7 September 2007
A Few Snippets About Westminster Abbey
Posted by Alison under: Eleanor; History; Places to go .
A place I love, I don’t know particularly why though. I used to take the bus past it every day to work before I moved, and I’ve visited umpteen times just to soak up the atmosphere inside. I suppose I could say I like it because Eleanor rests there - but so do many people!
My favourite part is the Chapel of St Edward the Confessor, which is located behind the High Altar. (I was actually taught about Edward from a young age as he is connected to the area I grew up in. Apparently, he offered a beggar his ring, saying something like ‘have ring’ causing the area to later become Havering.) You can’t actually get into the chapel itself now, I have been fortunate enough to see it twice, once many years ago when the public was able, and two years ago, when I was given permission to visit Eleanor’s tomb. To reach the chapel you must walk in the footsteps of pilgrims, these are a small set of stairs, almost completely worn away and a bit scary to walk down!
The shrine is still very beautiful, even though it has been broken up on several occasions. Once in 1540 at the dissolution of the monastery, being later restored in 1557 by Mary I, later having it’s images destroyed and jewels stolen again. Luckily the the shrine itself was not destroyed this time. You can even see the recesses where the pilgrims or sick persons would have originally knelt.
Contained in the chapel are:
Edward the Confessor, Edith his queen, his great-great niece Maud (originally known as Edith) first queen of Henry I. The heart of Henry of Almayne, nephew of Henry III, Eleanor first wife of Edward I, Princess Elizabeth Tudor, daughter of Henry VII, Henry III, Edward I, John de Waltham Bishop of Salisbury and great friend of Richard II, who caused great indignation by being buried in the chapel of Kings!
Richard II, and his first wife Anne of Bohemia, Princess Margaret sixth daughter of Edward IV, Edward III, Philippa, Edward III’s queen, Henry V (and his massive suit of armour!), Catherine de Valois, Henry V’s queen who later married Owen Tudor (damn those Tudors!)
Lastly, Richard Courtenay, Bishop of Norwich, buried here at the command of Henry V, and Margaret de Valence and John de Valence, children of William de Valence.
I also have some interesting information about tombs being moved around and opened, some of which (and I’m including the royal ones) have been opened several times for people to gawp at and draw the remains!
