west minster abbey

8/3/2019 West Minster Abbey

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History

Coronations

Royal weddings

Burials and memorials

Organ

Bells

Chapter

Museum

Development plans


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HistoryHistory

According to a tradition firstAccording to a tradition first

reported by Sulcard in about 1080,reported by Sulcard in about 1080,

the Abbey was first founded in thethe Abbey was first founded in the

time of Mellitus , Bishop oftime of Mellitus , Bishop of

London, on the present site, thenLondon, on the present site, thenknown as Thorn Ey (Thorn Island);known as Thorn Ey (Thorn Island);

based on a late tradition that abased on a late tradition that a

fisherman called Aldrich on thefisherman called Aldrich on the

River Thames saw a vision of SaintRiver Thames saw a vision of Saint

Peter near the site.Peter near the site.

Construction of the present churchConstruction of the present church

was begun in 1245 by Henry IIIwas begun in 1245 by Henry III

who had selected the site for hiswho had selected the site for his

burial.burial.


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Until the 19th century, Westminster was the third seat ofUntil the 19th century, Westminster was the third seat oflearning in England, after Oxford and Cambridge. It was herelearning in England, after Oxford and Cambridge. It was herethat the first third of the King James Bible Old Testament andthat the first third of the King James Bible Old Testament andthe last half of the New Testament were translated. The Newthe last half of the New Testament were translated. The NewEnglish Bible was also put together here in the 20th century.English Bible was also put together here in the 20th century.

Westminster suffered minor damage during the Blitz on 15Westminster suffered minor damage during the Blitz on 15November 1940.November 1940.

In the 1990s two icons by Russian icon painter Sergei FyodorovIn the 1990s two icons by Russian icon painter Sergei Fyodorov

were hung in the Abbey.On 6 September 1997 the funeral ofwere hung in the Abbey.On 6 September 1997 the funeral ofDiana, Princess of Wales was held at the Abbey. On 17Diana, Princess of Wales was held at the Abbey. On 17September 2010 Pope Benedict XVI became the first pope to setSeptember 2010 Pope Benedict XVI became the first pope to setfoot in the Abbey.foot in the Abbey.


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CoronationsCoronations

Since the coronations in 1066 of both KingSince the coronations in 1066 of both King

Harold and William the Conqueror, coronationsHarold and William the Conqueror, coronations

of English and British monarchs were held inof English and British monarchs were held inthe Abbey.the Abbey.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the traditionalThe Archbishop of Canterbury is the traditional

cleric in the coronation ceremony.cleric in the coronation ceremony.


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Royal weddingsRoyal weddings

Westminster Abbey has a longWestminster Abbey has a longtradition as venue for royal weddingstradition as venue for royal weddingsalthough there were no royalalthough there were no royalweddings for more than fiveweddings for more than fivecenturies between 1382 (Richard IIcenturies between 1382 (Richard II

to Anne of Bohemia) and 1919.to Anne of Bohemia) and 1919. The Abbey has seen only twoThe Abbey has seen only two

weddings of reigning monarchs:weddings of reigning monarchs:Henry I and Richard II.Henry I and Richard II.

After 1919 many ceremonies of royalAfter 1919 many ceremonies of royalweddings were held in this church,weddings were held in this church,the last one really recently, this yearthe last one really recently, this year

on April 29 between Prince William,on April 29 between Prince William,Duke of Cambridge, grandson ofDuke of Cambridge, grandson ofQueen Elizabeth II and CatherineQueen Elizabeth II and CatherineMiddleton, now Duchess ofMiddleton, now Duchess ofCambridge.Cambridge.


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Burials and memorialsBurials and memorials

Henry III rebuilt the Abbey inHenry III rebuilt the Abbey inhonour of the Royal Saint Edwardhonour of the Royal Saint Edwardthe Confessor whose relics werethe Confessor whose relics wereplaced in a shrine in the sanctuaryplaced in a shrine in the sanctuaryand now lie in a burial vault.Henryand now lie in a burial vault.Henry

III himself was interred nearby in aIII himself was interred nearby in asuperb chest tomb with effigialsuperb chest tomb with effigialmonument, as were many of themonument, as were many of thePlantagenet kings of England, theirPlantagenet kings of England, theirwives and other relatives.wives and other relatives.Subsequently, most Kings andSubsequently, most Kings and

Queens of England were buriedQueens of England were buriedhere, as are most monarchs andhere, as are most monarchs androyals after George II.royals after George II.


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OrganOrgan

The organ was built by Harrison & Harrison inThe organ was built by Harrison & Harrison in

1937, then with four manuals and 84 speaking1937, then with four manuals and 84 speaking

stops, and was used for the first time at thestops, and was used for the first time at thecoronation of King George VI. Some pipeworkcoronation of King George VI. Some pipework

from the previous Hill organ of 1848 wasfrom the previous Hill organ of 1848 was

revoiced and incorporated in the new scheme.revoiced and incorporated in the new scheme.

The current Organist and Master of theThe current Organist and Master of theChoristers is James O'Donnell.Choristers is James O'Donnell.


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BellsBells

The bells at the Abbey were overhauled in 1971.The bells at the Abbey were overhauled in 1971.

The ring is now made up of ten bells, hung forThe ring is now made up of ten bells, hung for

change ringing, cast in 1971, by the Whitechapelchange ringing, cast in 1971, by the Whitechapel

Bell Foundry.Bell Foundry.


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ChapterChapter

The Chapter house was built concurrently withThe Chapter house was built concurrently with

the east parts of the abbey under Henry III. Itthe east parts of the abbey under Henry III. It

was restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott inwas restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott in

1872. The entrance is approached from the east1872. The entrance is approached from the east

cloister walk and includes a double doorwaycloister walk and includes a double doorway

with a large tympanum above.with a large tympanum above.


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MuseumMuseum

The Westminster Abbey Museum is located inThe Westminster Abbey Museum is located in

the 11ththe 11th--century vaulted undercroft beneath thecentury vaulted undercroft beneath the

former monks' dormitory in Westminsterformer monks' dormitory in Westminster

Abbey. This is one of the oldest areas of theAbbey. This is one of the oldest areas of the

Abbey, dating back almost to the foundation ofAbbey, dating back almost to the foundation of

the Norman church by Edward the Confessor inthe Norman church by Edward the Confessor in

1065. This space has been used as a museum1065. This space has been used as a museumsince 1908.since 1908.


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Development plansDevelopment plans

In June 2009 the first major building work at theIn June 2009 the first major building work at the

Abbey for 250 years was proposed. A coronaAbbey for 250 years was proposed. A coronaaa

crowncrown--like architectural featurelike architectural featurewas intendedwas intended

to be built around the lantern over the centralto be built around the lantern over the central

crossing, replacing an existing pyramidalcrossing, replacing an existing pyramidal

structure dating from the 1950s.structure dating from the 1950s.


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west minster abbey

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