Gower Window

C. E. Kempe & Co.

1920

Second window, North Aisle

Southwark Cathedral, London

Unlike the earlier lancets in honour of authors associated with the area, this two-light window in memory of the medieval court poet John Gower simply features two typical curly-haired and richly garbed Kempe angels. One holds a quill and an illuminated manuscript, suggesting authorship, the other a palm leaf and a lamb, symbols of Langland's faith and virtue. Perhaps Gower's portrait was deemed unnecessary: after all, he died in the priory (as the Cathedral was then), and there is a brightly painted effigy of him on his tomb nearby in the nave (see Monroe 23).

Photograph by Colin Price; text and formatting by Jacqueline Banerjee.

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