09.05.2009
artist: M.E.A. Rope
Haggerston Saints Stained Glass Windows
(on permanent display at The Crypt)
photographed by Tatiana Schenk
first visit 09.05.20099

TATIANA'S NOTES TO THE SAINT GEORGE STAINED GLASS WINDOW
May 24th 2009

ARTIST AND LOCATION

Margaret Edith Aldrich Rope - Windows in the crypt of Saint Mary Magdalene (Church of England), Munster Square, London

Actual words in Bold, explanations non-bold, indented
(BCP=Book of Common Prayer, 1662; KJB=King James Bible, 1611)

The Church of England's official book of worship and bible have been the BCP and KJB since the mid 16th century. For over four hundred years the English heard and spoke these words. Some say that these books, together with the works of Shakespeare, make up the summit the English language. Their phrases became engraved in English minds and hearts. In the 1960's, the Church of England decided that the people were now suddenly unable understand this language and that both books needed to be made more 'accessible'. This started the long and ultimately self-destructive march of liturgical vandalism culminating in the modern versions in use in Anglican churches today. Use of the BCP and KJB are now frowned upon and very few vicars have the courage or insight to use them for their services.

SAINT GEORGE

GIVEN BY THE MEN AND BOYS OF ST AUGUSTINE'S IN 1933

FINISHED ALL SAINTS VIGIL, 1934
on right hand side, bottom
The day is the evening of October 31 before All Saints on November 1st. This is also Reformation Day when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the church doors at Wittenberg.
MEA Rope's Catholic beliefs are expressed in her choice and treatment of the specifically Catholic sacraments of penance (St. Leonard) and priestly consecration (St. Joseph), the Catholic doctrine of purgatory (St. Michael), the Catholic institution of monasticism (St. Augustine) and Catholic Marian devotions and doctrines (St. Anne, Mary, Mother of Christ, The Coronation of the Virgin Mary) and of course the Catholic veneration of saints.
The understanding of the Eucharist and the nature of this sacrament became an explosive theological dividing point. She deliberately paints three scenes emphasizing the Consecration, Transubstantiation, Elevation of the Host, (St George, Mary Mother of Christ, and The Coronation of the Virgin Mary.) according to Catholic doctrine.

see also MEA Rope's own Tortoise symbol, on left hand side, bottom

THE FULL, PERFECT AND SUFFICIENT SACRIFICE, OBLATION AND SATISFACTION
From: The Prayer of Consecration, BCP, The Communion, see also BCP Articles of Religion, Article XXXI. These are the words said by the priest just before the moment shown in the communion scene.

I SHALL DELIVER THEE THROUGH THE POWER OF JESUS CHRIST.
This could be a reference to BCP, Morning Prayer, Day 18, Psalm 91. Qui habitat. Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the Most High : shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say unto the Lord, Thou art my hope, and my stronghold : my God, in him will I trust.
For he shall deliver thee from the snare of the hunter : and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall defend thee under his wings, and thou shalt be safe under his feathers: his faithfulness and truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

SAINT GEORGE OUR PATRON PRAY FOR ENGLAND
Saint George is a military saint and soldier-martyr, the red cross on the white background is his banner. The white background may have come from the Crusader's white tunics. The very English Christ halos in red and white in all of MEA Rope's windows go back at least to Victorian times. The St George's martyrdom story is interesting as is his veneration throughout Christian Europe to this day. The rescued maiden is sometimes stands for the Church, here maybe England between the wars?

The crucified Christ is shown on a map of England set like a stone in the silver sea. England is threatened by what look like U-boats in the Irish sea, war ships coming from the North Sea and Channel. The Welsh border is clearly marked out as is the port of London and the postal mark E2 - for Bethnal Green which includes Haggerston where St. Augustine's was situated.

Most school children of her day would have known this by heart.

This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,-
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.

William Shakespeare, King Richard II. Act ii. Sc. 1.

The national flower of England is the red rose. The flower has been England's emblem since the time of the Wars of the Roses (1455-1485) between the victorious royal house of Lancaster (whose emblem was a red rose) and the royal house of York (whose emblem was a white rose). Henry Tudor from Wales, Henry VII, was the military victor but defensiveness about his dynastic legitimacy obsessed him and later also his son Henry VIII.
MEA Rope uses the red rose of England and red and white St George color schemes very often in her windows. English red roses decorate the altar and tunic of St George.
On the left side, middle, are also the three lions on a red background, the arms of Richard I, which are part of the historical royal coat of arms of England.
Saints are a tangible link between the human and the divine and intercede on behalf of men with God.
She likes to use upward movements linking the domestic and the sacred. St George stands between the local parish communion below and God above and as its protector keeps England safe through and for Christ.
signed with MEA Rope's own Tortoise symbol, on left hand side, bottom

PURPLE POETS Time Banks and Time Banking The Four Core Values

co-production (Edgar Kahn, founder of Time Bank) 1. We treat people as assets – We support the positive actions people can and want to do for their community. 2. We are re-defining work – regardless of the task, everyone’s time is valued equally we value whatever it takes to make neighbourhoods safe and vibrant. 3.We reciprocate – we require that everyone gives something back ensuring all in our society have the opportunity to be involved in their community. 4. We support the development of social networks – these require ongoing investments of social capital generated by trust, reciprocity and civic engagement.

NATIONAL POETRY DAY 2008
PROJECT: BOOK EXCHANGE

BOOK EXCHANGE WORDING
Please click to go to a printable poster
to copy to set up your own book exchange