Transcript WESTMINSTER ABBEY - Bentley University

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.armchairtravel.com/WestmAbbey/waNav
ealtar.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.armchairtravel.com/WestmAbbey/waAlta
r.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.armchairtravel.com/WestmAbbey/waEast
chap.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.armchairtravel.com/WestmAbbey/wa
Westside.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
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:
[email protected]. or by
telephone +44 (0)20 7495 5504 or fax +44
Conclusion
Now whose ready to go
to London now just a
week away