2013

SD8706 : The Flodden Window

taken 11 years ago, near to Middleton, Rochdale, England

The Flodden Window
The Flodden Window
The Flodden Window is believed to be the oldest war memorial in the UK, if not in the World (LinkExternal link Manchester Evening News).

The window was originally commissioned by Sir Richard Assheton in 1515 to commemorate The Battle of Flodden Field or Branxton Moor which had taken place two years earlier. A company of Middleton archers, led by Sir Richard, achieved notable success in the battle in which James IV's invading army of Scots and French troops was defeated in the largest ever battle between England and Scotland. The Flodden Window depicts in detail seventeen captains of the Middleton Archers, their leader Sir Richard and his wife and the priest Henry Taylor who blessed them before the battle. The window shows each archer wearing a blue court mantle, carrying a bow stave with each archer's name above it; they are all kneeling in prayer before leaving for the battle.

The window was originally larger, and situated in the North Aisle. By the 19th century, the window had deteriorated badly; it was rescued and reassembled creating two main panels where there had originally been three. It was moved to its present position in the sanctuary as it was thought that it would be better protected from the elements there.

The Flodden Window is one of the best known pieces of stained glass in the country and as such is now a protected national monument.
St Leonard's Parish Church, Middleton

St Leonard’s Parish Church in Middleton is a Grade I listed building (English Heritage ID: 213457 LinkExternal link British Listed Buildings).

Much of the present building was erected in 1412 byThomas Langley (born in Middleton in 1363) who served as Bishop of Durham and Lord Chancellor of England. He re-used the Norman doorway from an earlier structure to create the tower arch. The church was completed in 1524 by Sir Richard Assheton, in celebration of the knighthood granted to him by Henry VIII for his part in the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513. As well as hanging his armour in the family chapel, he also rebuilt and enlarged the church and erected a stained glass window, depicting the archers in kneeling positions with their names written along their bows as well as Sir Richard and his wife. The Flodden Window, now moved to the sanctuary, is thought to be the World’s oldest war memorial (LinkExternal link Manchester Evening News). It is said to be one of the best known pieces of stained glass in the country and as such is now a protected national monument.


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright David Dixon and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · Stained Glass Window [9] Other Photos: · The Middleton Archers · St Leonard's Church Middleton · St Leonard's Church, North Wall ·
1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
+
+
1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
TIP: Click the map for more Large scale mapping
Grid Square
SD8706, 134 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
David Dixon   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Saturday, 14 September, 2013   (more nearby)
Submitted
Monday, 23 September, 2013
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SD 8722 0629 [10m precision]
WGS84: 53:33.1848N 2:11.6623W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SD 8722 0630
View Direction
SOUTH (about 180 degrees)
Clickable map
+
NW N NE
W Go E
SW S SE
Image classification(about): Supplemental image
This page has been viewed about 713 times
You are not logged in | login | register