Westminster Abbey - London, UK
Posted by: 
Metro2
N 51° 29.977 W 000° 07.732
30U E 699276 N 5709295
Westminster Abbey, which is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, was constructed between 1045 to circa 1517. The architect is unknown.
Waymark Code: WMDW4E
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 02/29/2012
Views: 80
Westminster Abbey is listed as one of the top ten sights to see in London in 1000 Places. "The English Gothic cathedral has been the site of almost every British coronation since 1066. The Henry VII Chapel, built in 1503, is one of the most beautiful in Europe. The Poets Corner has monuments to and tombs of Chaucer, Thomas Hardy, Tennyson, Browning, and others." Note that the book is in error to refer to the Abbey as a Cathedral. See (
visit link) which explains that the Abbey only had the status of a Cathedral for 10 years 1540-1550.
Wikipedia (
visit link) informs us:
"The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English, later British and later still (and currently) monarchs of the Commonwealth realms. The abbey is a Royal Peculiar and briefly held the status of a cathedral from 1540 to 1550.
Westminster Abbey is a collegiate church governed by the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, as established by Royal charter of Queen Elizabeth I in 1560, which created it as the Collegiate Church of St Peter Westminster and a Royal Peculiar under the personal jurisdiction of the Sovereign. The members of the Chapter are the Dean and four residentiary canons, assisted by the Receiver General and Chapter Clerk. One of the canons is also Rector of St Margaret's Church, Westminster, and often holds also the post of Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons. In addition to the Dean and canons, there are at present two full-time minor canons, one precentor, the other succentor. The office of Priest Vicar was created in the 1970s for those who assist the minor canons. Together with the clergy and Receiver General and Chapter Clerk, various lay officers constitute the college, including the Organist and Master of the Choristers, the Registrar, the Auditor, the Legal Secretary, the Surveyor of the Fabric, the Head Master of the Choir School, the Keeper of the Muniments and the Clerk of the Works, as well as 12 lay vicars, 10 choristers and the High Steward and High Bailiff. There are also 40 Queen's Scholars who are pupils at Westminster School (the School has its own Governing Body). Those who are most directly concerned with liturgical and ceremonial matters are the two minor canons and the organist and Master of the Choristers."
See the Abbey's official webpage at (
visit link)