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• Wall paintings

  Our most important wall paintings are from the late 13th century, and include the figures of St Faith, Christ with St Thomas, and St Christopher.

  Art Christianity

• Architecture

  The present Abbey building dates mainly from the reign of Henry III. In 1245 he pulled down the eastern part of the 11th century Abbey.

  Architecture

• Vestments and frontals

  The Abbey uses many different vestments and altar hangings during the year.

• Misericords

  The word misericord comes from the Latin misericordia, meaning pity or mercy. These hinged oak seats in the chapel tip up to form a ledge.

• Crib

  The Christmas Crib figures at Westminster Abbey were carved at Oberammergau in 1965.

• Cheyneygates

  These are two rooms over the entrance to the cloisters, originally part of Nicholas Litlyngton's rebuilding of the Abbot's house complex in the 14th century.

• Lady Chapel

  The 16th-century historian John Leland called the Henry VII Lady Chapel ‘the wonder of the world’ and it continues to inspire wonder amongst visitors today.

• The Nave

  The Nave is at the western end of the Abbey and contains the graves and memorials of many famous people.

• Modern Martyrs

  Above the Abbey's Great West Door stand ten statues to modern martyrs - Christians who gave up their lives for their beliefs.

  Notable people Priest

• Funeral and wax effigies

  Find out about the funeral effigies at the Abbey.

  Royalty

• Processional banners

  We have six processional banners, which are carried at festivals and certain special services. At other times, they’re usually displayed either side of the altar.

• Reflection for the Feast of the Holy Name

  Wednesday, 1st January 2025

  Discover how the Feast of the Holy Name and the Abbey's Islip Chapel are connected, in this reflection from The Reverend Canon James Hawkey.

• Jerusalem Chamber

  The Jerusalem Chamber is a medieval room with an original roof and historic tapestries woven in France. King Henry IV died here in 1413.

• Sermon Given at the Sung Eucharist on the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary

  Tuesday, 15th August 2017

  Sermon given by The Very Reverend Dr John Hall Dean of Westminster.

• Fraternité Family Fun: Shield Shenanigans

  Tuesday, 2nd April 2024

  Join us to spot shields at Westminster Abbey, learn all about them, then design and paint your own to take home with you.

  Event Family Learning

• Sermon Given at the Sung Eucharist on All Souls' Day 2015

  Monday, 2nd November 2015

  Sermon given by The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster.

• Louis IX, King of France

  In the north choir aisle of Westminster Abbey is a carved shield with the coat of arms of St Louis (Louis IX), King of France (1214-1270).

• Raymond, Count of Provence

  In the south choir aisle of Westminster Abbey is a carved and painted shield with the arms of Raymond Berengar, count of Provence (1198-1245).

• Robert de Thweng

  Soldier

  On the wall of the south aisle of the nave of Westminster Abbey is the painted shield of Robert de Thweng (or Thwing).

• Roger Bigod, 4th Earl of Norfolk

  In the north choir aisle is a carved and painted shield of Roger Bigod, 4th Earl of Norfolk. He was buried at Thetford in Norfolk.