SD8706 : The Flodden Window
taken 11 years ago, near to Middleton, Rochdale, England


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 in Middleton is a Grade I listed building (English Heritage ID: 213457 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 (LinkManchester 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.