Theme – Baptism: On the left is the Patriarch Noah carrying a model of the ark, over which is a dove with an olive branch in its beak. The Latin inscription reads, "Noah the preacher of righteousness, saved through water."

In the centre is John the Baptist, dressed in a garment of camel’s hair and inscribed "Johannes Baptista" –"John the Baptist"

On the right is the figure of St. Augustine of Canterbury, dressed as a bishop and carrying the Primatial Cross, which is still carried by his successors. The inscription translates, "St. Augustine, who baptised the king of the Kentish folk."

The small pictures below show (left to right):

(a) Noah and his family leaving the ark, inscribed "Noah’s ark, the sign of Baptism."

(b) The baptism of Our Lord by John in the River Jordan.

(c) Augustine baptising King Ethelbert. This picture is of special interest as it shows the font in the ancient church of St. Martin in Canterbury, traditionally the very font used by Augustine. The Norman ornamentation is of a later origin.

The six small lights have angels with scrolls reading:

Come life-giving, life-renewing Spirit,
Thou who gavest, and wast thyself given from heaven,
Thou who art the gift and the giver,
Who art to us God’s Law and its writer too,
Who sustaineth an art thyself sustained.

Brian Willett