These windows miraculously survived the 1194 fire and are some of the oldest in Europe, dating from around 1150. Restoration in the 1970s allows them to be seen in their full brilliance today.
The subject matter of these three windows is the birth and death of Christ and his resurrection and ascension into heaven. The [P 003 / right-hand window] shows the fulfillment of the prophesy that Christ would come from the House of David, `out of the stem of Jesse' (Isiah: 11:1-2).
This is portrayed literally. Jesse, the father of David, is shown lying down in the bottom picture. A stem comes from his groin which is carried up into the other seven windows in the form of a tree. In each of the next four windows sits one of four kings of Judah. In the fifth, is Mary and above her sits Christ. In the seventh window is the flower and fruit of the tree. The colors are brilliant reds, blues, greens and yellows, and the story is shown very simply in stylized figures with each pane set in a square.
The central window is read from left to right and bottom to top. It tells the story of the birth of Christ, the visitation of the Magi, the flight into Egypt, the presentation at the temple, and Christ's baptism and entry into Jerusalem. Each large pane is enclosed in alternating circles and squares.
The death, resurrection and ascension into heaven are shown in the left-hand window which uses double circles in each section. The detail and movement shown in these windows is particularly sensitively depicted. For example, in the sixth right-hand pane, Mary Magdalene is shown kneeling before the resurrected Christ, reaching out to touch his feet. This picture illustrates the verse in the New Testament, John chapter 20, verse 17, `Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father.' Christ extends his arm out to her, turning his body away. The simple lines of the picture illustrate the movement very clearly.
