ENGLAND:SCOTLAND (13)

18-12-2023 .. Monday .. LONDON 

WESTMINSTER ABBEY continues 

The Coronation Chair

The Coronation Chair is one of the most precious and famous pieces of furniture in the world.  It has been the centrepiece of coronations for over 700 years when it is placed in the centre of the Abbey, in front of the High Altar.

At coronations, the 6 feet 9 inches Chair with the Stone stands facing the High Altar. The Chair has been in use at the coronation ceremony since 1308.

The Coronation Chair was made by order of Edward I to enclose the famous Stone of Scone, which he brought from Scotland to the Abbey in 1296.  The Stone weighs 152 kg and is composed of sandstone.  

Tradition identifies the Stone with the one upon which Jacob rested his head at Bethel - "And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it" (Genesis chapter 28, verse 18).

Clicked the Altar and the Chair.

The Cloisters

The Cloisters were one of the busiest parts of the Abbey where the monks spent much of their time.  Each of the cloisters is about 100 feet in length. They date mainly from the 13th to the 15th centuries and were used for meditation and exercise by the Benedictine monks. They provided a route to the main monastic buildings, such as the refectory and dormitory.  

A memorial fountain in the cloister garth commemorates famous landscape gardener Lancelot Capability Brown.  The lead cistern fountain is in the centre of the main cloister.

The cloisters contain the graves of several Abbots of the Norman church and also some clergymen and officials of the church, including organists, and workmen.

We clicked the Fountain.

Also posed by sitting in the corridor of the Cloisters and the fountain can be seen in the background.

Royal tombs

Westminster Abbey is the final resting place of 30 kings and queens starting with King Edward the Confessor whose magnificent shrine stands just behind the High Altar.  Henry III, who built the church is buried near him.

Clicked some …

Clicked some spectacular angles … 

Just before stepping out from Westminster Abbey, there is an inner feeling.

Though I’m surrounded by history like the usual museums where things just get displayed, here at the Abbey I am standing where history has happened.

On leaving, put a Salutations to the Abbey.  

On the way took these snaps.

The small WRITE-UPS with bold captions are 

mixture of my words and Websites contents.

Already referenced those Websites in my previous Post.