Bath Abbey
From BathAbbey.org:
"There has been a place of Christian worship on this site for well
over a thousand years. However, the Abbey has undergone many
transformations and changes during this time, and much like the city of
Bath has experienced rise and falls in fortune, survived a number of
major conflicts, architectural and religious reforms, and two World
Wars, but still stands proudly today as an essential place for both
worshippers and visitors.
"As the history of this sacred place stretches as far back
as Anglo-Saxon times, there is a great deal to discover: tales of Kings
and Queens, saints and sinners, as well as stories of ordinary people.
"Five Things to Know About Bath Abbey
-
Since 757 AD, three different churches have occupied the site of
today’s Abbey: an Anglo-Saxon Abbey Church (757-1066), pulled down by
the Norman conquerors of England; a massive Norman cathedral begun about
1090, which lay in ruins by late 15th century; and the present Abbey
Church founded in 1499 but incomplete until 1611.
-
In 973 King Edgar was crowned King of all England in the Anglo-Saxon
Abbey Church (as shown above). The service set the precedent for the
coronation of all future Kings and Queens of England including Elizabeth
II.
-
The present Abbey Church was founded in 1499 when the newly
appointed, Bishop of Bath, Oliver King, is said to have a dream of
angels ascending and descending into heaven, which inspired him to build
a new Abbey church – the last great medieval cathedral to have been
built in England.
-
After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539 by order of King
Henry VIII, the Abbey lay in ruins for more than 70 years. It wasn’t
until 1616, that much of the building we see today was repaired and in
use as a parish church and over two hundred years later, in the 1830s,
that local architect George Manners added new pinnacles and flying
buttresses to the exterior and inside, built a new organ on a screen
over the crossing, more galleries over the choir and installed extra
seating.
-
The Abbey as we know it is the work of Sir George Gilbert Scott, who
from 1864 to 1874, completely transformed the inside of the Abbey to
conform with his vision of Victorian Gothic architecture. His most
significant contribution must surely be the replacement of the ancient
wooden ceiling over the nave with the spectacular stone fan vaulting we
see today."
The beautiful fan vaulted ceiling of Bath Abbey
There's a lot more history of Bath Abbey to be found at
Bath Abbey.org
The East Window
The only thing I didn't like about the Abbey
was the litter strewn about an exterior door.
Why??
The black Lab is wondering that too, and hoping that FOOD will be the next thing thrown onto the pavement.
I need to return to Bath with my new camera.
***
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