St George's Chapel: Windsor Castle, part 2

The College of St. George at Windsor Castle, in Royal Windsor, Berkshire, England, was founded by Edward III in 1348 as a body of priests and lay men who were dedicated to  daily prayer for the Monarch and all the faithful. Over 650 year later it still so remains, services, open to all, being held everyday of the year. The times of prayer, music, silence and readings follow a strict liturgical pattern through the week and throughout the church year. 

The chapel choir, comprising boys aged between seven and thirteen, sing regularly at eight services a week during term time and is described as 'an angelic joy' by one fortunate person who attended.  

Choir Practice

The boys attend St. George's School, situated just outside the castle.

The alms box

Pilgrims and visitors have visited the chapel since it was first built, many in the late 15th and 16th century coming to pray at the burial site of Henry VI, a very devout and pious man, considered by many to be a saint . There is a pilgrims' alms box that stands beside the the tomb that dates to c1480, and was made by John Tresilian.

Pilgrims were also attracted to the chapel by the Cross Gneth, which is now represented by a ceiling boss at the SE end of the chapel. The original, which disappeared in the 16th century, came about by a story being told of  a priest named Neotus, bringing back a piece of the one true cross to from the Holy Land to Wales, where it became a national treasure, before falling into the hands of of King Edward I in 1283. It was given to the chapel by Edward III after his creation of the Order of the Grater.

On my recent visit, I stood transfixed staring up at this ancient artifact, resplendent in it's colours of blue and red and covered with shimmering gold leaf. If I, a twenty first century woman with technology at  her finger tips, can find such power in this image, I can only begin to imagine how it would have appeared, in flickering taper light to my ancestors...

Cross Gneth

The architecture of the the chapel is not from the 13th century but from the two following centuries. When in 1348 Edward III founded the previously mentioned order of chivalry, The Order of the Garter, he also founded the 'college', not the college as we know it today but the group of clergy and laity who lived together as a community. His great great grandson, Edward IV ordered the erection of the present building and chose it for his eventual burial place, where he lies with his wife, Elizabeth Woodville. It is a spectacular example of perpendicular architecture, large windows and slender pillars giving and appearance of light and delicacy, added to by the pale colour of the Taynton stone. The fan ceiling with its numerous bosses and the friezes of stone angels lining the entire chapel draw the eye up.

The highlight of the visit for me was seeing the Hasting's Chantry in the North Quire, the resting place of William, Lord Hastings*, one time friend of Edward IV, executed on June 13th 1483 with no trial by the Duke of Gloucester. The chantry hosts an early 16th century painting of the martyrdom of St Stephen.  (William, Lord Hastings is the historical character I would most like to have met.) 

The martyrdom of St George.

In part 3 of this blog on Windsor Castle, I will be talking about the state rooms and apartments.

A floor plan of the chapel.

Key to numbered locations

1 - Nave - This is a good spot to view the slender Perpendicular Gothic columns which soar up to the fan-vaulted ceiling overhead. 

1a - Cenotaph of Prince Imperial - A memorial to the son of Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie of France, killed in the Zulu War in 1879. 

2 - Beaufort Chantry - The marble tomb of Charles Somerset (d. 1526) and his first wife. 

3 - West Nave Central - The richly decorated bosses in the roof above the nave bear the coats of arms of Henry VII, his family and court officials. 

4 - Urswick Chantry - This chantry chapel, built in 1507, commemorates Dean Urswick, confidant of Henry VII. In the chaple is a marble monument to Princess Charlotte, daughter of George IV, who died in childbirth in 1817. 

5 - Tomb of George V and Queen Mary 

5a- Rutland Chapel (not generally open to the public) - The chapel houses the tomb of George Manners, Lord Roos (d. 1513), and his wife Anne. 

6 - King George VI Memorial Chapel and Tomb 

7 - Hastings Chantry - Chantry chapel for Lord Hastings (d. 1483), who was executed by order of Richard III. 

8 - Edward IV's Tomb - The king (d. 1483) and Queen Elizabeth Woodville lie here. 

9 - Wrought Iron Gates - These intricate gates were designed to protect the tomb of Edward IV. 

10 - Tudor Oriel Window - The ornately carved wooden window was built by Henry VIII as a gallery for Katherine of Aragon. 

11 - Reredos and East Window - Built in 1863 as a memorial to Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria. 

12 - Garter Stalls - Most of the stalls were carved 1475-1483. Each stall bears the insignia of current Knights of the Garter. Brass and copper plates bear the arms of past knights from the 14th century to the present. 

13 - Royal Vault - George II, George IV, and William IV are buried here, with other members of the royal familiy. 

14 - Tombs of Henry VIII and Charles I 

15 - Roof Bosses - At the crossing are the arms of Henry VII and those of the Garter Knights 

16 - The Royal Stalls

17 - West Window - The stained-glass window, completed in 1509, portrays 75 royals, saints, and popes. 

18 - Bray Chantry - Tomb of Sir Reginald Bray (d. 1503). 

19 - Oliver King Chapel - Oliver King was Canon of Windsor (1480-1503) and later Bishop of Bath and Wells. He was secretary to no less than 4 kings, whose portraits appear on the opposite wall. 

20 - Edward III's sword - The battle sword made for King Edward, measuring 6 feet 8 inches long. 

21 - Oxenbridge Chantry - Chantry tomb of a canon of Windsor (d. 1522). Over the door of the chapel are an Ox, a letter 'N', and a Bridge. 

22 - Henry VI's Tomb - Henry was reburied here in 1484. The tomb was the scene of reported miracles, making it a pilgrimage destination. There is an alms box made of wrought-iron beside the tomb to receive the gifts of pilgrims. 

23 - Tomb of Edward VII (d. 1910) and Queen Alexandra 

24 - Lincoln Chapel - Within the chapel is the tomb of the Earl of Lincoln (d. 1585) and his third wife. This chapel was originally dedicated to Master John Schorn (d. 1314). 

25 - East Doors - Beautiful 13th century ironwork frames the doors (built 1240), which once formed the entry to Henry III's Chapel. 

26 - Dean's Cloister - The interior tracery of the cloister was built in 1352.

* In a later blogs I will be discussing Lord Hastings in detail and also discussing the painting and the possible reasons for it hanging in Hastings' Chantry.

Images from:
Choir practice
Burial site of Henry VI
The alms box
Cross Gneth

Sharon Reviews The King's Jew. Book Two: In the shadow of the king. The middle years. 1265 to 1274 by Darius Stransky

Today Sharon reviews In the shadow of the king. The middle years. 1265 to 1274 book 2 of The King's Jew series by Darius Stransky. The author has very generously offered one paperback giveaway to a UK winner and 3 e-book prizes to the rest of the world. To be in with the chance of being 1 of the 4 lucky winners, simply leave a comment below, or on our Facebook page. The draw will be made on Wednesday 12th April. Good luck!!!

 As Cristian Gilleson keeps vigil for his dead king (Edward the First) in Westminster Abbey on Friday, October 27th 1307, his enemies, Edward Secundus and Piers Gaveston, still plot his downfall.

In the aftermath of The Baron’s War and the Battle of Evesham in 1265, Lord Cristian Gilleson and his companion Lord Edward (the future king, Edward the First) have some pockets of resistance to clear up.

Cristian’s lady, Dulcea, wonders if they will ever marry but can a Jew marry a Christian?

The unfaithful Earl of Gloucester (Gilbert de Clare) occupies London and must be ousted.

Earl Gilbert seeks Cristian’s death and their long running feud continues.

Lord Edward takes the cross and leaves for Outremer to wage war on the Sultan Baybars. Will this Ninth Crusade be successful?

All the while the agents of Gilbert de Clare plot the perfect murder in a foreign land.

A few years ago I read and devoured The King's Jew by Darius Stransky, so when I got the opportunity to read and review its sequel, The King's Jew Book 2: In the shadow of the king. The middle years. 1265 to 1274, I jumped at the chance. It follows the story of Cristian Gilleson, a knight in the service of Henry III's son and heir, the Lord Edward. Book 1 told the story of Cristian's early life and his friendship with Edward, ending with the Battle of Evesham and the destruction of the rebel army under Simon de Montfort. Book 2 picks up immediately where the first left off.

Edward I

The King's Jew Book 2: In the shadow of the king. The middle years. 1265 to 1274 takes us on a journey that incorporates the aftermath of Evesham, the Crusades and Edward's accession to the throne itself. Told in flashback, from Westminster Abbey, where Cristian is holding vigil at Edward I's bier on the night before his funeral, the story unfolds with the sense of danger ever present, both in 1307 and in the preceding years. Cristian's enemies are determined to see him destroyed, as much for the secrets of his birth as for his actions in support of Edward since they first became friends. Being a friend of Edward I set him against the king's successor, Edward II and favourite, Piers Gaveston.

There are so many aspects of this novel that make it both interesting and enjoyable.  Although the story centres on the relationship between Cristian and Lord Edward, there are other issues which claim Cristian's attention.

His long-running feud with Gilbert de Clare, the vengeful Earl of Gloucester, not only puts Cristian Gilleson in danger, but threatens those he loves. However, de Clare is a powerful noble and Cristian has to curb his lust for revenge as de Clare is protected by Edward, who sees de Clare as a powerful ally. The animosity between the two lords lingers in the air, the atmosphere in the book permeating into the reader's mind.

"You wish to read this, Lord Edward?" asked Burnell proffering the missive.
"That, my dear Robert is why you sserve me. You are my eyes at such times as this. Return it to Cristian's chosen man. Sir Juste?"
Juste moved with a low bow.
"There is no case to answer. You may leave us."
Suppressing any further comment Juste turned on his heal to leave but not before casting an angry glance at Cristian who immediately laid a hand on his shoulder saying, "There is something deeper behind your part in this affair. I feel the soft breath of enmity here. You serve de Clare and bear witness against me. Falseness and vengeance are the traits of your master, Earl Gilbert, who would do anything to bring me down. When next you see him be sure to let him know that I am wise to his guile. The truth of a man will be seen by his actions and like not the machinations of de Clare or those who serve him."
"Let him go, Cristian," ordered Edward. "I would have peace between you and Earl Gilbert."
"Peace?" fumed Cristian. "The man makes war on the defenceless. Caused you to be imprisoned and made a vow to kill me. There can be no peace between us. Look how he slaughtered the Jews in Canterbury. Gilbert de Clare is as untrustworthy as a wild dog and ..."
"Yet he is my dog," interrupted Edward, "and I am the leopard who controls him. I can ill-afford this feud between you two. Let it rest; now!"

The characters are wonderfully colourful, credible and believable, forming a collision of the worlds in which Cristian lives; those of the court, the battlefield and the Jewish community to which he half belongs, through birth and marriage. The author demonstrates a deep understanding of the fine line which the  Jews had to walk in those times, suffering discrimination and suspicion.

And then there is Cristian's household itself, his loving wife and loyal retainers; and a traitor in their midst. All the characters in the book play their roles to perfection. This novel is full of excitement, intrigue and betrayal, leaving the reader on the edge of their seats from the first page to the last.

From English castles, to the busy thoroughfares and underworlds of London and Dover and the sweeping deserts of the Holy Land, the author never fails to set the scene, the landscapes becoming an integral part of the story. The evokes a tense atmosphere with a wonderful narrative which doesn't slow down from the first page to the last.

Although I would recommend reading Book 1, simply because it is fabulous, it is certainly not necessary simply to enjoy Book 2. Many books that form part of a series claim to be able to stand alone, but this is one of the few that I have read that lives up to that claim. As it is told in a series of flashbacks, so too, is the background story, leaving the reader with the impression that they have missed nothing, even if they have not read The King's Jew Book 1.

Darius Stransky is an expert storyteller; with the frenetic action intermingled with suspense, betrayal and ... tender moments The King's Jew Book 2: In the shadow of the king. The middle years. 1265 to 1274 is impossible to put down.




About the Author:

Darius Stransky wrote weekly columns and articles for UK top media groups for many years. One day he realised that he’d had enough words published (and paid for) to fill five or six full-length novels.

Darius had nurtured an interest in medieval history for quite some time and eventually his literary eye fell on the events of thirteenth-century England with a special reference to the life and times of King Edward the First (1239 to 1307).

A year later he began work on the first book in “The King’s Jew” quartet (It had originally started off as a single novel but how can you do justice to a ‘Great and Terrible King’ in just 400 pages?)

The King’s Jew book one was published in 2015. Book two in 2016 and the other two are well under construction.

Darius still undertakes freelance work for various newspapers and magazines but his main emphasis is completing the quartet. He lives in Northern England (a gloomy rain-swept place) with his cat, two computers, many notebooks and lots of reference works. 

Links: Website; Facebook; Author Page; Buy the Book.

About the The Reviewer: Sharon Bennett Connolly has been fascinated by history for over 30 years. She has studied it at university and worked as a tour guide at several historic sites.
Sharon has been writing a blog entitled 'History...the Interesting Bits' for a little over 2 years and has just finished her first non-fiction work, 'Heroines of the Medieval World', which looks into the lives of some of the most fascinating women from medieval history and will be published by Amberley in September 2017. It is now available for pre-order from Amazon.