Early engraving

An Introduction

Romsey Abbey retains none of its own medieval glass, though excavation around the building has produced a few samples of post-Dissolution painted glass, much of it being plain but a few pieces showing curvilinear or tendril designs.

These windows may well have been lost when Sir William Waller’s Parliamentarian troops broke into the church in March 1643, destroying the organ and woodwork. No mention is made at that time of the windows, but the troops had just come from Winchester Cathedral, where they had destroyed the windows, so it is very possible that the Abbey suffered the same fate.

Engravings of the church in the early 1800s show the windows filled with plain glass with, here and there, medallions of coloured glass. Sadly these are not clear enough to make out any design, and they have long disappeared.

The majority of the glass was placed between the 1860s and 1910, with a few additions in more recent times.

Now, walk towards the large font at the west end.

Romsey Abbey - A Guide to the Stained Glass
  1. An Introduction
  2. The West Window
  3. South Nave Aisle - Abraham and Isaac
  4. South Nave Aisle - The Annunciation
  5. South Nave Aisle - St Anna and The Presentation in the Temple
  6. South Nave Aisle - Christ Healing the Blind Man
  7. South Transept - The Three Marys
  8. South Transept - The Dutton Windows
  9. South Transept - The Tollemache Windows
  10. The French Glass
  11. St Anne's Chapel - The Child Jesus in the Temple and The Epiphany Windows
  12. St Ethelflaeda's Chapel - The Crucifixion
  13. St Mary's Chapel - The Adoration of the Shepherds
  14. St George's Chapel - St Michael and the Dragon
  15. St George's Chapel - The Pool at Bethesda
  16. The North Choir Aisle - The Calling Window
  17. The East Windows
  18. North Transept - The Angel of Music
  19. The North Transept (north wall, left) - The Annunciation
  20. The North Transept (north wall, right) - The Holy Family
  21. The North Transept (west wall) - St Swithun
  22. North Nave Aisle 1 - Healing the Lame, The Good Samaritan, and Healing the Blind Man
  23. North Nave Aisle 2 - Christ the Good Shepherd & Suffer the Little Children