Westminster Abbey Historical Facts and Pictures

Regarded as United Kingdom’s one of the most religious buildings, the Westminster Abbey is mainly a Gothic church, located in the west of Westminster Abbey in London. Founded by a Bishop of London, Mellitus in the 7^th century, the church is the traditional center of coronation and burial of the British monarchs. The first coronation started in 1066 with the crowning of William the Conqueror and Harold Godwinson.

Westminster Abbey

The North Entrance of Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey Cloister

Westminster Abbey Images

Westminster Abbey Photos

Architecture and Construction

Henry III began the construction of the present church in 1245, choosing it as his burial site. The structure of the church exhibits Anglo-French Gothic style along with a unique Cosmati pavement lying at the front of the high altar.  The English architect Henry Yevel completed the construction in 1517 during the reign of Richard II. Later in 1503, Henry VII included a perpendicular-style chapel, bestowing the Virgin Mary.  The chapel was built with caen stone, portland stone and tuffeau limestone.

Inside of Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey Chapter House

Westminster Abbey Interior

Westminster Abbey King Edward’s Chair

Westminster Abbey at Night

Tombs within the Westminster Abbey

The abbey was rebuilt by Henry III in honor of the royal saint, Edward the Confessor. The shrine of Edward the Confessor was the first burial within the site. The walls and floors inside Westminster Abbey were built with pubrick marble. The tombstones also display the usage of various marbles. Apart from the royal graves, the church inhabits the famous Poet’s Corner, comprising the burials of Chaucer, Dr. Johnson, Dickens, Hardy, Kipling and Tennyson along with the memorials of Shakespeare, Jane Austen etc. Occupying near the Poet’s Corner is located the grave of Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Handel. The grave of an anonymous British soldier, killed in World War I, known as The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is the only grave within the abbey that is forbidden to walk on.

Inside Westminster Abbey Tombs

Recumbent Effigy Tomb in Westminster Abbey

The Tomb of King Henry III

Tombs Inside Westminster Abbey

Tombs of Westminster Abbey

The church has never been designated as a cathedral and is described as a Royal Pecuilar, directly functioning from the crown. Since its establishment in 1100, the church has witnessed more than 16 royal weddings including Henry I and Richard II.

Westminster Abbey Poets Corner

Westminster Abbey Tomb Pictures

Westminster Abbey Tomb

Westminster Abbey Tombs