WESTMINSTER ABBEY

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WESTMINSTER ABBEY

• By Zedy De Pina

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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

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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

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History contd

• 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

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The Nave

• Englands highest nave and has the most finest
  roof of any building in the world
• Grave of the Unknown Warrior
• Its noted for the famous gothic flying
  buttresses
• Designed by Henry Yevel
• http//www.armchair-travel.com/WestmAbbey/waNaveal
  tar.mov

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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 Abbeys treasures
• http//www.armchair-travel.com/WestmAbbey/waAltar.
  mov

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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.armchair-travel.com/WestmAbbey/waEastch
  ap.mov

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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

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The West Entrance contd

• 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

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The West Entrance contd

• The ten niches over the door were of people who
  showed Christian martyrdom not people
• http//www.armchair-travel.com/WestmAbbey/waWestsi
  de.mov

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Other Important Facts

• Number of burials here are well over 3000
• Names of some that are buried here include
  Geoffrey Chaucer (Poets 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 Poets Corner when
  Edmund Spencer, the Elizabethan poet, was buried
  next to Chaucer

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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 abbey_at_tourguides.co.uk. or by telephone [phone] or fax [phone]
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Conclusion

• Now whose ready to go to London now just a week
  away