The tenth in our series on the wonderful Kempe glass in All Saints. This one is in the north aisle – the central window.

Six Saints

This window is the latest addition to the church, installed in the year 2000, in memory of Paul Reynolds, who died in 1999. He was Surveyor to the Fabric and was particularly involved in the restoration of the building following the fire of 1985. The window depicts six saints or holy people, five of whom have particular association with the British Isles.

Left: (Top) St. Alban. Alban was a Roman citizen of Verulamium (now St. Albans). He carries a sword as a symbol of his death by beheading in about 250 AD., and a martyr’?s palm. He was the first recorded martyr in these isles and this church is in St. Alban’s diocese.

(Bottom) St. George. Patron saint of England, George carries a lance as a sign that he was a soldier and he holds a shield on which are the three lions of England. His white vest bears the red cross of St. George. (Compare with the West window)

Centre: (Top) St. Edmund. Edmund was a Saxon king of East Anglia who was martyred by the Danes in 870 AD. He was buried at the now ruined abbey at Bury St. Edmunds. He carries a sceptre to denote his kingship and some arrows, symbols of his martyrdom.

(Bottom) St. Stephen. We read of this saint in the Acts of the Apostles. He was the first martyr, stoned to death in Jerusalem. He carries a martyr’s palm and some stones as a symbol of the manner of his death.

Right: (Top) St. Augustine. Augustine was sent by Gregory the Great in 596 AD. to convert the English and was the first Archbishop of Canterbury. He wears the cope and mitre of a bishop and carries a crosier in the shape of a cross and a small banner upon which is a crucifix.

(Bottom) King Alfred the Great (849 –899).Alfred was known for his Christian life and beliefs and for his defeat of the Danes and the Peace Treaty he made with them. His whole life was marked by the compassion of Christ and he evolved a legal code based on common sense and Christian mercy. He carries the sword of a soldier and the sceptre of kingship. He is the only English king to be called "the Great".

Brian Willett

* The window came from the redundant church of St Edmund, Forest Gate, London - Ed