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Westminster Abbey @wabbey

A royal church offering daily services for all and a World Heritage Site with over a thousand years of history.

Joined February 2009
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Westminster Abbey
@wabbey
May 20
It had been prophesised that Henry IV would die in Jerusalem. But on a visit to the Abbey in 1413, he was taken ill and died in a room in the Abbot's house known as the Jerusalem Chamber.
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'Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time on and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised.' Psalm 113: 2-3
The west towers of Westminster Abbey at sunset

ALT The west towers of Westminster Abbey at sunset

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Westminster Abbey has resounded to music for more than a thousand years and some of our most celebrated musicians are buried or memorialised here. Ahead of #WorldMusicDay tomorrow, take a look at our memorials to some of these timeless greats: - George Frederic Handel, whose most-loved works include his oratorio Messiah and the anthem Zadok the Priest, written for the coronation of George II in the Abbey in 1727. - Henry Purcell, who served as the Abbey's organist for 16 years and composed music for occasions including the coronations of James II in 1685 and William and Mary in 1689. The music he wrote for Mary II's burial in 1695 was used at his own funeral a year later. - Jenny Lind, a successful court singer who was known as the Swedish Nightingale and who was appointed the first singing professor at the Royal College of Music. - Edward Elgar, who wrote music for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and the Coronation of Edward VII and whose most celebrated works include the Enigma Variations and the Pomp and Circumstance marches.
A life sized marble statue of Handel with one arm resting on a large music score sheet titled Messiah.

ALT A life sized marble statue of Handel with one arm resting on a large music score sheet titled Messiah.

An ornate, carved white marble plaque commemorating Henry Purcell, decorated with elegant scrollwork and a mask-like face at the top. The inscription reads: 'Here lyes Henry Purcell Esq., who left this life and is gone to that blessed place where only his harmony can be exceeded. Obijt 21st die Novembris Anno Aetatis suae 37 Anno Domini 1695.'

ALT An ornate, carved white marble plaque commemorating Henry Purcell, decorated with elegant scrollwork and a mask-like face at the top. The inscription reads: 'Here lyes Henry Purcell Esq., who left this life and is gone to that blessed place where only his harmony can be exceeded. Obijt 21st die Novembris Anno Aetatis suae 37 Anno Domini 1695.'

A stone relief set in an ornate arched frame, featuring a profile bust of Jenny Lind with braided hair. Surrounding the bust is an inscription: "I know that my Redeemer liveth." Below, a lyre is carved, along with the name "Jenny Lind Goldschmidt" and the dates "Born Oct 6, 1820" and "Died Nov 2, 1887." The background displays intricate floral patterns.

ALT A stone relief set in an ornate arched frame, featuring a profile bust of Jenny Lind with braided hair. Surrounding the bust is an inscription: "I know that my Redeemer liveth." Below, a lyre is carved, along with the name "Jenny Lind Goldschmidt" and the dates "Born Oct 6, 1820" and "Died Nov 2, 1887." The background displays intricate floral patterns.

A black marble memorial stone in the the floor of Westminster Abbey, inscribed with white lettering reading: Edward Elgar OM 1857 - 1934

ALT A black marble memorial stone in the the floor of Westminster Abbey, inscribed with white lettering reading: Edward Elgar OM 1857 - 1934

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English writer and playwright Frances Burney was born #ontshiday in 1752. She is remembered for works such as her novel Evelina, and she also held the position of Keeper of the Robes for several years under Queen Charlotte, wife of George III. Her name is included in a memorial window dedicated to writers in Poets’ Corner.
Portrait of a woman in profile with a calm expression, wearing an elaborate large hat adorned with ribbons. Her hair is styled elegantly, and she dons a delicate lace-trimmed dress with a bow at the neckline, draped with a dark shawl. The background is a muted, warm tone adding depth to the painting.

ALT Portrait of a woman in profile with a calm expression, wearing an elaborate large hat adorned with ribbons. Her hair is styled elegantly, and she dons a delicate lace-trimmed dress with a bow at the neckline, draped with a dark shawl. The background is a muted, warm tone adding depth to the painting.

A stained glass window featuring a diamond-shaped panel with the text "1752 Frances Burney 1840" inscribed in dark lettering. The surrounding glass is vibrantly colored, with patches of blue, green, and red.

ALT A stained glass window featuring a diamond-shaped panel with the text "1752 Frances Burney 1840" inscribed in dark lettering. The surrounding glass is vibrantly colored, with patches of blue, green, and red.

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Today is the Sovereign's Official Birthday and we'll be ringing the Abbey bells at midday to celebrate. The King is pictured here attending the annual Commonwealth Day service at the Abbey in March.
HM The King, wearing a blue pinstriped suit, leaving Westminster Abbey following a service. He is accompanied by HM The Queen, wearing a vibrant red coat and matching hat, with the Dean of Westminster standing to their left wearing a blue a gold cope.

ALT HM The King, wearing a blue pinstriped suit, leaving Westminster Abbey following a service. He is accompanied by HM The Queen, wearing a vibrant red coat and matching hat, with the Dean of Westminster standing to their left wearing a blue a gold cope.

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'Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you' 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
An image of monks praying from a medieval manuscript, the Litlyngton Missal

ALT An image of monks praying from a medieval manuscript, the Litlyngton Missal

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We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of artist David Hockney. In 2018, David Hockney designed The Queen’s Window, a vibrant stained-glass window in the Abbey’s north transept. Hockney's only work in stained glass, the window was commissioned to celebrate the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. It was designed on an iPad and uses Hockney's distinct colour palette of yellow, red, blue, pink, orange and green. The rural scene, featuring hawthorn blossom, was chosen to reflect the Queen's deep love of the countryside. On summer evenings, the light from the window floods the transept, bathing it in a beautiful kaleidoscope of colour. The Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE said: “David Hockney's restless eye and eager enthusiasm for pastures new has left us with an extraordinary legacy that is rich and various and yet also unmistakably his. The window he created for the north transept lets in light that arrives with attitude and even humour, painting the statue of Gladstone in shifting shades throughout the summer months. Hockney has left his mark here and we will long remember a great and very personal genius.”
Artist David Hockney - wearing a dark coat, white shirt, red tie, and a red and white scarf - smiling as he stands in front of The Queen's window, the brightly-coloured stained glass window he designed in Westminster Abbey.

ALT Artist David Hockney - wearing a dark coat, white shirt, red tie, and a red and white scarf - smiling as he stands in front of The Queen's window, the brightly-coloured stained glass window he designed in Westminster Abbey.

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We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of artist David Hockney. In 2018, David Hockney designed The Queen’s Window, a vibrant stained-glass window in the Abbey’s north transept. Hockney's only work in stained glass, the window was commissioned to celebrate the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. It was designed on an iPad and uses Hockney's distinct colour palette of yellow, red, blue, pink, orange and green. The rural scene, featuring hawthorn blossom, was chosen to reflect the Queen's deep love of the countryside. On summer evenings, the light from the window floods the transept, bathing it in a beautiful kaleidoscope of colour. The Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle KCVO MBE said: 'David Hockney's restless eye and eager enthusiasm for pastures new has left us with an extraordinary legacy that is rich and various and yet also unmistakably his. The window he created for the north transept lets in light that arrives with attitude and even humour, painting the statue of Gladstone in shifting shades throughout the summer months. Hockney has left his mark here and we will long remember a great and very personal genius.'
Artist David Hockney - wearing a dark coat, white shirt, red tie, and a red and white scarf - smiling as he stands in front of The Queen's window, the brightly-coloured stained glass window he designed in Westminster Abbey.

ALT Artist David Hockney - wearing a dark coat, white shirt, red tie, and a red and white scarf - smiling as he stands in front of The Queen's window, the brightly-coloured stained glass window he designed in Westminster Abbey.

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Everyone's welcome in the Abbey at 5pm on Sunday for a recital by organist James Kibbie, who'll be playing music by Bach, Sowande and Widor. Places are free and there's no need to book: westminster-abbey.org/worshi…
The pipes of Westminster Abbey's grand organ, bathed in early evening sunlight

ALT The pipes of Westminster Abbey's grand organ, bathed in early evening sunlight

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In St Nicholas' Chapel is the monument to Lady Elizabeth Fane (d.1618). It is decorated with the figures of herself and her husband, Sir George, who kneel at a prayer desk canopied within a canopied and curtained recess. George erected the monument; however, he was not actually buried there as the inscription implies (in his will, he requested burial either at the Abbey or at Mereworth in Kent).
A detailed sculpture depicting Lady Elizabeth Fane and her husband Sir George in historical attire. Sir George wears armor with a ruffled collar and holds a skull, while Lady Elizabeth has a ruffled collar and clasps her hands in prayer. They are both positioned behind a lectern adorned with a colorful coat of arms. Red drapery with gold trim frames the figures.

ALT A detailed sculpture depicting Lady Elizabeth Fane and her husband Sir George in historical attire. Sir George wears armor with a ruffled collar and holds a skull, while Lady Elizabeth has a ruffled collar and clasps her hands in prayer. They are both positioned behind a lectern adorned with a colorful coat of arms. Red drapery with gold trim frames the figures.

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'He heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds' Psalm 147: 3
A gold crucifix standing on the nave high altar in Westminster Abbey

ALT A gold crucifix standing on the nave high altar in Westminster Abbey

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As the Scotland and England teams prepare for their opening matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, we've been out spotting heraldic symbols of both countries in the Abbey, including: - This crowned Scottish lion which stands at the feet of Mary Queen of Scots' tomb effigy - The three lions of England on a carved shield featuring Henry III's royal arms Wishing both teams the best of luck!
The figure of a red and gold lion, wearing a crown, stands at the feet of Mary Queen of Scots' tomb effigy in Westminster Abbey

ALT The figure of a red and gold lion, wearing a crown, stands at the feet of Mary Queen of Scots' tomb effigy in Westminster Abbey

A carved red shield, decorated with the figures of three lions, on an ancient stone wall in Westminster Abbey

ALT A carved red shield, decorated with the figures of three lions, on an ancient stone wall in Westminster Abbey

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This month's #ExploreYourArchive theme is #colourful, so we're taking a look back at the making of The Queen's Window, designed by artist David Hockney and unveiled in the Abbey in 2018. Hockney's only work in stained glass, the window was commissioned to celebrate the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. It was designed on an iPad and uses Hockney's distinct colour palette of yellow, red, blue, pink, orange and green. The rural scene, featuring hawthorn blossom, was chosen to reflect the Queen's deep love of the countryside. These archive pictures show the window being made by artist Helen Whittaker at Barley Studios in York and being installed in the Abbey's north transept. Whittaker worked closely with Hockney to translate his vision into glass, and used traditional techniques to preserve the natural, asymmetrical shapes of his design. On summer evenings, the light from the window floods the transept, bathing it in a golden glow. You can read more about the making of the window at: westminster-abbey.org/histor…
A design for a colouful stained glass window laid out on a large lightbox in an artist's studio

ALT A design for a colouful stained glass window laid out on a large lightbox in an artist's studio

A colourful panel of stained glass being installed in Westminster Abbey by workers wearing hard hats and high viz jackets

ALT A colourful panel of stained glass being installed in Westminster Abbey by workers wearing hard hats and high viz jackets

The completed Queen's Window - a large, colourful stained glass window depicting an abstract countryside scene - in Westminster Abbey

ALT The completed Queen's Window - a large, colourful stained glass window depicting an abstract countryside scene - in Westminster Abbey

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'Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice' Psalm 105: 3
The figure of an angel holding a Christian cross

ALT The figure of an angel holding a Christian cross

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Our memorial to poet Percy Shelley was dedicated #onthisday in 1954. One of the most renowned poets of the Romantic period, he is remembered for his works such as Ode to the West Wind and Ozymandias. His memorial adjoins that to his fellow poet John Keats in Poets’ Corner.
Portrait of a person with short, curly dark hair, wearing a black coat over a white shirt with a high collar. They are gazing at the viewer with a slight smile, holding a quill pen in one hand, set against a dark background.

ALT Portrait of a person with short, curly dark hair, wearing a black coat over a white shirt with a high collar. They are gazing at the viewer with a slight smile, holding a quill pen in one hand, set against a dark background.

Marble plaques on a stone wall display the names "Keats 1795-1821" and "Shelley 1792-1822," linked by a decorative floral garland. The setting has a classical architectural style with a triangular pediment below the plaques.

ALT Marble plaques on a stone wall display the names "Keats 1795-1821" and "Shelley 1792-1822," linked by a decorative floral garland. The setting has a classical architectural style with a triangular pediment below the plaques.

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Architect and stained glass designer Sir John Ninian Comper was born #onthisday in 1864. Among the works he designed for the Abbey is a series of eight windows in the nave, each depicting an English king with an abbot of Westminster of the same era. They are: King Edgar and St Dunstan Edward the Confessor and Edwin Henry III and Richard de Ware Edward I and Walter de Wenlock Edward III and Simon Langham Richard II and Nicholas Litlyngton Henry V and William Colchester Henry VI and Richard Harweden Comper was died in 1960 and his ashes are buried in the Abbey, close to the windows which bring so much light and colour into the nave.
St Edward the Confessor depicted in a panel of stained glass, wearing a crown, and holding a sceptre and a ring

ALT St Edward the Confessor depicted in a panel of stained glass, wearing a crown, and holding a sceptre and a ring

Abbot Nicholas Litlyngton depicted in a stained glass window, wearing a mitre and holding a large book

ALT Abbot Nicholas Litlyngton depicted in a stained glass window, wearing a mitre and holding a large book

Edward III depicted in a stained glass window. The King wears and gold crown and red and blue robes, and holds a sceptre in each hand. He has long hair and a long beard.

ALT Edward III depicted in a stained glass window. The King wears and gold crown and red and blue robes, and holds a sceptre in each hand. He has long hair and a long beard.

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'The spirit of the Lord is upon me... he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken hearted' Isaiah 61: 1
A panel of a stained glass window with a scene from John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress

ALT A panel of a stained glass window with a scene from John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress

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Charles Dickens, author of some of the greatest novels in the English language, died #onthisday in 1870. Dickens is buried among other literary powerhouses in the Abbey's Poets' Corner. Only twelve mourners attended the funeral, but the grave was left open as thousands of people paid their respects by throwing roses on his coffin. Dickens’ grave remains one of the most popular among visitors to the Abbey, and you discover more about the fascinating story of how he came to be buried here at: westminster-abbey.org/histor…
A sepia photograph of Charles Dickens, in Victorian dress, seated at a desk as he writes

ALT A sepia photograph of Charles Dickens, in Victorian dress, seated at a desk as he writes

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'For it is the God who said, 'Light will shine out of darkness,' who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ' 2 Corinthians 4: 6
Sunlight falling across the High Altar in Westminster Abbey

ALT Sunlight falling across the High Altar in Westminster Abbey

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