Lt. R. A. Harpley Memorial Window

Lt R A Harpley memorial window - Taken by PCC of St Lawrence Parish Church, York 01 Jun 2016

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World War 1 memorial window with marble tablet below with names of the fallen - Taken by K Atkinson 26 Mar 2022

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World War 1 memorial window with marble tablet below with names of the fallen - Taken by K Atkinson 26 Mar 2022

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World War 1 memorial window with marble tablet below with names of the fallen - Taken by K Atkinson 26 Mar 2022

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Reference WMO/237800

Address:

St Lawrence Parish Church

Lawrence Street

York

YO10 3WP

England

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Status: On original site

Type: Non freestanding

Location: Internal

Setting: Attached to a building/structure

Description: Stained glass window

Materials:

Glass Stained Glass

Lettering: Painted

Conflicts:

First World War (1914-1918)

About the memorial: The window consists of three 30-foot-long lancets in the South Transept. It was created in c1930 by Joan Fullylove (1886- 1947), the daughter of the well-known Victorian landscape artist John Fulleylove. This window in St Lawrence was an unusually important commission for a female artist of the period.The window was donated in part in memory of a former vicar by his widow, but also in memory of their son Robert, who died at the Somme in 1916. Very unusually for a First World War memorial, the Somme battlefield is specifically depicted, with the church of Albert and its precarious statue clearly visible. Robert Harpley's name is one of those on the large marble memorial plaque to all the men of the parish who died in the War which is below the window. The overall arrangement is designed to make the window a tribute to more than 100 men of the parish who died in action. The window shows a full length figure of an Arthurian Knight standing in prayer. Above is a host of angels and figures praising the Holy Grail. At his feet are the coasts of France and England, including unusual depictions of Amiens cathedral and local York landmarks – including St Lawrence itself, as well as Walmgate Bar and the church of All Saints, Pavement – linking the horrors of the Western Front to the people of York, and alluding to the peace won for those left behind. Artistically, it is an exceptional example of the lightness and luminosity of stained glass of the Arts and Crafts movement, and it shows pronounced Art Deco influences.

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Date Submitted:

Work Proposed:

Repairs to the original/historic/physical war memorial including structural or conservation works: or works which are required to enable the war memorial to continue to function

Status:

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Comments:

The window consists of three 30-foot-long lancets in the South Transept.  It was created in c1930 by Joan Fullylove (1886- 1947), the daughter of the well-known Victorian landscape artist John Fulleylove.  This window in St Lawrence was an unusually important commission for a female artist of the period.The window was donated in part in memory of a former vicar by his widow, but also in memory of their son Robert, who died at the Somme in 1916. Very unusually for a First World War memorial, the Somme battlefield is specifically depicted, with the church of Albert and its precarious statue clearly visible. Robert Harpley's name is one of those on the large marble memorial plaque to all the men of the parish who died in the War which is below the window. The overall arrangement is designed to make the window a tribute to more than 100 men of the parish who died in action.
The window shows a full length figure of an Arthurian Knight standing in prayer. Above is a host of angels and figures praising the Holy Grail. At his feet are the coasts of France and England, including unusual depictions of Amiens cathedral and local York landmarks – including St Lawrence itself, as well as Walmgate Bar and the church of All Saints, Pavement – linking the horrors of the Western Front to the people of York, and alluding to the peace won for those left behind.  Artistically, it is an exceptional example of the lightness and luminosity of stained glass of the Arts and Crafts movement, and it shows pronounced Art Deco influences.

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Inscription:

Across window:"FOR THE LAMB WHICH IS IN THE MIDST OF OUR THRONE SHALL FEED THEM" / "BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH AND I/ WILL GIVE THEE A CROWN OF LIFE."/ Left light, at base: AMIENS / ALBERT / THIEPVAL WOOD/ IN MEMORY OF THE/ NOBLE AND SAINTLY/ LIVES OF THOMAS ABLESON/ HARPLEY, M.A., OF/ ST JOHN'S COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE,/ Centre light, at base: AT ONE TIME VICAR OF THIS/ CHURCH AND OF/ HIS SON ROBERT ABLESON/ HARPLEY, LIEU 5TH BATTALION,/ K.OY.L.I., WHO FELL FIGHTING/ IN THE BATTLE OF THE/ Right light, at base: SOMME, JULY 6TH 1916./ THIS WINDOW/ WAS PLACED HERE BY/ THEIR LOVING WIFE AND/ MOTHER, HENRIETTA/ PARTRIDGE KNOX.

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Custodian name:

St Lawrence Parish Church

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