These Pre-Raphaelite windows are by the London firm Heaton, Butler and Bayne. They illustrate scenes from Tennyson’s epic poem The Idylls of the King. The glass was acquired by Robert Poulsome Forder (1832-78), Mayor of Winchester, for his home at 77 Kingsgate Street, now called Wellington House.

The School acquired Wellington House in 1939 and the glass was removed for safekeeping when the building was taken over by the War Department the following year. It was rediscovered in the Warden’s Stables in 2013.

 

1. Geraint Kills a Bandit

The knight, Geraint, suspecting his wife Enid of infidelity, takes her with him on a quest. Ignoring his command to remain silent, she warns him of an impending attack and he is able to defeat his enemy. The pair are reconciled.

Inscription: Struck through the bulky bandit’s corselet home / And then brake short, and down his enemy roll’d / And there lay still

 

2. Arthur Finds a Crown

Prince Arthur discovers a crown on the skull of an ancient king. He takes nine diamonds from it and, after his coronation, gives each one as a tournament prize. Lancelot wins the first eight jousts and rides disguised in the ninth, winning the final diamond.

Inscription: and the skull / Brake from the nape and from the skull the crown / Roll’d into light and turned on its rims / Fled like a glittering rivulet to the tarn

 

3. Lancelot Charges

Lancelot in full armour enters the tournament in disguise. He wears Elaine’s token of a red sleeve embroidered with pearls as his headdress.

Inscription: little need to speak / Of Lancelot in his glory. King, duke, earl / Count, baron – whom he smote he overthrew

 

4. Lancelot and the Hermit

Despite his victory at the tournament Lancelot is wounded and taken to a hermit to be healed.

Inscription: wholly swooned away / Then came the hermit out and bare him in / There stanch’d his wound

 

5. Lancelot Leaves Elaine

Elaine has fallen in love with Lancelot but her love is not returned and he leaves her.

Inscription: Lancelot knew that she was looking at him / And yet he glanced not up nor waved his hand / Nor bad farewell, but sadly rode away

 

6. Death of Elaine

Elaine dies of a broken heart and, in accordance with her wishes, her body is taken by boat to Camelot, Arthur’s capital. She carries a letter in her hand that explains her sudden death. After reading it King Arthur orders her to be given proper burial.

Inscription: far up the flood / Until I find the Palace of the King / There will I enter in among them all / And no man there will dare to mock at me

 

7. Parting of Lancelot and Guinevere

Guinevere, Arthur’s queen, is afraid of scandal should their affair become known. To protect themselves she persuades Lancelot to return to France but a trap had already been set and they are caught together.

Inscription: O Lancelot get thee hence to thine own land / For if thou tarry we shall meet again / And if we meet again some evil chance / Will make the smouldering scandal break and blaze

 

8. Guinevere and Arthur

Guinevere takes refuge in a convent where Arthur finds her. She lies before him listening to his words of disapproval. They part and Guinevere spends the rest of her life in the convent, eventually becoming its abbess.

Inscription: But hither shall I never come again / Never lie by thy side, see thee no more / Farewell