Westminster Abbey is an Anglican church in the City of Westminster, London that attracts over 1 million visitors each year. Continue reading to find out seven incredible facts about this World Heritage Site…
It was originally on an island
Founded in 960 AD, Westminster Abbey was situated on a small island on the River Thames, also known as Thorney Island. The island no longer exists, however, it provides the name for MI5’s headquarters, located on Thorney Street in Westminster.
Westminster Abbey was rebuilt by Edward the Confessor
In 1042, Edward the Confessor began to rebuild the church as a royal burial site, which was completed a week before he died. Therefore, both him and his wife were buried there. Edward was made a saint in the Catholic Church. It is said that Edward left the regalia used for his coronation in the abbey for future monarchs, but these were destroyed by Oliver Cromwell.
It isn’t actually an abbey
In 1559, during the Reformation of the English church, the abbey stopped serving as a monastery and from the establishment of the Church of England, Westminster Abbey was re classed as ‘Royal Peculiarity’. Therefore, Westminster Abbey hasn’t been an abbey for over 450 years.
The Abbey is the location of every coronation
Since 1066, when William the Conqueror was crowned on Christmas Day, Westminster Abbey has held the coronation of every English monarch. It is however believed that the abbey has been used for coronations for much longer than that and in May of this year, King Charles III was the 40th monarch to be crowned at the Abbey.
Students were responsible for stealing the Stone of Scone
The Stone of Scone was taken from Edward I in 1296 and placed under the St Edward’s Chair in Westminster Abbey. Four students from Glasgow stole the stone in 1950 which resulted in the closing of the Scottish-English borders. The stone was returned to the abbey, but it was returned to Scotland in 1996 under the agreement that the stone will be returned to the abbey temporarily for the coronation of a monarch.
Westminster Abbey houses many tombs and memorials.
As the purpose of Westminster Abbey was originally to serve as a burial site, there are over 3,500 people buried or commemorated there, with over 450 tombs and monuments. As well as English monarchs, there are also important political figures and influential men and women buried there, such as Charles Dickens, Jane Austin, Charles Darwin and Stephen Hawking to name a few.
The Abbey is also responsible for hosting royal weddings.
Westminster Abbey has been the venue for over 17 royal weddings, with the most recent one being in 2011 for Prince William and Kate Middleton. There are strict rules are in place concerning who can tie the knot in the abbey, such as that you can only get married their if you’re a member of the Royal Family, a member of the Order of Bath, or one of the residents living within its confines.
In May this year, King Charles III became the 40th monarch to be crowned at Westminster Abbey. To commemorate this remarkable event, we are a world-first silver crown. Secure yours HERE.