Stained Glass Windows

[Madaglan]

When did stained glass windows begin being used for churches? I recently finished Gregory of Tours’ History of the Franks. When he writes about the construction of great churches, he mentions the number (e.g. 52) of windows (fenestras) incorporated into the structure. Gregory lived in the late 6th century, and the great churches he mentions were built in the mid to late 5th century.

This makes me wonder: were early church “windows” merely apertures in the wall?

Later in the same work, Gregory relates an event that happened in the 6th century, at the great church of St. Martin’s in Tours. Several thieves break through a glass window in order to enter into the church.

Would this glass have been a kind of clear (or semi-clear) glass?

When did multi-colored (stained) glass come into use for churches?

I’m not too knowledgeable on glass-making, so any information is helpful.

 

[Rolltide]

I work as a history professor, and if I recall correctly, stained glass was one of the innovations that came around the time of the end of Romanesque architecture and the beginning of Gothic architecture, so that would place the beginnings of stained glass somewhere between 1050 and 1150 AD. As far as I know, earlier glass would have been clear. (Clear glass was known as early as Roman times.) Prior to Gothic architecture, church walls had to be huge, and windows had to be tiny, in order to support the massive weight of the structure. It was the invention of flying buttresses that first allowed windows of any significant size. (It also saved tremendous amounts of money in candles that didn’t need to be lit in the daytime.)

 

[malphono]

I’m not a history professor, but I did study such matters ages ago, and from what I recall, Rolltide is correct.

I also seem to remember that the stained glass of the of those times is a far cry from the imposter that we know today, which is nothing more than colored glass: making the real thing is a lost art.

 

[Madaglan]

I work as a history professor, and if I recall correctly, stained glass was one of the innovations that came around the time of the end of Romanesque architecture and the beginning of Gothic architecture, so that would place the beginnings of stained glass somewhere between 1050 and 1150 AD. As far as I know, earlier glass would have been clear. (Clear glass was known as early as Roman times.) Prior to Gothic architecture, church walls had to be huge, and windows had to be tiny, in order to support the massive weight of the structure. It was the invention of flying buttresses that first allowed windows of any significant size. (It also saved tremendous amounts of money in candles that didn’t need to be lit in the daytime.)

Very informative. Thank you.

 

[Cluny]

In the Basilica style of church building, windows in the clerestory had windows of mica.

This is according to St. Gregory of Tours VITA PATRUM as translated by Hieromonk Seraphim Rose.

 

[Madaglan]

In the Basilica style of church building, windows in the clerestory had windows of mica.

This is according to St. Gregory of Tours VITA PATRUM as translated by Hieromonk Seraphim Rose.

Very interesting.