Ribchester, St Peter & St Paul's RC Church

Title: 'The Margaret Clitherow Window'

Date: 2018

Design by: Deb Lowe

Size: 1400mm wide x 26400mm including frame

Description: The lower oval shows Margaret Clitherow in a plain gown and white coif, holding a rosary and a sprig of white wild roses—one open bloom for herself and a bud for the unborn child she carried at her execution. Behind her are the Shambles of York and York Minster, framed by laurel for victory and eternal life. The top oval depicts the spring landscape around Ribchester, with Stydd Chapel—believed to be her burial site—in the distance. Sheep and lambs reference Ribchester’s farming history and Christ as the Good Shepherd. Ivy surrounds the scene, symbolising faithfulness and eternal life. The arch contains palm leaves for martyrdom, with white roses and daffodils, while a swag of spring flowers—violets, primroses, bluebells and others—continues the seasonal theme. At the base, a green banner bears her reported last words: “Jesus have mercy on me.”