Origins and Early History
The origins of Westminster Abbey can be traced back to the early 7th century. The story begins with the establishment of a Benedictine monastery on the site by St. Peter, which was known as the "West Minster" (or "West Monastery"). The monastery was founded by King Sebert of Essex, who reigned during the Anglo-Saxon period.
The first church on the site was constructed by King Henry III in the early 8th century, but it was not until 1065, under the reign of King Edward the Confessor, that Westminster Abbey took its current form. Edward, who was deeply devoted to St. Peter, commissioned the construction of a grand church on the site. The Abbey was consecrated in December 1065, just before Edward's death.
The Coronation Church
Westminster Abbey became the coronation church of English monarchs, and this tradition continues to the present day. The first monarch to be crowned in the Abbey was William the Conqueror in 1066. Since then, every British monarch, with the exception of Edward V and Edward VIII, has been crowned at Westminster Abbey.
The coronation ceremony is rich with symbolism and ritual. The monarch is anointed with holy oil, presented with the coronation regalia, and crowned while seated on the Coronation Chair, a historic wooden chair used for all coronations since the reign of Edward I. The Abbey’s central role in the British monarchy has made it a symbol of royal authority and continuity. shutdown123