Divine Light,
the Stained Glass of England’s Cathedrals

Janet speaking with ITV in front of the East Window 1359 at Carlisle Cathedral - voted the nation’s favourite window

Divine Light, the Stained Glass of England’s Cathedrals

Author and historian Janet Gough OBE explores the remarkable 900-year story of stained glass in 50 windows in England’s cathedrals and two royal peculiars - one of the country’s least-known great national art collections.

Buy the book 📚👉🔗 Divine Light

Book or come to a lecture - see lecture schedule below

Contact Janet for lecture, media and all other enquiries janet@janet-gough.com

Janet lecturing to the Arts Society Thanet

Janet Gough
Apsidal Heritage

“Janet is a leading authority on historic churches. Working at a national and local level, she is a true champion for the care, celebration, study and survival of the country’s greatest architectural legacy.”

Rachel Morley, Director of Friends of Friendless Churches and interim co Chair the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB)

“I have worked with Janet on several initiatives to conserve church architecture and church treasures so they can be enjoyed within church buildings, including projects with the V&A, the 100 Church Treasures Campaign, addressing elderly loneliness via programmes in London Churches and raising £40 million for repair grants to cathedrals. Always enthusiastic, efficient and creative, Janet is a great partner.”

Sir Paul Ruddock FSA, former Chairman the Victoria & Albert Museum, Chair of the Wyvern Research Institute

About Janet Gough OBE

Formerly Director of cathedrals and church buildings at the Church of England, a Director at Sotheby’s with City and finance experience, studied history and history of art at Cambridge and was awarded an OBE for services to heritage in the New Year’s Honours 2017 and she advised Royal Mail on its Chritmas Cathedral stamps for 2024. See LinkedIn for more biographical information.

I’m an architectural historian and senior heritage manager specialising in historic churches.

I deliver lectures

give bespoke tours

advise on fundraising and campaigning

advise on conservation, renewal and new uses for churches and develop options and business plans

write books on historic churches

commission beautiful, accessible books for historic religious buildings across Europe

present and produce on heritage for television.

Church Times Interview of Janet Gough

Click here for article.

Social Media

You can contact me by email: janet@janet-gough.com or phone: +44 (0) 7967 581517 or via the form below which I check daily.

I’m embracing the digital age and producing short-form video content, so be sure to follow my social media channels to stay updated with my latest work!

Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

For Ascension Day, what more appropriate than to champion a return to public view for great British artist William Hogarth’s magnificent and vast Ascension triptych - Hogarth’s fabulous demonstration that the English could create grand-sc

Amid hail, rain and thunder, how cheering to see May roses blooming over the church door at @stjohnsnottinghill .

Heads of Christ and Jesse from two English 134Os Jesse Windows

Very much looking forward to giving this month’s online lecture for @churchesconservationtrust tomorrow evening, Monday 11 May at 5.45pm, on Divine Light: The Stained Glass of Eng

Today’s Eastertide reading from Acts tells of the stoning of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr, with Saul, later St Paul, looking on.

It reminds me of British/American artist Benjamin West’s powerful 1777 painting Devout Men Taking

In the 1632 chapel @peterhouse_cam commissioned by Master Matthew Wren (later Bishop of Ely, imprisoned during the Commonwealth and uncle of Christopher Wren), a fascinating early 17th-century East Window: the Crucifixion with the two thieves, the Vi

Otherworldly experience in Wren’s @emmanuelcambridge College Chapel

One year before its 350th anniversary, to sit in Sir Christopher Wren’s chapel (& the third building he designed) listening to Raphael Wallfisch play Suites 1–

A fascinating 1886 watercolour (thank you @bethmchattie) of Canterbury Cathedral’s north side and NW transept - bringing out the hidden Romanesque beneath Gothic layers, near where the Murder of Thomas Becket unfolded (1170).

Last week I was a

Joyful installation @salisburycathedral of our own wonderful Canon Neil Traynor @notwf2 recently of @stjohnthebaptistw14.

Here with @kate_cull and Sparky in the wonderful Gothic, Trollopian and oh so contemporary atmosphere of Salisbury Cathedral -

Author & Commissioning Editor

I’ve written four books on England’s cathedrals and churches.

I have recently published Divine Light, the Stained Glass of England’s Cathedrals featuring 900 years of stained glass, with at least one window from every Anglican cathedral.

I commission books and souvenir guides on European places of worship.

Divine Light
The Stained Glass of England’s Cathedrals

My fourth beautifully illustrated paperback, *Divine Light: The Stained Glass of England’s Cathedrals*, tells the story of the extraordinary stained glass of England’s Anglican cathedrals through 50 remarkable windows spanning over 900 years - from Canterbury Cathedral’s 12th-century miracle windows to major contemporary commissions from Thomas Denny and Mel Howse.
Created in collaboration with all 42 Church of England cathedrals, together with Westminster Abbey and St George’s Chapel, Windsor, the book reveals what is arguably one of England’s greatest but most overlooked national collections — overlooked because it remains magnificently *in situ* in our working cathedral buildings.
Published by Kulturalis, the book is available through cathedral shops, Amazon UK and US, and directly through CPO (link below).
**GET A COPY!**
The publication of *Divine Light* led to a major social media campaign run by the Association of English Cathedrals over Advent and Christmas 2025–26, featuring one cathedral window each day. The campaign attracted more than 110,000 engagements and culminated in a nationwide public vote to find England’s favourite cathedral stained glass window.
The resulting media interest included newspaper coverage, television appearances, and an interview with Nick Robinson on BBC Radio 4’s *Today Programme*, alongside an ongoing series of lectures at venues including the V&A, Westminster Abbey, Canterbury Cathedral, Lichfield Cathedral, and for organisations such as the Churches Conservation Trust.

**Reviews and Features**
**V&A Lecture, 2 October 2025**
*Divine Light: The Stained Glass of England’s Cathedrals* launch lecture, onsite and online.
**Simon Heffer, The Telegraph, 30 August 2025**
“Excellent new book on the stained glass of England’s Anglican cathedrals.”
“*Divine Light* is divided into three parts, all of them packed with superb colour photographs.”
**Andy Marshall, Genius Loci Digest, 29 August 2025**
“This is my kind of book – a beautifully pocketable book – one to slip into a bag or jacket pocket, to take with you on your journey. Through its pages, the world is revealed in microcosm: a window into another realm of colour, a prism through which buildings, glass, and light can be experienced.”

Cathedral Treasures of England and Wales

About previous books:

“An absolutely delightful book, a perfect size to have in the car when visiting the cathedrals which of course are one of the great glories of England.”

“This little book is a terrific account of what is actually interesting about England's cathedrals reflecting the modern taste for concise text that takes the reader straight to the most illuminating points and covering all the cathedrals (in England).”

“Janet’s knowledge and passion shine through the pages of this small but perfectly formed paperback. The book is a slim 96 pages, so it is portable and won’t take up valuable space on your bookshelves. The high production values of the book make it ideal for a coffee table, or even a breakfast bar and it serves as a thorough introduction to the glories of England’s 44 cathedrals.”

After sales of over 5,500 copies, Cathedrals of the Church of England has been completely updated with input for each cathedral and new entries on Westminster Abbey and St German Cathedral of the Isle of Man. Published 2020. A further reprint is due in October 2025

My books are available for purchase in cathedral shops, on Amazon UK/US, and through CPO/Yeomans.

Latest News

Quire looking towards East Window, St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle

THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN: 500 YEARS OF ST GEORGE’S CHAPEL AND ITS GOTHIC INSPIRATION - PUBLIC LECTURE

I am delighted and honoured to be giving the Maurice and Shelagh Bond Memorial lecture at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, 7 to 8 pm Wednesday, 15 October 2025

The Jewel in the Crown: 550 years of St George’s Chapel and its Gothic inspiration

to celebrate 550 years since building of the chapel commenced. All are welcome to this free public lecture (by named ticket only). Apply here. https://www.stgeorges-windsor.org/news/maurice-and-shelagh-bond-memorial-lecture-2025/

Learn more

Pharaoh’s Daughter rescuing Moses from Nile, York Minster Great East Window, John Thornton of Coventry 1405-08

Divine light the stained glass of England's cathedrals, V&A EVENING TALK THURSDAY 2 October 2025 (IN PERSON AND ONLINE) 7-8.45PM

Join me to explore the extraordinary stained glass in England's cathedrals. Starting with Canterbury Cathedral's windows following the murder of St Thomas Becket in 1170, we follow glass from the Middle Ages to modern times, including the tumultuous Reformation, the hugely productive 19th century, the Pre-Raphaelites, the Arts and Crafts Movement up to the innovative and thought-provoking glass still being commissioned by cathedrals.

Followed by wine reception and book signing

To book tickets: Divine Light lecture at the V&A

Learn more

UK Cathedrals Inspire Royal Mail's 2024 Christmas Stamps

I was honoured to have had the opportunity to work closely with the Royal Mail on their 2024 Christmas stamp collection, featuring five iconic UK cathedrals: St Mary’s, Edinburgh; St Patrick’s, Armagh; Liverpool Cathedral; Bangor Cathedral; and Westminster Cathedral.

These stamps reflect the enduring significance of each cathedral, showcasing its unique history and beauty. I hope they inspire people to visit and connect with these extraordinary places this Christmas.

Learn more

This stained glass portrait of St Thomas Becket from Canterbury cathedral isn’t quite all it seems. Can you spot the tell tales?

Talks & Tours

I give illustrated talks on church heritage to many different audiences and I’m an accredited Lecturer on the Directory of Lecturers of the Arts Society (formerly NADFAS).

I have given six live talks at the V&A, here exploring the remarkable 15 or so medieval cloisters still serving English cathedral churches despite Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries. - https://www.vam.ac.uk/event/b8kME2xG/cloisters-remarkable-cathedral-survivors

Supremely Perpendicular

I was honoured to deliver the 2025 Maurice & Shelagh Bond Memorial Lecture at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on 15 October 2025.

The Jewel in the Crown: 550 Years of St George’s Chapel and its Gothic Inspiration

It explores the Chapel’s astonishing late medieval architectural ambition, its royal patrons and dynastic functions, its craftsmen — and the buildings and ideas that inspired it.

▶️ Lecture recording online link: https://vimeo.com/1131302776?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

With thanks to the Dean, Librarian and colleagues at The College of St George, Windsor Castle and photographer Andy Marshall I can be commissioned to deliver bespoke talks and tours on subjects relating to church buildings and their history, sustainability, future use and funding.

For more info contact me: janet@janet-gough.com

My most popular talks are:

Cathedral Treasures of England and Wales

Cathedrals are monumental constructions, representing the greatest effort of Christian dedication in our landscape. They also house the most important objects associated with Christianity. In Janet Gough’s lecture accompanying her paperback, 50 of these astonishing artefacts on display in the cathedrals of England and Wales and selected by the cathedral deans are brought to life. Ranging from sundials and astronomical clocks to stained glass, and pilgrims’ boots to Early English books and the first Welsh Bible, the National Churches Trust describes the treasurescovered as ‘simply mesmerising’.

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 110,000 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.

Based on my recent acclaimed book, Divine Light, the Stained Glass of England's Cathedrals, published late 2025 by Kulturalis and for sale at £14.95 https://www.cpo.org.uk/divine-light.html

Christopher Wren rebuilds London out of disaster

Setting off from the Monument to the Great Fire of London designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke, the talk examines Wren’s buildings to tell the story of the incredible rebuilding of London after the badly-handled Plague and disastrous Great Fire of 1666. We see how Wren drew on royal patronage, up-to-the-minute science, on an understanding of classical, other early and contemporary building styles and his deep insight into beauty and craftsmanship. Wren worked with a team of eminent collaborators to rebuild 51 new churches, crowned by the extraordinary domed Baroque St Paul’s Cathedral to quickly, efficiently and permanently redraw the skyline of London as well as developing a new built liturgy for the Church of England.

Cloisters: remarkable cathedral survivors

Medieval cloisters, originally spaces linking monastic buildings, are miraculous survivors of Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries. English cathedral communities recognised the practicality of cloisters and experimented with cutting edge architecture to build, improve and embellish them. The result is that England’s cathedral cloisters are some of the most extraordinarily beautiful spaces in the world. This talk explores the 15 or so cathedral medieval cloisters in England with spectacular photos and encourages audiences to venture beyond the nave when they next visit a cathedral.

What have the Victorians ever done for us? - George Gilbert Scott and Victorian church architecture

Misquoting Monty Python’s, What have the Romans ever done for us? sets us thinking of the many imaginative inventions and contributions to church architecture by the Victorians, looking beyond an oft-expressed mid-20th century popular dislike of Victorian architecture. As one of the most prolific church architects who also restored many of our cathedrals, George Gilbert Scott’s ecclesiastical work is a good place to start examining Victorian church architecture in England and across the UK.

Cathedrals, safe places to do risky things

A ravishingly illustrated virtual tour of the Church of England’s magnificent 42 cathedrals, jewels in the crown of our built heritage, some recognised as World Heritage Sites. Audiences will be treated to an overview of cathedral history and architectural evolution including their surprising stories and extraordinary treasures. The changing role of cathedrals in society both in the past and present day is also discussed.

Relates to my book: Cathedrals of The Church of England

Discover my lecture schedule

Presenter

An excerpt from Australian production company Off the Rails series commissioned by PBS USA on the Secrets of Britain’s Great Cathedrals.

You can preview the series on Vimeo or via the video opposite.

Off the Rails has also produced a new TV series on cathedrals and another on the Pilgrim’s Way, exploring pilgrimage in the Middle Ages and the resurgence of modern-day pilgrimage in the UK.

For more info about my presenting work please contact me

View interview from 1.45

Inspecting new PV cells on Chester Cathedral nave roof

Consultant & Campaigner

I advise on campaigning, fundraising, conservation and development.

I consult to churches and cathedrals on project management, options appraisals, conservation and fundraising.

For eight years I was Secretary to the Church Buildings Council and the Cathedral Fabric Commission for England. I led a team which secured £40 million in new money for repairs under the First World War Centenary Cathedral Fabric Repair Fund and a total of £55 million for the Church Roofs Fund. Working with others in telecommunications and transport we achieved a private member’s bill, the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 to curb metal theft and I oversaw church chair and parish church art competitions to raise design standards.

As a Governor and Chair of the Estates Committee at Haileybury we commissioned a conversation management plan and estate masterplan for an ambitious development of a major school and the site of England’s first Greek Revival buildings by William Wilkins and landscaped by Humphry Repton. In 2024, we opened an ambitious new science research facility, SciTech, built around a cloister with a listed building on one side.

As a Trustee of the Priory of St John I chaired the Heritage Committee where we are engaged in a lighting project in the 12th-century crypt of the Hospitaller’s church in Clerkenwell.

Since 2021 I have been a Lay Canon of Saint Deiniol’s Cathedral, Bangor, Northwest Wales.

I charge a daily rate for my consultancy services. For a proposal please contact me