26. St. Peter and Paul Church, East Harling, East window, Mary Magdalene,
1480.
The figure of Mary Magdalene, whose lower portion is damaged,
is set upon a background of quarries painted with baskets and aprons.
These heraldic motifs, called badges or charges are associated with Sir
William Chamberlain, Anne Harling’s first husband. He is buried
with Anne in the elaborate tomb to the north side of the chancel.
The quarries showing flowers with wings attached were added at a later
date to complete the panel.
Mary holds a jar of ointment in her right hand and tresses of hair
in her left hand. These attributes come from her identification as
the woman in the Gospel who asked for forgiveness at Christ's feet..
"Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he (Christ)
was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster
flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to
bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair,
kissed them, and anointed them with ointment. (Luke 7: 37-38; Mark
14: 3-9)