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Contents
Westminster Abbey facts
It belongs to the Sovereign, not the Church of England
Westminster Abbey falls into the category of ‘Royal Peculiar’, belonging to the Sovereign instead of the Church of England. Its official name is the Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Westminster. However, in its early days, it was used by Benedictine monks as a monastery — hence the name Westminster Abbey — a nickname that has stuck around.
Resting place for more than 3300 people
Initially, the abbey was to serve as the resting place of all the Kings of England. However, in its later years, anyone who could afford to be buried in the abbey was given a spot there. Today, it contains the tombs of many renowned figures including Sir Isaac Newton, Geoffrey Chaucer, Stephen Hawking, George Frederic Handel, Charles Dickens, and more.
About the tombs
A place for coronation since 1066
Westminster Abbey has been the official coronation church for British monarchs since 1066. In total, 39 coronations have occurred in the abbey, the most recent being in 2023 of the current monarch, King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Even the Coronation Chair from 1308 that was used for these coronations is still housed inside the Abbey.
About coronations
Many royal weddings took place here
Westminster Abbey also hosts royal weddings. So far, there have been 17 royal weddings, the most recent of which was that of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, in 2011. Even Queen Elizabeth II (Princess Elizabeth at the time) married Prince Philip here in 1947.
Oldest door in the world
Westminster Abbey has the only surviving Anglo-Saxon door in the UK, dating to 1050. A tree-ring dating analysis showed that the door was built from a single tree in Hainault, grown between 924 and 1030. Another discovery revealed that the hiding covering the door could be human skin as a warning to stop people from committing crimes.
Inside Westminster Abbey
Cosmati Pavement predicts the end of the world
The sanctuary floor is decorated with the Cosmati Pavement. Made with thousands of cut pieces of porphyry and mosaic, the pavement is believed to calculate when the world will end - in 19,683 years. Notice the brass lettering, with the date the pavement was created - 1268, where it came from - Rome, and who the ruler was at the time - Henry III.
The Stone of Destiny was stolen by students
In 1296, the Stone of Destiny, or the Stone of Scone, as known in Scotland, was brought to the abbey by Edward I to be kept under the Coronation Chair. On Christmas Eve, in 1950, 4 Glaswegian students broke into the abbey and stole the Stone. It was found later buried in a field in Kent, after which it was returned to Scotland in 1996.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Westminster Abbey is one of the oldest buildings in the country. It has been used for coronations, royal weddings, and as a final resting place for British monarchs and renowned individuals. In turn, the church’s significance to Britain’s history was formally identified when it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
The Da Vinci Code troubled abbey officials
Westminster Abbey was featured in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, which was quite popular and in turn, encouraged readers to see the abbey up close. But, as most fictional pieces go, the story included many inaccuracies. This meant abbey officials had to publish information sheets for tour guides and visitors correcting many of these errors.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Westminster Abbey facts
When was Westminster Abbey built?
The construction of the current building of Westminster Abbey began in 1245 and was halted after the death of King Henry III. The nave remained incomplete until it was constructed in the 14th century.
How big is Westminster Abbey?
Westminster Abbey is spread across 32,000 sq. ft.
How many people are buried at Westminster Abbey?
Westminster Abbey is the final resting place for more than 3,300 people, including 17 British monarchs, famous scientists, poets, artists, authors, politicians, and many more.
How many British monarchs have been crowned at Westminster Abbey?
Since William the Conqueror in 1066, all but two English and British monarchs have been crowned in the Abbey.
Does Westminster Abbey have any notable windows?
Yes, the Abbey features several critical stained glass windows, including those in the Lady Chapel, some of the finest in England.
Is Westminster Abbey still a working church?
Absolutely! In addition to its historical significance, Westminster Abbey continues to hold daily services and special ceremonies. It remains a vibrant place of worship.
What are some unique features of Westminster Abbey’s architecture?
The abbey’s soaring Gothic arches, stunning stained-glass windows, and intricately carved stone details are architectural masterpieces. The fan-vaulted ceilings of the Lady Chapel are especially breathtaking.
