Illuminating Saint Anne: York's Medieval Stained Glass as a Window to Understanding Lay Devotion

This thesis examines three fifteenth century stained glass windows of three parish churches in Medieval York, England. Using the work of early 20th century glass scholars as a foundation, this project relies heavily on their records of stained glass and the works of prominent contemporary art historians. With their work as a precedent, the content focuses on a window at All Saints, North Street; Holy Trinity, Goodramgate, and St. Martin-le-Grand, Coney, Street. At each parish there is a window depicting one facet of Saint Anne's iconography, primarily her as a mother and educator. With these windows, I have determined that the saint is a reflection of medieval society and representative of a shift in late medieval lay devotional practices.