Westminster Abbey and Big Ben

 Here are different views of Westminster Abbey and Parliament Building across the street from the Abbey. They are so ornate and wonderful, I can't help but post more pictures of them. Even standing next to them, it seemed unreal. Every monarch since William the Conqueror in 1066 has been crowned here. And of course, Kate Middleton and Prince William were married here.                


I have been writing now everyday for about two hours. I have to say that writing steals so much time. And yet, it is so fulfilling. I get so involved with the story that I do not hear the phone ringing or anything else. One more month, and I will find out if I made it to the semi-finals in the contest.  

Westminster Abbey

Began the first chapter of my second novel. It is set in London, of course, and on the same streets I walked recently. 
  

Below is our open air tour bus seats against the view of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey. 


In 960 Benedictine monks settled there at Thorney Island (Westminster) Oldest door in the Abbey's monastery.

                 

1065 - Edward the Confessor's Abbey is finished being built and then dedicated to God.

1066- Christmas Day, William the Conqueror' Coronation  

1245- Henry III begins building church we see today remodeled in the Gothic style of architecture. Consecrated in 1269.

1301 -  Coronation chair made and all monarchs have used it since.

1503 - Henry VII begins construction on the Ldy Chapel. Consecrated in 1516

1540 - Henry VIII dissolves the monastery

1560 -  Elizabeth makes the Abbey a collegiate church

1745 - West towers completed

1920 - Unknown soldier buried in the nave 

Behind the high altar Henry III moved the body of Edward the Confessor into a magnificent crypt. Henry III is also buried there. In the Abbey over 3,000 people are buried within its wall.

Being in the Abbey was a bit overwhelming. The oppulence is breathtaking and almost too much at times. This walkway is cold and the courtyard garden are on the other side. The open columns would be wonderful in the summertime. But in the winter was freezing. 

Interesting that caretakers still live on these grounds. So part of the Abbey's rooms are cut-off from public view.