John Thornton ca. 1380 – ca. 1440

The Dragon and the Beast

stained glass window — c. 1405-1408 York Minster, York

This work is linked to Revelation 13:2

The beast to the right has just risen from the sea. It has seven heads and ten horns, and upon the horns ten crowns.

The dragon hands its power, symbolized by the scepter, to the beast. Later on in this chapter of the Revelation a second beast will appear, out of the earth. Together the three will fight and persecute all that do not worship the first beast. They are beaten by Christ in chapter 19.

This stained glass panel is one of 311 in the Great East Window in York Minster. The full window stands 78 feet tall.

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