Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 9.djvu/304

 246 NOTES AND QUERIES. [12 s.ix. SEPT. 24, 1021. .and another sister (? Rachel), who married Samuel Smith and was mother of " Mr. Smith the bell-founder " mentioned by Thoresby, died in infancy. Henry Gyles' s name does not appear in the York Freemen's Roll (Surtees Soc.). He married Hannah 9 who survived him twelve years, her burial being recorded in the registers of St. Martin-cum-Gregory Church on Sept. 4, 1721. By her he had six children, all but one of whom, viz., Rebekah (born 1682, buried Oct. 7, 1721) also died in iinfancy. Henry Gyles lived at No. 68, Micklegate Hill, in the house formerly occupied by his father, and until recently in the possession of Mr. Dodgson, slater. He found his principal employment in executing armorial glass. There can be little doubt that most, if not all, of the large number of heraldic and ornamental panels "to be found in churches and houses in York- shire which were executed at the period during which he lived, though not signed nor dated, are by his hand. He also painted the stained-glass sundials which were fashionable at that period. One of these, with four charmingly executed little figures of cupids representing the four seasons and another holding a dial, with the initials of the artist and the date 1670, is in private possession in Leeds. This is the artist's earliest known work, being done when he was only twenty-five years of age, and six years before the death of his father Edmund. The following undated letter from Gyles to Thoresby gives particulars of the cost of these sundials and of plain glazing at that period. Honoured Sir, I received your kind letter. Sir, I should be very glad to be serviceable to your corporation (as you kindly wish). You desire to know ye price of ye china glass* which is half a crowne and 3 shill. per foote (if in small squares the first price ; if larger ye 2) [query 3s.] and for glasse dyalls according to ye bignesse such as I usually paint upon squares of 10 or 12 inches high a brass style to 'em I have usually 20 shill. (Letter from Gyles to Thoresby, from the. Fillon Collection, bought by Mr. Alfred Morrison.) Gyles either had leanings towards Romanism, or found it convenient for business reasons to incline towards the " King's religion," for in the repeal of the Penal Laws and Test Act in 1688, the name of Henry Gyles is given as one of the " common counsell men of this city that we J. A. K. hope will serve the King." (Archceol. Journal, vol. v., p. 541.) Gyles's principal works were : Merchant Tailors' Hall, York. Heraldic window, 1679. This would be one of Gyles's earliest works, as it was executed within three years of his father's death. Add Church, Yorks. 1. Window for- merly in east end of chancel (now in the vestry). Royal arms and arms of Thos. Kirke and of Arthington Breary, Rector. Signed " Henry Giles fecit Ao. 1681." 2. Window in chancel inscribed " P.M. Thos. Kirke of Cookridge Esqre dyed lye 24th day of April Ao DNI 1706. Henry j Giles in a most grateful memory of his eve. hone, friend H. P." Guildhall, York. West window. Royal i arms and figures of Justice and Mercy, the former with the motto " Cuique suum," and the latter " Miseris succurro," 1682. (Hargrove, 'Hist, of York,' 1818, vol. ii., p. The Royal arms and portions of the border are now in a window at Acomb Priory, near York, and were evidently removed thither in 1825, as shown by the following inscription: " H. Gyles. Repaired, April 1825 by J. Barnett." What became of the rest of the window is not known. University College, Oxford. - - I. East I window of chapel. ' Nativity,' 1687. Win- I of." ('Hints on Glass Painting,' p. 206.) ! in the college cellars to make room for a window put up under the direction of Sir G. G. Scott in 1862.* In the college accounts are some interesting particulars of payments in connexion with the work, as follows : 1682. For a design of the College s. d. window sent from York 1682. For ve Glasse painter (Mr. Giles) 150 More to ye Glasse painter . . 10 To ye mason for altering ye East window in ye Chap- pell 14 1688. Charges about ye Chappell window and ye charge of ye grate [wire guard] and 10 guineas given to Mr, Giles ye painter in all. . 24 14 11 1 1692. For Mr. Giles ye Glasse painter 5 7 (Smith MSS., vol. ix., pp. 260, 263 and 272.) i The writer is indebted to C. F. Bell, Esq., Dept.
 * I have no idea what " china glass " was.
 * 434.) This window has since been removed.
 * ston said this was " the earliest example
 * of a picture glass painting that I am aware
 * It was nevertheless removed and stored
 * The window was paid for by Dr. Radcliffe.