World famous medieval window to be saved

Wells Cathedral has raised £500,000 to conserve its famous 14th-century Jesse Window. Experts consider the window, situated at the east end of the Cathedral Quire, to be one of the best examples of medieval stained glass in the world. Work is scheduled to begin on the interior of the Window later this month. Visitors will see that scaffolding will have been erected to enable work to proceed.

‘There is growing concern the window is in danger of deteriorating and being beyond repair unless urgent conservation work is carried out’ says the Cathedral’s Dean, The Very Reverend John Clarke.

‘Recent inspections have shown that some of the lead is bowing. Lead glass panels are bulging and loose. More significantly, the medieval glass is suffering the effects of condensation and mould growth. This, in turn, is attacking the painted layers on the glass. The paint is peeling and the glass is suffering corrosion. Consequently, the whole of this medieval treasure is at risk.’

The Cathedral has consulted experts, monitored the window for two years and received all requisite permissions for the conservation.

The conservation of the interior window will remedy the above problems, including sympathetically re-leading selected areas of glass and carefully cleaning and consolidating loose paint layers. The work will be carried out by specialist stained glass conservators based at Holy Well Glass in Wells.

Donors to the fundraising appeal include the Chapter, Friends of Wells Cathedral, national and regional grant making trusts and a significant private donor.

The Cathedral has already ensured the window, once conserved, will be protected from the elements. It has fitted a protective barrier of new leaded lights outside the exterior medieval window.

The window dates from about 1340: Medieval craftsmen used silver stain and yellow, red and green glass to striking effect to show a tree of the genealogy of Jesus, including Jesse, the father of King David, and his ancestors back to Abraham.

Built in the 12th century, Wells Cathedral is a unique jewel in Britain’s heritage crown. It was the first English Gothic cathedral to be constructed as a whole and has survived with almost all of its associated buildings intact, including the Chapter House. It is the only UK cathedral that stands adjacent to a moated and walled Bishop’s Palace. The Cathedral welcomes 170,000 people who attend events as well as 300,000 UK and overseas visitors annually.