West Minister Abby, an iconic burial spot.
Apparently, I did not know that.
Many of the sites that we have visited, I have heard of, but had no actual knowledge about. I thought Westminster Abbey was the Palace of Westminster, not just the church. So, to my surprise, Westminster Abby is not only a church but an iconic burial spot. Many of Britain’s national treasures are buried or honored here. Past queens or kings, famous poets, musicians, writers, and innovators are buried or commemorated all over the church.
You can walk over many of the burials or plaques, except for one. There is only one grave that is never allowed to be walked on, and it has a very interesting story.
In 1916, a Reverend of Westminster Abby, David Railton, was in France when he found a grave. He was serving as an army chaplain on the Western Front when he found the grave in a back garden at Armentieres, France. It was marked on a rough cross with the words, “A Unknown British Soldier” penciled in. He was so moved by this grave, a memorial to an unknown soldier, that represented so many of the deaths of those soldiers during that time.
Two years after World War 1, the reverend wrote to the Dean of Westminster, about his idea to make a memorial inspired by that grave. They made it happen, and he was put in Westminster to be buried alongside the Kings. After doing some research, it turns out that the unknown soldier who is buried in the church was chosen randomly out of four unknown British servicemen. They were dug up from four different battle areas: Aisne, the Somme, Arras and Ypres. After the body was chosen, the three others were left by Albert-Baupaume road, so that they could be discovered by anybody searching for bodies in the area. What I could never find out is if those who found and chose the soldier (who is now under the grave), if their family was ever informed. Or was it another operation mincemeat situation?
Another story that stood out to me, was the story of Mary, Queen of Scots. Her father died a week after she was born. So, she became queen at the age of 6 years. She had a crazy life, but what stuck with me was how she died. When she fled to England, she was accepted by Queen Elizabeth. But because many people didn’t like that Queen Elizabeth was in the throne, they were plotting to execute her, for Mary to be in the throne. It wasn’t until a confirmed plot against her, that she decided to execute Mary after she had been imprisoned for 18 years. Which I though was insane, because the Catholics really wanted her to ascend the throne, and they were plotting to kill Elizabeth.
A fun fact I learned about another famous dead person was about Charles Dickens. Who was the one of the few people I recognized by name and whose works I am familiar with. Especially with watching London Tide, a show based of his novel “Our Mutual Friends”. His name was fresh on my mind. What I thought was insane, was learning that he was buried at Westminster Abby against his will. Quite literally in his will he mentioned he did not want to be buried there, but instead next to his sister in law? But his wife didn’t care, and buried him there anyway.
There were so many other famous names and history all over the church. What I found more amazing was the architecture within the church. I was amazed at every turn I took, every time I looked up, just how beautiful everything was.
I cant wait to see what other things we see.
Farewell friends!
Theatre in London U of A 