Tours Cathedral Stained Glass - Bay 203 Key (The Life of St Peter)

Direction of reading generally follows a simple left to right, bottom to top pattern, although the 5th register is made up of a single scene spread over three panels. Panels B5 and C5 have clearly been transposed during restoration - the line should show Nero (A5) witnessing the confrontation between Simon Magus (C5) and Peter and Paul (B5). Panels B4 and A4 have likewise been transposed, with the result that we see Peter's liberation from prison before his incarceration.

The window was apparently the gift of Jacques de Guérande (shown in panel A1), who was Bishop of Nantes 1264-67 - one of the key pieces of evidence for dating these windows.


Bay 203 - The Life of St Peter
(All images © Dr Stuart Whatling)
Index to panels: First Register: A1 - Donor (Jacques de Guérande) B1 - The Calling of Peter (1/2) C1 - The Calling of Peter (2/2) Second Register: A2 - The Donatio Clavis B2 - Peter installing St James as Bishop of Jerusalem (1/2) C2 - Peter installing St James as Bishop of Jerusalem (2/2) Third Register: A3 - St James celebrating the Mass B3 - Saints Peter and Paul depart for Rome C3 - Peter confronting Nero Fourth Register: B4 - Peter is thrown into prison A4 - Peter is freed from prison by an angel C4 - Peter's disciples? Fifth Register: A5 - Peter and Paul debating with Simon Magus before Nero (1/3) C5 - Peter and Paul debating with Simon Magus before Nero (2/3) B5 - Peter and Paul debating with Simon Magus before Nero (3/3) Sixth Register: A6 - Nero sees Simon Magus fall to his death (1/2) B6 - Nero sees Simon Magus fall to his death (2/2) C6 - Peter is crucified upside down Upper section: D - The Annunciation to Mary (1/2) E - The Annunciation to Mary (2/2) F - The Visitation
Overview:
Direction of reading generally follows a simple left to right, bottom to top pattern, although the 5th register is made up of a single scene spread over three panels. Panels B5 and C5 have clearly been transposed during restoration - the line should show Nero (A5) witnessing the confrontation between Simon Magus (C5) and Peter and Paul (B5). Panels B4 and A4 have likewise been transposed, with the result that we see Peter's liberation from prison before his incarceration. The window was apparently the gift of Jacques de Guérande (shown in panel A1), who was Bishop of Nantes 1264-67 - one of the key pieces of evidence for dating these windows.