Tympanum at Westminster Abbey.
Photo: 24 April 2017.
Source: Own work.
Author: Cmao20
(Wikimedia Commons)
unless stated otherwise.
Since the Coronation in 1066 of William the Conqueror, every English and British Monarch (except Edward V and Edward VIII, who were never Crowned) has been Crowned in Westminster Abbey.[4][5]
In 1216, Henry III could not be Crowned in London, when he came to the Throne, because the French Prince, Louis, had taken control of the City, and so the King was Crowned in the Church of Saint Peter in Gloucester (which is now Gloucester Cathedral).
This Coronation was deemed by Pope Honorius III to be improper, and a further Coronation was held in Westminster Abbey on 17 May 1220.[56]
13th-Century Wall Paintings,
The Chapter House, Westminster Abbey.
Depicting scenes from The Book of Revelation.
Photo: 29 May 2021.
Source: Own work.
Author: JRennocks
(Wikimedia Commons)
From 1301 to 1996 (except for a short time in 1950 when the stone was temporarily stolen by Scottish nationalists), the Chair also housed The Stone of Scone, upon which the Kings of Scots are Crowned.
Although the Stone is now kept in Scotland, in Edinburgh Castle, it is intended that the Stone will be returned to Saint Edward's Chair for use during future Coronation ceremonies.[57]
Construction of The Metropolitan District Railway.
View from Tothill Street, towards Westminster Abbey, with Lord Raglan’s memorial on a Column.
Date: 1866.
Source: www.urbanlandscape.org.uk
Author: Henry Flather, 1839–7 September 1901
(Wikimedia Commons)
Westminster Abbey is a Collegiate Church, governed by The Dean and Chapter of Westminster, as established by Royal Charter of Queen Elizabeth I, dated 21 May 1560,[60] which created it as The Collegiate Church of Saint Peter Westminster, a Royal Peculiar, under the personal jurisdiction of The Sovereign.[30]
The members of The Chapter are The Dean and four Canons Residentiary;[61] they are assisted by The Receiver General and Chapter Clerk.[62]
English: Westminster Abbey.
Note the lack of traffic.
Svenska: Westminster Abbey. London, England.
Fotografierna LXVI:K.D.01.-40. är inköpta av Johanna Kempe, f. Wallis, i London, Bournemouth och på Isle of Wight vid hennes vistelse på nämnda orter tillsammans med fröken Caroline Pflaum under deras resa till England.
Photo: 1886.
Collection: Hallwyl Museum
Source: LSH 105871 (hm_dig18345)
Photographer: Jenny Bergensten
(Wikimedia Commons)
One of the Canons is also Rector of Saint Margaret’s Church, Westminster, and often also holds the Post of Chaplain to The Speaker of The House of Commons.[63]
In addition to The Dean and Canons, there are, at present, three full-time Minor Canons:
The Precentor;
The Sacrist;
Another fascinating and detailed Zephyrinus historic journey through the great Westminster Abbey, its prominence in English coronation history, and its amazing survival (as with St. Paul’s) through the London Blitz.
ReplyDeleteOf course, the pipe organ: One of the grandest in all Christendom, the current instrument was originally a 4 manual installation on the north and south elevated walls of the nave screen,using the previous wood screens dating from 1895 of the prior instrument.
The present instrument was installed by the esteemed builder, Harrison & Harrison, for the Coronation of King George VI in 1937. With 84-speaking stops, it miraculously survived the Blitz, although it is believed it was disassembled, crated, and safely stored deep in the crypt until war’s end.
Not to be outdone by the French for their expansive instruments by Cavaille-Coll in Notre Dame, Rouen, or Ste. Sulpice, major additions were made in 1982 and 1986, including a massive Bombarde reed section and major chorus English Diapason on its now-5th manual . In 2006, electronic and solid-state circuit boards were installed for swift registration changes on the now quite sprawling instrument: but likely soon, these now being obsolescent, new IT updating will soon be needed. At any rate, this pipe organ is at no deficiency for coronations nor for the most demanding crowd-filled Abbey events (note: when a church like Westminster is filled wall-to-wall with a large throng, their clothes, hats, robes actually absorb a large part of the acoustic!). Hurrah! -Comment by Dante P
The specifications for the Westminster Abbey pipe organ can be found here: no sound capable of being produced by the church organ is overlooked! -Note by Dante P
ReplyDeletehttps://www.westminster-abbey.org/media/q0ljswj1/harrison-harrison-organ-specification-april-2018.pdf
A magnificent contribution from Our Mediæval, Liturgical, Architectural, and Choral Correspondent, Dante P, for which we are truly grateful.
DeleteThe renown of this Blog for the in-depth Articles on Church Organ Music from its most-accomplished Organ Correspondent, Dante P, is now well-known across the Blogosphere. Zephyrinus now accumulates thousands of enquiries from across the Globe.
This particular contribution on Westminster Abbey's outstanding Organ is captivating. One wonders how long it would have taken during the Second World War to disassemble it, crate it up, and deposit it in the Crypt.
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