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Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey, London

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(large pics on left and small pics & text on the right.)

West Entrance	Site of the coronation of English kings since the Normans, Henry VII added his own addition to the Abbey named the Henry VII Chapel or the Lady's Chapel. It was here that all Tudor monarchs, except Henry VIII, are buried. Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots and Margaret Douglas both Tudor cousins, Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII, and Anne of Cleves are also buried in the Abbey. Besides royalty, other notable Tudor personalities that are buried in the Abbey include: William Shakespeare, Frances Brandon, Henry Carey and Katherine Carey Knollys (children of Mary Boleyn), Lord Henry Norris (son of the Henry Norris executed in 1536), and Edmund Spenser.
North Entrance
	The Cozmati Pavement which had been covered by carpet . Many Kings and Queens have walked over this on their way to be crowned.
	Exterior of Henry VII's chapel.
	Henry VII's Chapel & Vaulted Ceiling of Henry VII's Chapel
	Map of tombs located in Henry VII's Chapel
Tomb of Edward VI
Grave stone of Anne of Cleves
	Queen Elizabeth I Queen Mary I Tombs Elizabeth was first buried in the vault of her grandfather, King Henry VII, in the Abbey. Her successor, King James I, erected the large white marble monument to her memory in the north aisle of the Lady Chapel at a cost of £1485. This was made by sculptor Maximilian Colt and painted by Jan de Critz and her body was moved to it in 1606. Elizabeth I was the last monarch buried in the Abbey to have a monument erected above her. The recumbent effigy resembles portraits of the Queen in old age. The crown and collar which she wears are modern replacements, as are the orb and sceptre she carries, the originals having been stolen centuries ago. The original wax effigy carried on her funeral hearse was remade in 1760 and it can be seen in the Abbey Museum. Also displayed there is the so-called "Essex Ring" that the Queen is said to have given to one of her favourites, the Earl of Essex. Her half-sister, Queen Mary Tudor, (1516-1558), daughter of Henry VIII by Catherine of Aragon, is also buried beneath this monument. The inscriptions are in Latin and can be translated: "Sacred to memory: Religion to its primitive purity restored, peace settled, money restored to its just value, domestic rebellion quelled, France relieved when involved with intestine divisions; the Netherlands supported; the Spanish Armada vanquished; Ireland almost lost by rebels, eased by routing the Spaniard; the revenues of both universities much enlarged by a Law of Provisions; and lastly, all England enriched. Elizabeth, a most prudent governor 45 years, a victorious and triumphant Queen, most strictly religious, most happy, by a calm and resigned death at her 70th year left her mortal remains, till by Christ's Word they shall rise to immortality, to be deposited in the Church [the Abbey], by her established and lastly founded. She died the 24th of March, Anno 1602 [this is Old Style dating, now called 1603], of her reign the 45th year, of her age the 70th. To the eternal memory of Elizabeth queen of England, France and Ireland, daughter of King Henry VIII, grand-daughter of King Henry VII, great-grand-daughter to King Edward IV. Mother of her country, a nursing-mother to religion and all liberal sciences, skilled in many languages, adorned with excellent endowments both of body and mind, and excellent for princely virtues beyond her sex. James, king of Great Britain, France and Ireland, hath devoutly and justly erected this monument to her whose virtues and kingdoms he inherits." On the base of the monument: "Partners in throne and grave, here we sleep, Elizabeth and Mary, sisters, in hope of the Resurrection." Queen Mary I Tomb: On 17 November 1558, Mary was buried in the north aisle of Henry VII's Lady Chapel. The wooden effigy carried at her funeral still exists but only the head is displayed in the Abbey Museum. Elizabeth I's coffin was later placed on top of Mary's. James I erected a large monument above the grave but this only bears the effigy of Elizabeth on it. Mary is mentioned in the inscription above.

LITERATURE:
"The Funeral Effigies of Westminster Abbey" edited by Anthony Harvey and Richard Mortimer, Boydell Press, 2003
"Treasures of Westminster Abbey" by Tony Trowles, Scala Publishers, 2008

LINKS:
Offical Website of Westminster Abbey
Visit London Page

MsSquirrly	Latest page update: made by MsSquirrly , Apr 23 2009, 7:31 PM EDT (about this update About This Update Edited by MsSquirrly 24 words added 1 image added view changes - complete history)
	Keyword tags: Tudor historical locations tudor locations Wesminster abbey More Info: links to this page