Reims Cathedral was severely damaged during the bombardment of the city by the German Army on 4 September 1914. This fragment of red stained glass, with black painting in a feather style design and black edge, was picked up by a British soldier on 16 October 1914 and later presented to King George V by the Duke of Marlborough.

Although Reims Cathedral is generally thought of as medieval, it had been restored extensively over the centuries. Remnants of a cement type of material on the reverse of this fragment and the style of the glass, indicate that this piece was part of a nineteenth century window rather than a medieval one.