Westminster Abbey: Difference between revisions
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It is one of the greatest examples of Gothic architecture in Britain. Due to its superb fusion of various arts it may be regarded as a ''Gesamtkunstwerk''. Besides its architecture Westminster Abbey’s totality includes masterpieces of painting, stained glass and sculpture. Furthermore it houses collections of pavement, textiles, plates and other artefacts. | It is one of the greatest examples of Gothic architecture in Britain. Due to its superb fusion of various arts it may be regarded as a ''Gesamtkunstwerk''. Besides its architecture Westminster Abbey’s totality includes masterpieces of painting, stained glass and sculpture. Furthermore it houses collections of pavement, textiles, plates and other artefacts. | ||
With respect to the fact that Westminster Abbey does not house a bishop’s throne it does not hold the status of a cathedral. It was re-established as a ‘royal peculiar’, which means that it is a free chapel of the sovereign, exempt from any | With respect to the fact that Westminster Abbey does not house a bishop’s throne it does not hold the status of a cathedral. It was re-established as a ‘royal peculiar’, which means that it is a free chapel of the sovereign, exempt from any ecclesiastical jurisdiction. | ||
The recorded history of Westminster Abbey begins in Edward the Confessor’s time. The Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter, Westminster - as early as 960 a group of Benedictine monks had settled on ‘Thorney Island’ - first became important when King Edward the Confessor refounded it in the eleventh century. He established his royal palace near the monastic community and decided to build a new church, which was dedicated to St. Peter in reparation for not making a promised pilgrimage to Rome. The consecration took place on 28 December 1065. By placing the abbey and the royal palace side by side the bond between church and state was strengthened. | The recorded history of Westminster Abbey begins in Edward the Confessor’s time. The Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter, Westminster - as early as 960 a group of Benedictine monks had settled on ‘Thorney Island’ - first became important when King Edward the Confessor refounded it in the eleventh century. He established his royal palace near the monastic community and decided to build a new church, which was dedicated to St. Peter in reparation for not making a promised pilgrimage to Rome. The consecration took place on 28 December 1065. By placing the abbey and the royal palace side by side the bond between church and state was strengthened. | ||
Even though King Edward could be seen as Westminster Abbey’s founder, nowadays it | Even though King Edward could be seen as Westminster Abbey’s founder, nowadays it is Henry III who is considered to be the father of the present church, due to his rebuilding of the Norman fabric. His plan was driven forward by three main ideas. The abbey’s magnificence should not only promote the glory of God, but provide a place fit for the great occasion of a coronation. Furthermore the newly built church was meant to function as an adequate burying place for himself and his successors. | ||
Westminster Abbey is the most French in style of all English medieval churches. When Henry III decided to reconstruct the abbey in 1245 he instructed the executing architects to model the church on French cathedrals such as Reims, Amiens and Chartres. | Westminster Abbey is the most French in style of all English medieval churches. When Henry III decided to reconstruct the abbey in 1245 he instructed the executing architects to model the church on French cathedrals such as Reims, Amiens and Chartres. | ||
Revision as of 11:31, 3 May 2010
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of Saint Peter in Westminster, commonly known as Westminster Abbey, is located to the west of the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament). It is one of the greatest examples of Gothic architecture in Britain. Due to its superb fusion of various arts it may be regarded as a Gesamtkunstwerk. Besides its architecture Westminster Abbey’s totality includes masterpieces of painting, stained glass and sculpture. Furthermore it houses collections of pavement, textiles, plates and other artefacts.
With respect to the fact that Westminster Abbey does not house a bishop’s throne it does not hold the status of a cathedral. It was re-established as a ‘royal peculiar’, which means that it is a free chapel of the sovereign, exempt from any ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
The recorded history of Westminster Abbey begins in Edward the Confessor’s time. The Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter, Westminster - as early as 960 a group of Benedictine monks had settled on ‘Thorney Island’ - first became important when King Edward the Confessor refounded it in the eleventh century. He established his royal palace near the monastic community and decided to build a new church, which was dedicated to St. Peter in reparation for not making a promised pilgrimage to Rome. The consecration took place on 28 December 1065. By placing the abbey and the royal palace side by side the bond between church and state was strengthened.
Even though King Edward could be seen as Westminster Abbey’s founder, nowadays it is Henry III who is considered to be the father of the present church, due to his rebuilding of the Norman fabric. His plan was driven forward by three main ideas. The abbey’s magnificence should not only promote the glory of God, but provide a place fit for the great occasion of a coronation. Furthermore the newly built church was meant to function as an adequate burying place for himself and his successors.
Westminster Abbey is the most French in style of all English medieval churches. When Henry III decided to reconstruct the abbey in 1245 he instructed the executing architects to model the church on French cathedrals such as Reims, Amiens and Chartres. During the centuries Westminster Abbey underwent various architectural additions and changes. It was not before 1745 that the last phase of building was fineshed by the completion of the west front.
Coronations and Burials
Since William the Conqueror was crowned in 1066, coronations of English and British monarchs were held in the abbey. In addition, Westminster Abbey functions as burial site not only for kings and queens but also for many famous poets, writers, aristocrats, scientists and politicians.
Sources
http://www.westminster-abbey.org/
Jenkyns, Richard. Westminster Abbey. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 2005.