Does Westminster Abbey Play An Important Role In British History?

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Westminster Abbey has played many roles throughout history. Most importantly, it is has been used as the coronation church since 1066 (westminsterabbey.org). Every king from that point on was crowned at Westminster Abbey, except the two kings who were never crowned (Hutchinson). The abbey also had numerous other uses throughout its history. Not only does Westminster Abbey play an important role in British history, but it also is truly a masterpiece. There is no exact date for the founding of this outstanding piece of architecture as it was a long process for many centuries. It is said that the location of the abbey held a shrine dedicated to St. Peter in the seventh century (Hutchinson). Then, around 960, a Benedictine monastery was founded, …show more content…

The master masons of his architecture were Henry of Reynes, John of Gloucester, and Robert of Beverley (Hutchinson). However, different from most architecture, this abbey was not a community effort, it was solely driven by King Henry III (Hutchinson). There are three reasons King Henry desired to build the abbey, first, he wanted to provide an honoring resting place for Edward the Confessor (Hutchinson). Next, he wanted to establish his power in the church which was always a dispute in western civilization(Hutchinson). Lastly, he was following the architecture of the fantastic French cathedrals (Hutchinson). The reconstruction of the abbey by King Henry III took nearly 150 years (Hutchinson). Although what stands today is mostly built by King Henry III, “There is no figure more important to the history of Westminster Abbey, no individual who shaped its destiny and identity, more than Saint/King Edward “the confessor” of the house of Wessex, who ruled as king of England from 1033-1065” (Dr. Jesse Harasta). Edward’s reasoning behind building the church was completely different from King Henry III. When Edward was a child he hid away in Normandy after exile, where he took an oath that if he was given the throne, he would make a pilgrimage to Rome(Dr. Jesse Harasta). But after he was given the throne, he did not want to go, so he had the pope remove the vow, but only on one condition (Dr. Jesse Harasta). He must build a magnificent church devoted to St. Peter, and that is what Edward did (Dr. Jesse Harasta). When Edward built the abbey, it was not just as an amazing church, he was building it as the location of the central royal power in England (Dr. Jesse Harasta). The abbey would play an important role in western civilization as the location of power and the royal church (Dr. Jesse

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