The Misericords and history of Westminster Abbey,
The Colligate Church of St Peter.
Westminster Abbey has forty, 16th century misericords.
Click to launch a description of the misericords of Westminster Abbey
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Although legend has it that there was a foundation on the site of Westminster Abbey as early as 616 AD, there is no archaeological evidence. Around 970 a Benedictine monastery was founded on this site, which was probably of wooden construction. In the late 1040’s Edward the Confessor had this upgraded to a stone Abbey, as he had decided to be buried there. The new Abbey, which was built in the Norman (even though it was built before the Conquest) / Romanesque style, was consecrated on December 28th 1065 only a week prior to Edward’s death. Harold was crowned at Westminster Abbey. After the Norman Conquest the community of monks increased from 12 to around 80.
The Norman kings maintained the “tradition” started by Harold, and made it the site of their coronations.
As the Palace of Westminster had become the seat of English government in the late 12th century, the Abbey’s power was ensured by its proximity.
Until Henry III, none of the Norman Kings had been buried at Westminster, however Henry was devoted to the “Cult of the Confessor”, and so ordered, in 1245, that a new Abbey church should be built, this was started in the early gothic style and was built mainly of Caen, Loire and Portland stone. The nave, north and south transepts and the choir had been largely completed, and the now canonised body of Edward the Confessor was reburied, in pride of place. The misericords date from this period. Henry III was later buried in the Abbey under the highest nave in England, which started the tradition for royal burials which lasted until the 18th century. Building continued intermittently until 1517, with various additions including the Henry VII chapel.
The dissolution, as usual brought its own troubles, however it’s close association with the monarchy probably saved it from grief as Henry VIII gave the Abbey a direct royal charter, known as a Royal Peculiar, meaning that the Abbey was not part of the diocese of London or reporting to the Archbishop of Canterbury and granting it cathedral status. Queen Mary confirmed its cathedral status and re-instituted the Benedictine order. This was short lived as Elizabeth once again evicted the monks whilst restoring it to abbey status, under a Dean and secular canons, Elizabeth also re-established the Abbey as a Royal Peculiar.
The close affiliation with government probably saved it from the worst of the puritan ravages, although it did not get off scot free. Oliver Cromwell was buried in the Abbey in 1658, however only 3 year later he was exhumed, and hanged from the nearest gibbet.
Between 1722 and 1745 both western towers we constructed. Restoration was carried out in the mid 19th century by the ubiquitous Sir George Gilbert Scott.
The Official Westminster Abbey website.
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