WESTMINSTER ABBEY

By Zedy De Pina

Table of Contents

• History• The Nave and Altar• The High Altar and Sanctuary• The Henry VII Chapel (a.k.a.

Lady Chapel)• The West Entrance• Other Important Facts• Conclusion

History

• Dates back to 1050 • King Edward the Confessor

decided to build the abbey• Located near the Houses of

Parliament• Its correct name is The

Collegiate Church of St. Peter, Westminster

History cont’d

• It grew to be the wealthiest religious house in the country

• In the 12th century it held between 30 and 60 monks, with up to 300 other people involved in running the monastery

• The Abbey held coronations as well as weddings (first coronation was of William the Conqueror)

• Many people were buried here

The Nave

• England’s highest nave and has the most finest roof of any building in the world

• Grave of the Unknown Warrior• It’s noted for the famous gothic

flying buttresses• Designed by Henry Yevel• http://www.armchair-travel.com/

WestmAbbey/waNavealtar.mov

The High Altar

• Is located in the center of the Abbey

• Has a screen behind it decorate with a mosaic of the last supper

• In front of it, underneath a carpet, lies a ‘Cosmati’ one of Abbey’s treasures

• http://www.armchair-travel.com/WestmAbbey/waAltar.mov

The Henry VII Chapel

• Was built with intentions to bury his uncle but he died first (hence the name)

• Has a large stained glass window (Battle of Britain memorial window)

• Noted for its vaulting ceiling and impressive bronze gates with Royal Tudors badges displayed guard the entrance

• http://www.armchair-travel.com/WestmAbbey/waEastchap.mov

The West Entrance

• When Royal Weddings are being held it is through these doors that all walk through

• The comprehensive restoration of the exterior of the Abbey provided fulfillment of original purpose

• It took 25 years to complete it in 1995

The West Entrance cont’d

• In 1995 four allegorical figures on either side of the Great West Door: Mercy, Truth, Peace and Righteousness

• These traditional virtues (from Psalm 85 verse 10) represent the values for which countless innocent men and women have been prepared to give their lives

The West Entrance cont’d

• The ten niches over the door were of people who showed Christian martyrdom not people

• http://www.armchair-travel.com/WestmAbbey/waWestside.mov

Other Important Facts

• Number of burials here are well over 3000• Names of some that are buried here

include Geoffrey Chaucer (Poet’s Corner), Henry VII, Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, etc.

• A stained glass window depicting scenes of Canterbury Tales was erected above his monument but was destroyed in WWII

• They started calling it the Poet’s Corner when Edmund Spencer, the Elizabethan poet, was buried next to Chaucer

Victoria Street SW1. Underground: Westminster or St James's Park.Monday - Friday 0900 - 1645 (Last admission 1545). Saturday 0900 - 1445 (Last admission 1345) Please note, that the Abbey is sometimes closed to visitors due to special services or events.

Contact the attraction direct for details. Groups: All groups visiting Westminster Abbey must be accompanied by an accredited Tourist Board or Blue Badge Guide. Groups may book ahead by email: abbey@tourguides.co.uk. or by telephone +44 (0)20 7495 5504 or fax +44 (0) 20 7495 5323

Conclusion

Now whose ready to go to London now just a week away