Christmas

Royal Mail celebrates Christmas 2020 in stamps with a series of eight stained-glass Nativity scenes.The Nativity is a common subject in stained glass artistry and from the 13th Century onwards, scenes often focused on the relationship between the new-born infant Jesus and his mother, the Virgin Mary.

The origins of Stained-Glass date back to the Roman era and came to prominence in Britain in the Middle Ages, remarkably the techniques of making stained glass are relatively unchanged since that time.

The stamps are all reproduced from the windows of Anglican churches the length and breadth of the country –from All Saints’ Church in Otley, West Yorkshire, to St Andrew’s Church in East Lexham, Norfolk. The images showcase the extraordinary detail and craftmanship of this highly specialised decorative art, covering a range of eras, styles and techniques