"...to seek and to find the past, a lineage, a history, a family built on a flesh and bone foundation."

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Wordless Wednesday, almost: A little more London

On this almost Wordless Wednesday, a little more London.  Directly across the road from the Palace of Westminster stands Westminster Abbey.   Those who are fans of Wills and Kate, sorry that's Prince William and Princess Catherine, will recognize the Abbey as the site of their wedding in April 2011.  Unfortunately photography is strictly forbidden in the interior of the abbey, still the outside is certainly something to behold.

An abbey has stood on this site since the year 960.  There are over 3300 people interred within the walls of the abbey, including kings and queens, the famous and the infamous.  It is a most extraordinary sight. You must step lightly, because in any given space you may be walking on the grave of a poet or a patriot.  I discovered the grave of my favourite 17th century poet, Aphra Behn, in the hallway floor of the Cloisters.   Many people tread upon it without even noticing.
Mrs. Aphra Behn
Dyed April 16
A.D. 1689
'Here lies a Proof that Wit can never be
Defence enough against Mortality'.
In addition to being a tourist sight, with a £16 GBP ($25 USD) entrance fee, the abbey is a living church with services often going on as the tourists wander through it.  Please visit their official website for more information, and to have a look inside.

The Abbey from the perspective of the Palace of Westminister
The Main Entrance together with grounds filled with tourists
St. Margaret's Church on the left, better known as the church of the House of Commons.
The Cloisters - green space within the heart of the Abbey grounds.
An important remembrance on the grounds near the west door of the Abbey.
An invocation for all, on the wall near the west door.

Click on photographs to view a larger version.
All Photographs Copyright©J.Geraghty-Gorman 2011.

1 comment:

  1. I did not see this while I was in London, Thanks for the great photos!

    ReplyDelete

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