that occupied this market towne. However, despite its importance economically, Stamford still did not have a cathedral. John's father and others hoped that they could influence the Bishop of Lincoln that a truly magnificent edifice in the praise of God should be erected in Stamford.
Most everyone in the village of Easton-on-the-hill and in the towne of Stamford attended religious services on Sunday. Richard preferred to attend with John and often did. He couldn't understand any of the Latin and found the entire experience beyond interest or comprehension. John knew some Latin and occasionally explained some of the ritual to Richard, but mostly they just whispered to each other. Their interest lately was mostly regarding the girls that were in attendance.
John's ancestors had been instrumental in enlarging the All Saints' church in Stamford. It wasn't the largest church in towne, Saint Mary's had that distinction, and it didn't have a steeple, but Richard thought it was a wonderful church. It was the oldest church in all of Stamford, having been first mentioned in the Domesday survey that William the Conqueror had commissioned in 1086.
Richard never had an affinity for farming, but it was in the All Saints' church that the realization solidified within him that he really never would be a farmer. On this particular Sunday, Richard and John were whispering to each other, when suddenly, as the priest spoke he pointed to the west window, Richard looked and was awaken for the first time at the beauty of the glass of the church. The light bursting through the glass brought out the colors and seemed to come from the presence of God. Something in that moment spoke to his heart and he yearned to express his love of God through glass. He knew that he had to do that. He didn't even know what trade it was that did such marvelous work, but he knew that he wanted to do the same. The glaziers who had crafted the windows were true artisans. The great west window held the images of many biblical people, including prophets and The Lord Himself. The colored glass made the images come alive and suddenly the stories started to touch his soul.
'John, luk at the window. I want to make a magnificent window sumdee.'
'Aye, it is a luvly window,' replied John, 'boot you are going to be a farmer, like your father.'
'No. I do nay care for farming at all.'
''ow are you going to be soch a skilled craftsman? A craftsman must 'ave an apprenticeship. Your father would never agree and 'e does nay 'ave muney,' whispered John.
'I will find a way,' promised Richard.
John's father and mother were by that time giving them looks that told them that they had better quit whispering.
After the service, Richard departed from John's company and decided to walk past Saint Michael's on High Street, then past Saint George's and Saint Mary's. As he passed by each edifice he studied the glass work from the outside. The colors were darker and the windows were not so compelling as his experience in All Saints'. Then he realized that the effect he had witnessed was the light pouring through the glass. It was the light that gave the life to the glass. Richard thought on this again and again as he walked over the River Welland on the Stamford Bridge and on past Saint Martin's. The light, he realized, was like the power of God, giving the window its life. That light and that power could only be witnessed from inside the church. God was in the church. For the first time in his twelve years Richard began to understand the power that came from worshiping together.
Richard then followed a pathway along the river until he cut through the fields and on to his home. His mother and father had arrived home from worship services some time earlier. They of course had attended in the All Saints' church of Easton-on-the-hill.
'Where 'ave you been for so long?' asked his father, 'We still 'ave work to do.' Despite the fact that it was the Lord's Day, the animals still had to be care for. Work on the farm is never done and there was really very little time to rest, especially a whole day.
'I 'ate this farm,' said Richard half under his breath.
'Whot was that you seed?' questioned his father.
'I seed that I 'ate farming,' exclaimed Richard with a little more energy than he had expected.
'And if you 'ate farming so much,' questioned Lind ''ow