Streets of London – Westminster Abbey, London circa 1810

Westminster Abbey, London circa 1810
from The Repository of arts, literature, commerce, manufactures, fashions and politics

“Exclusively of the recollections which crowd upon the mind at the sight of this venerable structure, the exquisite specimen of what is improperly termed Gothic architecture, which it presents, must entitle it to particular attention. On its site once stood a temple of Apollo, which, according to tradition, was destroyed by an earthquake, and on the ruins of which, at the beginning of the 7th century, Sebert, King of the West Saxons, is said to have raised a Christian church, which he dedicated to St. Peter. Having been destroyed by the Danes, it was rebuilt by Edward the Confessor, who chose this spot for his burial-place. Henry III, for what reason does not appear, took down this fabric, and erected the edifice such as it appears at present, with various subsequent alterations, additions and repairs.”

“The form of the abbey is that of a long cross; and Spelman observes, that the edifice constructed by the Confessor transmitted to posterity the plan, so generally adopted in the Christian world, of building places for religious worship in that form. Its greatest length is 489 feet, and the breadth of the west front 66. The length of the cross aisle is 189 feet and the height of the roof 92. The west end is adorned with two beautiful towers; the nave and cross aisle are supported by fitted slender pillars of Sussex marble, exclusive of pilasters.”

“The inside of this church, however, displays its chief beauties; and the perspective, especially at the entrance of the grand aisle, is particularly striking. The choir, whose altar and pavement are scarcely to be equalled, opens into St. Edward’s chapel, round which are ten other chapels, ranging from the north to the south cross aisle. At the corner of St. Benedict’s chapel, an iron gate opens into the south cross aisle, which, from the number of monuments erected there to celebrate English poets, has obtained the name of the Poets’-corner.”

“The the east of the abbey, stand the chapel of King Henry VII 99 feet in length, 66 in breadth and 54 in height. This chapel, which, on a superficial view, appears to be part of the original building, was founded, in 1502, by the monarch whose name it bears. […]” The Repository of arts, literature, commerce, manufactures, fashions and politics, 1810.

Westminster Abbey London 1821
from The Repository of arts, literature, commerce, manufactures, fashions and politics