This small pane of decorated glass most likely formed part of the tracery lights of a narrative window in a church. The image is of a sainted bishop holding his staff of office, the crozier, and raising his right hand in benediction. He is seated on a bench or stool. It is simply painted in a brownish-black pigment and a lemony-yellow silver stain. The pieces of glass below the figure are later replacement pieces. It is unknown if the image was intended to represent an actual person but it would not be surprising if it was an image of St Hugh. The cult of St Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln from 1186 until 1200 and canonised in 1220, achieved a significant status prior to the Reformation.

This pane of glass was given to the Museum by a collector based in Stamford in Lincolnshire. The style of painting is similar to those identified as the workshop of John Thornton, stained glass maker based in Coventry. Thornton's workshop was undoubtedly large, with many former apprentices taking up work in the Midlands. This pane of glass may have been painted by someone trained in Coventry. Although we do not know where this pane originated, it is quite possible it comes from one of the churches in Stamford. The leading family in Stamford in the 15th century were the Brownes. John Browne and his son William were aldermen and Merchants of the Staple of Calais. Both father and son are known to have commissioned stained glass for All Saints Church and for their Hospital foundation. Additionally, some 15th century glass survives in the churches of St John the Baptist and in St Martin’s. The style of painting on this pane bears a resemblance to that surviving in Stamford.