Westminster Abbey

Wonders of the World

by Richard Jenkyns

Westminster Abbey is the most complex church in existence. National cathedral, coronation church, royal mausoleum, burial place of poets, resting place of the great and of the Unknown Warrior, former home of parliament, backdrop to the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales--this rich and extraordinary building unites many functions.

"Westminster Abbey" is both an appreciation of an architectural masterpiece and an exploration of the building's shifting meanings. We hear the voices of those who have described its forms, moods, and ceremonies, from Shakespeare and Voltaire to Dickens and Henry James; we see how rulers have made use of it, from medieval kings to modern prime ministers. In a highly original book, classicist and cultural historian Richard Jenkyns teaches us to look at this microcosm of history with new eyes.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, London, Travel, Architecture, British Literature

224 pages, Hardcover

First published June 24, 2004

About the author

Richard Jenkyns is emeritus Professor of the Classical Tradition and the Public Orator at the University of Oxford. His books include Virgil's Experience and Victorians and Ancient Greece, acclaimed as "masterly" by History Today.

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this book up after touring the Abbey seven years ago. Casually read it on the flight home. After the Queen died this year, I went back to see more about the history of all the places were royalty have been buried. A great way to catch up and find a sense of history in modern times.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not always easy to follow for the casual reader of Gothic architecture. Describing a particular place in the Abbey the author says—“This is an astonishing place, impossible to represent in a photograph and not much easier to describe in words.” I’ll say! That really goes for the first quarter of the book. A reader might want a glossary of architectural terms handy unless very familiar with reredos, diaper treatment, reyonnant etc. Photos and drawings are good.

I’m very happy to say that after some of the painful initial parts, the book becomes really good. I thought it was interesting and written with style. Good for anyone interested in history, architecture, and London through time. Jenkins’ book was published before the coronation of Charles III but is a helpful illumination of the place and ceremony. I was a little surprised to learn that the majority of what seems like age old ceremony and ritual for coronations was actually concocted in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Jenkins says what he really thinks with no hemming and hawing. “Further Reading “ follows the body of the work, is very good, and again the author says exactly what he thinks.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crossposted at Booklikes


This small book is a history of the Abbey but not just in a traditional linear sense. There is a bit of that, of course, in particular in the first chapter. But the primary look is too seeing how the Abbey and society (or philosophy of society) intertwine and reflect one another. Here, the story about the Abbey as shrine to the dead is revealed in all its power. There is much a about the changing of art in the Abbey and the use of tomb space. There is a beautiful passage about the Tomb of the Unknown.

[Bryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part of a series from Harvard University Press, called Wonders of the World, covering mainly significant works of historical architecture. The books tend to the dry and academic, but do offer a fairly comprehensive background and explanation of some amazing sights including the Taj Mahal, the Parthenon, St. Peter's in Rome, and many more.

This book gives a great introduction to Westminster Abbey covering its architecture, its history, and its continuing significance in British culture and national consciousness.

Having only seen the exterior of the Abbey on a long layover in London previously, I am now thoroughly excited for an upcoming trip when I will be able to venture inside. Jenkyns has done a great job of intriguing me with the unique combination of religious, political, artistic, and even scientific history to be found within Westminster.

I found the book engaging, interesting , and informative, if a little dry and overwhelming in detail in spots. I recommend this book for anyone of a reasonably academic disposition and with at least a moderate knowledge of British History.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent, condensed historical account...this time, of one of my favourite historical structures. It gets a bit too bogged down in architecture & art theory at times, but it's also organized into logical, discreet sections that tell the Abbey's story with informative dispatch. I would enjoy an updated volume (this one dates to 2004); it could include an analysis of the recent royal wedding of William and Kate, and the inclusion of trees in the Abbey during the ceremony. It was an unprecedented, yet gorgeous modern innovation, in keeping with the style of a building best described as "this magnificent pile".

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

The latter part of the book was much better than other parts of the book. The sections on the sculpture and architecture likely would have been more interesting, but there were not many pictures/diagrams. Full color pictures would have been much better.

[Terry Tooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures and excellent details of history of Westminster.

[Trevor Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Westminster may be one of the most beautiful, solemn places I have ever been. King’s College Chapel wins in the beauty category, but Westminster has a solemnity that cannot be beat. This book had lots of interesting information about the old building.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written book on the history, architecture, and ceremony of Westminster Abbey. There are about 12 b&w photos. I've read a couple of Dickens' biographies, but learned in this book that he wanted to be buried in Rochester. After his sudden death, it was decided that he should be buried quickly in the Abbey. The grave was dug in Poets Corner at night, the coffin lowered in the next morning. Before it could be covered, word got out and thousands descended on the church. Jenkyns described it as the largest event since medieval times. Another nugget... the Parliament took over the Chapter House as a meeting area during Henry VIII's reign. In that room, the Act of Succession was passed and St. Thomas More's end was near.