King Henry VII Lady Chapel,
Westminster Abbey.
Illustration: WESTMINSTER ABBEY
The 16th-Century historian John Leland called the Henry VII Lady Chapel “the wonder of the World” and it continues to inspire wonder amongst those who visit it today.
It’s a glorious example of Late-Mediæval architecture with a spectacular Fan-Vaulted Ceiling.
King Henry VII Lady Chapel,
Westminster Abbey.
Available on YouTube
It is the burial place of fifteen Kings and Queens, including Elizabeth I, Mary I, Mary Queen of Scots, and what is thought to be the remains of Edward V and Richard Duke of York, the “Princes in the Tower”.
King Henry VII Lady Chapel.
Westminster Abbey.
Artist: Canaletto (1697–1768).
Date: Early-1750s.
Collection: Private Collection.
Source/Photographer: Unknown.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Below the Central Aisle is the Hanoverian Vault, where George II and members of his family are buried.
The Stuart Vault is in the South Aisle, where Charles II, William III and Mary II, and Queen Anne, lie buried.
Incredible Burials Of The Henry VII Lady Chapel,
Westminster Abbey.
Available on YouTube
King Henry VII lavished huge sums on his new Lady Chapel, which was begun in 1503 but not completed until 1516, nearly six years after his death.
Henry’s imposing tomb at the East End of the Chapel has magnificent Gilt Bronze effigies of the King and his wife, Elizabeth of York, made by the brilliant Florentine Renaissance sculptor, Pietro Torrigiano.
King Henry VII Lady Chapel.
Westminster Abbey.
Photo: 10 April 2008.
Source: Westminster Abbey - London, U.K.
Author: Josh Hallett, Winter Haven, U.S.A.
(Wikimedia Commons)
The King and Queen lie in a Vault below their monument, together with James I. The Bronze Screen is by Thomas Ducheman. Henry’s mother, Lady Margaret Beaufort, also has a tomb designed by Torrigiano in the South Aisle.
Since 1725, the Lady Chapel has been used for installations of Knights of the Order of the Bath, and the colourful banners of living Knights hang here.
Great East Window,
King Henry VII Lady Chapel,
Westminster Abbey.
Photo: 27 September 2006.
Source: Westminster Abbey
This File is licensed under the
2.0 Generic licence.
Author: Herry Lawford, London, U.K.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Brass Plates with Coats-of-Arms of current and former Knights are attached to the Stalls. The Sovereign and the Great Master of the Order continue to install new Knights in the Chapel, usually every four years.
A Lady Chapel is a Chapel dedicated to The Blessed Virgin Mary and is common to most Cathedrals and large Churches.
King Edward VII Lady Chapel’s Fan-Vaulted Ceiling, Westminster Abbey.
The outstanding feature of the Lady Chapel is the spectacular Fan-Vaulted Roof with its carved Pendants.
Around the walls are ninety-five statues of Saints. Beneath the Hinged Seats of the Wooden Stalls are beautifully-carved Misericords.
At the East End is the Royal Air Force Chapel. The Stained-Glass Window by Hugh Easton depicts the Badges of the Fighter Squadrons that took part in the Battle of Britain in 1940.
Above, in The Great East Window, is Stained-Glass designed by Alan Younger, installed in 2000.
King Henry VII Lady Chapel, Westminster Abbey.
Fan-Vaulting Ceiling and Flags of The Order of The Bath.
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/
This file is licensed under the
2.0 Generic licence.
Author: amanderson2
(Wikimedia Commons)
In May 2013, two new Windows, designed by Hughie O’Donoghue, were installed either side of the Central East Window. Predominantly Blue in colour, they incorporate emblems related to The Blessed Virgin Mary, including Lilies and Stars.
All three East Windows were presented by Lord and Lady Harris of Peckham.
The West Window is filled with Stained-Glass designed by John Lawson, with Coats-of-Arms, or initials, of many people who contributed to the restoration of the Chapel, completed in 1995.
The West Window is filled with Stained-Glass designed by John Lawson, with Coats-of-Arms, or initials, of many people who contributed to the restoration of the Chapel, completed in 1995.
It particularly honours Sir John Templeton, a major benefactor. Smaller Stained-Glass Windows for other donors are in the Side Chapels.
The Westminster Abbey Web-Site can be found
