Westminster Abbey was a hot, packed experience. I loved looking at all of the architecture and the stained glass. But with the amount of people also inside with us, I wanted out. I’m learning I’m not a huge fan of crowds. No scratch that I’m not a huge fan of crowds when I am hot and everyone else in the crowd is alo warm. Makes me feel icky, sticky and uncomfortable, and made me pay attention less to what was going on around me, and focus more on myself. Feeling grateful for all of the breezes and AC that I find. I really wanted to stand and look around for all of the actors, writers, scientists, the list goes on that are buried in Westminster Abbey. Like Darwin and Stephen Hawking but by the time Molly had concluded our tour I was getting to g.o. I needed ice water asap and to sit down. But the few people’s graves/memoriams that caught my eye were:
Jane Austen
- Great female eEnglish novelist of the 19th century
- 6 major works including Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, and Emma.
- Born December 16 1775 to Reverend George Austen and his wife Cassandra.
- Jane had one sister and six brothers.
- Jane was engaged for a single night.
- Jane died on July 18 1817 at 41 years old.
Peggy Ashcroft
- Born December 22 1907 and died June 14 1991
- An English actress whose career spanned more than 60 years
- Made her stage debut in 1926, she played opposite Ralph Richardson and Laurence Olivier.
- She is well known for her Shakesperian and classical roles.
- She married three times and had two children from her third husband, Jeremy Hutchison.
- A memorial service was held for her at the Abbey and she has a memorial stone there as well, but her ashes are scattered Stratford upon Avon.
Anne Bracegirdle
- Born 1671 and died September 12 1748
- An English actress and singer.
- As a young girl she was placed in the care of Thomas Betterton, who was also an actor, and his wife. Betterton acted in many plays alongside Bracegirdle.
- She started performing in 1688 and became popular playing “breeches” parts and also some Shakespeare, William Congreve also wrote plays for her.
- In 1705, she began to have rival Anne Oldfield, and many audiences preferred Oldfield. This led to Bracegirdle retiring in 1707.
- She made one last appearance at Betterton’s benefit in 1709.
- Braacegirdle made a request to be buried at the Abbey and her request has been fulfilled.
Theatre in London U of A 