Life of Saint Martin Clerestory Window

walwyn Sat, 09/22/2012 - 22:06
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Life of St Martin

 

This window depicting the Life of St Martin is one of the choir clerestory windows at Tours Cathedral. The main window consists of some eighteen panels in six registers and is dated to the completion of the just after the rebuilding of the chancel in last part of the 13th century.

 

The three panels at the bottom of the window show the window's donor Abbon, abbot of Cormery on the right, the left hand panel shows how Martin was enlisted in the Roman army at the age of 15, the central image depicts the scene where Martin gives half of his cloak to a beggar outside of Amiens.

 

The three panels in the second register depict from left to right: Christ appearing to Martin in a dream and returning his cloak, Martin's baptism, and Martin casting out demons. The three panels above these show him being visited by an angel, his consecration as Bishop of Tours, being him attacked by three robbers.

 

In the windows fourth register the scenes depict the miracles of St Martin. In the first panel he brings a young man back to life, the central panel is about how a pagans agreed to chop down their sacred tree so long as he stood in its path, the right hand panel shows him curing a man possessed by the devil. Above these in the fifth register the left hand panel depicts where when St Martin raised the host and a flaming orb appeared above his head representing the holy spirit. The central panel shows how Martin is saved by an angel when the devil made him fall. The right hand panel shows Martin and his visions of the Virgin Mary, St Peter and St Paul.

 

The top register of the main window shows scenes of St Martin's death at Candes, how the monks of Tours steal his body, and transport it by boat up the Loire river.

 

Life of St Martin

 

Life of St Martin

 

Life of St Martin

 

Life of St Martin

 

Life of St Martin

 

Life of St Martin