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  1. Home
  2. Medieval Places
  3. Westminster Abbey
Abbey
Abbey
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Westminster Abbey

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 County

Greater London (1 castle) 

 Categories

 Remains

Excellent remains

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Location51.4997,-0.1284 (Google Maps) DirectionsDirections via Google Maps
 County

Greater London (1 castle) 

 Categories

 Remains

Excellent remains

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Location
51.4997,-0.1284
 Directions
Directions via Google Maps
horney Island is one of several small islands that formed part of the River Thames west of the city of London. Several streams entered the river at that point creating a marshy landscape covered with thickets and wild animals. On that landscape a religious community grew up in the dark ages. Suggestions have been made that there was a Roman temple dedicated to Apollo on the site. This was later replaced by a Christian building. Sebert, a Saxon who died in the early seventh century, may have been the founder of a religious community on the site of Westminster Abbey but this may be just a story. A tomb with the remains of Sebert and his wife Ethelgoda exists in the Abbey today after being moved first by Edward the Confessor and then by Henry III when rebuilding work was done.

The real story of Westminster Abbey begins with Edward the Confessor. In 1042 Edward returned from exile after the death of Harthacanute. Edward had made a vow of pilgrimage to Rome, but the nobles that were advising him persuaded the King that his position as head of the country was too important to go on such a risky journey. The Pope sent word that Edward was released from the vow if he instead built a church in honour of St. Peter. To this Edward agreed and in 1050 work began on the Thorney Island site. The abbey was dedicated in 1065 just weeks before Edward died. He was buried in his new church in January of 1066. The new church was the site of another important event in 1066 when William the Conqueror was crowned King of England on 25 December.

The body of Edward was moved first in the reign of Henry II and then again by his grandson Henry III who began rebuilding the church starting with the Lady Chapel in around 1220. In 1245, in tribute to Edward the Confessor, Henry started much larger and expensive reconstruction work of the whole church. Enough of the new building was ready in 1269 for the church to be consecrated and the coffin of the Confessor to be moved again into its new home.

The abbey has been the main site for the coronation of English Kings and Queens since then and holds the remains of both the nobility and ordinary people. A Lady Chapel was constructed at the east end of the cathedral and, as it holds the remains of King Henry VII, is known as the Henry VII Chapel. The Italian scupltor Torrigiano was given the job of designing and constructing the King's tomb. Also buried here are the monarchs Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots.

Location

See Also

People

  • Henry (III, King of England 1216-1272)
  • Stephen (of Blois, king of England 1135-1154)
  • Reyns, Henry de (Master)
  • John (of Gloucester, Master)
  • Edward (The Confessor, King of England 1042-1066)
  • A .. Z List of Medieval People

Places

  • Great Malvern Priory
  • A .. Z List of Medieval Buildings

Other

  • London

Related Information

  • Timeline of abbey foundations
  • The origin of monasteries
  • The Cistercian order of monks

Related Maps

  • Map of Abbeys

Related Episodes

Norman Conquest (click here)

Norman Conquest (click here)

Henry II and Thomas Becket (click here)

Henry II and Thomas Becket (click here)

Civil War Stephen and Matilda (click here)

Civil War Stephen and Matilda (click here)

Stephen's succession to the throne (click here)

Stephen's succession to the throne (click here)

Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Day Queen (click here)

Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Day Queen (click here)

Edward II and Piers Gaveston (click here)

Edward II and Piers Gaveston (click here)

Henry VIII and his Six Wives (click here)

Henry VIII and his Six Wives (click here)

Isabella, She-Wolf of France and death of Edward II (click here)

Isabella, She-Wolf of France and death of Edward II (click here)

Edward III - The Hundred Years War (click here)

Edward III - The Hundred Years War (click here)

Henry VI and Joan of Arc (click here)

Henry VI and Joan of Arc (click here)

Wars of the Roses Phase Two (click here)

Wars of the Roses Phase Two (click here)

Wars of the Roses Phase Three (click here)

Wars of the Roses Phase Three (click here)

Wars of the Roses Phase Four (click here)

Wars of the Roses Phase Four (click here)

Dimensions of main church

Dimensions: InteriorFeetInches
Length of nave1660
Breadth of nave387
Height of Nave1018
Breadth of Aisles167
Breadth of nave and aisles719
Length of choir1559
Extreme breadth of choir384
Height of choir1012
Length from north to south of the trancepts and choir2032
Length of each trancept825
Breadth of trancept including aisles848
Extreme length from west door to piers of Henry VII's Chapel4030
Extreme length from west door including Henry VII's Chapel5116
Dimensions: ExteriorFeetInches
Extreme length of Abbey4236
Extreme length of Abbey including Henry VII's Chapel5300
Height of western towers to pinnacles2254
Height of nave and trancept roofs1383
Height of lantern1510
Height of north front to pinnacle1660
Dimensions: Henry VII's ChapelFeetInches
Interior length1046
Exterior length1066
Interior breadth6910
Exterior breadth820
Interior height615
Exterior height820
Source: Historical Memorials of Westmeinster Abbey 1882, Part 1:Arthur Penrhyn Stanley;

Section of Westminster Abbey across presbytery

Timeline

1065

...

Lands from Pershore allocated to Westminster

Edward the Confessor took lands from Pershore Abbey and allocated them to his new Abbey church at Westminster. ¹

1065

December

Dedication of Westminster Abbey

Work on the Abbey at Westminster was either complete or very nearly so at its dedication. Edward the Confessor who had devoted himself to creation was to die less than two weeks later.

1066

December 25

William the Conqueror becomes King of England

On Christmas Day, William the Conqueror was crowned as King of England in Westminster Abbey. ¹

1068

May 11

Matilda is crowned Queen

William brought his wife Matilda of Flander to England to crown her Queen of England. Matilda's coronation took place at Westminster Abbey and the ceremony was performed by the archbishop of York. ¹

1087

September 26

William II (Rufus) crowned at Westminster

William Rufus was crowned at Westminster Abbey by Archbishop Lanfranc after the death of his father William the Conqueror.

1100

August 5

Henry I succeeds

King Henry I was crowned king at Westminster Abbey. ¹

1100

November 11

Henry I marries Matilda of Scotland

King Henry I of England married Matilda of Scotland, daughter of Malcolm III and sister of Edgar, the King of the Scots. The ceremony took place at Westminster Abbey. ¹

1121

January 30

Coronation of Adeliza of Louvain

Shortly after her marriage to King Henry, Adeliza's coronation was performed at Westminster Abbey.

1135

December 26

Coronation of Stephen of Blois

Stephen of Blois was crowned King Stephen of England at Westminster Abbey.

1136

March 22

Coronation of Matilda of Boulogne

Queen Matilda, the wife of King Stephen, was crowned at Westminster Abbey.

1154

December 19

Henry crowned at Westminster Abbey

Henry of Normandy was crowned as King Henry II of England, and Eleanor of Aquitaine was crowned Queen, at Westminster Abbey. ¹

1155

Christmas

Henry II at Westminster Palace

The king spent the festive period at Westminster Palace. Repairs must have been completed if the royal court spent time there. ¹

1163

October 13

Edward the Confessor moved

The body of Edward the Confessor was moved to a more fitting location within the Abbey. The ceremony was attended by Henry II and Thomas Becket.

1170

June 14

Henry II coronation of Prince Henry

King Henry II used the Archbishop of York in the coronation of his son Henry, to insult Thomas Becket. This was an act that infringed the rights of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The coronation took place at Westminster Abbey. ¹

1189

September 3

Richard I Crowned King

Richard I was crowned king in Westminster Abbey. He was escorted along a path of woollen cloth. At the head of the procession was the clergy, first the priors next the abbots then the bishops. In the midst of the bishops were four barons holding golden candelabra, followed by Geoffrey de Lucy, John Marshal, William Marshal and William Fitzpatrick holding the Cap of State, golden spurs, golden sceptre and golden verge. The golden crown was carried by William de Mandeville. Richard was anointed with holy oil on his head, chest and hands. During the service a bat was seen to flutter around the throne which was seen to be an evil omen. ¹

1199

May 27

John is crowned King of England

John is crowned as King of England at Westminster Abbey. ¹

1200

October 8

John and Isabella are crowned

John and Isabella returned to England in late September and were both crowned at Westminster Abbey.

1220

May

Coronation of Henry III

At his coronation in Westminster Abbey, Henry was reminded of his duties at king to maintain peace, defend the rights of the crown and to dispense justice where required. Henry was only around thirteen years old. The day before the coronation Henry laid the foundation stone of a new Lady Chapel at the Abbey.

1236

January 20

Coronation of Eleanor of Provence

Queen Eleanor was crowned at Westminster Abbey.

1245

...

Rebuilding of Westminster Abbey

Henry started the work of rebuilding Westminster Abbey as a tribute to Edward the Confessor. ¹

1269

October 13

Westminster Abbey consecrated

Sufficient parts of Westminster Abbey were completed for the monks to hold their first service in the new building. October 13th was chosen possibly to commemorate the moving of Edward the Confessor's body just over 100 hundred years earlier. King Henry III died before he could witness the completion of the whole church.

1274

August 19

Edward I crowned at Westminster

Seventeen days after returning from the Crusade, Edward was crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey.

1285

May

Welsh relics paraded

Several Welsh holy relics were paraded through London in a procession from the Tower of London to Westminster.

1307

October 28

Edward I buried at Westminster Abbey

After lying in state for several weeks at Waltham Abbey Edward's body was moved to Westminster Abbey for burial.

1308

February 25

Edward's Coronation

Edward II was crowned at Westminster Abbey. During the ceremony Gaveston was given the honour of carrying the crown. During the banquet that followed the King spent much more time with Gaveston than his wife. The Queen's uncles, who had travelled with her from France, left to report back to the King of France of the King's favouritism for Gaveston over Isabella. As part of the coronation ceremony Edward swore an oath that he should abide by the laws and customs that the community and realm determined. ¹

1327

January 25

Edward III becomes King of England

King Edward III succeeded his father to the English throne on the 25th of January and was crowned at Westminster Abbey a few days later by Archbishop Walter Reynolds. ¹

1330

March 4

Coronation of Philippa of Hainault

Philiippa of Hainault, the wife of King Edward III, was crowned at Westminster Abbey.

1361

October

Marriage of the Black Prince and Joan of Kent

Edward, the black Prince married Joan of Kent at Westminster Abbey.

1362

...

Westminster Abbey Nave

Rebuilding work was begun on the nave and west cloister at Westminster Abbey. The architect in charge of the works was Henry Yevele. ¹

1377

June 21

Edward III Dies

King Edward III of England died in June 1377. One year earlier Edward's eldest son and heir to the throne, Edward the Black Prince died. Richard, the son of the Black Prince, was proclaimed heir to the throne. King Edward was ill for some time before his death, and John of Gaunt, another of Edward's sons, took the affairs of the nation under his control. Edward was buried in Westminster Abbey in a tomb designed by Henry Yevele. ¹

1377

July 16

Richard II is crowned

The 10 year old Richard II was crowned king of England. Ceremonies were overseen by his uncle John of Gaunt. Henry Percy was created Earl of Northumberland at the ceremony in recognition for his services as a soldier leading troops against the French.

1378

...

Murder at Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey was closed for several months after a murder took place in the Choir. The Abbey was not reopened for services until it was reconsecrated. Two knights called Schakell and Hawle had taken a Spanish Count prisoner whilst fighting with the Black Prince. As usual a ransom was required for the release of the Count. The Count was allowed to return to Spain to organise the ransom leaving his son as a hostage to ensure the ransom was paid. At this time John of Gaunt was in the process of acquiring the crown of Castile and the saga with the Count's son was an embarrassment. When the two knights refused to release their prisoner they were arrested and sent to the Tower of London. They managed to escape from the Tower and fled to Westminster Abbey and sanctuary, but this was ignored by a group of soldiers led by the Constable of the Tower, Alan Boxhall. Schakell was captured but Hawle and a monk were murdered in the Choir. Several of those involved were excommunicated meaning that they could not be buried after their deaths. ¹

1382

January 14

King Richard marries Anne of Bohemia

Richard II married Anne, the sister of Wenceslas of Bohemia. This was a diplomatic move over the French as the king of France Charles V wanted Anne his marry his own son. The marriage was not popular as a large loan had to be paid to Wenceslas for the privilege. The coronation of Queen Anne took place a few days later at Westminster Abbey.

1395

...

A tomb for Richard II and Anne

Henry Yevele designed a tomb for King Richard II and his first wife Anne of Bohemia at Westminster Abbey, ¹

1399

October 13

Henry IV becomes king

Henry IV was crowned King of England after the abdication of King Richard II. Henry was crowned at Westminster Abbey.

1413

December

Richard II's body moved

In an act of respect to Richard II, Henry had the dead king's body moved to its proper resting place in Westminster Abbey.

1421

February 23

Queen Catherine crowned

Queen Catherine was crowned at Westminster Abbey.

1422

November 11

Henry's body returned to London

The lead coffin containing the body of King Henry V travelled to Calais and across the Channel to Dover. It passed through Canterbury and Rochester and arrived in London for burial in Westminster Abbey. The body was buried within the shrine of Edward the Confessor. ¹

1429

November 6

Henry VI crowned King of England

Although Henry was still too young to reign he was crowned as Henry VI, King of England in response to the Duke of Bedford's concerns over the events in France. Henry was crowned at Westminster Abbey.

1445

May 30

Margaret of Anjou crowned

After a triumphant entrance to London a few days earlier Margaret stayed at the Tower of London for a few days before going to Westminster Abbey where she was crowned.  ¹

1461

June 28

Edward IV is crowned

The Yorkists were in control after the battle of Towton and Richard and George were brought back to England where they were made Knights of the Order of the Bath. Edward took part in the crown-wearing ceremonies at Westminster Abbey and became King of England. Shortly afterwards his younger brother George was given the title of Duke of Clarence.

1465

May 26

Elizabeth crowned

Elizabeth Woodville was finally crowned Queen at Westminster Abbey.

1470

Quarter 4

Edward (V) is born

King Edward IV's wife Elizabeth gave birth to her first son. Elizabeth had taken refuge at Westminster Abbey after King Henry VI had been restored to the throne by the Earl of Warwick and King Edward had fled to Burgundy. The baby was named Edward and would be heir to the English throne.

1476

...

Caxton at Westminster

William Caxton rented rooms near Westminster Abbey and set up the first printing press in England. The location for this first printing press may have depended on who he thought would be interested in purchasing the books.

1478

January 15

Marriage of Richard, duke of York

Richard, duke of York, married Anne Mowbray, daughter of the Duke of Norfolk, at Westminster. The two were only children. Anne died in 1481 at the age of 8 or 9.

1483

July 6

Richard III is crowned King

Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was declared the true heir to the English throne after the marriage of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville was deemed unlawful and their sons illegitimate. Richard III and Anne Neville, his wife, were crowned at Westminster Abbey.

1485

October 30

Henry Tudor is crowned.

Henry Tudor is crowned as Henry VII at Westminster Abbey. ¹

1487

November 25

Coronation of Elizabeth of York

Elizabeth of York was crowned at Westminster Abbey.

1503

(to 1519)

Construction of Henry VII Lady chapel

Henry VII ordered the construction of a new Lady chapel at the east end of Westminster Abbey. The building work was carried out in the Perpendicular style.

1509

April 21

Death of Henry VII

Henry fell in and within just over a day he died of the illness. His body was first moved to St. Paul's and then to Westminster Abbey where he was buried next to his wife. ¹

1509

May

Henry VII buried

Henry VII was buried inside the Lady Chapel that he had funded the construction of at Westminster Cathedral. ¹

1509

June 24

The coronation of Henry VIII

Henry and Catherine of Aragaon were crowned at Westminster Abbey.

1509

June 29

Death of Lady Margaret

Lady Margaret Beaufort died just two months after her son Henry. She was buried in Westminster Abbey within the Henry VII Chapel.

1533

June 1

Coronation of Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn was crowned Queen of England at Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer.

1547

February 20

Edward VI crowned

The coronation of Henry VIII's son Edward took place at Westminster Abbey. He was crowned as Edward VI.

1553

October 1

Mary Tudor crowned

The coronation of Mary Tudor took place at Westminster Abbey. Mary became the first true Queen of England. In the past, Matilda and Lady Jane Grey had come close but neither had ever been crowned.

1558

November 17

Queen Mary of England dies

Queen Mary of England died at the age of forty two. She was buried at Westminster Abbey. Elizabeth became the new Queen of England.

1559

January 14

Coronation pageants

On the eve of her coronation, traditional pageants were held for Elizabeth. She viewed them all as she made her way from the Tower of London to Westminster Abbey. They were of a political nature showing the problems of the past and hopes for the future.

1559

January 15

Coronation of Elizabeth

The coronation of Elizabeth I took place at Westminster Abbey. She was crowned by Bishop Oglethorpe of Carlisle as the other more senior bishops refused to crown her due to their reluctance to accept the new Protestant religion.

1603

March 24

Death of Queen Elizabeth I

Elizabeth's health was failing and before her death she reportedly named James of Scotland as her successor. She was buried in the Henry VII Chapel in Westminster Abbey.

1626

February 2

Charles crowned

Charles I was crowned at Westminster Abbey.

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Selection of references used:

  • 1. M.R.James, Abbeys, 1925
  • 2. David Bates, William the Conqueror, ISBN:0-540-01175-4
  • 3. Preston Williams, Illustrations of Masonry
  • 4. Alan & Veronica Palmer, Pimlico Chronology of Britsh History, ISBN:0-7126-7331-8
  • 5. Peter Potter, Data Donation
  • 6. Keith Fielding, A History of England
  • 7. John Gillingham, The Life and Times of Richard I, 1974
  • 8. Maurice Ashley, The Life and Times of King John
  • 9. John Chancellor, The Life and Times of Edward I, 1981
  • 10. Caroline Bingham, The Life and Times of Edward II
  • 11. Alan LLoyd, The Hundred Years War
  • 12. John H Harvey, Henry Yevele, LIfe of an English Architect
  • 13. Michael Senior, The Life and Times of Richard II, 1981
  • 14. G. E. Troutbeck, Westminster Abbey
  • 15. The Rev. A. J. Church, Henry the Fifth
  • 16. Hubert Cole, The Wars of the Roses, 1973, ISBN:0-246-10618-2
  • 17. Jasper Ridley, The History of England, 1981, ISBN:0-7100-0794-9
  • 18. S.B.Chrimes, Henry VII, 1972, ISBN:0-413-38400-4
  • 19. William Henry Derbyshire, A history of Dunstable

    Location

    See Also

    People

    • Henry (III, King of England 1216-1272)
    • Stephen (of Blois, king of England 1135-1154)
    • Reyns, Henry de (Master)
    • John (of Gloucester, Master)
    • Edward (The Confessor, King of England 1042-1066)
    • A .. Z List of Medieval People

    Places

    • Great Malvern Priory
    • A .. Z List of Medieval Buildings

    Other

    • London

    Related Information

    • Timeline of abbey foundations
    • The origin of monasteries
    • The Cistercian order of monks

    Related Maps

    • Map of Abbeys

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