3 6 
THE ANCIENT GLASS IN YORK MINSTER. 
animals have been introduced. Throughout all the ages man has 
been a student of natural history, and the naturalistic craftsman, 
whenever he had the chance, illustrated his favourite subject, 
which was dear to him as a study and pleasurable as a sport. 
The popular natural histories of those days were the Bestiary 
and the Physiologus , and these works are responsible for much of 
the zoological subjects with which our churches are adorned. 
Romances and fables as well as the daily tasks and recreations of 
the people were also favourite subjects. The humorist has always 
been with us, and his playful satire in mediaeval times found its 
place in church decoration. 
As the donor in the two previous windows is depicted in the 
central lights, it is probable that in this case the donor of the 
window was Archbishop Greenfield. 
IV. Fourth Window (from east). Three Lights. 
The Blessed Virgin—Three Martyrs. 
The lower band of subjects in the window refer to the Blessed 
Virgin, and the upper one to three martyrs. The three finials of 
the canopy rise into the white diapered panel almost to the central 
medallion. The central diaper is formed of the Vine, and that of 
the side lights of the Oak. The upper medallions contain heads, 
that of an archbishop in the centre. The middle medallions 
depict the stoning, and the lower ones the shooting by an archer, 
of a King (St. Edmund). 
The Blessed Virgin. 
In the lower band of subjects the donor is depicted presenting 
the window. The central panel shows the Blessed Virgin crowned 
and seated, and holding her Divine Son. The eastern panel con¬ 
tains two kneeling figures. 
R 
(Insertion). 
R 
St. Peter. 
R 
St. Paul. 
B 
St. Lawrence. 
B 
St. Denis. 
B 
St. Eleutherius ? 
R 
The Donor. 
B 
B. Virgin 
and her Divine Son. 
R 
Two Figures 
kneeling. 
