Page 52 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - England's South Coast

50  ENGLAND ’ S SOUTH C O AST REGION B Y REGION

9 Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey has been the burial place of Britain’s
monarchs since the 11th century and the setting for many
coronations and royal weddings. Half national church, half
national museum, it is one of the most beautiful buildings in
London, with an exceptionally diverse array of architectural
styles, ranging from the austere French Gothic of the nave
to the complexity of Henry VII’s Chapel. The abbey’s aisles
and transepts are crammed with an extraordinary collection
of tombs and monuments honouring a number of Britain’s
greatest public figures, ranging from politicians to poets.
North Entrance
The mock-
medieval
stonework
is Victorian.

. Nave
At a height of 31 m (102 ft), the
nave is the highest in England.
The ratio of height to width is 3:1.

Coronation Chair
Constructed in 1301, this chair has been
used at every coronation since 1308.
KEY
1 Statesmen’s Aisle Coronation
2 Flying buttresses are external The coronation ceremony is
supports that help redistribute the over 1,000 years old and the
great weight of the roof. abbey has been its fittingly
sumptuous setting since 1066,
3 The Sanctuary was built by when William the Conqueror
Henry III. It contains the relics of was crowned on Christmas
Edward the Confessor and has Day. The coronation ceremony
been the scene of 38 coronations. of the present monarch Queen
4 Pyx Chamber is where newly Elizabeth II, in 1953, was the
minted coins were tested. Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II first to be televised.

For hotels and restaurants in this region see p174 and pp184–5

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