Anglo-Saxon Window, Great Hall, University of Sydney

Anglo-Saxon Window, Great Hall, University of Sydney

Alcuin, Alcuin of York, Alcuinis, Anglo-Saxon, Anglo-Saxon Window, Bede, Caedman, Caedmon, Carolingian Renaissance, Charlemagne, Cædmon, England, Great Hall, New South Wales, NSW, stained glass, Sydney, University of Sydney, Venerable Bede

The Anglo-Saxon window in the Great Hall of the University of Sydney is one of a number of windows along the side walls of the hall containing portraits of famous people. It includes three notable Anglo-Saxon churchmen and writers from the Kingdom of Northumbria. Bede (c. 673-735) was a monk at the monasteries of Monkwearmouth and Jarrow. His most famous work is the Ecclesiastical History of the English People and he is sometimes referred to as the father of English history. Alcuin (c. 735-804) was a teacher who headed the York School before being invited by Charlemagne to join the Frankish court in the 781, from where he was one of the main scholars to contribute to the Carolingian Renaissance. Alcuin became abbot of the monastery of St Martin of Tours in 796. Caedmon (later seventh century) is the earliest English poet whose name is known, and Caedmon’s Hymn is arguably the earliest known poem in English. According to Bede he became a monk at the monastery of Whitby.

The stained glass was made in England and shipped to Sydney in time for the official opening of the Great Hall in 1859.

White, David

11 February 2012

University of Sydney;
David White (photograph in hyperlink)

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