Norfolk stained-glass window on Christmas stamp
The festive range is out today (3 November)
A stained-glass window from a Norfolk church features on this year's Christmas stamps.
The nativity scene from St Andrew's in East Lexham is one of six in the new set from the Royal Mail, which goes on sale today (3 November).
Other stained-glass windows from the following churches are included in the set:
Church of St James, Hollowell, Northamptonshire
All Saints’ Parish Church, Otley, West Yorkshire
St Columba’s Church, Topcliffe, North Yorkshire
Christ Church, Coalville, Leicestershire
Traditionally, stained-glass windows are assembled from pieces of coloured glass, held together with lead. The techniques of making stained-glass have hardly changed since the Middle Ages.
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.
Philip Parker, Royal Mail said:
"Our beautiful Christmas stamps feature the Nativity as told through the artistry of different styles of stained-glass windows."