Felbrigg Hall National Trust Norfolk
This beautiful 17th century house is particularly noted for its Jacobean architecture and fine Georgian interior, nevertheless, as would be expected different generations have made their mark on the property. Although the house “escaped” a full Victorian makeover, in the 1840s William Howe Windham renovated the Great Hall and in so doing introduced a beautiful collection of stained glass which was installed by John Dixon.
Dixon was employed at St Peter Mancroft (Norwich) and here he has reproduced some of the medieval panels found in the church’s stunning East window. Additionally two of the original East window panels are now located at Felbrigg. These would have been removed around 1837 when the Mancroft window was “improved” and central lights were replaced with a large figure of St Peter, made and presented by Dixon.
The Great Hall also contains a selection of foreign roundels, many of which would have been imported to the county by Christopher Hampp. These have been set in 19th century surrounds by Dixon. The result is a fascinating collection of glass displaying a huge range of characteristics. It is particularly interesting to compare Dixon’s work with the original 15th century panels that he tried so hard to imitate.
The upper panels contain a collection of 16th and 17th century foreign glass in a 19th century setting. The lower panels can be dated to c1840. They were reproduced by John Dixon as copies of the outstanding 15th century panels which can still be viewed in St Peter Mancroft’s east window.
There is some dispute at to the provenance of the glass in this window. All agree that the lower panels can be dated to c1840. They were reproduced by John Dixon as copies of the outstanding 15th century panels two of which can still be viewed in St Peter Mancroft’s east window. Interestingly, however, the original of the left hand panel “The Flight into Egypt” has been lost.
Looking at the top panels, academics have previously asserted that all three are 15th century panels originally from St Peter Mancroft, however, recent study by David King makes this unlikely:"
The window contains a selection of glass most of it continental, dating from the 16th and 17th centuries.
All the panels in the top row can be related to St Peter Mancroft’s East window.
Including two of the 15th century panels originally made for the church
i.e “The Presentation in the Temple” and the “Virgin foretelling her death”.
These would have been removedfrom the church around 1837 when the Mancroft window was “improved”
and central lights were replaced with a large figure of St Peter, made and presented by Dixon.
In the past a third panel illustrating the story of St John telling the Apostles of the Virgin’s prophecy has been thought to be an original panel,
however, David King attributes this to John Dixon.
Of the remaining panels in the top row, the panels showing the Annunciation and Nativity are both 19th century Dixon copies.
The left hand panel depicting the “assembled apostles” is a 20th century copy of the 15th century original which is owned by Felbrigg,
but has been returned to the church of it’s origin on loan.
All of the lower panels depict the arms of Windham and Hervey.
They have been set in continental surrounds within fields of 19th century patterns and inscriptions.