New Canterbury Cathedral stained-glass reflects brewing heritage
The one-off window incorporates the Worshipful Company of Brewers’ original coat of arms, which featured Becket - who is their Patron Saint - and the current one, which features Becket’s stepmother.
The window’s creation was a labour of love for Director of the Cathedral’s stained glass studio, Leonie Seliger, who worked single handedly on the unique design and turned it into a colourful stained glass work of art.
Seliger, who has worked at the studio for 32 years, said the project took nine months from the design stage through to completion of the leaded window.
She added: “It is a bit special. It has been a labour of love for me.
“To create something so unique which incorporates Thomas Becket, for us at Canterbury Cathedral, that is pretty special. It is where he met his grisly end.”
The studio marks its 50th year this year.
Detailed design
Many thousands of pilgrims visited Becket’s shrine at Canterbury drinking ale at inns en route.
His arms were therefore included in the Company’s first coat of arms but were later replaced with a subtle indirect reference during the Reformation, when direct references to him had to be erased.
Combining both, the new heraldic design features three chuffs, with red legs and beaks, which are on Becket’s coat of arms, along with three gold-rimmed tuns – large beer casks - and a female moor with golden hair.
The moor is holding three barley sheaves in each hand, and she is believed to represent Becket’s stepmother.
Seliger used processes to create the window which have largely remained unchanged for centuries. Her studio contains items such as a swan quill, badger brush and squirrel brush.
Historical significance
“Some processes really haven’t changed for hundreds of years, although we use modern glass cutters,” she continued, “but if you transported us back, we would know how to use the ancient cutters.”
The completed stained-glass window was officially received on behalf of the Company at the Martyrdom in the Cathedral – the spot where Becket met his death – by Jonathan Neame, Shepherd Neame Chief Executive, who holds the title of the Company’s Master this year.
Joining him was Company Clerk Nick Tindal, Company Beadle James Fitzgerald and the Archdeacon of Canterbury, the Venerable Dr Will Adam.
Receiving it in his role as master, Jonathan Neame said: “It is stunning and a beautiful piece. It perfectly commemorates the connection between Thomas Becket and the brewers. The Brewers' Company has a long and important heritage within the Brewing industry.”
The window was installed and unveiled at the Brewers’ Hall in central London last week.
