The stories of 50 remarkable artefacts, preserved by the cathedrals of the Church in Wales and the Church of England, feature in the book, called Deans’ Choice: Cathedral Treasures of England and Wales. Each treasure was chosen and described by the Dean, or senior clergy, of the cathedral featured and the book was compiled by Janet Gough, a Canon of Saint Deiniol’s Cathedral in Bangor. The triptych bears the symbol of the Antwerp Guild of Woodcarvers, confirming its place of origin. It is thought to have been in a church in Cologne until it was brought to this country by Henry Brougham (1778–1868) in the 1840s. Brougham was at one time Lord Chancellor of England and also a prominent slavery abolitionist. The triptych was installed in the family church of St Wilfred’s, Brougham, where it was cut into three pieces to fit between the windows. The conditions in the church took their toll, and in the 1970s the triptych was reassembled, restored and displayed for seven years at the Victoria and Albert Museum. It was then installed in Carlisle Cathedral in 1979.

These ‘redemption’ windows explore themes of reconciliation using scenes from the life of the king, in combination with biblical stories. Richard is portrayed not only as someone rooted in the Wars of the Roses (1455–87) but also as an archetype for all people. Spot the vine leaves and grapes, oak leaves and acorns that decorate the capitals in the Chapter House at Southwell – a work known as ‘The Leaves of Southwell’ The Mostyn Christ - a pre-Reformation, life-sized wooden figure of Christ – at Saint Deiniol’s Cathedral in Bangor Could the splendid octagonal Chapter House reflect nearby Sherwood Forest, where the natural world bursts with vitality? How do the ‘Leaves’ speak to us, seven centuries later, of harmony and fragility in God’s creation, providing insight as we counter climate emergency? This book is a testament to the work of generations of skilled craftspeople who have created and maintained the stonework, the wood carvings and the embroidery - including the kneelers stitched, mostly by women, at Guildford cathedral – that are so much a part of what we see in cathedrals today.Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828–1882) created his gloriously coloured The Seed of Davidpainted triptych (1856–64) for Llandaff Cathedral, just outside Cardiff. It was one of the Pre-Raphaelite artist’s first major commissions and he was wildly enthusiastic– ‘a big thing which I shall go into with a howl of delight’.

Vote for your favourite here and you could win a copy of “ Deans’ Choice: Cathedral Treasures of England and Wales.” a brilliant book by Janet Gough.

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Janet’s latest volume, Deans’ Choice: Cathedral Treasures of England and Wales tells the story of the treasures from 44 Church of England cathedrals and six cathedrals from the Church in Wales, each one chosen by the Dean or senior clergy of the cathedral featured. We hope that the extraordinary range of fascinating treasures in this book will encourage you to visit and revisit the wonderful cathedrals of the Church of England and the Church in Wales, which are open to visitors for private prayer, divine service and enjoyment 365 days a year. The outer panels, which would have closed the altarpiece during certain liturgical seasons, have long since been lost, but the remaining sections are outstanding examples of their type. As now configured, the main panels depict the Road to Calvary, the Crucifixion and the Deposition and Lamentation. Beneath the main panels are scenes from the life of Jesus: the Circumcision(for that is what we see in this image), the Presentation in the Temple, the Visit of the Magi and, to the far right, the figure of Jesse. The Dean of St Albans, the Very Revd Jo Kelly-Moore, and chair of the Association of English Cathedrals said: The cathedrals of England and Wales are remarkable buildings. From the centuries leading up to the Norman Conquest to the tumults of the Reformation to the devastating wars of the twentieth century, they carry traces of our nations' darkest moments and most brilliant endeavours.

Together the treasures span over 1,000 years of history with the earliest treasure, Ripon Cathedral’s ancient crypt of St Wilfrid established in 672 AD, the oldest building of any English cathedral still in use today, to the newest, the Newport Cathedral Rood, a modern work of art by Singaporean artist Tay Swee Siong that was installed in 2020. It is made up of 57 lozenge shapes each filled with a painted figure, from the Lamb of God to Luna (the moon) and St Peter – after whom the cathedral and town are named.The AEC’s #CathedralTreasures campaign for Advent and Christmas is based on the latest volume by Janet Gough, OBE, author, lecturer and advisor on historic churches and cathedrals, which tells the story of the treasures from 44 Church of England cathedrals and six cathedrals from the Church in Wales, each one chosen by the Dean or senior clergy of the cathedral featured. Chelmsford Cathedral The Tree Of Life, Mark Cazalet, 2003-4, detail from painting showing the redeemed Judus. One treasure will be revealed every day for 50 days and will end with the launch of a competition to name Britain’s favourite cathedral treasure to coincide with Heritage Fund’s Heritage Treasures Day. Read all about the campaign here.

We are blessed with an abundance of treasures in our cathedrals. These are a vital part of our heritage and an integral part of our culture, our social history and our identity. In their diversity ultimately each of them is a symbol of what our Cathedrals stand for, to proclaim the glory of God and God’s love for all creation.

Cathedral Treasures – The Results

Cathedrals aren’t just buildings – they are treasure houses. So why are they overlooked as museums?’ The campaign revels in this latest illustrated volume by Janet Gough, a lecturer and advisor on historic churches and cathedrals, which tells the story of the treasures from 44 Church of England cathedrals and six cathedrals from the Church in Wales – each one chosen by the Dean or senior clergy of the cathedral featured. You can buy the book here. The intricately carved oak panels of the Brougham Triptych (meaning an altarpiece in three pieces) are peopled with men and women one would find in the streets of many cities. It is a moving and realistic work. Look at the fellow wearing glasses: what is he doing? And observe the faces moving in that crowd of people.