Go Back
Westminster Abbey, which is also called the Collegiate Church of St Peter, is a Gothic church built to the scale of a cathedral (as in fact was used as one, from 1546-1556), in Westminster, London. It is located to the west of the Palace of Westminster. Westminster Abbey is where English monarchs are crowned and buried.
According to tradition, there was already a shrine at the site of Westminster Abby as early as AD616. It was then known as Thorn Ey (Thorn Island). In the 960s or early 970s, Saint Dunstan, assisted by King Edgar, started a community of Benedictine monks here. The foundation stone of Westminster Abbey was placed around 1045-1050 by King Edward the Confessor, who selected it as the site for his burial. The church was consecrated on 28 December 1065. Edward the Confessor died just one week after. His successor, King Harold, was the last king to be crowned at Westminster Abbey before the Norman Invasion of 1066.
Westminster Abbey
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Westminster_Abbey_West_Door.jpg
Author: ChrisO
The only existing depiction of the original Abbey, in the Romanesque style - called Norman in England - together with the adjacent Palace of Westminster, is in the Bayeux Tapestry, a 50 cm by 70 cm piece of embroidered cloth that shows the events leading up to the invasion of 1066. The tapestry may have been completed in the 1070's, possibly by 1077, so that it can be on display for the cathedral's dedication. From this, we believe that Westminster Abbey itself may have been completed by 1077.
After the Norman Invasion, Norman kings were crowned at Westminster Abbey, but none were buried there until King Henry III (1207-1272). A devotee to the cult of Edward the Confessor, he rebuilt Westminster Abbey in Anglo-French Gothic style, as a shrine to honour Edward the Confessor. It was also to be his tomb, on the highest Gothic nave in England. Work on Westminster Abbey continued, between 1245 and 1517. In 1503, King Henry VII added a chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, using stones from Caen, France (Caen stone), the Isle of Portland (Portland stone), and the Loire Valley (tuffeau limestone).
Westminster Abbey's two western towers were erected between 1722 an 1745 by NIcholas Hawksmoor using Portland stone in Gothic Revival style. Further rebuilding and restoring of the abbey occured in the 19th century under Sir George Gilbert Scott.
In the 19th century, Westminster was the third seat of learning in England, after Oxford and Cambridge. It was at Westminster that the first third of the King James Bible Old Testament, and the last half of the New Testament were translated. In the 20th century, it was also where the New English Bible was put together.
In 1987, Westminster Abbey was inscribed as a World Heritage Site under the title Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey and Saint Margaret's Church.
According to tradition, there was already a shrine at the site of Westminster Abby as early as AD616. It was then known as Thorn Ey (Thorn Island). In the 960s or early 970s, Saint Dunstan, assisted by King Edgar, started a community of Benedictine monks here. The foundation stone of Westminster Abbey was placed around 1045-1050 by King Edward the Confessor, who selected it as the site for his burial. The church was consecrated on 28 December 1065. Edward the Confessor died just one week after. His successor, King Harold, was the last king to be crowned at Westminster Abbey before the Norman Invasion of 1066.
Westminster AbbeySource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Westminster_Abbey_West_Door.jpg
Author: ChrisO
The only existing depiction of the original Abbey, in the Romanesque style - called Norman in England - together with the adjacent Palace of Westminster, is in the Bayeux Tapestry, a 50 cm by 70 cm piece of embroidered cloth that shows the events leading up to the invasion of 1066. The tapestry may have been completed in the 1070's, possibly by 1077, so that it can be on display for the cathedral's dedication. From this, we believe that Westminster Abbey itself may have been completed by 1077.
After the Norman Invasion, Norman kings were crowned at Westminster Abbey, but none were buried there until King Henry III (1207-1272). A devotee to the cult of Edward the Confessor, he rebuilt Westminster Abbey in Anglo-French Gothic style, as a shrine to honour Edward the Confessor. It was also to be his tomb, on the highest Gothic nave in England. Work on Westminster Abbey continued, between 1245 and 1517. In 1503, King Henry VII added a chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, using stones from Caen, France (Caen stone), the Isle of Portland (Portland stone), and the Loire Valley (tuffeau limestone).
Westminster Abbey's two western towers were erected between 1722 an 1745 by NIcholas Hawksmoor using Portland stone in Gothic Revival style. Further rebuilding and restoring of the abbey occured in the 19th century under Sir George Gilbert Scott.
In the 19th century, Westminster was the third seat of learning in England, after Oxford and Cambridge. It was at Westminster that the first third of the King James Bible Old Testament, and the last half of the New Testament were translated. In the 20th century, it was also where the New English Bible was put together.
In 1987, Westminster Abbey was inscribed as a World Heritage Site under the title Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey and Saint Margaret's Church.
How to reach the Westminster Abbey
Take the Circle Line, District Line or Jubilee Line of the London Underground to the Westminster Tube Station.List of Churches in London
Copyright © 2003-2025 Timothy Tye. All Rights Reserved.