Divine Light: The Stained Glass of England’s Cathedrals

This highly illustrated talk explores 900 years of stained glass, with at least one window from each of England’s 43 cathedrals, Westminster Abbey and St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and exploring medieval masterpieces via the Reformation and nineteenth century Gothic Revival to striking contemporary commissions, revealing how coloured light has shaped worship, storytelling and space. Divine Light has gone from book to nationwide campaign run by the Association of English Cathedrals, attracting over 100,000 social media engagements and culminating in a hugely successful public vote – sparking fresh interest in cathedral stained glass and its power to move and inspire today.

Janet Gough is the Church of England’s Director of Church Buildings and Secretary of the Church Buildings Council and Cathedrals Fabric Commission, she has written three illustrated paperbacks to encourage wider enjoyment of these amazing buildings, Director’s Choice, Churches of the Church of England, Director’s Choice, Cathedrals of the Church of England and most recently (2022) Deans’ Choice, Cathedral Treasures of England and Wales. A Cambridge graduate in History and History of Art, Janet worked at Sotheby’s for nine years, was a trustee at the Churches Conservation Trust, the Museum of Fulham Palace and the Friends of the V&A and guided and lectured at the V&A. Janet set up and ran an architectural history course of London around visits to significant buildings. Janet has also given tours and lectured on secular architecture and fine and decorative arts. Janet received an OBE for services to heritage in 2017, and in 2021 was made one of the first lay Canons of Bangor cathedral.

Janet advised Royal Mail on the special Christmas 2024 stamps, which featured five cathedrals from across the UK and is currently working on a new book – Divine Light, the Stained Glass of the Cathedrals of England – due out Christmas 2025.