Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey There are few buildings in England. probably, except the Tower, not one. that can compare with Westminster Abbey in historical interest.

Originally built by Edward the Confessor, whose once bejewelled shrine is still at the back of the High Altar, it was rebuilt by Henry Iii. in the early part of the twelfth century.

The main part of the present edifice dates from that period, and is a beautiful specimen of Gothic architecture. The Church is built in the form of a Latin cross; the architecture of the nave, choir, and transepts being Early English. Henry Vii. destroyed the Lady Chapel, erected at the east end by Henry Iii. , and constructed in the latter part of the fifteenth century the very beautiful Chapel (tudor Gothic) which bears his name, and in which he and his Queen, Elizabeth, lie buried.

In the Choir, and immediately before the Great Altar, is the spot where the Kings and Queens of England have been crowned since 1066. One can scarcely help being impressed, however elementary their knowledge of history may be, with the fact that it was, at least, on this site that William the Conqueror, who defeated Harold at Hastings, was made King in 1066; that William Rufus, who was killed by an arrow in the New Forest, was also crowned in 1087; Richard, the Lion. heart, in 1189 ; and each succeeding line of Monarchs (the Plantagenets, the Tudors, the Stuarts, followed by the Hanoverian dynasty) tip to Queen Victoria in 1838.

From the time when the Barons went forth from their castles with vassals and retainers to fight with cross. bows amid battle. axes, very often amongst themselves, or as Crusaders to the Holy Land, down to the era when greater liberty, comfort and security is enjoyed by the people than has ever before been known in England.

The services are daily at so and 3 o'clock; Sundays, at 11 3, and 7 o'clock. The nave and transepts, including the Poets' Corner, are open in summer until 6 o'clock, but in winter are closed when the afternoon service is ended.

The Chapels and Royal Tombs are open free to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays. They are well worth a visit, and include the shrine of Edward the Confessor, the monuments, with recumbent figures of Henry Iii. and Henry V. and his Queen Katherine, Edward Iii. and his wife Philippa, Richard Ii. , Edward I. , and Henry Vii. and his Queen, in the chapel bearing his name.

In the north aisle of this chapel is the monument and burial. place of Queen Elizabeth and her predecessor, Queen Mary; also the remains of the young princes murdered in the Tower. In the south aisle is buried Mary Queen of Scots, and equal honour seems to have been paid to her memory as to Elizabeth, Charles Ii. , William Iii. and Mary, and Queen Anne. The Coronation Chair is to be seems in Edward the Confessor's Chapel.

The Jerusalem Chamber, the scene of the death of Henry Iv. , has rich frescoes and old stained glass, and the Chapter House, built in the 13th century, was from then to 1547 used for the meetings of Parliament.

In these later times Westminster Abbey still holds its position as the burial. place of most ,of the great men who have adorned their country either as statesmen, poets, dramatists, historians, discoverers, etc.

If not buried there, some memorial of them is noted. The well. known monument to Shakespeare is an instance in the Poets' Corner, although he is buried at Stratford. on. avon. Charles Dickens the younger (now deceased) says : "the fact that the sightseer is at every step treading upon the graves of England's wisest and noblest cannot but render a visit to Westminster Abbey a thing to remember and respect. "