On April 29th, 2011, Prince William, son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, will be getting married to Miss Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey, also known as the Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster. Building of the chapel first began in 1050, when King Edward the Confessor first decided that he wanted a stone abbey built as part of his palace. In December of 1065, it was consecrated. Between 1245 and 1253, the octagon shaped Chapter House was built under Henry III, and is built in what is called Geometrical Gothic style. It was restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1872. Between 1722 and 1745, the two western towers of the Abbey were built. Many different parts have been added since then, the newest having been built in the 19th century.
Westminster Abbey isn’t so much a religious site, but more of a historical one. It has been used for many different things. It has been used for every royal coronation since the coronations of both William the Conqueror and King Harold were held there in 1066, with the exclusions of Edward V and Edward VIII. In 1300, King Edward I ordered that a Coronation Chair was to be made. It was build to hold the Stone of Destiny, which he brought from Scotland in 1296. The Stone was taken back to Scotland in 1996, but will be returned when needed for a coronation. The chair has been used at every coronation since 1308.
Westminster Abbey has also been used for other royal wedding ceremonies. In total, 14 weddings have occurred in the building. There was a long period of time, over five centuries, when no royal weddings were held there, which was between 1382 and 1919. Only two of the weddings were for reigning monarchs, Richard II and Henry I. Prince William’s marriage will bring the total to 15, being the first since July of 1986.
Westminster Abbey is also where approximately 3,300 people have been buried. Artists, sovereigns, and politicians are the types of people you would find that have been laid to rest, including Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. The bodies are buried mainly in the Church and within the cloister. The cloister was built in the 13th century. It was rebuilt completely in 1298 when a fire destroyed it. It was also used for exercise and meditation by the Benidictine monks.
