



Three examples of medieval stained glass now on show at Canterbury Cathedral © Dean and Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral


Enoch © Dean and Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral

Hezekiah © Dean and Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral

Nathan © Dean and Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral

Methuselah © Dean and Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral

The stained glass windows in situ at Canterbury Cathedral © Dean and Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral

About the exhibition

The 21 mostly life-sized figures depicted in the stained glass were created for Canterbury Cathedral by some of Europe’s greatest medieval artists and represent the biblical ancestors of Jesus.

The windows have been temporarily removed from the cathedral’s Great South Window while conservation work is carried out on its crumbling stonework.

Recent research indicates that some of the glass may even pre-date the great fire of 1174, which saw the cathedral’s east end largely rebuilt.


The Ancestors: Britain’s Oldest Stained Glass Windows is on show until 23 August 2015 in the cathedral’s Chapter House (the exhibition will take a short break 13–17 July for university graduation week). For more information, visit the cathedral website.