The Home Beautiful: The Betley Hall Windows, 1550-1620

Stained Glass Quarry from Betley Hall, 1550-1620
This and all related images from:
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Small diamond-shaped panels of stained glass like these are called “quarries.” These quarries were first recorded as being installed at Betley Hall in Staffordshire—the elegant home of the Tollet family--in the Eighteenth Century. The glass panels, however, were most likely made before the Tollet’s mansion was built—sometime in the early Seventeenth Century or late Sixteenth. It is believed that these quarries were salvaged when the original Tollet mansion was demolished in 1783, and leaded into a window in the new Betley Hall which was later built on the site.

During the Elizabethan age,  glass painters often referred to popular prints for inspiration for their designs. Some of the figures in these quarries, made between 1550 and 1620, are thought have been based on an engraving by the prolific German printmaker Israhel van Meckenem (c. 1440-1445 - 1503).

Each of the twelve panels which were salvaged from the original mansion depicts a figure (with one exception-- one depicts a maypole with the inscription “A Mery (sic.) May.”   The other eleven decorated panels depict the following : A fool, six panels each show a man dancing, a man playing a pipe and a tambour, a man on a hobby horse, a woman with a long veil holding a flower. The woman is probably a representation of the Queen of the May.

The dance which is represented here is almost certainly the Morris Dance which was an element of festivities at court and at popular communal celebrations in Tudor England.  For the dance, the participants would stand around a maypole (a tall decorated pole).  The dancers would enact the certain roles: the fool, bell-wearers, a man on a hobby horse and another playing a 'pipe and tambour' - a type of flute played with a small drum.  

The panel at the top of the page shows the “fool.”  The others, pictured below, show the other participants of the Morris Dance.   These quarries date from a period when stained window glass was becoming increasingly scarce. An alternative was devised wherein white glass was painted with colored enamels. Happily, this technique enabled glass painters to produce far more detailed compositions than ever before.

The Home Beautiful: The Betley Hall Windows, 1550-1620

Stained Glass Quarry from Betley Hall, 1550-1620
This and all related images from:
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Small diamond-shaped panels of stained glass like these are called “quarries.” These quarries were first recorded as being installed at Betley Hall in Staffordshire—the elegant home of the Tollet family--in the Eighteenth Century. The glass panels, however, were most likely made before the Tollet’s mansion was built—sometime in the early Seventeenth Century or late Sixteenth. It is believed that these quarries were salvaged when the original Tollet mansion was demolished in 1783, and leaded into a window in the new Betley Hall which was later built on the site.

During the Elizabethan age,  glass painters often referred to popular prints for inspiration for their designs. Some of the figures in these quarries, made between 1550 and 1620, are thought have been based on an engraving by the prolific German printmaker Israhel van Meckenem (c. 1440-1445 - 1503).

Each of the twelve panels which were salvaged from the original mansion depicts a figure (with one exception-- one depicts a maypole with the inscription “A Mery (sic.) May.”   The other eleven decorated panels depict the following : A fool, six panels each show a man dancing, a man playing a pipe and a tambour, a man on a hobby horse, a woman with a long veil holding a flower. The woman is probably a representation of the Queen of the May.

The dance which is represented here is almost certainly the Morris Dance which was an element of festivities at court and at popular communal celebrations in Tudor England.  For the dance, the participants would stand around a maypole (a tall decorated pole).  The dancers would enact the certain roles: the fool, bell-wearers, a man on a hobby horse and another playing a 'pipe and tambour' - a type of flute played with a small drum.  

The panel at the top of the page shows the “fool.”  The others, pictured below, show the other participants of the Morris Dance.   These quarries date from a period when stained window glass was becoming increasingly scarce. An alternative was devised wherein white glass was painted with colored enamels. Happily, this technique enabled glass painters to produce far more detailed compositions than ever before.

Object of the Day, Museum Edition: The Betley Hall Windows, 1550-1620

Stained Glass Quarry from Betley Hall, 1550-1620
This and all related images from:
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Small diamond-shaped panels of stained glass like these are called “quarries.”  These quarries were first recorded as being installed at Betley Hall in Staffordshire—the elegant home of the Tollet family--in the Eighteenth Century. The glass panels, however, were most likely made before the Tollet’s mansion was built—sometime in the early Seventeenth Century or late Sixteenth. It is believed that these quarries were salvaged when the original Tollet mansion was demolished in 1783, and leaded into a window in the new Betley Hall which was later built on the site.

During the Elizabethan age,  glass painters often referred to popular prints for inspiration for their designs. Some of the figures in these quarries, made between 1550 and 1620, are thought have been based on an engraving by the prolific German printmaker Israhel van Meckenem (c. 1440-1445 - 1503).

Each of the twelve panels which were salvaged from the original mansion depicts a figure (with one exception-- one depicts a maypole with the inscription “A Mery (sic.) May.”   The other eleven decorated panels depict the following : A fool, six panels each show a man dancing, a man playing a pipe and a tambour, a man on a hobby horse, a woman with a long veil holding a flower.  The woman is probably a representation of the Queen of the May.

The dance which is represented here is almost certainly the Morris Dance which was an element of festivities at court and at popular communal celebrations in Tudor England.  For the dance, the participants would stand around a maypole (a tall decorated pole).  The dancers would enact the certain roles: the fool, bell-wearers, a man on a hobby horse and another playing a 'pipe and tambour' - a type of flute played with a small drum.  

The panel at the top of the page shows the “fool.”  The others, pictured below, show the other participants of the Morris Dance.   These quarries date from a period when stained window glass was becoming increasingly scarce. An alternative was devised wherein white glass was painted with colored enamels.  Happily, this technique enabled glass painters to produce far more detailed compositions than ever before.

Home Security Tip of the Week: Window Alarms

If you’re in a position where you cannot install a security system, you may wonder how you can further protect your home. Perhaps you’re a renter, or maybe finances just don’t allow for the expense of a security system at the moment. One solution is battery-operated window alarms.


Using double-sided tape, these alarms are easy to install. Simply place the sensor on the molding and the main unit on the window frame so that they’re touching. The alarms emit a high-pitched squeal if the window is opened. The sound is enough to deter a would-be intruder and will certainly alert you to the fact that someone was trying to get in. These also work great on doors.

Though I have a security system with window sensors, I also keep these alarms on the windows as a secondary level of protection. I would recommend them. They’re inexpensive and offer peace of mind.

Home Security Tip of the Week: Check Your Windows

Though it seems like common sense, many of us forget to lock our windows. Ground floor windows as well as upper-story windows should be kept locked when not open. Most standard window locks are sufficient. I like to use extra window locks in addition to the standard variety as well as electronic sensors that set off an alarm when the window is tampered with. Adding extra locks to your windows is simple and inexpensive. Check online or at your local home improvement store to see your options.

A window lock with a home security camera.

You should periodically check your window locks. Changes in temperature and humidity can cause window frames to shift. This can sometimes cause your window locks to become loose. Taking a few minutes for a seasonal glance at the locks is always a great idea.

If you often have your windows open for air circulation, just see that the windows are closed before you leave the house or that those that remain open are not accessible.

Another thing to keep in mind is the overgrowth of shrubbery and trees around windows and doors. While many of us like the English garden look, having too many overgrown areas isn’t to your advantage. You want the area around the windows to be somewhat visible so that your neighbors can spot someone lurking where they shouldn’t be.

When you leave the house, close blinds and draperies. Not only does this keep unwanted eyes from surveying your territory, but it’s a good idea from an energy-saving standpoint.

Remember, your windows are your source for light and a great view, they’re not meant to be an entrance for other people.