Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s Church

• Official name: Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s Church
• Location: London, England
• Type: Cultural
• Year of inscription: 1987

Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey, including Saint Margaret’s Church includes three highly recognizable and historic buildings in London, England, that have long represented the monarchy. The structures’ relationship with the state and monarchy, coupled with the buildings’ connectedness to art, make this a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.

The Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, and St. Margaret’s Church remain in use and are integral to the monarchy. For example, the palace is the seat of parliament, while the abbey continues to hold daily services and major celebrations. St. Margaret’s Church is the parish church to the palace and the church of the Speaker and the House of Commons. All three structures illustrate progression in English gothic art and architecture and serve as symbols of the transformation of England from a feudal society.

In 2008, a small change to the property’s boundary joined the individual components into one site. According to the World Heritage Convention, the inclusion of property beyond the established boundary could be considered in the future. Because of their World Heritage status, the three entities are protected by the United Kingdom (UK) government through the Planning Act of 1990 and the 1979 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act, as well as the UK Spatial Planning System under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Acts. Major efforts to undo the effects of air pollution on the building have been implemented.

History

The Palace of Westminster is located on the northern bank of the River Thames in central London. As the meeting place for the House of Commons and House of Lords, it is the political center of the United Kingdom. The Elizabeth Tower, commonly called Big Ben, is one of London’s most visited places and most recognizable landmarks.

The original palace was built in 1016 and may have been a residence for Canute the Great during his reign. In 1512, a fire destroyed the palace’s royal apartments during the reign of King Henry VIII. In 1834, the Old Palace, as the structure was called, was destroyed by fire. Structures that survived the fire include Westminster Hall, the Cloisters of St. Stephen’s, the Jewel Tower, and the Chapel of St. Mary Undercroft. Charles Barry designed the buildings in Gothic revival style. Among the additions was a tower housing a large clock with faces on all four sides. The royal astronomer took a great deal of interest in the clock, which he wanted to ensure was accurate, and took seven years to approve the final design. The bell in the tower was dubbed Big Ben, but over time, the name was applied to the clock. This was not the first clock tower on the site; the earliest documented clock tower was built in the 1360s. Construction on the New Palace began in 1840 and was completed in 1870. The Royal Commission had not required the palace to remain within the layout of the Old Palace but did stipulate that Westminster Hall, the Undercroft Chapel, and the Cloisters of Saint Stephens be incorporated. The palace, which includes more than 1,100 rooms, has an interior space of 1.2 million square feet (112,476 sq m). It sustained major damage from German bombs during World War II, including the complete destruction of the Commons Chamber. It was reconstructed and opened again in 1950.

Westminster Abbey, also known as the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter, dates to the eleventh century. William the Conqueror held his coronation there in 1066, and it has been the site of every coronation since. The abbey has also been used for other events, including sixteen royal weddings. It is also the site of approximately 3,300 burials as well as monuments and memorials. The grave of the Unknown Warrior from World War I is near the abbey’s west door. The sprawling abbey consists of multiple areas, including the nave, a central hall; the cloisters; the Pyx chamber; the Jerusalem chambers; the north transept or front; the Lady Chapel or Chapel of Henry VII; Poets’ corner, where William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Geoffrey Chaucer, the Bront sisters, and other literary giants are entombed or memorialized; and the Western Towers.

King Henry III is responsible for the classical Gothic architecture for which the abbey is known. He employed architect Henry of Reyns, who was influenced by new cathedrals in France. Westminster Abbey is known for its vaulted ceilings with exposed beams, flying buttresses, and pointed arches. Flying buttresses are exterior structural supports. Henry had portions of the eastern section of the structure taken down in 1245 and reconstructed. The abbey was consecrated in 1268, though work continued until Henry’s death in 1272. The structure remained incomplete until the late fourteenth century. In the sixteenth century, the church was part of a Catholic Benedictine abbey and later was a cathedral of the Westminster Diocese. Henry VII built the Lady Chapel, which was consecrated in 1516. The western towers, which were unfinished until 1745, serve as an example of Gothic revival architecture. The north transept features a large rose window, one of many rose-shaped stained-glass windows. Many stained-glass panels were destroyed during World War II. The abbey is the site for many important ceremonies of the royal family, among these coronations and royal weddings, including the 2011 marriage of Price William, heir to the British throne, and Kate (Catherine) Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. Many monarchs are entombed at the abbey, and it was the site of Princess Diana's, the mother of Prince William, funeral in 1997.

Saint Margaret’s Church, known as the Church of Parliament Square, is dedicated to Margaret of Antioch and is on the grounds of Westminster Abbey. It is the place of worship for the Speaker and the House of Commons. Saint Margaret, also known as Margaret the Virgin, is said to have been the daughter of a pagan priest. When she converted to Christianity, she was thrown out by her father and ultimately imprisoned and tortured for her beliefs. The church was founded by Benedictine monks in the twelfth century and serves as the parish church of the House of Commons. Like the palace and the abbey, Saint Margaret’s Church is considered an architectural marvel. It is well-known for its stained-glass windows. Saint Margaret’s Church was rebuilt during the reign of Henry VII and consecrated in April 1523. It became the parish church of the Palace of Westminster in 1614.

Significance

The Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey, including Saint Margaret’s Church, epitomize the relationship between the monarchy, religion, and power and serve as memorials to England’s past. According to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, to be considered for the World Heritage list, sites must meet at least one out of ten selection criteria. The Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey, including Saint Margaret’s Church, meet at least three.

One criterion established by UNESCO is the representation of human creative genius. Though all three of the structures are noted for their architecture, UNESCO notes the uniqueness of Westminster Abbey and the evidence of the evolution of English Gothic art. The abbey’s website notes a variety of architectural aspects that make the design noteworthy. King Henry’s dedication to St. Edward the Confessor is believed to have prompted Henry to build a structure in the newest Gothic style, including arches, ribbed vaulting, and flying buttresses. The abbey boasts a Gothic vault that measures nearly 102 feet (31m), making it the largest in England. Also noteworthy are the stonework, carvings, and wall arcades. The abbey’s paintings and glasswork are also artistically and historically significant.

Westminster Abbey fits into another standard regarding developments over time in architecture and design. The structures show the progression of the English Gothic period, and the caretakers of the site have been dedicated conservators of this heritage. In addition, all the buildings continue to be maintained and remain in use. Their importance visually to the skyline of London is crucial. UNESCO acknowledges that keeping that skyline and its overall prominence is an important aspect of conservation efforts.

Finally, the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey, including Saint Margaret’s, all fit a third UNESCO criterion that requires sites to be outstanding examples of structures or landscapes that illustrate significant elements of history. The buildings combine to serve as a reminder of England’s rich history. The social, political, and religious traditions carry on in the buildings through daily use and remind visitors of the parliamentary monarchy’s multi-century history.

Bibliography

“Architecture.” Westminster Abbey, www.westminster-abbey.org/about-the-abbey/history/architecture. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

“Big Ben Rings Starts Ticking Over London for the First Time.” History, 29 May 2024, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/big-ben-goes-into-operation-in-london. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

Cannadine, David. Westminster Abbey: A Church in History. Paul Mellon Centre, 2019.

“Diana, Princess of Wales.” Westminster Abbey, www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemorations/royals/diana-princess-of-wales. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

“History of Westminster Abbey.” Westminster Abbey, www.westminster-abbey.org/about-the-abbey/history/history-of-westminster-abbey. Accessed 27 July 2022.

“Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey Including Saint Margaret’s Church.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre, whc.unesco.org/en/list/426. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

“The Palace’s Structure.” UK Parliament, www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/building/palace/architecture/palacestructure. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

“St Margaret’s Church.” Westminster Abbey, www.westminster-abbey.org/st-margarets-church. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

“St. Margaret of Antioch.” Catholic News Agency, www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-margaret-of-antioch-307. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.