Ten years ago I wrote about the huge statue of Jesse, father of David, from whom Jesus descended. This extraordinary figure, carved from one solid piece of oak which could have been 400 years old when felled, was the base of his family tree and is the only wooden one in the U.K., possibly in the world. The progeny would have ascended upwards from the reclining Jesse.
Here you can also see the bottom of the Jesse window and it seems fitting, after a decade, to give an account of it. It was created by Helen Whittaker in memory of the late Dean Jeremy Winston and was dedicated on the 7th of July 2016, in the presence of H.R.H, Charles, then Prince of Wales. Helen made sure that light from the window would not adversely affect the statue beneath by having UV-protection glass on the lower part.
The window is rich in symbols and emblems, placed in a geometrical scheme of overlapping circles (vesicas) spreading out from the heart of Jesus. A vine with brown leaves connects the tree to its foundation from Jesse. Green oak leaves representing Wales' ancient woodlands are in the outer section.
At the top, on a larger scale than anything else, sits Mary with baby Jesus on her lap. Moving your eyes downwards you see King Solomon and David, who is playing a Welsh harp, with Ruth and Bathsheba. By Solomon's side are Zadok and Nathan, names familiar to all music lovers. On the lower branches we see Adam, with the snake and in despair, and Abraham depicted with the stick and dagger with which he might have sacrificed his son. Positioned around are Isaiah, Daniel, Elijah and Moses, who is holding the tablet with the 5th commandment: honour thy mother and father.
In the centre, around and above Mary and Jesus, come roundels representing aspects of the lives of 7 Celtic saints, including Beuno, Gildas, Winifred, Padarn, Non and Teilo. Saint David is also visible.
At the bottom are medicinal herbs, grouped according to the ailments they treated, and connecting the window to the monastic Abbot's garden outside.
I visited the church with a friend and we spent a good hour sitting on a front pew decoding the window with the help of a detailed booklet, purchased at the entry desk from a member of staff, always ready to answer questions. It was a most worthwhile experience and left a deep and lasting impression on us both.
Afterwards, coffee and CAKE in the excellent Tithe Barn cafe just across the path. I have written about this Barn in another post.
