by zteve t evans

Created on: July 28, 2009   Last Updated: August 13, 2009

Over 900 years of History

London's Westminster Abbey is one of the top tourist destinations in England and one of the best known religious buildings in the world. Tourists to London are drawn to Westminster Abbey to experience the atmosphere and tradition of one of the UK's most visited buildings. It is often visited as part of a sight seeing tour of London taking in the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, St Pauls Cathedral, London Bridge and the Thames, and also Buckingham Place, and the London Eye.

Famous for hosting the coronation of many of the kings and queens of England for over 900 years the Abbey has played a central part in the religious, political and social history of England and still continues to do so. It is in fact a 'Royal Peculiar' which means it is owned and comes under the jurisdiction of the British monarch and is not a diocese and not under the authority of a bishopric. Its correct name is the Collegiate Church of St. Peter, Westminster.

The construction of the original Westminster Abbey is due to a vow made by Edward the Confessor, England's penultimate Saxon king, to Pope Leo IX. In return for being released from a duty of making a pilgrimage to St. Peter's Tomb in Rome, Edward promised to built, or restore a church to St. Peter. The site had previously been used for religious purposes since 616 AD and later became St Dunstan's who was Abbot of Glastonbury and Archbishop of Canterbury.

Place of the Coronations of the Monarchs of England

Harold became the first king to be crowned there though he was to be the last Saxon King of England but his coronation was not recognised by the Pope. William the Conqueror was crowned King of England on Christmas Day 1066 and recognised by the Pope. With the exceptions of Edward V and Edward VIII all England's monarchs have been crowned in the Abbey.

During the reign of Henry III the Abbey was virtually rebuilt and has been added to over the centuries and is now very different from its original shape. In the 14th century the Nave was added, and Henry VII added a chapel which became known as Henry VII's Chapel in the 16th century. The twin towers were added in the 18th century. So the Abbey actually has acquired several different styles of architecture over the ages.

There are many, but not all, of England's monarchs and royalty buried there. Princess Diana's funeral was held at the Abbey in 1997, though she was buried at her family home of Althrop, Northamptonshire.

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