Historical Description of Westminster Abbey, Its Monuments and Curiosities

(7 User reviews)   4976
Anonymous Anonymous
English
Ever walked through Westminster Abbey, looked at the worn stones and ancient monuments, and wondered about all the stories those walls could tell? This anonymous guide from another century is like having a time-traveling companion whispering in your ear. It’s not a dry history book—it’s a collection of secrets, from the exact spot where kings were crowned to the surprising, sometimes bizarre, artifacts tucked away in corners most tourists miss. The real mystery is the author: who was this person so fascinated by every inch of the Abbey that they felt compelled to document it all for strangers? Reading it feels like uncovering a hidden layer of London itself.
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_On Sunday the entrance to the Abbey is by the North and South Transepts. Divine Service at_ 8 A.M., _at_ 10 A.M., _and at_ 3 P.M.; _and from Easter to the end of July, at_ 7 P.M. _At the usual Sunday Services, and on Saint and Holy Days, at_ 10 A.M., _there is a Sermon. The Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday in the month, at the_ 10 A.M. _Service, and on other Sundays (except when otherwise ordered) at_ 8 A.M. The names of the several Chapels, beginning from the south cross, and so passing round to the north cross, are in order as follows:--1. St. Benedict; 2. St. Edmund; 3. St. Nicholas; 4. Henry VII.; 5. St. Paul; 6. St. Edward the Confessor; 7. St. John; 8. Islip's Chapel, dedicated to St. John the Baptist; 9. St. John, St. Michael, and St. Andrew. The three last are now laid together. The Chapel of Edward the Confessor stands, as it were, in the centre, and is enclosed in the body of the Church. Keep on your right, and the Chapel of St. Benedict is adjoining the Tombs-gate, in which Chapel several Deans were buried. Dean Ireland was buried in front of Camden's monument, in the same grave with Mr. Gifford, his associate through life. Several men intercept all persons as they approach the Abbey, to show them the Courts of Law, Westminster Hall, &c., which are open all day; persons attending to them are oft-times prevented from seeing the Church for that day, as the hours of service intervene. WESTMINSTER ABBEY. Of the Foundation of the Abbey. Of the Founding of an Abbey on Thorney Island, where that of Westminster now stands, there are so many miraculous stories related by monkish writers, that the recital of them now would hardly be endured. Even the relations of ancient historians have been questioned by Sir Christopher Wren, who was employed to survey the present edifice, and who, upon the nicest examination, found nothing to countenance the general belief, "that it was erected on the ruins of a Pagan Temple." No fragments of Roman workmanship were discovered in any part of the building, many of which must undoubtedly have been intermixed among the materials, if a Roman temple had existed before on the same spot. Nor is the dedication of the first Abbey less involved in mystery than the founding of it. The legend says that Sebert, King of the East Saxons, who died in 616, ordered Melitus, then Bishop of London, to perform the ceremony; but that St. Peter himself was beforehand with him, and consecrated it in the night preceding the day appointed by his Majesty for that purpose, accompanied by angels, and surrounded by a glorious appearance of burning lights. That this legend continued to be believed after the building itself was destroyed, will appear by a charter which we shall have occasion to mention hereafter; and though nothing can with certainty be concluded from these fictions, yet it may be presumed, that both the ancient church dedicated to St. Paul, in London, and this dedicated to St. Peter, in Westminster, were among the earliest works of the first converts to Christianity in Britain. With their new religion, they introduced a new manner of building; and their great aim seems to have been, by affecting loftiness and ornament, to bring the plain simplicity of the Pagan architects into contempt. Historians, agreeable to the legend, have fixed the era of the first Abbey in the sixth century, and ascribed to Sebert the honour of conducting the work, and completing...

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This book isn't a novel with a plot, but a journey. The anonymous author acts as your guide, leading you through the famous church, aisle by aisle, chapel by chapel. They point out the grand tombs of queens and poets, but also get wonderfully sidetracked by odd details: a peculiar inscription, a strange carving, a piece of furniture with a funny history. It's a systematic but deeply personal tour, written with the clear goal of making sure you don't miss a thing.

Why You Should Read It

What grabbed me was the voice. Even without a name, the author's personality shines through. You can feel their awe standing before the Coronation Chair, and their quiet curiosity about a simple, forgotten grave marker. It turns a monument of stone into a place of countless human stories. It makes you see the Abbey not just as a museum, but as a living diary of a nation, written in marble, wood, and glass.

Final Verdict

Perfect for history buffs who enjoy the small details over just the big dates, or for anyone planning a trip to London who wants to go beyond the guidebook. It’s also a quiet pleasure for readers who love the idea of discovering a forgotten guide on a library shelf and feeling connected to a curious mind from the past. Don't expect flashy drama; expect a thoughtful, detailed, and strangely intimate walk through history.



⚖️ Public Domain Notice

This work has been identified as being free of known copyright restrictions. You can copy, modify, and distribute it freely.

Mason Lee
10 months ago

This is one of those stories where the depth of research presented here is truly commendable. Truly inspiring.

Steven Brown
1 year ago

If you enjoy this genre, the arguments are well-supported by credible references. Absolutely essential reading.

5
5 out of 5 (7 User reviews )

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