Readers of this little volume must not expect to find in it a full description of the Abbey buildings, or a complete list of all the tombs, monuments, and other beautiful and interesting things in the Abbey Church. That is not the aim of this book. Its chief object is to point out to British children how they may follow the great outlines of their country’s history in Westminster Abbey, from the earliest ages down to our own time,—from the days of the far-off, legendary King Lucius to those of King Edward VII.

The words, “citizen of no mean city,” ought surely to come into our minds as we look round the Abbey and see there, as we clearly can see, a kind of outward expression of all that is best in our national character. The Abbey speaks to us of the deep religious feeling behind our shyness and reserve; of patriotism, and of self-sacrifice for our country; of love and respect for every form of good and noble service; of the wise moderation in our forms of government; of our wide sympathy with men of every race and creed.

It is thus that Westminster Abbey can truly claim to be our great National Church.

CONTENTS

CHAP. PAGE
I.THE FOUNDATION AND BUILDING OF THE ABBEY[1]
II.THE CORONATIONS[20]
III.KING EDWARD THE CONFESSOR: 1042 TO 1066[41]
IV.THE PLANTAGENETS OF THE DIRECT LINE FROM HENRY III TO RICHARD II: 1216 TO 1399[57]
V.THE HOUSES OF LANCASTER AND YORK: 1399 TO 1485[75]
VI.THE HOUSE OF TUDOR: 1485 TO 1603[88]
VII.THE HOUSE OF STUART AND THE COMMONWEALTH: 1603 to 1714[110]
VIII.THE HOUSE OF HANOVER AND THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY[143]
IX.THE NINETEENTH AND TWENTIETH CENTURIES[168]
X.THE WAX EFFIGIES[207]
XI.THE MONASTIC BUILDINGS[215]
XII.SOME OF THE ABBOTS[234]
XIII.WESTMINSTER SCHOOL[244]

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

PHOTOGRAVURES
Westminster Abbey from Dean’s Yard[Frontispiece]
From a Photograph by W. Rice, F.R.P.S.
FACING PAGE
The Norman Cloister[14]
From a Photograph by W. Rice, F.R.P.S.
Tomb of Prince John of Eltham[68]
From a Photograph by W. Rice, F.R.P S.
Henry vii’s Chapel[122]
From a Photograph by W. Rice, F.R.P.S.
PHOTOGRAPHS
King Sebert’s Tomb[10]
From a Photograph by D. Weller.
Coronation Chair, with Sword and Shield of State[20]
From a Photograph by D. Weller.
North Ambulatory, with Tombs of Henry iii and Edward i[30]
From a Photograph by W. Rice, F.R.P.S.
Shrine of King Edward the Confessor[40]
From a Photograph by D. Weller.
Richard ii[56]
From a Photograph by G. A. Dunn.
Tombs of Edmund and Aveline of Lancaster and of Aymer de Valence[62]
From a Photograph by D. Weller.
Chaucer’s Tomb[74]
From a Photograph by D. Weller.
Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond, and Mary Queen of Scots[90]
From a Photograph by D. Weller.
Shakspeare’s Monument[104]
From a Photograph by D. Weller.
Poets’ Corner[136]
From a Photograph by D. Weller.
Monument of General Wolfe[142]
From a Photograph by W. Rice, F.R.P.S.
Monument of the Earl of Chatham[150]
From a Photograph by D. Weller.
Statue of William Wilberforce[168]
From a Photograph by D. Weller.
Charles James Fox[178]
From a Photograph by W. Rice, F.R.P.S.
Statesmen’s Corner, Eastern Aisle[186]
From a Photograph by D. Weller.
Graves of Newton, Herschel, Darwin, and Kelvin[198]
From a Photograph by D. Weller.
Wax Effigies of Queen Elizabeth and Charles ii[208]
From a Photograph by D. Weller.
South Cloister[215]
From a Photograph by W. Rice, F.R.P.S.
The CHAPTER-HOUSE[222]
From a Photograph by G. A. Dunn.
The Jerusalem Chamber[238]
From a Photograph by D. Weller.
Little Dean’s Yard—Entrance to Great School[248]
From a Photograph by W. Rice, F.R.P.S.

CHAPTER I
THE FOUNDATION AND BUILDING OF THE ABBEY

“It is finished!

The Kingliest Abbey in all Christian lands,