Westminster Abbey: England's Snow Globe

So, you prefer the History Channel to history books and Cliff's Notes to the classics. You are not the only one who has admitted this to me. And the honesty is appreciated.

You want to experience English history, but don't want to work for it. You don't say? Well, I have an idea just for you, Westminster Abbey.

Westminster Abbey is the greatest church in the English-speaking world, where kings and queens have been buried since 1066. To know the history of the abbey is to understand the history of England. The abbey was built in 1065 and its name means "church in the west" (west of St. Paul's). There is 1000 years years of history in these walls with 3000 tombs and the remains of 29 kings and queens. There are literally 100s of memorials to writers, poets, politicians and warriors behind some of the world's most exquisite stained glass. A peak into Westminster Abbey is a peak into England's history, but a two hour walking tour is a 1000 years of history crammed into one excellent episode on the History Channel. Let's take a gander.


Westminster Facts:
Hours: 09:15-16:45 Mon-Sat - Cloisters open until 17:45
Nearest Tube Stations: St. James or Westminster
Tele: 020 72 22 5152
Website: http://www.westminster-abbey.org/

Jeremy Irons narrates a fabulous audioguide which is included in the price of admission. No photos inside, but as always, their will be plenty of photos for sale in gift shop. The abbey is always crowded, but the mass of tourists thins each afternoon around 14:00. A walking guided tour by well-informed vergers is offered for a nominal fee (This is the only way one can see Edward the Confessor's tomb). I think the Jeremy Irons audio is more than adequate along with the free abbey map at the door. You will have no choice but to follow the hordes clockwise through the church. Just be glad this is only a one loop tour. Here is a list of the abbey don't miss sites.

• North Transept and view of Nave


• Tomb of Edward the Confessor - He's the guy who built the church.


• Tombs of Queen Elizabeth I and Mary I - there is only one effigy (Elizabeth). She was still pissed at her sister.


• Chapel of King Henry VII - ended War of the Roses with his marriage to Elizabeth of York


• Royal Air Force Chapel - this is the former tomb of Oliver Cromwell. Charles II had Cromwell's 2 year dead body exonerated, hanged, drawn and quartered, and then nailed to the gates of the walled city. Seems he needed a little revenge after watching Cromwell hang his father, Charles I, outside the Banquetting Hall. Boy had some rage issues, I guess.


• Tomb of Mary, Queen of Scots - Elizabeth had her imprisoned for 12 years before decapitating her. When Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen, died without an heir, James I, the son of Mary of Scots was crowned king. he buried his mother here in the most beautiful portion of the abbey.


• Coronation Chair - This gold-plated wooded chair has kissed the royal butt of every king and queen since 1308, sans 2.


• Poet's Corner - my Holy Grail.


• Cloisters and Abbey Museum - these buildings housed the benedictine monks until Henry VIII kicked them out in 1540 with the Dissolution of the Monasteries


• The Nave - This is where you will find Winston Churchill's memorial, "Scientist's Corner" and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

This isn't just the history of the abbey that you just encountered, but the history of England, London and the English-speaking world. This is England in a snow globe or the history of England on a zip-drive. If you are interested in finding out more, send me an email at theTravelValet@gmail.com.

Al, the Travel Valet

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