefoils with the Dreux family coat of arms between these two circles.

  • Bay 122 Rose window and lancets of the south transept Bay 122
    Rose window and lancets of the south transept
  • Bay 122, lancet Alix of Touars Bay 122, lancet
    Alix of Touars
  • Bay 122, lancet Pierre Mauclerc Bay 122, lancet
    Pierre Mauclerc
  • Bay 122 Lancets of the main facade of the south transept Bay 122
    Lancets of the main facade of the south transept

North (Bay 121)

It is also known as the "House of France Window", since it was funded by Louis IX of France and his mother Blanche of Castile in 1230. It is made up of five lancets below a large rose window, whose lower corners are framed on each side by four small lancets. The rose is made up of a twelve-lobe central eye, then twelve medallion sections, then twelve square, then twelve quatrefoils and finally twelve semi-circular medallions.

Bay Number Name Donors Dates Base Palissy Wikimedia Commons
121 House of France Window Saint Louis and Blanche of Castile 1230 Base Palissy: IM28000460, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 121 at Wikimedia Commons

Lancets

The leftmost lancet shows the king-priest Melchizedek above Nebuchadnezzar, the latter adoring an idol. The next lancet shows King David holding a harp above Saul throwing himself on his own sword, the latter symbolising the sin of anger, whilst the following lancet shows the Virgin Mary in the arms of Saint Anne, with the French royal coat of arms below. The fourth lancet shows King Solomon above Jeroboam, the latter adoring a golden calf, whilst the final lancet shows the high priest Aaron above Pharaoh and his army drowning in the Red Sea.

Rose

At the centre is a Madonna and Child, surrounded by concentric circles. The inner one shows four doves (symbolising the gifts of the Holy Spirit), censing angels, candle-bearing angels and cherubim. The second circle is made of lozenges showing the lineage of the Kings of Judah from the Gospel of Matthew. The third and final circle shows the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament. Between the second and third circles are quatrefoils with the coat of arms of the kingdom of France.

  • Bay 121 North transept facade Bay 121
    North transept facade
  • Bay 121 Rose (detail) Bay 121
    Rose (detail)
  • Bay 121 Rose Bay 121
    Rose
  • Bay 121, lancet Solomon Bay 121, lancet
    Solomon

Lower windows

There are 52 lower windows (0 to 51). At the north and south ends of the ambulatory, six of them are made up of two lancets each under a rose window, bringing the total number of windows up to 64.

Story windows

Unlike the upper windows showing large full-length images of major figures, the lower windows are meant to be seen close-up. Made up of successive panels, generally reading bottom to top and left to right, they show narratives from the Bible, the apocrypha and lives of the saints, many also appearing in the Golden Legend, written fifty years after the windows were made. They are sometimes known as "legendaries" ("légendaires" in French), meaning "things which must be read". They formed a true visual catechism and preachers would instruct pilgrims to look at these illustrations.

South of the nave

  • Nave - south side
  • Bay 38 Miracles of Our Lady Bay 38
    Miracles of Our Lady
  • Bay 40 Vendôme Chapel Bay 40
    Vendôme Chapel
  • Bay 42 Death, Burial and Assumption of the Virgin Bay 42
    Death, Burial and Assumption of the Virgin
  • Bay 44 Parable of the Good Samaritan Bay 44
    Parable of the Good Samaritan
  • Bay 46 Life of St Mary Magdalene Bay 46
    Life of St Mary Magdalene
  • Bay 48 St John the Evangelist Window Bay 48
    St John the Evangelist Window
48 - Life of St John the Evangelist

Draws on the 2nd century traditional legends on the saint's miracles and death, later compiled into Jacobus de Voragine's Golden Legend. Armourers guild, 1205–1215.

46 - Life of St Mary Magdalene

Combines tales of Mary Magdalene's preaching, the evangelisation of Provence and the legend of her death. Water-carriers guild, 1205–1215.

44 - Parable of the Good Samaritan

Placed in parallel with the Fall from the Book of Genesis. Shoemakers guild, 1205–1215.

42 - Death and Assumption of the Virgin

Shows the apostles at the Death, the miracles associated with his burial and her Assumption. Shoemakers guild, 1205–1215.

40 - Vendôme Family

In the 15th century Flamboyant Gothic style in contrast to the 13th-century Primitive Gothic of the rest of the nave, the bay shows (left to right) the donor, his sister, their father and the donor's brother, kneeling with their spouses. The tympanum is a Last Judgement scene.

Donor Louis, Count of Vendôme, 1417.

38 - Miracles of Our Lady

Shows pilgrimage to Chartres, the cathedral's construction and some of the miracles of Our Lady of Chartres. The lower circle underlines the appeal to the pilgrims' generosity to fund the project. Butchers guild, 1205–1215.

South transept

The south transept is made up of three bays, each consisting of a lancet. Two face west and one east due to the presence of the double ambulatory.

Funded by American architects, bay 32 dates to 1954, whilst bay 34 is made up of late 15th and early 16th century fragments and bay 36 is 12th–13th century but is not in its original position.

  • South Transept Windows
  • Bay 32 Life of Saint Fulbert Bay 32
    Life of Saint Fulbert
  • Bay 34 Fragments of a Resurrection of Lazarus, grisaille Bay 34
    Fragments of a Resurrection of Lazarus, grisaille
  • Bay 36 Life of Saint Apollinarius Bay 36
    Life of Saint Apollinarius
Bay Title Donors Dates Base Palissy Wikimedia Commons
36 Life of Saint Apollinarius Thierry, a canon 1205-1215
1328 panels added to base,
heavily restored by Gaudin in 1908, then by others in 1909		 Base Palissy: PM28000810, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)
Base Palissy: IM28000468, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)		 Media related to Bay 36 at Wikimedia Commons
34 Fragments of a Resurrection of Lazarus
Grisaille with a border of crowns and fleurs de lys		 "Donated around 1840 by Monsieur Dugué
, a landowner at Mainvilliers who had acquired the window in Paris" (translation of an inscription on the window		 Late 15th or early 16th century
1924 grisaille by C. Lorin		 Base Palissy: PM28000807, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)
Base Palissy: IM28000466, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)		 Media related to Bay 34 at Wikimedia Commons
32 Life of Saint Fulbert American architects 1954, designed by F. Lorin Base Palissy: PM28000807, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 32 at Wikimedia Commons

Ambulatory

South ambulatory (30-26)

Chartres' windows are celebrated for their cobalt blue, known as "Chartres blue" or "Romanesque blue", which first emerged in the workshops at Saint-Denis Basilica in the 1140s and was also used at Le Mans Cathedral. With a sodium base coloured with cobalt, it is the more resistant than reds and greens of the same era.

"Notre-Dame de la Belle-Verrière", one of 75 representations of the Virgin Mary in Chartres Cathedral, owes its fame to this exceptional cobalt blue. It was almost lost in the 1194 fire, with only its central panel of the Madonna and Child and the three windows over the main door surviving.

  • South Ambulatory
  • Bay 26 Annunciation Bay 26
    Annunciation
  • Bay 28 Zodiac and Life of the Virgin Bay 28
    Zodiac and Life of the Virgin
  • Bay 30 Notre-Dame de la Belle-Verrière and Lives of Saint Anthony and Saint Paul Bay 30
    Notre-Dame de la Belle-Verrière and Lives of Saint Anthony and Saint Paul
  • Bay 30 Notre-Dame de la Belle Verrière, detail Bay 30
    Notre-Dame de la Belle Verrière, detail
South Ambulatory
30 2 lancets
Left: Notre-Dame de la Belle-Verrière
Right: Life of Saint Anthony and Saint Paul
Oculus: Nursing Virgin		 -
Les poissonniers
1180
1215–1220
Restored in the 20th century by Gaudin and Michel Petit		 Base Palissy: IM28000465, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 30 (left) at Wikimedia Commons
Media related to Bay 30 (right) at Wikimedia Commons
28 2 lancettes
À gauche: Zodiaque et Travaux des mois
A droite: Vie de la Vierge
Oculus: Christ bénissant, Alpha et Omega		 Theobald VI, count of Chartres
Les vignerons		 1217–1220
Restored in the 20th century by Gaudin and Jean Mauret		 Base Palissy: IM28000515, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Zodiac at Wikimedia Commons
Media related to Bay 28 (right) at Wikimedia Commons
26 Verrière de l'Annonciation:
2 lancettes en grisaille
Oculus: le Christ bénissant et trônant		 - 13th century
Restored in the 20th century by C. Lorin and Gaudin		 Base Palissy: PM28000821, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 26 at Wikimedia Commons

All Saints Chapel (24-20)

  • All Saints' Chapel
  • All Saints Chapel Bays 20, 22 and 24 (left to right) All Saints Chapel
    Bays 20, 22 and 24 (left to right)
Bay Location or title Donors Dates Base Palissy Wikimedia Commons
All Saints Chapel Media related to All Saints Chapel at Wikimedia Commons
24 Grisaille - 16th century with 13th century elements
Heavily restored in 1961 by Lorin		 Base Palissy: PM28000820, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 24 at Wikimedia Commons
22 Grisaille - 16th century with 13th century elements
Heavily restored in 1961 by Lorin		 Base Palissy: PM28000820, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 22 at Wikimedia Commons
20 Life of Saint Martin Curriers 1215–1225 Base Palissy: IM28000392, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 20 at Wikimedia Commons

Confessors' Chapel (18-10)

  • Confessors' Chapel
  • Bays 10 and 12 Grisaille and Saint Remigius Bays 10 and 12
    Grisaille and Saint Remigius
  • Bay 12 Saint Remigius Bay 12
    Saint Remigius
  • Bay 14 Saint Nicholas Bay 14
    Saint Nicholas
  • Bay 16 Saint Margaret and Saint Catherine Bay 16
    Saint Margaret and Saint Catherine
  • Bay 18 Saint Thomas Becket Bay 18
    Saint Thomas Becket
Bay Location or title Donors Dates Base Palissy Wikimedia Commons
Confessors' Chapel
(apsidal or radiating chapel)		 Media related to Confessors' Chapel at Wikimedia Commons
18 Life of Saint Thomas Becket Tanners 1215–1225
Restored by Gaudin in 1921,
restored again by Lorin in 1996		 Base Palissy: IM28000393, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 18 at Wikimedia Commons
16 Life of Saint Margaret
Life of Saint Catherine		 - 1210–1225 Base Palissy: PM28000818, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 16 at Wikimedia Commons
14 Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas - 1215–1225
5 lower panels destroyed in 1791,
replaced by Lorin in 1924		 Base Palissy: IM28000470, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 14 at Wikimedia Commons
12 Life of Saint Remigius -
1210–1225		 Base Palissy: PM28000818, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 12 at Wikimedia Commons
10 Grisaille - 13th century
Restored in 1417 by Jean Périer
with addition of Saint Nicholas Resurrecting Three Children		 Base Palissy: IM28000518, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 10 at Wikimedia Commons

Entrance to the Saint Piatus Chapel (8-6)

  • Entrance to the Saint Piatus Chapel
  • Bays 6 and 8 Entrance to the Saint Piatus Chapel Bays 6 and 8
    Entrance to the Saint Piatus Chapel
  • Bay 6 Grisaille: Saint Piatus Holding a Book, standing on a plinth and under a canopy Bay 6
    Grisaille: Saint Piatus Holding a Book, standing on a plinth and under a canopy
  • Bay 8 Saint-Sylvester Bay 8
    Saint-Sylvester
Bay Location or title Donors Dates Base Palissy Wikimedia Commons
8 Life of Saint Sylvester Masons and stone-cutters 1210–1225
Restored by Gaudin in 1921,
restored again in 1999		 Base Palissy: IM28000519, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 8 at Wikimedia Commons
6 Grisaille: saint Piatus John II of France 1350–1360
Restored by Gaudin in 1921		 Base Palissy: PM28000819, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 6 at Wikimedia Commons

Chapel of the Apostles (4-3)

  • Chapel of the Apostles
  • Bays 1, 0, and 2 Bays 1, 0, and 2
  • Bay 3 Grisaille Bay 3
    Grisaille
  • Bay 1 Saint Simon and Saint Jude Bay 1
    Saint Simon and Saint Jude
  • Bay 0 Lives of the Apostles Bay 0
    Lives of the Apostles
  • Bay 1 Lives of Saint Simon and Saint Jude Bay 1
    Lives of Saint Simon and Saint Jude
Bay Title Donors Dates Base Palissy Wikimedia Commons
4 Life of Saint Paul - 1210–1225
Restored in 1872 by Coffetier, restored again in 1999		 Base Palissy: IM28000517, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 4 at Wikimedia Commons
2 Life of Saint Andrew - 1210–1225
Restored in 1872 by Coffetier,
restored again in 1998–1999 by Petit		 Base Palissy: IM28000398, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 2 at Wikimedia Commons
0 Histoire des Apôtres Bakers 1210–1225
Restored in 1872 by Coffetier,
restored again in 1921 by Lorin,
restored again in 1994–1995		 Base Palissy: IM28000390, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 0 at Wikimedia Commons
1 Lives of Saint Simon and Saint Jude Henri Noblet, canon 1220–1225
Restored in 1921 by Lorin,
restored again in 2000–2001 by Petit		 Base Palissy: IM28000399, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 1 at Wikimedia Commons
3 Grisaille - 13th century
Restored in the 20th century by C. Lorin and Gaudin		 Base Palissy: PM28000821, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)

The chapel at the east end of most cathedrals is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and thus known as a Lady Chapel, but Chartres Cathedral is itself dedicated to the Virgin Mary and so its east-end chapel is dedicated to the apostles and their evangelisation. It was in this chapel that Pope Innocent III launched the Albigensian Crusade in 1208, mentioning the mission of the apostles and underlining that bishops were their successors.

Side Chapel (5-7)

  • Side Chapel (Bays 5 and 7)
  • Bays 7 and 5 Bays 7 and 5
  • Bay 7 Charlemagne Bay 7
    Charlemagne
  • Bay 5 Saint James the Great Bay 5
    Saint James the Great
Bay Location or title Donors Dates Base Palissy Wikimedia Commons
Side Chapel
(bays 5 and 7)
5 Life of Saint James the Great Furriers and drapers 1210–1225
Restored in 1921 by Lorin,
restored again in 1994-1995 by the Avice-France Vitrail workshop		 Base Palissy: IM28000391, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 5 at Wikimedia Commons
7 Life of Charlemagne Furriers 1225
Restored by Lorin in 1921, restored again in 1999		 Base Palissy: IM28000516, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 7 at Wikimedia Commons

Martyrs' Chapel (9-17)

  • Martyrs' Chapel
  • Martyrs' Chapel Bays 15, 13, & 11 Martyrs' Chapel
    Bays 15, 13, & 11
  • Life of Saint Stephen Bay 13 Life of Saint Stephen
    Bay 13
Bay Location or title Donors Dates Base Palissy Wikimedia Commons
Martyrs' Chapel
(apsidal or radiating chapel)		 Media related to Martyrs' Chapel at Wikimedia Commons
9 Life of Saint Theodore and Saint Vincent - 1210–1225 Base Palissy: PM28000818, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 9 at Wikimedia Commons
11 Life of Saint Pantaleon Nicolas Li (or Le) Sesne 1220–1225
Restored in 1921 by Lorin,
restored again in 2000-2001 by Avice-France Vitrail		 Base Palissy: IM28000396, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 11 at Wikimedia Commons
13 Life of Saint Stephen Shoemakers 1220–1225
Restored in the 15th century (lower border suppressed),
restored again in 1922 by Lorin,
restored again in 1999-2000 by Avice-France Vitrail		 Base Palissy: IM28000394, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 13 at Wikimedia Commons
15 Life of Saint Chéron Stone-cutters and sculptors 1220–1225
Restored in the 17th century,
one panel restored in 1915,
whole bay restored in 1922 by Lorin
and again in 1998-1999 by Petit		 Base Palissy: IM28000395, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 15 at Wikimedia Commons
17 Life of Saint Savinian
and Saint Potentian		 - 1210–1225 Base Palissy: PM28000818, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 17 at Wikimedia Commons

Side-chapel (19-23)

  • Side-Chapel (Bays 19, 21 and 23)
  • Side Chapel: Bays 23, 21 and 19 (left to right) Side Chapel:
    Bays 23, 21 and 19 (left to right)
  • Bay 23 Life of Saint Thomas the Apostle Bay 23
    Life of Saint Thomas the Apostle
Bay Location or title Donors Dates Base Palissy Wikimedia Commons
19 Grisaille - circa 1240
Restored in the 20th century by C.Lorin and Gaudin		 Base Palissy: PM28000821, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 19 at Wikimedia Commons
21 Life of Saint Julian the Hospitaller - 1210-1225
Restored late 19th century-early 20th century by Lorin and Gaudin		 Base Palissy: PM28000818, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 21 at Wikimedia Commons
23 Life of Saint Thomas the Apostle - 1210–1240
Restored late 19th century-early 20th century by Lorin and Gaudin		 Base Palissy: PM28000818, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 23 at Wikimedia Commons

North Ambulatory (25-29)

  • North Ambulatory
  • Our Lady of the Pillar Chapel Bay 29 Our Lady of the Pillar Chapel
    Bay 29
  • Bay 25 Decorative grisaille Bay 25
    Decorative grisaille
Bay Site or name Donors Dates Base Palissy Wikimedia Commons
25 2 grisaille lancets below
an oculus of Christ Enthroned Blessing		 - 1230–1250
Restored early in the 20th century by C. Lorin and Gaudin		 Base Palissy: PM28000821, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 25 at Wikimedia Commons
27 2 grisaille lancets below
an oculus of Christ Enthroned Blessing		 - 1230–1250
Restored early in the 20th century by C. Lorin and Gaudin		 Base Palissy: PM28000821, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 27 at Wikimedia Commons
Our Lady of the Pillar Chapel Media related to Our Lady of the Pillar Chapel at Wikimedia Commons
29 2 lancets
Left: Life of Saint Germanus of Auxerre
Right: Miracles of Saint Nicolas
Oculus: Christ Blessing with a tetramorph.		 Le chanoine Geoffroy Chardonel
Étienne Chardonel, canon		 1225–1235
Both lancets restored in 1919 by Lorin,
left lancet restored in 1925,
whole bay restored in 1999 by Avice-France Vitrail (Le Mans)		 Base Palissy: IM28000521, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 29 at Wikimedia Commons

North transept

In the north part of the transepts bay 31 dates from 1971 and bay 33 includes fragments of 12th- and 13th-century panels remounted with modern elements in 1964.

  • North Transept
  • Bay 35 Parable of the Prodigal Son Bay 35
    Parable of the Prodigal Son
  • Bay 31 Reconciliation between God and Humanity Bay 31
    Reconciliation between God and Humanity
Bay Name Donors Dates Base Palissy Wikimedia Commons
31 Window symbolising reconciliation
between God and humanity		 Association allemande
des Amis de la cathédrale de Chartres		 1971
Lorin workshop		 Base Palissy: PM28000807, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 31 at Wikimedia Commons
33 Vegetal decoration - 12th- and 13th-century fragments
incorporated into a new
window by F. Lorin in 1964		 Base Palissy: PM28000807, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 33 at Wikimedia Commons
35 Parable of the Prodigal Son - 1205–1215
Restored by Lorin in 1923,
restored again in the 1980s		 Base Palissy: IM28000467, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 35 at Wikimedia Commons

North of the nave

Unlike the other windows, those on the Passion and Redemption (bay 37) read top to bottom.

  • North Side of the Nave: Bays 47, 41, 39 and 37
  • Bay 47 Life of Noah Bay 47
    Life of Noah
  • Bay 41 Life of Joseph Bay 41
    Life of Joseph
  • Bay 39 Life and Miracles of Saint Nicolas Bay 39
    Life and Miracles of Saint Nicolas
  • Bay 37 Typological Passion (Descent from the Cross) Bay 37
    Typological Passion
    (Descent from the Cross)
Bay Name Donors Dates Base Palissy Wikimedia Commons
37 Passion and Redemption Master farriers 1205–1215
7 panels destroyed in 1816; restored by Lorin in 1876,
restored in the 1980s		 Base Palissy: IM28000464, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 37 at Wikimedia Commons
39 Life and Miracles
of Saint Nicolas		 Apothecaries 1220–1225
Restored by Gaudin in 1924,
restored again in the 1980s		 Base Palissy: IM28000463, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 39 at Wikimedia Commons
41 Life of Joseph Money-changers 1205–1215
Restored by Gaudin in 1924,
restored again in the 1980s		 Base Palissy: IM28000476, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 41 at Wikimedia Commons
43 Life of Saint Eustache Drapers and furriers 1210
Restored by Gaudin in 1924,
restored again in the 1980s		 Base Palissy: IM28000475, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 43 at Wikimedia Commons
45 Life of Saint Lubin Wine merchants 1205–1215
Restored by Gaudin in 1924,
restored again in the 1980s		 Base Palissy: IM28000474, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 45 at Wikimedia Commons
47 Life of Noah Carpenters, wheelwrights and coopers 1205–1215
Restored by Gaudin in 1924,
restored again in the 1980s		 Base Palissy: IM28000473, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 47 at Wikimedia Commons
  • Details of Bays 37, 41, 43 and 45
  • Bay 37 Typological Passion (Descent from the Cross) Bay 37
    Typological Passion
    (Descent from the Cross)
  • Bay 41 Life of Joseph Bay 41
    Life of Joseph
  • Bay 43 Life of Saint Eustace Bay 43
    Life of Saint Eustace
  • Bay 45 Life of Saint Lubin Bay 45
    Life of Saint Lubin

"Lives" windows

Bay Name Donors Dates Base Palissy Wikimedia Commons
0 Lives of the Apostles Bakers 1210–1225 Base Palissy: IM28000390, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 0 at Wikimedia Commons
1 Lives of Saint Simon and Saint Jude Henri Noblet, a canon 1220–1225 Base Palissy: IM28000399, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 1 at Wikimedia Commons
2 Life of Saint Andrew - 1210–1225 Base Palissy: IM28000398, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 2 at Wikimedia Commons
3 Grisaille - 13th century Base Palissy: PM28000821, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 3 at Wikimedia Commons
4 Life of Saint Paul - 1210–1225 Base Palissy: IM28000517, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 4 at Wikimedia Commons
5 Life of Saint James the Great Furriers and drapers 1210–1225 Base Palissy: IM28000391, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 5 at Wikimedia Commons
6 Grisaille: Saint Piat John II of France 1350–1360 Base Palissy: PM28000819, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 6 at Wikimedia Commons
7 Life of Charlemagne Furriers 1225 Base Palissy: IM28000516, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 7 at Wikimedia Commons
8 Life of Saint Sylvester Masons and stone-cutters 1210–1225 Base Palissy: IM28000519, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 8 at Wikimedia Commons
9 Lives of Saint Theodore and Saint Vincent - 1210–1225 Base Palissy: PM28000818, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 9 at Wikimedia Commons
10 Grisaille - 13th century – 1417 Base Palissy: IM28000518, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 10 at Wikimedia Commons
11 Life of Saint Pantaleon Nicolas Li (or Le) Sesne 1220–1225 Base Palissy: IM28000396, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 11 at Wikimedia Commons
12 Life of Saint Remy - 1210–1225 Base Palissy: PM28000818, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 12 at Wikimedia Commons
13 Histoire de saint Étienne Shoemakers 1220–1225 Base Palissy: IM28000394, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 13 at Wikimedia Commons
14 Life and Miracles of Saint Nicolas - 1215–1225 Base Palissy: IM28000470, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 14 at Wikimedia Commons
15 Life of Saint Chéron Sculptors and stone cutters 1220–1225 Base Palissy: IM28000395, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 15 at Wikimedia Commons
16 Lives of Saint Margaret and Saint Catherine - 1210–1225 Base Palissy: PM28000818, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 16 at Wikimedia Commons
17 Lives of Saint Savinian et Potentian - 1210–1225 Base Palissy: PM28000818, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 17 at Wikimedia Commons
18 Life of Saint Thomas Becket Tanners 1215–1225 Base Palissy: IM28000393, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 18 at Wikimedia Commons
19 Grisaille - c. 1240 Base Palissy: PM28000821, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 19 at Wikimedia Commons
20 Life of Saint Martin Curlers 1215–1225 Base Palissy: IM28000392, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 20 at Wikimedia Commons
21 Life of Saint Julian the Hospitaller - 1210–1225 Base Palissy: PM28000818, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 21 at Wikimedia Commons
22 Grisaille - 16th century Base Palissy: PM28000820, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 22 at Wikimedia Commons
23 Life of Saint Thomas the Apostle - 1210–1240 Base Palissy: PM28000818, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 23 at Wikimedia Commons
24 Grisaille - 16th century Base Palissy: PM28000820, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 24 at Wikimedia Commons
25 2 lancets in grisaille below
an oculus of Enthroned Christ Blessing		 - 1230–1250 Base Palissy: PM28000821, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 25 at Wikimedia Commons
26 Window of the Annunciation
Oculus: Christ Enthroned Blessing		 - 13th century Base Palissy: PM28000821, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 26 at Wikimedia Commons
27 2 lancets in grisaille below
an oculus of Enthroned Christ Blessing		 - 1230–1250 Base Palissy: PM28000821, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 27 at Wikimedia Commons
28 2 lancets
Left: Zodiac and Works of the Months
Right: Life of the Virgin Mary
Oculus: Christ Blessing, Alpha and Omega		 Theobald VI, Count of Chartres
Vine-growers		 1217–1220 Base Palissy: IM28000515, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Galerie du zodiaque at Wikimedia Commons
Media related to Bay 28 droite at Wikimedia Commons
29 2 lancets: 1- Miracles of Saint Nicolas,
2- Life of Saint Germanus of Auxerre,
below an oculus of
Christ Blessing with a Tetramorph.		 Geoffroy Chardonel, canon
Étienne Chardonel, canon		 1225–1235 Base Palissy: IM28000521, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 29 at Wikimedia Commons
30 2 lancets
Left: "Notre-Dame de la Belle Verrière"
Right: Lives of Saint Anthony and Saint Paul		 -
Fishermen		 1180
1215–1220		 Base Palissy: IM28000465, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 30 (left) at Wikimedia Commons
Media related to Bay 30 (right) at Wikimedia Commons
31 Window symbolising the reconciliation
between God and humanity		 Association allemande
des Amis de la Cathédrale de Chartres		 1971
Lorin		 Base Palissy: PM28000807, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 31 at Wikimedia Commons
32 Life of Saint Fulbert American architects 1954, Lorin workshop Base Palissy: PM28000807, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 32 at Wikimedia Commons
33 Vegetal decoration - 12th and 13th centuries, 1964 Lorin workshop Base Palissy: PM28000807, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 33 at Wikimedia Commons
34 Grisaille
Fragment of a Resurrection of Lazarus		 - Late 15th or early 16th century, grisaille by C.Lorin in 1924 Base Palissy: PM28000807, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 34 at Wikimedia Commons
35 Parable of the Prodigal Son - 1205–1215 Base Palissy: IM28000467, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 35 at Wikimedia Commons
36 Life of Saint Apollinarius Thierry, canon 1205–1215, 1328 Base Palissy: IM28000468, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 36 at Wikimedia Commons
37 Typological passion Master-ironworkers 1205–1215 Base Palissy: IM28000464, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 37 at Wikimedia Commons
38 Miracles of the Virgin Mary Butchers 1205–1215 Base Palissy: IM28000469, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 38 at Wikimedia Commons
39 Life and Miracles of Saint Nicolas Apothecaries 1220–1225 Base Palissy: IM28000463, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 39 at Wikimedia Commons
40 The Vendôme Family Louis, Count of Vendôme 1417 Base Palissy: IM28000404, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 40 at Wikimedia Commons
41 Life of Joseph Money-changers 1205–1215 Base Palissy: IM28000476, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 41 at Wikimedia Commons
42 Death and Assumption of the Virgin Mary Shoemakers 1205–1215 Base Palissy: IM28000405, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 42 at Wikimedia Commons
43 Life of Saint Eustace Drapers and furriers 1210 Base Palissy: IM28000475, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 43 at Wikimedia Commons
44 Parable of the Good Samaritan Shoemakers 1205–1215 Base Palissy: IM28000406, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Galerie du Bon Samaritain at Wikimedia Commons
45 Life of Saint Lubin Wine merchants 1205–1215 Base Palissy: IM28000474, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 45 at Wikimedia Commons
46 Life of Saint Mary Magdalene Water carriers 1205–1215 Base Palissy: IM28000407, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 46 at Wikimedia Commons
47 Life of Noah Carpenters, wheelwrights and coopers 1205–1215 Base Palissy: IM28000473, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 47 at Wikimedia Commons
48 Life of Saint John the Evangelist Armourers 1205–1215 Base Palissy: IM28000408, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 48 at Wikimedia Commons
49 Tree of Jesse - 1145–1155 Base Palissy: PM28000797, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 49 at Wikimedia Commons
50 Nativity and Life of Christ - 1145–1155 Base Palissy: PM28000797, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 50 at Wikimedia Commons
51 Passion - 1145–1155 Base Palissy: PM28000797, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 51 at Wikimedia Commons

Upper windows

There are 44 upper windows (0 to 43). Except the seven windows of the apse (each consisting of a single lancet) and those in bay 132 (whose lancets were walled-in in the 16th century to install the main organ), all the base of the upper level are made up of 2 lancets below a rose, which brings the number of windows to 68. The small rose windows to the south and north are each counted as a single window due to their specific composition.

Nave - south side

All these windows were restored by Coffetier between 1873 and 1883. Bay 132 was walled in to install the main organ.

  • Upper Windows, South Side of the Nave, left to right: Bays 130, 134, 136, 138, 140 and 142
  • Bay 130 Bay 130
  • Bay 134 Bay 134
  • Bay 136 Bay 136
  • Bay 138 Bay 138
  • Bay 140 Bay 140
  • Bay 142 Bay 142
Bay Title Donors Dates Base Palissy Wikimedia Commons
142 Rose: Abbot saint
Left: Saint Lomer
Right: Saint Mary of Egypt		 - 1205–1215 Base Palissy: PM28000811, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 142 at Wikimedia Commons
140 Rose: Christ trônant
Left: Saint Peter
Right: Saint James the Great		 Bakers 1205–1215 Base Palissy: PM28000811, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 140 at Wikimedia Commons
138 Rose: saint Solemnis
Left: Saint Faith
Right: Noli me tangere, Madonna Lactans		 Two female donors 1205–1215 Base Palissy: PM28000811, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 138 at Wikimedia Commons
136 Rose: saint Jérôme
Left: Jeremiah, Saint Philip
Right: Saint James the Great		 Shoemakers, family of donors 1205–1215 Base Palissy: PM28000811, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 136 at Wikimedia Commons
134 Rose: saint Augustin
Left: Moses, Saint Bartholomew
Right: Saint Calétric		 Turners, one donor 1205–1215 Base Palissy: PM28000811, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 134 at Wikimedia Commons
132 Rose: Saint Gregory the Great - 1205–1215 Base Palissy: PM28000811, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Main organs at Wikimedia Commons
130 Rose: Saint Hilary of Poitiers
Left: saint Symphorian
Right: Two saints		 Two donors 1205–1215 Base Palissy: PM28000811, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 130 at Wikimedia Commons

North Transept

  • North Transept
  • North rose window and Bays 125 (left) and 123 (right) North rose window and Bays 125 (left) and 123 (right)
  • Bay 117, right half: Saint Philip and Saint Jude Bay 117, right half:
    Saint Philip and Saint Jude
Bay Title Donors Dates Base Palissy Wikimedia Commons
115 Rose: Christ Enthroned
Left: Saint Eustace
Right: Annunciation, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi		 House of Beaumont 1225–1235 Base Palissy: PM28000813, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 115 at Wikimedia Commons
117 Rose: Priest
Left: Saint Philip and Saint Andrew
Right: Saint Philip and Saint Jude		 Two priests 1225–1235 Base Palissy: PM28000813, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 117 at Wikimedia Commons
119 Rose: Christ Enthroned
Left: Saint Thomas the Apostle and Saint Barnabas
Right: Saint Jude and Saint Thomas the Apostle		 Two priests 1225–1235 Base Palissy: PM28000813, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 119 at Wikimedia Commons
123 Grisaille with the coats of arms of the Kingdom of France and the Kingdom of Castille - Late 13th century Base Palissy: PM28000813, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 123 at Wikimedia Commons
125 Rose:
Left: Annunciation, Visitation
Right: Annunciation to Joachim		 Wife and daughter
of Philippe de Boulogne		 1225–1235
Complered in 1880		 Base Palissy: PM28000813, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 125 at Wikimedia Commons
127 Rose: Philip of Boulogne
Left: Annunciation to the Shepherds, Presentation in the Temple
Right: Death, Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin Mary		 Philippe de Boulogne 1225–1235 Base Palissy: PM28000813, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 127 at Wikimedia Commons

Choir and apse

South Side of the Choir

The lancets (but not the rose windows) of bays 108 and 112 were destroyed in the 18th century. Before their destruction, Bay 108 showed scenes from the lives of Saint Bartholomew and the Virgin Mary, whilst Bay 112 showed scenes from those of Saint Eustace and Saint George.

  • South Side of the Choir
  • Bays 118, 110, 112, and 114 Bays 118, 110, 112, and 114
Bay Title Donors Dates Base Palissy Wikimedia Commons
114
Left: Saint John the Evangelist
and Saint James the Great
Right: Nativity, Flight into Egypt
Rose: Lord of Beaumont		 Bouchard of Marly
Colin		 1210–1225
Restored in 1920 and 1921 by Lorin and Gaudin		 Base Palissy: PM28000817, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 114 at Wikimedia Commons
112 Rose: Seigneur de Courtenay
Grisaille		 Philippe de Courtenay
Guillaume de Tanlay		 1210–1225
Lancets destroyed in 1757, 1773 and 1788
Replaced in 1935–1936 with grisailles by Lorin		 Base Palissy: PM28000822, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 112 at Wikimedia Commons
110 Rose: Seigneur de Montfort
Left: saint Vincent
Right: saint Paul		 Pierre Baillart
Tellers		 1210–1225
Restored in 1920 and 1921 by Lorin and Gaudin		 Base Palissy: PM28000817, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 110 at Wikimedia Commons
108 Rose: Seigneur de Montfort
Grisaille		 Guillaume de la Ferté.
Étienne de Sancerre		 1210–1225
Lancets destroyed in 1757, 1773 and 1788
Replaced in 1935–1936 with grisailles by Lorin		 Base Palissy: PM28000822, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 108 at Wikimedia Commons

Apse

North choir

South transept

Nave - north side

  • Upper windows (north nave, left to right): bays 141, 139, 137, 135, 133, 131, and 129
  • Bay 141 Bay 141
  • Bay 139 Bay 139
  • Bay 137 Bay 137
  • Bay 135 Bay 135
  • Bay 133 Bay 133
  • Bay 131 Bay 131
  • Bay 129 Bay 129
Bay Title Donors Dates Base Palissy Wikimedia Commons
129 Rose: Madonna and Child
Left and right: Life of Saint Martin		 Bourgeois of Tours 1205–1215 Base Palissy: PM28000811, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 129 at Wikimedia Commons
131 Rose: laboureurs
Left: Abraham Sacrificing Isaac and Christ Blessing
Right: Abraham Sacrificing Isaac		 Labourers 1205–1215 Base Palissy: PM28000811, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 131 at Wikimedia Commons
133 Rose: Saint George
Gauche: Martyrdom of Saint George
Right: Mass of St Giles		 Inhabitants of Nogent 1205–1215 Base Palissy: PM28000811, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 133 at Wikimedia Commons
135 Rose: Madonna and the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Left: an apostle
Right: six apostles		 Money-changers 1205–1215 Base Palissy: PM28000811, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 135 at Wikimedia Commons
137 Rose: Saint Thomas Becket
Gauche: saint Nicolas
Right: four apostles		 Tellers
Two donors		 1205–1215 Base Palissy: PM28000811, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 137 at Wikimedia Commons
139 Rose: Saint Lubin
Left: Saint Stephen
Right: Saint Lawrence		 Weavers
Two donors		 1205–1215 Base Palissy: PM28000811, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 139 at Wikimedia Commons
141 Rose: bishop saint
Left: Jonah, Daniel, Habakkuk
Right: Temptations of Christ		 Two donors 1205–1215 Base Palissy: IM28000520, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Media related to Bay 141 at Wikimedia Commons

Donors

It took several donations to build the new cathedral. Its construction involved all parts of medieval society – sovereigns (whose arms are seen in the north transept facade windows), nobles from the Chartres, Île-de-France and Normandy regions, the cathedral chapter and the trade guilds. The nobles are shown in 26 upper windows but only three lower ones and so were mainly involved in funding the former - those depicted include Louis VIII, Étienne de Sancerre, Guillaume de la Ferté, Simon de Montfort, Thibault VI, count of Blois and Chartres, Ferdinand III of Castille, Raoul de Courtenay, Robert de Champignelles, a lord of the Bar-Loupy family, Bouchard de Montmorency, Robert de Beaumont, Jean de Courville, Pierre de Dreux (known as Mauclerc), Jean Clément de Metz, lord of Mez and Argentan and Philippe Hurepel, count of Boulogne. Blanche of Castile and Louis IX funded the north façade of the transepts, whilst those on the south façade of the transepts were paid for by Pierre de Dreux. Nearly thirty confraternities and corporations also funded windows and are also shown, including those for carpenters, labourers, wine growers, masons, stone cutters, drapers, furriers and bakers.

Guild windows

  • Knights fighting (bay 7) Knights fighting
    (bay 7)
  • Knight with the Champagne family coat of arms, probably Thibaud VI - Life of the Virgin (bay 28b) Knight with the Champagne family coat of arms, probably Thibaud VI - Life of the Virgin (bay 28b)
  • Life of Saint James the Great: furriers (bay 5) Life of Saint James the Great: furriers
    (bay 5)
  • Life of Saint James the Great: drapers (bay 5) Life of Saint James the Great: drapers
    (bay 5)
  • Charron et tonnelier (bay 21) Charron et tonnelier
    (bay 21)
  • Carpenters (bay 21) Carpenters
    (bay 21)
  • Transporting a barrel (bay 45) Transporting a barrel
    (bay 45)
  • Shoemaker (bay 42) Shoemaker
    (bay 42)
  • Drawing wine from a barrel - Life of Saint Lubin (bay 45) Drawing wine from a barrel - Life of Saint Lubin (bay 45)
  • Two wine-growers pruning vines - Life of the Virgin (bay 28b) Two wine-growers pruning vines - Life of the Virgin (bay 28b)
  • Water-bearer - Life of Saint Mary Magdalene (bay 46) Water-bearer - Life of Saint Mary Magdalene
    (bay 46)

Windows funded by trade guilds first appeared at Chartres and Bourges Cathedral between 1205 and 1215. Chartres' 172 windows include 125 representations of artisans engaged in 25 different jobs - making, transporting or selling their products in 42 windows.

Notes and references

Notes

  1. …cum necdum principales arcus singulariter voluti voltarum cumulo cohaererent…

  2. Jesse begat King David. Matthew 1,6
  3. In full - Stirps Jesse virgam produxit, virgaque florem
    Et super hanc florem requiescit Spiritus almus
    Virgo Dei genitrix virga est, Flos filius ejus    .
  4. Dicebat Bernardus Carnotensis nos esse quasi nanos, gigantium humeris incidentes, ut possimus, plura eis et remotiora videre, non utique proprii visus acumine, aut eminentia corporis, sed quia in altum subvehimur et extollimur magnitudine gigantea.
  5. David begat Solomon by Bathsheba ; Solomon begat Roboam ; Roboam begat Abia ; Abia begat Asa ; Asa begat Josaphat ; Josaphat begat Joram ; Joram begat Ozias ; Ozias begat Joatham ; Joatham begat Achaz ; Achaz begat Ézéchias ; Ézéchias begat Manassé... Matthew 1,6-10

References

  1. Base Palissy: Ensemble des verrières de la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French).
  2. ^ Claudine Lautier, Les vitraux de la cathédrale de Chartres: Reliques et images. dans: Bulletin Monumental, Tome 161 N°1, année 2003, Les vitraux de la cathédrale de Chartres: Reliques et images, pp. 1–3.
  3. "Vitrail". Laboratoire de recherche des monuments historiques. Archived from the original on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018..
  4. Anne Prache, Les vitraux du XII siècle, pp. 60-67, dans Saint-Denis, la basilique et le trésor, Dossiers d'Archéologie, n°261, mars 2001.
  5. Louis Grodecki, Les vitraux de Saint-Denis, p.18, CNRS et Arts et Métiers graphiques, Paris 1976.
  6. Georges Duby, Le Moyen Âge - L'Europe des cathédrales 1140-1280, p. 58, Éditions d'Art Albert Skira, Genève, 1995 ISBN 2-605-00034-6.
  7. (in French) Colette Manhes-Deremble, Les vitraux narratifs de la cathédrale de Chartres: étude iconographique, pp. 205–237.
  8. (in French) Colette Manhes-Deremble, Les vitraux narratifs de la cathédrale de Chartres: étude iconographique, pp. 239–268.
  9. Colette Deremble, Les vitraux de la cathédrale, le programme iconographique, dans Chartres et sa cathédrale, Archéologia, Hors série nº5H, 1994.
  10. Claudine Lautier, Les vitraux de la cathédrale, les ateliers de peintres-verriers de la cathédrale au XIII siècle, dans Chartres et sa cathédrale, Archéologia, Hors série n°5H, 1994.
  11. L'art et les artistes - Vitraux - Les techniques de fabrication des vitraux.
  12. Life of Saint Jean l'évangéliste Archived 2020-02-23 at the Wayback Machine, window 48, La Cathédrale de Chartres Archived 2011-01-20 at the Wayback Machine.
  13. Pastoureau, Michel (2002). Bleu: histoire d'une couleur. Paris: Éd. du Seuil. ISBN 2-02-055725-8. BnF 388958840.
  14. "Le "bleu de Chartres"". Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon, Guichet du Savoir. 21 January 2006..
  15. "La Vierge allaitante de la petite rose des vitraux de Chartres". Le blog de jean-yves cordier. 9 January 2014..
  16. Voir Claudine Lautier (2004). Étude historique de la baie 21: verrière de saint Julien l'Hospitalier (in French). Paris: CNRS-Université Paris IV..
  17. Williams, Jane W. (1993). Bread, Wine, & Money. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press..


Further reading

Bibliography (in French, by publication date)

See also

External links

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