Westminster Abbey
The Westminster Abbey, located near the Houses of Parliament, is more a historical site than a religious site. Since 1066, every royal coronation, with the exception of King Edward V (1483) and Edward VIII (1936) has taken place in Westminster Abbey. The first coronation took place on Christmas day 1066 with the crowning of William the Conqueror (William I).
Tradition has it that the Abbey was founded in or about the 7th century; however records show its origins lie in the Benedictine monastery which stood on this site circa 970AD. This was enhanced and enlarged by Edward the Confessor a devout Christian who ascended the throne in 1042. This Anglo-Saxon monarch who rebuilt the church along Norman lines passed away just a few days after the church was consecrated on December 25, 1065. His body was buried behind the High Altar and he became the first king to be buried at Westminster.
There are now about 3300 people buried or memorialized in the Abbey including many kings, queens, poets and other notable figures that includes Charles Darwin, Sir Isaac Newton and David Livingstone. Many coffins even stand upright due to the lack of space. The Norman Abbey built by Edward the Confessor survived until 13th century when Henry III had it demolished and rebuilt in a new architectural design. Over the next couple of centuries further additions and changes were made but it has largely remained the same for the last three to four hundred years but there have been minor alterations modifications and additions carried out in the last two centuries.
Royal Peculiar
The Abbey, apart from its magnificent architecture, is also rather special in that it is not a cathedral nor parish church but a ‘Royal Peculiar’. This means that it falls under the jurisdiction of a Dean and Chapter, subject to the sovereign. There is plenty to see at the Abbey, not only its design structure and stained glass windows, but items such as the Coronation Chair which was used by Edward I in the 13th century and by every monarch since for their coronation, and also the organ first played in 1723, the tomb of the Unknown Warrior, the Abbey museum located in the Norman undercroft, the College Gardens dating back some 900 years, the Cloisters and Chapter Library.
Services are held regularly in the Abbey whose function is dedicated to worship and prayer and visitors are welcomed to participate.
Beginning of New Legal Year
In October each year a service is held in Westminster Abbey to observe the beginning of the new legal year. All judges of England and Wales, together with leading barristers, are invited to be present.When the service is over, a procession takes place from the abbey to the House of Lords, for the customary Lord Chancellor's Breakfast. Although this may not be one of London's more colourful processions, it is none the less impressive to see these dignified ladies and gentlemen in their legal robes and wigs, as they make their way towards The Houses of Parliament.
The legal year has four sittings, beginning in October with Michaelmas; Hillary commences in January, followed by Easter and the Trinity sitting starts in May.
| How to get there from Holiday Villa London... | |
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From Bayswater take the Circle Line towards High Street Kensington to Westminsterl (17 min.) Then walk to Westminster Abbey (8 min.) |
Interchange: |
None |
Total travelling time: |
25 minutes (depending on the time of day) |