Features
We uncover the Great Pavement, unravel the Da Vinci Code, talk to the Abbey's Sub-Dean and get a true picture of some monarchs from their funeral effigies.
The Great Pavement
One of the greatest treasures of Westminster Abbey is something most visitors are not even aware of - for it lies under their feet, hidden and protected by a thick carpet…
The Da Vinci Code
Hands up who has read "The Da Vinci Code"! If so, were you tempted to follow in the footsteps of Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu and see some of the places featured for yourself? You wouldn’t be alone. Dan Brown's blockbusting novel has done more to increase tourism at some of Europe's most historic sites than any advertising campaign could ever dream of.
Who Is Buried There?
Virtually every royal burial for the nearly 500 years between the deaths of Henry III in 1272 and George II in 1760 took place in Westminster Abbey. The two notable exceptions were Henry VIII and Charles I, both of whom were buried at Windsor Castle. (All monarchs from George III onwards have since been interred at Windsor.)
Funeral effigies
As well as all the religious and artistic treasures that a visitor can see, there is an intriguing but little-known collection of 18 funeral effigies in the Abbey’s Norman undercroft.
The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior
A few feet inside the main entrance to Westminster Abbey, at the far western end of the nave, is a black marble tombstone permanently surrounded by a border of greenery and poppies. In a place where monarchs and statesmen, scientific pioneers and composers are buried, it is the only gravestone in the Abbey that may not be walked upon, and contains the remains of an unidentified soldier of the first world war.
Poets' Corner
At the end of the year 1400, the Palace of Westminster’s recently deceased Clerk of Works was accorded the honour of being buried in the Abbey itself. He was laid to rest in a simple tomb in the South Transept. His name was Geoffrey Chaucer; he’s better remembered today as the author of "The Canterbury Tales". A century and a half later, in 1556, he was moved to the more ornate tomb he occupies today.
Interview: Abbey Sub-Dean Robert Wright
Canon Robert Wright is sub-dean of Westminster Abbey. ICONS met him.
Interviews: Working at the Abbey
So what's it like working in one of the most famous buildings in the country? Librarian Tony Trowles, Dean's Verger Martin Castledine, Receiver-General David Burden and Conservator Vanessa Simeoni shared some of their experiences with ICONS…
