St Nicholas - Chartres Cathedral

This window narrates the vita (life and miracles) of St. Nicholas of Myra, the 4th-century bishop famous for his generosity and miraculous deeds. In this scene St. Nicholas is shown as a bishop, wearing a mitre and vestments (blue cope, red alb), and holding a crozier (bishop’s staff). His right hand is raised in blessing toward three young boys on the left standing inside a large wooden tub or barrel with its lid open. They appear naked and pale, emerging from the container, their hands raised in gestures of prayer or gratitude. The background is filled with the ornamental grisaille pattern (white and grey geometric motifs) that is typical of Chartres’ narrative windows.

According to medieval tradition, three young boys were traveling and stopped at an inn. The wicked innkeeper killed them and hid their bodies in a barrel of brine, planning to sell the meat as ham. Years later, St. Nicholas came to the inn, and through divine revelation, he discovers the crime. He then blessed the barrel, and miraculously, the three boys were brought back to life, emerging unharmed.

The story emphasizes Nicholas’s role as a protector of children and a restorer of life, symbolizing Christ’s power of resurrection working through the saint. The barrel represents both death (the grave) and baptismal rebirth, an image of spiritual renewal. The bishop’s gesture of blessing mirrors the saving grace of God, channelled through saintly intercession.