Westminster Abbey: Light, Height and Divine Right!
From 1066 to 2023, Westminster Abbey has served as a coronation site to over 30 English and British monarchs, from William the Conqueror to our current king, King Charles III.
This ancient yet grand structure, considered to be an ‘architectural masterpiece of the 13th to 16th centuries’, started being built in 1020, with its construction coming to a halt in 1272.
Although originally built by St. Edward the Confessor, a man renowned for his devotion to religion, it was later rebuilt by Henry III in 1245 to reflect the architectural trends of the era, namely the Gothic style, which was brought to England from France in the 12th century.
Created to rival the immensely praised French cathedral of Notre-Dame, religious and political prestige played a significant role in its formation, as Henry III desired to display England’s power and wealth, as well as its reverence for God through this piece of art.
The Gothic Style
When discussing the ‘Gothic’, for a contemporary mind, this may evoke images of vampires, isolated castles and moonlit graves- an association which can be blamed on the popularization of gothic literature in the 18th century; however, initially, the Gothic style was largely associated with light, height and grandeur – its purpose was to represent the belief of divine right: the idea that the monarch was appointed directly by God and so should never be questioned; divine right connected heaven to monarchy and so allowed kings to assert their legitimacy through heraldic symbols, which were placed in cathedrals, churches and chapels.
Light was believed to symbolize divine presence and so Gothic architecture aimed to create spaces filled with light and as a result, the Gothic style notably included large, stained windows depicting biblical scenes, as these filled the inside of churches and cathedrals with colored light, as well as impressive heights, which symbolized a reach towards heaven and created a sense of awe and spirituality.
The Gothic style spread through Europe, as it allowed the church to inspire awe and devotion within people, due to the grandness of the towering structures it gave birth to.
English architects began to adapt the French gothic style into what became known as the Early English Gothic, which differed from the French Gothic, as it emphasized simplicity, verticality and pointed arches.
English Gothic architecture soon evolved to include its own unique elements, which included tall, narrow windows with pointed arches, complex asymmetrical floor patterns and an emphasis on length over height.
The English gothic can be categorized into three main substyles: the Early English gothic (1180-1250), the Decorated Gothic (1250-1350) and the Perpendicular gothic (1350-1520).
Throughout the years, Westminster Abbey was altered and improved to reflect the trends in Gothic architecture in the specific era.
Westminster Abbey today
With its pointed arches, stained glass windows and gargoyle decorations, the true and utter beauty of this creation captures the eyes of all those who gaze upon it.
Notably, there is the Lady Chapel, which features several statues of saints and wooden stocks of animals, mermaids and other such mystical creatures.
Additionally, there is the Coronation Chair, which was crafted in 1296 for Edward I; once adorned with intricate gothic designs, it reflects the many centuries of history it has survived through its worn-out state.
Furthermore, there is the Shrine of Edward the Confessor: built in the 13th century, it includes Cosmatesque mosaics, Italian-inspired stonework and lays behind the High Altar.
As a gothic beauty and a witness to many key historical events, Westminster Abbey is an attractive place to visit, for tourists and Britons alike.
