New stained glass window in memorial of the late Lord Montagu at Beaulieu Abbey unveiled
A STAINED glass window memorial in honour of the late Lord Montagu has been unveiled in Beaulieu Abbey.
It was dedicated by the Bishop of Winchester at a special service held at the abbey and attended by his son, the current Lord Montagu.
The design of the new window is based on one created by Nicholas Bechgaard to mark the Millennium which was never installed.
Speaking at the service, Lord Montagu said: “It is over eight years since my father died but his spirit lives on in the hearts and minds of those of us who knew and loved him.
“I know he would be pleased to see this design resurrected and I hope that even after all of us have left this earth, the imagery here will be an enduring statement about the church in our community.”
The bishop, the Right Rev. Philip Mounstephen, added: “This window is beautiful for its design, for its execution and for its celebration of this place and its history. And there was beauty, too, in the very life that this window commemorates and celebrates.
“The 3rd Baron Montagu appreciated beauty and he appreciated history too.”
A specially composed anthem by George Arthur was performed for the first time during the service.
The new window, made by the Salisbury Cathedral Stained Glass workshop, contains the inscription: “To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Edward John Barrington Douglas-Scott-Montagu, 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu and patron of this parish 1926-2015.”
It contains imagery which symbolises different aspects of the Christian faith, presented in the context of the local landscape.
A crown and crosier are taken from the badge of Beaulieu Abbey which was founded by Cistercian monks in 1204.
The dove in the quatrefoil represents the Holy Spirit, flanked by swans which populate the Beaulieu River.
At its centre, an oak tree represents Christ, the Tree of Life, rooted in the patchwork of fields.
A cross marks the position of the church at the head of the Beaulieu River and an anchor further downstream locates the maritime village of Buckler’s Hard.
