Welsh Journals

A 13th Century Stained Glass Window from Carmarthen by Susan Lloyd-Fern B.A. Recent excavations at Grey Friars Park, Carmarthen, undertaken by the Dyfed Archaeological Trust and financed jointly by the Welsh Office and the Manpower Ser- vices Commission, have unearthed what must be the most singularly unique find in Welsh archaeology for some time. A virtually intact 13th century stained glass window has been recovered and subsequent investigation is providing a wealth of material evidence towards a better understanding of medieval technological expertise. Grey Friars Park is the site of the largest of only three Franciscan friaries built in Wales. The excavated building where the window was located measured 36 x 11 metres and was divided by a north/south passageway with two rooms to the west and two to the east. It was from one of the eastern rooms that the near complete stained glass window was found. Fortunately, the window had fallen inwards due to a fire sometime during the Dissolu- tion period, thereby sealing it, and the ensuing debris helped protect the lead from further exposure to heat. The dimensions of the window are approximately 61 x 70 cms and it is made up from a geometrical pattern of oblongs, circles and lozenges. A tentative assess- ment of the windows age given by the Corpus Vitraeatum Medii Aevi places it between 1250 1280 (this is closely paralleled by examples from Salisbury Cathedral Chapter House), and dates it firmly within the period of the Friary's initial foundation. So far four different types of glass have been identified, a clear transparent glass, a flashed red located principally in the rectangular quarries running along the border, a blue glass most of which has been recovered from loose fragments in the central window area; finally from the upper portions of the window, where the quarries are found, there is painted or enamelled glass. The colours consist mainly of blackpaint on a red ochre background. One piece in particular has proven extremely interesting depicting a design of what appears to be a bird, this came from the mid right of the upper part of the window. The head and body are painted in one quarry and the wings on two quarries to either side. There is a possibility that the window contains a yellow coloured glass, however, it is equally possible that this colour is a result of decay and the colour of the rounded pieces are as yet not determined. The leads too are proving to be of equal interest. There is evidence to suggest that the lead was milled and we should, therefore, find manufacturers initials or stamps on the inside, once it has been cleaned. With the possible exception of a small leaded area in York Minister's Great East Window this is the oldest surviving example of window lead in Britain. The high quality of workmanship evidenced by the window leads also causes one to speculate upon the general wealth and economy of medieval Carmarthen.