S5 The St Edmund Window
The gift of Marie Ridge 1968
In this splendid window the story of St Edmund, King and Martyr, the Patron Saint of the parish is illustrated.
Almost nothing is known about Edmund but there are several different versions of the legend of St Edmund (c. 841–869). This is the version our window depicts.
Edmund was a Saxon prince born in 841 when the Christian Offa was King of East Anglia. Towards the end of his reign Offa made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land staying on the way with Edmund’s parents who were his kinsmen. He was so impressed with the young boy that Offa appointed Edmund to be his successor. Offa then continued on his pilgrimage to Jerusalem but died during the return journey. On hearing of this Edmund set sail for East Anglia coming ashore near Hunstanton after being ship-wrecked.
Only 15 years old he was crowned king by Bishop Humbert on Christmas Day in the year 855. Some eleven years later East Anglia was invaded by the Danes and the young king led out his army to meet them. They were defeated and Edmund was taken prisoner but he refused to renounce his faith.
Edmund was then bound to a tree, shot through by arrows and beheaded. The date was 20th November. His decapitated head is said to have been reunited with its body with the help of a talking wolf who protected the head and then called out “Hic, Hic, Hic” (“Here, Here, Here”) to alert Edmund’s followers.
The story is illustrated in twelve scenes in four tiers of three.
Window to the east of the pillar
Left hand light:-
King Offa talking to a monk about building a monastery.
King Offa makes the young Edmund his heir.
King Offa sets out for the Holy Land. He wears his crown but is dressed as a pilgrim carrying a staff topped with the scallop shell of the pilgrim.
Right hand light
King Offa dies. (left)
Edmund receives news of Offa’s death.
Edmund prepares to travel to East Anglia.
Window to the west of the pillar
Left hand light
The ship which brought Edmund to East Anglia
Edmund arrives at Hunstanton and is greeted by Humbert
Edmund is crowned King.
Right hand light
Edmund fights the Danes.
Edmund is taken captive, tied to a tree and shot with arrows.
A wolf guards Edmund’s head.
Designed by Rupert Moore, made by James Powell & Son in 1968 at a cost of £2400.