The Jesse window in St. Mary's Priory Church, Abergavenny

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. 

The Abergavenny Tithe Barn

Tax dodging

   The word "tithe" derives from the Old English "teogotha" meaning a tenth and these were paid as a compulsory contribution of 10% by parishioners to a religious organisation or government, often in the form of agricultural produce which was stored in a barn and went towards the support of the village priest - who was exempt. Naturally this provoked anger as can be heard in the rousing harvest song from the 5th Act of Dryden's opera of King Arthur:

                 We've cheated the parson, we'll cheat him again,

                  For why should a blockhead have one in ten?

It seems that tax evasion was just as popular then as it is now!

  

Restoration 

   This 13th century barn in Abergavenny was in danger of collapse in 1948 when the parish sold it for £400 and, during its recent history, it has been used as a carpet shop, a store for timber and grain, a theatre and a discotheque. By the late 1990's St Mary's Church had the vision for it to become an amenity at the heart of the community and it has been carefully restored: during the 4 year process scorch marks left by Owain Glyndwr's arson were found.  Prince Charles visited at the beginning of the work and again at the end.

 For the visitor

   It now houses a museum, a learning centre with interactive displays, information about the Tudors, a superb tapestry, a cafe and shop where you can buy inexpensive items such as bookmarks for 20p. Entry is free. The tapestry was made from 400 colours of wool in special stitching to give a 3D effect and was worked on from Monday to Saturday, 10a.m. till 4 p.m. It took 3 years 10 months to complete (if a bit of needlework was not quite right, it had to be unpicked) but it was ready before the Barn was completely renovated. It depicts Abergavenny's landscape and history (imaginatively!) with the motto: "Hostes nunc amici" (enemies now friends).

Serendipity and calorie therapy

   I was lucky to hear an informative talk on this amazing piece of work and afterwards - you've guessed it - had a large slice of scrumptious CAKE. If you are also emboldened by gateau you may like to go on to the Castle and ponder the gruesome massacre that took place there in the 12th century. It is only a short walk. Before that, just across the path is the church of St Mary's where there are fascinating medieval effigies.

How to get there

   Bus information at the very bottom of the page. The Barn is a few minutes' walk from the main bus station  at the bottom of town which is (though we don't mention this) next to a large car park.

For opening hours click here