A Palace consisting of several small buildings, a tower, Parliament, and Westminster Abbey stood on the present day site of Westminster Hall of Parliament and the Jewel Tower in the Eleventh Century. In relation to this palace, at its centre was Westminster Abbey.
In 1512 a fire destroyed the original palace and special care was taken to preserve the Abbey and keep it from being destroyed. Today - the Abbey - renovated and built in the Gothic style of architecture is the last remaining building of the original Palace.
The building itself is breathtaking and the beauty of the stain glass can be appreciated from the outside - as well as the function of the arches and stain glass windows within the architecture style. Stretching in front of the Abbey is a large green, which makes for a beautiful and peaceful scene, despite the face the road is so close by.
Stepping inside the Abbey - because it is not only a large burial place but also a working church you aren't allowed to take pictures - you come very close to a large collection of statues. The detail is amazing - you can see every etch of each strand of hair - whether it's straight or curly and each person has expressive eyes and elegant clothing. All the statues are white and commemorate important people in history of Parliament.
I highly recommend paying for the audio tour because you learn so much about the architecture, the people buried at the Abbey, and the importance of the rooms, altars, and burial places. Further in - and towards the centre of the church is the gold plate altar with red carpeting where the Queen or Kind will sit during coronation. The coronation chair is usually present at this altar, but was absent when I was there. The chair is being cleaned, refinished, and polished for Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee celebrating her fifty years on the throne.
Across from the altar are rows of pews, where the choir sit. They are made of oak and seat the Men's and Boy's choirs.
At the back of the Abbey are the branching chapels and burial places of the kings and queens starting with Edward the Confessor. As you work your way back, you will enter the chambers which house the remains of Queen Elizabeth I - who is buried on the left side of the main chamber to the centre-back. The carved effigy is the most accurate view of her features and what she looked like. On the right side of the chamber is Mary Queen of Scots, whose effigy was made as beautiful as Queen Elizabeth I's. Her remains are located at the front of the chamber. Also buried with her are her daughter and grand daughter.
Along the back right corner of the Abbey are famous poets and authors. I took a moment, whilst at Poet's Corner, to take in Chaucer's burial place. The brown frame - sort of makes it look like a fire place - it very simple. Chaucer was buried at the Abbey - because at the time of his death (aside from being well known for the Canterbury tales- Chaucer served as Collector of Customs and the Clark of the Works for Westminster in 1400.
To the right - and set a bit far back is the statue of William Shakespeare, whose remains are buried and will stay buried at Stafford Upon Avon. His statue is set slightly higher than eye level, and leans on a post urn pointing to a scroll - on which are carved (what are believed to be his farewell to the world) the last words
spoken by the main character in the Tempest.
Outside the main hall you are allowed to visit the famous stain glass windows within the Charter House - which were used at the first meeting place for the House of Commons when the monarch lived at Westminster. Before this room is the oldest door in London.
Then the famous stained glass the Charter Room is famous for:
In the Nave - located on the opposite corner from the Charter House - I got to see Charles Darwin and Issac Newton's resting places complete with large ornate statues.
Westminster Abbey was truly the best start to my day of museum hopping I could have asked for.
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