Analysis of Westminster Abbey's Historical Significance

This report provides a detailed analysis of Westminster Abbey, starting with its establishment over a thousand years ago by Benedictine monks. It explores the Abbey's construction, alterations over time, and architectural designs, including the Norman and Gothic styles. The report highlights key hist...Read More

Running head: MEDIEVAL HISTORICAL SITE ANALYSIS: WESTMINSTER ABBEY 1
Medieval Historical Site Analysis: Westminster Abbey
By student’s Name
Institutional affiliation

MEDIEVAL HISTORICAL SITE ANALYSIS: WESTMINSTER ABBEY
2
MEDIEVAL HISTORICAL SITE ANALYSIS: WESTMINSTER ABBEY
WESTMINSTER ABBEY
Summary of Westminster Abbey history
Available sources indicate that Westminster Abbey was established over one thousand
years by the Benedictine monks. History holds that the monks were the custodians of
Christianity at that time and were able to convert ruler of London King Sebert from eastern
Saxons. History holds that after his conversion to Christianity from paganism, king Sebert of east
Saxons builds a church which would give foundation to the Abbey between 500-600AD at a
place called Thorney Island. However, another line of the story also holds that a fisherman
received a vision from St. Peter, who demanded that a church be constructed on Thorney Island
and be dedicated to him. Nonetheless, part of the story also holds that St. Peter appeared on the
day the church was consecrated to king Sebert (Knighton & Mortimer, 2018).
Documented evidence further indicates that the monk community on the Thorney Island
Westminster up to the 960AD during the reign of kind Edger of England and Bishop of London
known as St. Dunstan as well as in the time of Edward, the confessor. In 1043, Edward the
confessor used the already constructed monastery on Thorney Island and constructed a bigger
and profligate abbey church. The church was built using the most popular architectural design
known as Norman architectural design. After the completion of the church it was then
consecrated to St. Peter last month of the year 1065 and was given the Name West Minster to
distinguish it from other churches like St. Paul's Cathedral located in East Minster (Knighton &
Mortimer, 2018).

MEDIEVAL HISTORICAL SITE ANALYSIS: WESTMINSTER ABBEY
3
Sadly after the dedication of the church, king Edward the confessor died and was buried
in the church a few meters from the altar, and later the reign of William the conquer began, and
he was coroneted at the Abbey beginning the long chain of coronation ceremonies being held at
the Abbey till to date. The Abbey has since then gone through changes and forms an important
role in England.
The current condition of Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is in good condition except in a few areas that require restoration.
The building has its features intact. However, some part of the building, such as the chapter
house has been stained with smoke from various industrial activities. The roofing has been
redone and is in perfect condition with and aesthetic completion (James, 2016). All the windows,
doors pillar and all other parts of the building are intact and at their original state.
Westminster Abbey alterations by the passage of time
The church has changed severally over time since the first construction by king Sebert.
The church was first changed by St, Dunstan who enlarged and remodeled the church to fit the
king's demands in 960AD. Later during the reign of King Edward, the confessor, a new
architectural design was used to put up a new church on the same place which was consecrated
in December 1065. In 1245, the church was brought down on the demands of King Henry III,
who replaced Edward's Norman architectural design with the pointed Gothic architectural design
of that period (James, 2016). During this period there were popular Gothic designs which were
used by French to build cathedrals, this inspired king Henry, and an almost similar design was

MEDIEVAL HISTORICAL SITE ANALYSIS: WESTMINSTER ABBEY
4
used to build the Abbey. The design of King Henry the 3rd gave the building its current statute
and monumental design, making it unique until this time.
However, around 1503, a perpendicular gothic design emerged during the reign of King
Henry VII who the proposed that an earlier chapel be redesigned using the new design. This
remodeling resulted in chapel being famed with exquisite fan vaults and stand for hanging
banners (Payne & Rodwell, 2017). Later in 1745, new towers were added to the western part of
the building which was built by John James and Nicholas Hawksmoor from a plan which was put
down by Sir Christopher Wren. Further remodeling of the Abbey was done by Sir George Gilbert
Scott in 1867 where he redesigned the choir stalls in the body of the church. Since the church
remained intact until it was renovated after the World War II bombing.
Westminster Abbey Renovation and how it has affected its status
The Abbey was first renovated in 187 2 under the supervision of Sir George Gilbert and
majorly worked on the roofing restoration. However, recently, the building has been listed as
one of the major buildings to undergo renovations. So far, the chapter house has gone under
restoration on the roof, the gutters, and a few parts of the wall (Payne & Rodwell, 2017).
Notably, nothing has been changed regarding the heritage of the building. The workers
were professionals and while working on the roof ensuring that all the medieval features and
heritage of the building were intact and well preserved.
How Westminster Abbey supports tourism in the UK
Westminster Abbey is open for visitors throughout the year attraction over a million
visitors annually. In as much as the Abbey is meant for religious purposes, it operates fully as a

MEDIEVAL HISTORICAL SITE ANALYSIS: WESTMINSTER ABBEY
5
museum, thereby supporting tourism and it is only restricted during major religious functions and
on Sundays (Donovan, 2018). The Abbey is also located to Buckingham palace as well as
Churchill war Room. Therefore, the Abbey adds value to tourism by attracting more visitors
every year.
Major attraction sites in Westminster Abbey
The Westminster Abbey, located at the center of London, does not only serve as a place
of prayer, royal weddings, and coronation but also serve as museum and tourist attraction center
(McDonald, 2019). Within the Abbey are various things which attract visitors from various
corridors of the world. The following are some of places or thing to that attract tourist at
Westminster Abbey:
The poet’s corner; this is located at the south Transept of the Abbey and contains tombs
and graves of the most cherished leaders such as kings with literary dedications on each grave
(Donovan, 2018).
Coronation chair; the coronation chair was first used by King Edward the 1st and has
since been used as the official chair that is used by every British monarch. The only monarch
who never used the chair was Queen Mary I whose coronation took place on a replica chair. The
chair remains the oldest furniture that serves its only original function.
Chapter house; another place that attracts visitors to the Abbey is the chapter house,
which is a room with an octagonal shape. It is documented that the monks use to meet at this
place to make work plans and pray. This room contains the oldest door in history and has a
lavish sculpture decoration.

MEDIEVAL HISTORICAL SITE ANALYSIS: WESTMINSTER ABBEY
6
The unknown warrior’s grave; this is the grave of a British soldier who died in World
War I.
The parliament square; this place looks lavish with a well-lined statues of some of
England’s great such as Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill.
Personal and visitors experience comparison at the Abbey
According to my personal opinion, I think that a visit to Westminster Abbey provides one
with a great experience to get in touch with almost ancient experiences. The workers at the
Abbey are great and have to greet heart to assist the visitors. I believe that a visit to the Abbey is
like taking a walk in the medieval era (Laing & Frost, 2017). The charges are quite affordable,
and the place has a great decoration and attraction. Most of the visitors who have provided
reviews online have also indicated the same and most have enjoyed their visit to the place. The
great experience I have is therefore similar to what most of the tourist have experienced “the
greatness of the old age."

MEDIEVAL HISTORICAL SITE ANALYSIS: WESTMINSTER ABBEY
7
References
Donovan, D. T. (2018). A new exposure of Quaternary deposits at Poets’ Corner Yard,
Westminster Abbey, Central London. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 129(4),
505-511.
James, T. B. (2016). Westminster I: the art, architecture and archaeology of the royal abbey;
Westminster II: the art, architecture and archaeology of the royal
palace. Antiquity, 90(353), 1412.

MEDIEVAL HISTORICAL SITE ANALYSIS: WESTMINSTER ABBEY
8
Knighton, C. S., & Mortimer, R. (2018). Westminster Abbey Reformed: 1540–1640. Routledge.
Laing, J., & Frost, W. (2017). Royal Events: Rituals, Innovations, Meanings. Routledge.
Retrieved from: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/media/8742/westminster-abbey-
annual-review-2017.pdf
McDonald, C. (2019). The Tower of London Becoming a Tourist Attraction in the 19th Century.
Retrieved from. https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1520&context=honors
Payne, M., & Rodwell, W. (2017). Edward the Confessor’s shrine in Westminster Abbey: its
date of construction reconsidered. The Antiquaries Journal, 97, 187-204.