Westminster Abbey

Author's note:

At the height of its wealth and power as a Benedictine monastery, Westminster Abbey, and its sprawling community, stood west of the City of London in an area that was substantially countryside. Although the monastic community itself boasted fewer then fifty monks, there were upwards of three hundred individuals directly involved in the life of the monastery. During its construction, stonemasons, carpenters and labourers swelled the ranks of servants employed both inside and outside the buildings. Westminster was a monastic school, attracting boys from far and wide. Besides the massive church where the monks assembled seven times a day for worship, there were numerous lesser buildings which combined into a complex village community totally self-supporting. At one time the Tyburn River flowed on either side, forming an island of sorts, separating Westminster proper from the fields and forests just beyond. Several bridges spanned the river while on the south side, the Thames provided easy transportation for those goods not manufactured locally.

The original medieval Palace of Westminster which stood on the river’s edge was badly damaged by fire in 1512 at which time it ceased to be a royal residence. In 1834, fire destroyed all but Westminster Hall and the Jewel Tower. The current Houses of Parliament were completed in 1870.
 

Should you wish to concentrate on a particular historical character or place name, please click on the appropriate highlight and you're there!