Visiting Westminster Abbey

The water taxi - Thames Clippers by Uber - was easily becoming my favourite mode of transportation. I set off the morning of June 1st by way of the Thames to go to Westminster Abbey. Really, I just couldn't get enough of the views on the commute!

I arrived earlier than my ticket time as I had hoped to save a bit more time for my afternoon plans!

I was still thankful that I had visited the Abbey the previous evening to stroll around and see it without the throngs of tourists. Now, as I stood in the queue, I was closer and about to enter. I had a better view of the architectural details, religious symbolism and just bask in the experience. This was where all coronations had taken place since 1066; the site of Princess Diana's funeral and the location of the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. There was history everywhere!

Without going into detail about the architecture, which is first, amazing, and second I'm not qualified to give detail, I did want to point out something I learned about medieval architectural design from one of the many documentaries I have watched since March 2022.

A grotesque is the ugly faces that you often find on medieval buildings (churches, palaces, universities, etc). They are there to scare away evil spirits.

A gargoyle is an architectural decoration that often has a water spout.

The Abbey is something that must be experienced for oneself. Photos don't do it justice. A second-hand experience isn't the same. So, should you have the opportunity to visit this incredible structure, I encourage you to do so.

One thing that the Abbey doesn't lack is statues. There are a lot of marble statues. So many, I found it overwhelming and frankly, a bit too much. That must be my Methodist genetics showing - too ostentatious for me.

As I'm behind with my posts, I began to write this post on September 8, the day on which our glorious Queen Elizabeth II, went on to glory. Long Live King Charles III. Monarchs of both names - Elizabeth and Charles - have in the past left a great influence on the monarchy, as well as English history. Which is why I particularly found it interesting to discover Elizabeth I was in the same tomb as her sister, Mary I of England. One, a "bloody" queen persecuting those who no longer followed the Church of Rome, the other, considered to have kept England together as it struggled in its faith. She along with Queen Victoria, join Elizabeth II as three of the longest reigning and successful monarchs in English history. Also, three women who made considerable contributions to the development and changes of their kingdom during their reign.

I cannot begin to convey just how amazing this building is. For almost a thousand years, it has been at the centre of history. And, now with the death of Elizabeth II, it will be the location of her funeral in only a few days and sometime in the future, the coronation of Charles III. Life goes one. History continues to be made.

Poet's Corner, is a special space in the Abbey. And while most of these people are not interred here, they are commemorated. Note the contrast between the memorials to the Bronte sisters or Jane Austen, compared to Woodsworth.

One of the areas in the Abbey I was looking forward to visiting, which required an additional ticket, was The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries. It was amazing for this heritage nerd. The artifacts and archival materials on display were phenomenal. No photographs were allowed in the gallery (not that that stopped others!). No surprise, I bought postcards.

So what was so great? Well, the coronation gowns of past kings and queens, one of the remaining original copies of the Magna Carta (!), effigies of past monarchs, architectural drawings and models of the Abbey, and more. And, it included a pretty amazing view of the gallery looking down from the triforium! The open areas still bore the numbers for seating from the Queen's Coronation in 1953.

The Galleries are fully accessible, and I opted to take the elevator up and take the 108 stairs down. The staircase allows for unique views of the Abbey's architectural character and out toward Westminster Palace.

I made the poor decision to eat in the restaurant at the Abbey. I didn't realize it was table service and I really did want to get on my way. The food was lovely, but it was the wrong food option for me, for that day.

Before leaving the Abbey (and visiting the Gift Shop!), I passed the Coronation Chair.

The Coronation Chair is housed behind glass and is protected from light and has controlled temperature and humidity. It is constantly monitored to ensure its preservation. As I came up to this iconic piece of British history I did wonder, how long until it is used again? This is the longest it has "sat empty", for a lack of better phrase, in its history. This Chair has been used for every coronation in English history since 1308. It was last used in 1953. Will it be used in 2022 or 2023? Only time will tell what kind of coronation Charles III will have, but I'm certain it will be held at Westminster Abbey and as much tradition as possible will be observed.

Trivia: You know that old phrase, "robbing Peter to pay Paul"? Well, I learned while watching one of the many British documentaries during COVID, that in fact, the origin of that phrase may originate with Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral.

Here is a simplistic explanation of its origin: "The most likely origin for this phrase dates back to the reign of Henry VIII, who granted Westminster Abbey (dedicated to St Peter) in Westminster the status of ‘Cathedral’ this spared the Abbey from being destroyed in his Dissolution of the Monasteries between between 1536 and 1541. It could be argued that Westminster Abbey merited being spared as it had hosted the coronation of every English king since 1066 – and continues to to this day.

"After the dissolution was completed, Westminster returned to Abbey status in 1550.

However, during the period that Westminster was a Cathedral, funds meant for the upkeep of the Abbey (in the City of Westminster) were diverted to the treasury of St Paul’s Cathedral in the City of London."

Hence, robbing Peter to pay Paul.