Peace Window
DEDICATED TO PEACE BETWEEN NATIONS 1986
The Peace Window was created to commemorate the International Year of Peace in 1986. It was commissioned by Councillor Robert Grainger and designed by Harry Harvey, a leading artist in stained glass design who was inspired by Doncaster’s heritage and the ideal of peace between nations. Each symbol used in the design represents an event in Doncaster’s history. The doves and the inscription above complete this monumental window. The Peace Window is a tribute to everyone in past who has yearned for Peace and to everyone who seeks peace today.
The Peace Window is divided into three panels, a large central panel rising to the ceiling and two side panels. The central panel is dominated by the Coat of Arms of Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, which was approved in 1974 and includes the motto ‘Be Steadfast’.
Above the shield, the Owl represents the Savilles of Mexborough and the yellow and blue band around its neck represents the De Warren family – the Norman rulers of Conisbrough Castle. The oak leaves around the owl represent the Roman settlement of Danum (meaning ‘camp on the river’)
The Owl perches on a castle and a helmet with the visor shut. The image of the castle is from the banner of 1467 which indicated that Doncaster was once a fortified town.
The shield is half black and half green. The black represents the western side of the borough, which was predominately coal mining. The green represents the eastern side, which was predominately agricultural.
The 8 white roses on the shield, represent the 8 councils which were amalgamated to form DoncasterMetropolitan Borough Council in 1974. The castle towers represent the castles of Conisbrough and Tickhill. The two wavy lines at the bottom of the shield represent the River Don and the canal system.
Two lions support the shield. The lion on the left has the British Rail ‘flash’ representing the railways and the plant works. The Miners lamp represents the mining industry. The lion on the right has the blue ‘flash’ representing the power stations and a ship’s anchor representing shipbuilding at Thorne.
Below the shield and the motto ‘Be Steadfast’, the white rose of the house of York and red rose of the house of York are shown on either side of a sprig of broom representing King Richard I ( the Lionheart) who granted the town its Royal Charter in 1194.
The House of Lancaster has a long association with Doncaster as it was here that Henry Bolingbroke, the future Henry IV claimed his inheritance at the beginning of the Wars of the Roses. The Duchy of Lancaster, which is held by the monarch, is the owner of Tickhill Castle.
The portcullis in the centre represents the Tudor dynasty. Henry VII visited Doncaster and Henry VIII in 1538 dissolved the town’s Carmelite Friary (on whose site the Mansion House now stands)
On either side of the portcullis, the 3 Heraldic Lions of England and the Fleur-de-Lys of France commemorate the historic links between England and France and the long association between the Royal Family and the Doncaster Borough.
On the side panel on the left, the Raven represents the Danish invaders and the Helmet represents the Normans who constructed Tickhill and Conisborough Castle. The Griffin represents the Rockingham Pottery and Porcelain works in Mexborough, one of the most famous porcelain manufactories of the 19th century.
On the side panel on the right, the Eagle represents the Romans who built a fort by the river Don. The upturned Helmet represents the bloodshed of the Civil War when the Parliamentary forces occupied the Doncaster area with Pontefract and Tickhill Castles holding out for the King. The Lion holding the flag has been used from early Middle Ages as evidence of the town’s ancient traditions and civic freedoms.
At the bottom of the window, with doves on either side, is the inscription:
DEDICATED TO PEACE BETWEEN NATIONS 1986
FURTHER INFORMATION
Harry Harvey of York (1922-2011), was a leading artist in stained glass design. A Fellow of the British Society of Master Glass Painters. He created over 200 windows in churches, cathedrals and other important historic buildings. Together with his assistant Ann Sotheran he prepared the glass using the traditional methods of the glass painter. Each piece large or small being richly coloured after firing in a kiln.
The Original 1749 Window – when the Mansion House was opened in 1749, this large window was an important architectural feature of the main staircase. It actually formed the upper part of the rear wall of the staircase. In the 19th century, a small balcony salon was constructed and the staircase window was moved back to form a floor to ceiling feature overlooking the courtyard. The original design of the glazing replaced with an imitation Venetian, textured design in golden yellow with a blue surround. By1985, this window had become so dilapidated that it became necessary to seek a replacement. It was decided to replace the window with glazing which would be constructed in very much the same way as the original georgian style.
The Peace Window project provided an unique opportunity to create a work of art which exemplifies the very best in craftsmanship and is dedicated to the ideal which we all seek, of Peace between Nations, a fitting contribution to International Peace Year 1986.