89. Christmas Tour of Westminster Abbey, 6 December 2023

Despite travel disruptions, the weather or preparations for a royal visit, a determined group of Water Conservators, partners and friends made it to Westminster Abbey for an amazing tour led by our own expert and guide Court Assistant Christine Jarvis.  In the Cloisters, Christine gave us an introduction to the fascinating history of the Abbey from its Saxon foundation to the present day.

Moving to the Nave we learnt the history of the Coronation Chair, made for Edward I to hold the Stone of Scone in 1300, painted and decorated with patterns of birds, foliage and animals. We heard about the graffiti on the Chair from Westminster schoolboys and visitors including "P. Abbott slept in this chair 5-6 July 1800" carved on the seat.

After hearing the history of and showing our respect at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier we visited the memorials to Sir Isaac Newton and other famous scientists.

Our tour continued to the Crossing where we were we admired the Quire.  The original medieval Quire stalls were replaced by the present ones in 1848. The black and white marble floor dates from 1677.

Christine then showed us David Hockney’s stained glass window, commissioned to celebrate the reign of Elizabeth II. The Dean's brief was to provide something symbolic and, within a day of being offered the commission, Hockney sent the Dean a first-draft design, drawn on his back-lit iPad,, which gave the effect of light coming through the window.

We then visited the late medieval Lady Chapel with its spectacular fan-vaulted ceiling. It is the burial place of fifteen kings and queens including Elizabeth I, Mary I, and Mary Queen of Scots.  The colourful heraldic banners of the current Knights of the Order of the Bath hang there, while stall plates identify former members of the Order (including Nelson).

We moved on to Poets’ Corner where in 1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, author of 'The Canterbury Tales' was buried. Not because he was a poet but because he was Clerk of the King's Works.  We checked out our knowledge of poets, writers and artists whose memorials cover the floors and walls.

Christine then took us to the Pyx Chamber which is one of the oldest parts of the Abbey.  It is part of the Undercroft, and was built about 1070. The Chamber was made into a treasury in the 13th century and has a medieval tiled floor from the 11th century.  No one could take the treasure chest away as the door could not open wide enough.

Finally, we visited the octagonal Chapter House with tiered seating for up to eighty monks and a central pillar fanning out to a vaulted ceiling.  Many arches are filled with wall paintings showing scenes from the Apocalypse and the Last Judgement. This area, as some others in the Abbey, was damaged during World War II.

The whole Abbey was very impressive and warrants a further visit.

We then walked through old streets which had their own story to tell, before descending for lunch in the Footstool below St john’s Smith Square for a well-deserved hot drink and a meal.  We are very grateful to Christine for making our tour so informative and enjoyable.  Next time, the City of London!