John of Gaunt (1340-99), Duke of Lancaster and Aquitaine and King of Castile, was the father of Henry IV. The donor of the window, Bishop Thomas Langley, began his career as a clerk in Gaunt's household, later becoming a royal counsellor to Gaunt's son, Henry IV. Gaunt is shown kneeling before a prayer-desk (prie-dieu), facing the large figure of St Cuthbert, with his hands raised in prayer.
