London - photos and facts of sights - Learning English main residence of the British Monarch since 1837 775 rooms When the Queen is in residence the Royal Standard flies from the flagpole, when the Queen is not in residence the Union Flag can be seen. 4. Houses of Parliament (Palace of Westminster) residence of the English kings up to the 16th century destroyed by a fire in 1834 meeting place of the House of Lords and House of Commons about 1,100 rooms Gunpowder Plot in 1605: A Catholic group wanted to blow up Parliament and kill the Protestant King James to re-establish Catholicism in England. Guy Fawkes was one of the conspirators. He was found, arrested and should have been hanged, but shortly before the execution he jumped from the scaffold and broke his neck. 5. Big Ben – Elisabeth Tower part of the Houses of Parliament official name: Great Bell of Westminster four bells (quarter bells) strike every 15 minutes the Geat Bell strikes every hour Big Ben refers to the name of the Great Bell the complete tower is called Clock Tower Why is the Great Bell called Big Ben? There are two possible origins.

Either it is named after Sir Benjamin Hall who oversaw the installation of the bell or it's named after Benjamin Caunt, a boxer. The Clock Tower was renamed in 2012 in honour of Queen Elisabeth II. 6. Westminster Abbey built in 1065 by Edward the Confessor British Monarchs are traditionally crowned here Monarchs and famous people are buried here (Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, George Friedrich Händel, Isaac Newton) 7. The Tower of London official name: Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress was a fortess, a zoo, a place for executions, a cemetry, a residence, a prison, a mint and archives oldest part is the White Tower William the Conqueror built it in 1078 consists of three wards links St Paul's Cathedral and the Tate Modern Museum has a special system to avoid wobbles The bridge is shown in the film "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince". 12. Globe Theatre first theater was built in 1599 reconstruction is 230 metres away from the original theatre plays by Shakespeare are shown here open theatre (Do not forget your umbrella in case it rains.) 13.

Trafalgar Square largest place in the centre of London main roads cross here (The Mall, Whitehall, Pall Mall) place for festivals – but also for demonstrations 14. Nelson's Column in the centre of Trafalgar Square column with Admiral Nelson on top who won great victories for England (Battle of Trafalgar in 1805) 15. The Mall runs from Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square flags are shown on both sides of the road in case of state visits 16. Victoria Memorial street entertainers in front of the market hall students of music often perform in the market hall 24. Dominion Theatre built as a theatre for live shown in 1928/29 later used as a cinema more than 2,000 seats the musical "We Will Rock You" has been on stage since 2002 The name of the theatre is based on a melody in a song by Tangerine Dream which was recorded in the 80ies. 25. Lyceum Theatre the first waxworks of Madame Tussauds were shown here the Musical "Lion King" has been staged here since 1999 26.

Madame Tussauds Marie Tussaud showed first wax figures in 1802 exhibition was moved to the today's building in 1884 more than 10 locations worldwide 27. City Hall headquarters of the Greater London Authority and the Mayor of London situated between Tower Bridge and The Shard 28. HMS – Belfast 36. Royal Obervatory, Greenwich prime meridian in Greenwich (since 1884) tourist attraction – You can stand with one foot in the eastern Hemisphere and with the other one in the Western Hemisphere. 37. The London Undergrund – The Tube oldest underground railway in the world opening in 1863 (Underground steam locomotives) The nickname "The Tube" comes from the tube-like tunnels. 38. Mind The Gap This sentence is a warning used at platforms on the London Underground. Some platforms are curved and so there is a gap between the platform and the car of the train. Passengers might step into the gap and injure themselves. This warning was introduced in 1969. The Crown Jewels Links The Crown Jewels are displayed at the Jewel House in the Tower of London and can be viewed there by the public.

The coronation of a new sovereign is one of the monarchy's most glittering pageants, staged in the gothic splendour of ancient Westminster Abbey, where every King and Queen of England, with the exception of Edward V and Edward VIII, has been crowned since King Harold II in 1066. This time honoured ritual emphasizes the continuity and majesty of the British monarchy. The oldest items in the present coronation regalia date from the Restoration, when they were made for the coronation of King Charles II. The original Crown Jewels were destroyed by Oliver Cromwell following the execution of Charles I in 1649, as they were then considered to be redundant. In an appalling act of historical vandalism, Cromwell had the entire collection sold or melted down and made into coin. Many of these irreplaceable and historic pieces, collected over the centuries, were Saxon or Medieval and included Alfred the Great's State Crown and the eleventh century crown of Queen Edith, wife of Edward the Confessor. There is no certain depiction of the most precious item of the collection, the Crown of St.Edward the Confessor, ( re-named King Alfred's crown after the Reformation).

We know the appearance of the State Crown of Henry VII, which shared their fate, as it is depicted in some of the portraits Charles I, by Daniel Mytens and Van Dyck. There were also various sceptres, swords, coronets, rings and an Anglo-Saxon comb, Some of the pieces were probably reclaimed burial regalia, including those stripped from the rich shrine of Edward the Confessor in Westminster Abbey by Henry VIII. Various medieval garments used in past coronation ceremonies were also sold off at the time, an irreparable loss. The only item in the present collection to survive the Commonwealth is the golden Ampulla and spoon. The Ampulla is used in the coronation ceremony to annoint the monarch's head palms and breast with holy oil. The Imperial Crown of State contains the principal surviving historic jewels, which were recovered at the time of the Restoration. These include Edward the Confessor's sapphire, which is set in a Maltese cross at the top of the crown. This sapphire was once part of a ring owned by Edward the Confessor, which was buried with him in 1066.

In 1101, when his shrine was opened and the ring removed, the sapphire was re-set in a crown worn by Henry I. The ruby which adorns the centre of the Crown of State has a rich and dramatic history. It once belonged to a King of Granada, who was murdered by Pedro the Cruel, King of Castille. He presented it to Edward, the Black Prince, in gratitude for his military assistance at the Battle of Navaretto in 1367. It was inherited by Edward's son, Richard II. Richard had it in his possession when he surrendered to his cousin, the future Henry IV, at Flint, Wales in 1399. Henry later usurped the throne and Richard was murdered. Henry's son, Henry V, wore this ruby in the crown he wore around his helmet at the Battle of Agincourt, a bejewelled gold fleuron was struck off this same crown during the battle and lost. The ruby was similarly worn in the crown of Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.

When Richard was killed during the fighting it famously rolled under a hawthorn bush to be retrieved by Lord Stanley and placed on the head of the victorious Henry Tudor. The Imperial Crown of State also contains pearls worn as earrings by Elizabeth I, these are suspended from the arches of the crown. Within the wide jewel encrusted band that forms the base of the Crown of State is mounted an enormous diamond, named the Second Star of Africa. This was cut from the famous Cullinan Diamond, the largest diamond ever mined, it was given to Edward VII, who had it set in the crown. This priceless crown contains in all 2,783 diamonds, 17 sapphires , 277 pearls, 11, emeralds and 5 rubies. The Stewart Sapphire, which had been owned by the Royal House of Scotland for centuries, was also given to George III. The original owner of the sapphire was reputed to have been King Alexander II of Scotland, who had it set into his crown for his coronation in 1214. Edward I of England took the sapphire along with the Stone of Scone in 1296, during his invasion of Scotland.

His grandson, King Edward III, later returned the jewel to his brother-in-law David II of Scotland. King David II presented the sapphire to his sister, Marjorie Bruce. Marjorie later married Walter the Steward, her son was Robert II, the first monarch of the House of Stewart. On the accesion of James I and VI, the sapphire returned once again to England. Oliver Cromwell sold the jewel along with the rest of the British Crown Jewels, during the Interregnum. After the Restoration, the sapphire was returned to Charles II. The sapphire is recorded as being part of the Stewart relics taken by James II to his exile in France when he fled the country on the invasion of William of Orange. After James' death it passed to his son, James Francis Edward Stuart, the 'Old Pretender', who gave it to his second son Henry Benedict, Cardinal York. In 1838 the young Queen Victoria had the jewel set into the new Imperial State Crown, it was positioned at the front, below the Black Prince's Ruby. When George VI had a new Imperial State Crown made, which was almost identical to the old one, the Stewart Sapphire was set in the new crown.

On the acquisition of the Cullinan diamonds, the Stewart Sapphire was moved to the rear of the crown to make space for the cushion-shaped Cullinan II. The Black Prince's Ruby, which now forms part of the crown jewels, was presented to Edward, the Black Prince by Pedro the Cruel of Castile, in reward for Edward's putting down the revolt of Pedro's illegitimate brother, Henry of Trastamara. The ruby has a long and fascinating history, possibly originating from the historic ruby mines in Badakshan in present day Tajikistan, in middle of the fourteenth century it was in the possession of Abu Sa'id, the Moorish Prince of Granada. At that time, the rule of Castilian Spain was being centralized to Seville and the Moorish Kingdom of Granada was being systematically attacked and reverted to Spanish rule as a part of the Christian Reconquest of Spain. According to historical accounts, Abu Sa'id wished to surrender to Don Pedro, but the conditions he offered were unclear. Don Pedro welcomed his coming to Seville and when the pair met, Don Pedro had Abu Sai'd's servants slain and may have personally stabbed Said to death himself. Upon searching Said's body, the ruby was found and taken by Don Pedro.

During his French campaigns, King Henry V wore a gem-encrusted helmet that included the ruby, which was worn at the Battle of Agincourt on October 25, 1415, Richard III is reported to also have also worn the Black Prince's Ruby in his helmet at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. James I had the Black Prince's Ruby set into the state crown near the beginning of the seventeenth century. During the Interegnum, it was sold by Oliver Cromwell. The Black Prince's Ruby was purchased by a British jeweller who sold it back to the crown Charles II when the monarchy was restored in 1660. It is currently set in the cross pattï¿½e above the Cullinan II Diamond in the front of the Imperial State Crown. St. Edward's Sappphire, the most ancient gemstone in the crown jewels, was once worn in a ring by Edward the Confessor, first recorded in the year 1042 when it was set into Edward's coronation ring.

It was buried with him in 1066 but in 1101 his shrine was opened, the ring was removed and the Sapphire was re-set in a crown worn by Henry I. It was then re cut into its present form for Charles II and Queen Victoria later had it set into the cross of the Imperial State Crown, part of the British Crown Jewels. According to legend, King Edward who had great respect for John the Evangelist and was noted for his generosity towards his poorer subjects, was approached by a beggar one day whilst on his way to Westminster Abbey. After searching his pockets for some money, the King found them to be empty so he slipped the Sapphire ring off his finger and gave it to the beggar. Many years later, two pilgrims from the Holy Land returned it to the king saying they had met St John the Evangelist who told them he had been given the ring by the king many years earlier whilst disguised as a beggar. He congratulated Edward for his kindness and said he would see him in heaven in six months time. Exactly six months later the king died . The sapphire is a rose cut blue gemstone of unknown weight, with exceptional colour and brilliance.

It is set in a Maltese cross at the top of the crown. The sovereign is always crowned with St. Edward's crown. This is a golden crown encrusted with diamonds, rubies, pearls, emeralds and sapphires. It replaced the one destroyed by Cromwell. The crown has been used in the coronation of every British Monarch since Queen Victoria, by whom it was considered too heavy, she was crowned with the lighter State Crown. One of the most impressive of the crowns on display at the Tower of London is the crown made for Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. This contains the legendary Koh-i-noor, or Mountain of Light diamond. Indian in origin, its history can be traced to the thirteenth century. It was presented to Queen Victoria by the East India Company in 1850. A legend clings to it that it brings good luck to any woman that wears it, but disaster to any man and many of the men that have owned it have met a violent end. The Imperial Crown of India was made for the visit of King George V to Delhi as Emperor of India.

It is set with more than 6,000 diamonds with rubies, sapphires and emeralds. The George IV State Diadem was made for the coronation of George IV in 1820 , designed to encircle the velvet cap worn by the king on his journey to Westminster Abbey. The diadem was worn by Queen Victoria at her coronation, when it was reset with jewels to replace those hired by George IV. It is composed of four diamond pave set cross pattee alternating with four bouquets of rose, shamrock and thistle. The front cross pattee is set with a four carat canary coloured diamond. It was left by Queen Victoria in her will to the crown and is often worn by the present queen at the State Opening of Parliament. The largest cut diamond in the world is contained in the Royal Sceptre with the Cross. Made of gold and three feet in length, it also contains an enormous amethyst and a superb emerald. There are several other sceptres contained in the Crown Jewels.

The Orb, a golden globe topped by a diamond encrusted cross dates to 1661 for the coronation of Charles II and is symbolic of the world ruled by Christianity, it is held in the monarch's left hand during the coronation ceremony. The jeweled cross which surmounts the orb reflects the monarch's title of Defender of the Faith. A smaller orb was made in 1689 for the joint coronation of William III and Mary II. The jewels additionally contain five Swords of State, three of which are the Great Sword of State, the Sword of Justice and the Sword of Mercy, all of which are used in the coronation ceremony. They are traditionally carried before the monarch as he/she enters Westminster Abbey. The Armills are gold bracelets which are meant to symbolize sincerity and wisdom There are also maces, a Queens orb, sixteen silver state trumpets and a variety of banqueting plate used in the coronation ceremony, which also form part of this priceless and unique collection.

Discover the Crown Jewels Exhibition At The Tower Of London | Historic Royal Palaces The Crown Jewels - exhibition highlights The Coronation Spoon The silver-gilt Coronation Spoon is over 800 years old – though it has been refurbished and re-gilded down the years. In 1649, the spoon was sold rather than being destroyed with the rest of the medieval crown jewels. This extraordinary survival is used at the Coronation for holy oil. The Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross The enormous 530.2 carat Cullinan I diamond, or Great Star of Africa, was added to the top of the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross (1661) in 1910. It remains the largest colourless cut diamond in the world. St Edward's Crown St Edward’s Crown (1661) is worn at the moment that the monarch is crowned in Westminster Abbey. Named after the medieval saint-king Edward the Confessor (d. 1066), this solid gold crown was used most recently at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

The Imperial State Crown The Imperial State Crown (1937) is worn by the Queen at each State Opening of Parliament. One of the youngest crowns in the collection, it holds a number of much older gems. The crown was remade in 1937 after the previous frame weakened under the weight of the gemstones. The Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother The Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (1937) is set with 2,800 diamonds including the most famous diamond in the Jewel House, the Koh-i-Nûr (or Mountain of Light). Since arriving in Britain in 1850, this Indian diamond has been set in various ways including in two previous queen consorts’ crowns. Powerful symbols of the Monarchy The Crown Jewels, part of the Royal Collection , are the most powerful symbols of the British Monarchy and hold deep religious and cultural significance in our nation’s history. The mystique and beauty of the diamonds and precious jewels in the royal regalia have always held an unparalleled allure to visitors from across the globe. The Coronation ceremony Since 1066, coronation ceremonies have taken place in Westminster Abbey, the great church built by Edward the Confessor.

The displays examine how the royal regalia are used during the ceremony and explore the symbolism of each object. Destroyed at the Tower after the Civil War and remade for Charles II’s coronation in 1661, the Crown Jewels signify royal authority to lead, and protect, the nation. Under guard and still in use The Crown Jewels at the Tower of London are a unique working collection of royal regalia and are still regularly used by The Queen in important national ceremonies, such as the State Opening of Parliament (watch for the ‘in use’ signs). You'll find the Crown Jewels under armed guard in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. Westminster | Westminster London | Westminster Apartments Westminster | Westminster London | Westminster Apartments Westminster England is a land of ancient traditions and great art and nowhere is this more visible than it is in Westminster. This area of London is home to magnificent historic buildings many of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites . There are The Houses of Parliament where the debates of the British government are held, Buckingham Palace that is the seat of the queen and Westminster Abbey where the majority of British monarchs have been crowned and buried since the 11th century.

The area is a must-visit for every tourist as here you can see some of the most notable London attractions and the grand historical heritage of the city. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben The Houses of Parliament where the House of Commons and the House of Lords meet are the place where British laws are passed. Perched on the northern bank of the river the Houses of Parliament are also known as Westminster Palace . The palace was the seat of British monarchs since Medieval times. It stood on the same spot where the Houses of Parliament stand today up until 1834 when it was destroyed by fire. The building that occupies the place today was constructed in the mid 19th century. The idea of the architect was to replicate a by-gone medieval Gothic style of design – hence the ornate medieval-looking high towers and turrets that give the palace its unique look. Some of the more important halls inside the Parliament include the Commons Chamber and the Lords Chamber where debates are held and the Royal Gallery which serves as a reception room for important ceremonies. The Robing Room is a hall where the monarch puts on ceremonial robes and a crown before the opening of Parliament.

St Stephens Hall is a long chamber beautifully adorned with mosaics depicting important periods in the history of England and statues of monarchs and parliamentarians. The oldest surviving part of the palace is Westminster Hall which was built in 1067 and was at that time the largest hall in Europe. The palace is a magnificent achievement of architecture and design and beside the lavishly designed interiors visitors can also see historic objects and artefacts that chronicle British history. Tours throughout the Houses of Parliament are available only on Saturdays from 9am to 5pm. Big Ben is the name under which the clock tower adjacent to the parliament buildings has become known. Built in the mid 19th century the tower is now an iconic landmark and a symbol of the United Kingdom. To come to London and not see Big Ben is like to go to New York and not see the Statue of Liberty. Tourists who visit the area often take photos of each other with Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in the background from Westminster Bridge or the opposite bank of the river in South Bank.

Buckingham palace When it was built at the opening of the 18th century the palace was home to the Duke of Buckingham but in the early 19th century the building was expanded and subsequently became the official residence of the British monarch. As a result of various refurbishments and redecorations the current palace is a beautiful mixture of early 18th century, Victorian and Belle Époque influences. The palace is the scene of a variety of royal ceremonies such as balls, state banquets, the reception of ambassadors, etc. Buckingham Palace also contains part of the Royal Collection, one of the richest art collections in the world owned by the royal family, which is available for the public to see through a series of changing exhibitions with different themes. Parts of the palace are also open to visitors for a few months every summer. Westminster Abbey Unlike the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace Westminster Abbey welcomes visitors daily all year round. This ancient church was built at the beginning of the 11th century and since 1066, when William the Conqueror was first crowned here, all British kings and queens have been crowned at Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Moreover most monarchs are buried here alongside some of Britain’s most notable historic figures, such as famed poets, artists, statesmen, warriors and writers. Quite a few Royal Weddings have also taken place here, the latest was that of Prince William and Catherine Middleton that took place in 2011. Westminster Cathedral Westminster cathedral is the other notable temple in Westminster. Built in the late 19th century, the cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Westminster and the largest Catholic church in the United Kingdom. This stunning building deviates from architectural traditions familiar to the British isles. Both its exteriors and interiors were created in the manner of Byzantine and Romanesque architecture. The interiors are adorned with beautiful mosaics created during the first half of the 20th century. Tourists often bypass this splendid piece of architecture while they seek to attend the more familiar attractions. Yet, the cathedral is one of London’s most stunning temples alongside St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. Transport and Amenities Visitors to the Houses of Parliament who embark at Westminster station will be greeted by the tall torso of Big Ben as soon as they exit the station.

Hyde Park Corner, Victoria and St James’s Park stations are more convenient choices for those who wish to start their journey at Buckingham Palace. Touring the often vast historic buildings can be tiring. Westminster is home to a variety of traditional pubs serving local beers and food, as well as some cafes and restaurants. Westminster also boasts numerous open parks and gardens which offer visitors and locals alike an opportunity to rest and enjoy warm days outdoors. The Victoria Tower Gardens stretching along the river to the west of the Houses of Parliament offer a lovely view to their eastern facade. St James’s Park and Green Park border Buckingham palace to the east and north respectively. Westminster Abbey, London, United Kingdom, 10120 insider tips, photos, reviews & tickets - Page 3 Private Tour: Westminster Abbey and Banqueting House Walking Tour in London "Choose from a morning or afternoon tour and then meet your guide — an art history specialist — by Westminster Abbey.

Snap photos of Gothic crowd pleaser perhaps the most beautiful early Gothic building in the country and hear about the abbey’s long rich history.As you step inside with your guide discover how the abbey a royal mausoleum for many centuries Private Walking Tour: Wonders of Whitehall in London "Meet your guide at a central location to start your day. Begin the tour by walking by a variety of Ministry buildings including the Ministry of Defense Ministry of Magic and Ministry of Funny Walks. Then head to film locations host to movies such as Harry Potter James Bond Private Tour: London Walking Tour "Meet your guide at a designated location. Visit Buckingham Palace and St James Palace from the outside whilst you are told the fascinating history of these Palaces. Also stories of Royal scandal.Then you will visit the political and social heart with great photo opportunity of Big Ben Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Be entertained with stories of terror treason Royal weddings and Winston Churchill and WWII. Walk past the home of David Cameron and the Horse Guard Parade in to Trafalgar Square home of Admiral Horatio Nelson one of Britain's greatest war leaders.Walk the cobbled streets of Covent Garden.

S an area renowned for its restaurants cafe culture The British Monarchy: The Coronation Regalia The British Monarchy A Medium which Advocates the System of Constitutional Monarchy in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Realms. To Defend the Crown, To help our fellow Country men/women understand the Importance of Monarchy and To promote our Constitutional Monarchy as an effective means of Governance. Saturday, 8 June 2013 The Coronation Regalia The Coronation of the Monarch is a ceremony in which the Monarch is formally Crowned and Invested with Regalia. Queen Elizabeth II was Crowned on 2 June 1953, despite having ascended the throne on 6 February 1952, the instant her father died. The Throne is not left vacant and the New Monarch Succeeds the old one immediately. That's why its said that The King Never Dies. The ceremony is performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the most senior cleric in the Church of England. The essential elements of the Coronation have remained largely unchanged for the past thousand years. The Sovereign is first presented to, and acclaimed by, the people. He or she then swears an oath to uphold the law and the Church.

Following that, the Monarch is Anointed with Holy Oil, Crowned, and Invested with the Regalia, before receiving the homage of his or her Subjects. There are certain Crown Jewels that play a vital role in the ceremony of The Coronation. The Coronation Regalia 1.St Edward's Crown St Edward's Crown is one of the English Crown Jewels and remains one of the Senior Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom, being the Official Coronation Crown used in the Coronation of first English, then British, and finally Commonwealth Realms Monarchs. As such, two-dimensional representations of the Crown are used in coats of arms, badges, and various other insignia throughout the Commonwealth Realms to indicate the Authority of the Reigning Sovereign. 2.Imperial State Crown The Imperial State Crown is one of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom and symbolizes the Sovereignty of the Monarch. The crown has existed in several versions since the 15th century. The modern version of the Imperial State Crown is of a design somewhat similar to that of St Edward's Crown, but shorter and encrusted with jewels.

The Imperial State Crown is generally worn at the end of a Coronation when the new Monarch departs from Westminster Abbey and is not normally the Crown used to Crown the Monarch. However, its predecessor (of the same name) was used to crown Queen Victoria and King Edward VII during their Coronation Ceremonies. It is also worn annually by the Queen at the State Opening of Parliament. Traditionally, the Crown and other jewels leave in their own carriage and arrive at the Palace of Westminster prior to the Queen's departure from Buckingham Palace. They are then transported to the Robing Room, where the Queen dons her Robes and puts on the Crown. 3.St Edward's Chair King Edward's Chair, sometimes known as St Edward's Chair or The Coronation Chair, is the Throne on which the British Monarch sits for the Coronation. It was commissioned in 1296 by King Edward I to contain the Coronation Stone of Scotland — known as the Stone of Scone — which he had captured from the Scots who had kept it at Scone Abbey. The chair was named after Edward the Confessor, and was kept in his shrine of St Edward's Chapel at Westminster Abbey.

Since 1308, all anointed Sovereigns of England (until 1603) and Great Britain (after the Union of the Crowns) have been seated in this chair at the moment of their Coronation, with the exception of Queen Mary I (who was Crowned in a chair given to her by the Pope) and Mary II (who was Crowned on a copy of the chair). The last occasion was the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. 4.Stone of Destiny The Stone of Scone also known as the Stone of Destiny and often referred to in England as The Coronation Stone, is an oblong block of red sandstone, used for centuries in the Coronation of the Monarchs of Scotland and later the Monarchs of England, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom. Historically, the artifact was kept at the now-ruined Scone Abbey in Scone, near Perth, Scotland. It is also known as Jacob's Pillow Stone and the Tanist Stone, and in Scottish Gaelic clach-na-cinneamhain.

Its size is about 26 inches (660 mm) by 16.75 inches (425 mm) by 10.5 inches (270 mm) and its weight is approximately 336 pounds (152 kg). At each end of the stone is an iron ring, apparently intended to make transport easier. The Stone of Scone was last used in 1953 for the Coronation of Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. 5.Sword of State A sword of state is a sword, used as part of the Regalia, symbolizing the power of a Monarch to use the might of the State against its enemies, and their duty to preserve thus right and peace. 6.Sword of Mercy The Sword of Mercy, or Edward the Confessor's Sword, is a symbolically broken sword that is part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. The Sword has a blade cut off short and square, indicating thereby the quality of the mercy of the Sovereign; according to the Mythological History of the Sword, its tip was broken off by an angel to prevent a wrongful killing. It is one of five swords used during the Coronation of the British Monarch.

It is carried in the Coronation procession between the Sword of Temporal Justice and the Sword of Spiritual Justice. These three swords are believed to have been made for the Coronation of Charles I of England, and were among the few items of the Crown Jewels to escape being melted down by Oliver Cromwell. The sword is also wielded during the Ceremony at which the Monarch bestows Knighthood upon the recipient of the Honour. 7.Sword of Temporal Justice This sword, known as the Sword of Temporal Justice, is one of three swords which are carried unsheathed, pointing upwards, in the Coronation Procession. This sword is accompanied by the Sword of Spiritual Justice and the Sword of Mercy. The practice of carrying three swords, representing Kingly virtues, dates back to the Coronation of Richard the Lionheart in 1189. The three Swords were made for the Coronation of Charles I in 1626 and then placed with the Regalia in Westminster Abbey. These three works were the only pieces to survive the Civil War and Interregnum untouched. It is not known whether they were used in the Coronation Procession of Charles II, but they have certainly been used since 1685.

A new scabbard was made for the sword in 1821 for the Coronation of George IV. 8.Sceptre With Cross The Sceptre with the Cross, also known as the St Edward's Sceptre, the Sovereign's Sceptre or the Royal Sceptre, is a sceptre of the British Crown Jewels. It was originally made for the coronation of King Charles II in 1661. In 1905, it was redesigned after the discovery of the Cullinan Diamond. Now, the Sceptre with the Cross includes the second largest diamond in the world, the Cullinan I, or the Great Star of Africa, which weighs over 530 carats (110 g). The Cullinan I can be removed from the sceptre to be worn as a brooch. The Cullinan diamond was the largest diamond ever found in the world, at 3106.75 carats. It was cut into 9 different pieces and Cullinan I was the largest among them.

9.Sceptre With Dove The Sceptre with the Dove, also known as the Rod with the Dove or the Rod of Equity and Mercy, is a Sceptre of the British Crown Jewels. It was originally made for the Coronation of King Charles II in 1661. Its design included a gold rod with bands of gemstones, surmounted by a sphere and an enamelled dove, representing the Holy Ghost. The Sceptre with the Dove symbolises the Spiritual authority of the Monarch under the Cross. During the Coronation, the Monarch holds the Sceptre with the Dove in the left hand and the Sceptre with the Cross in the right while the Archbishop of Canterbury places St Edward's Crown on his or her head. The Sceptre with the Dove, and the other Crown Jewels are on display at Jewel House in the Tower of London. 10.The Armills The Armills are a type of bracelet, part of the Regalia. Symbolically known as "The Bracelets of Wisdom and Sincerity", they are interpreted as a token of God's Protection, and in modernity are a symbol of the bond which unites the Sovereign and his/her subjects.

Armills have been used in many Coronations, the oldest surviving in the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom are those of King Charles II, and the newest were created for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The Elizabeth II Armills were presented to the Queen by the Governments of various Commonwealth nations and are made of 22 carat gold lined with Crimson Velvet. 11.The Ampulla and Anointing Spoon The Ampulla (dated 1661), a Golden Eagle with wings outstretched which holds the Holy Oil used to Anoint the Sovereign during the Coronation Ceremony. The oil is poured from the eagle's beak into the Anointing Spoon. The oil of anointing consecrates the Monarch and the Anointing itself symbolizes God’s blessing for the Monarch. Legends surround the Ampulla of England and the Holy Oil of Anointing. According to one, the Blessed Virgin appeared to St.

Thomas á Becket (died 1170) and gave him a golden eagle that she said contained oil for the anointing of the Kings of England.The Ampulla remained hidden for two centuries and was discovered in time for Coronation of Henry IV in 1399. 12.The Coronation Rings The Ring is a Symbol of Faith denoted by its unbroken form. It has been a constant feature of English Coronations since the 10th century. The present Soverign’s Ring was made for the Coronation of William IV in 1831. It weighs 84.45 carats and is set with a large sapphire surrounded by diamonds. Two more diamonds decorate the shank and five rubies are set on the sapphire in the form of a cross. All Sovereigns from Edward VII onwards have used this ring. 13.St. George's Spurs The Spurs are symbolic emblems of Knightly Chivalry; not worn during the Coronation ceremonies but handed to the New Sovereign and then placed on the altar; made for the Coronation of King Charles II in 1660. 14.

The Orb The Sovereign's Orb is a type of Regalia known as a Globus Cruciger and is one of the British Crown Jewels. It was created for the Coronation of King Charles II in 1661 along with the Sceptre with the Cross and Ampulla. The Orb is a hollow gold sphere weighing 42 ounces (1,200 g) and measuring about 16.5 centimetres (6.5 in) in diameter. Spanning the equator is a band of pearls and gemstones, with a similar half-band running across the top half of the Orb. Atop the Orb is an amethyst surmounted by a Cross. The Orb is a Religious Symbol that represents the Monarch's role as Defender of the Faith and as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. During a coronation, the Archbishop of Canterbury delivers the Orb to the Monarch's right hand. The Orb is then placed on an altar, where it remains for the remainder of the Ceremony. At the end of the Ceremony, the Monarch holds the Orb in the left hand, the Sceptre with the Cross in the right hand, and wears the Imperial State Crown as he or she leaves Westminster Abbey.

Posted by Westminster Abbey » Abbey History Home > History > Abbey History An architectural masterpiece of the 13th to 16th centuries, Westminster Abbey also presents a unique pageant of British history – the shrine of St Edward the Confessor, the tombs of kings and queens, and countless memorials to the famous and the great. It has been the setting for every Coronation since 1066 and for numerous other royal occasions, including sixteen royal weddings. Today it is still a church dedicated to regular worship and to the celebration of great events in the life of the nation. Neither a cathedral nor a parish church, Westminster Abbey (or the Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster to give it its correct title) is a "Royal Peculiar" under the jurisdiction of a Dean and Chapter, subject only to the Sovereign and not to any archbishop or bishop. Westminster Abbey, a work of architectural genius, a place of daily worship , deploying the resources of high musical expertise, a burial place of kings, statesmen, poets, scientists, warriors and musicians, is the result of a process of development across the centuries, which represents the response of a monastery and later a post-Reformation church to the stimulus and challenge of its environment.

In the 1040s King Edward (later St Edward the Confessor ) established his royal palace by the banks of the river Thames on land known as Thorney Island. Close by was a small Benedictine monastery founded under the patronage of King Edgar and St Dunstan around 960 A.D. This monastery Edward chose to re-endow and greatly enlarge, building a large stone church in honour of St Peter the Apostle. This church became known as the "west minster" to distinguish it from St Paul's Cathedral (the east minster) in the City of London. Unfortunately, when the new church was consecrated on 28 December 1065 the King was too ill to attend and died a few days later. His mortal remains were entombed in front of the High Altar. The only traces of Edward's monastery to be seen today are in the round arches and massive supporting columns of the undercroft and the Pyx Chamber in the cloisters. The undercroft was originally part of the domestic quarters of the monks.

Among the most significant ceremonies that occurred in the Abbey at this period was the coronation of William the Conqueror on Christmas day 1066, and the "translation" or moving of King Edward's body to a new tomb a few years after his canonisation in 1161. Edward's Abbey survived for two centuries until the middle of the 13th century when King Henry III decided to rebuild it in the new Gothic style of architecture. It was a great age for cathedrals: in France it saw the construction of Amiens, Evreux and Chartres and in England Canterbury, Winchester and Salisbury, to mention a few. Under the decree of the King of England, Westminster Abbey was designed to be not only a great monastery and place of worship, but also a place for the coronation and burial of monarchs. This church was consecrated on 13 October 1269. Unfortunately the king died before the nave could be completed so the older structure stood attached to the Gothic building for many years. Every monarch since William the Conqueror has been crowned in the Abbey, with the exception of Edward V and Edward VIII who were never crowned.

It was natural that Henry III should wish to translate the body of the saintly Edward the Confessor into a more magnificent tomb behind the High Altar. This shrine survives and around it are buried a cluster of medieval kings and their consorts including Henry III, Edward I and Eleanor of Castile , Edward III and Philippa of Hainault, Richard II and Anne of Bohemia and Henry V. The Abbey contains over 600 monuments and wall tablets – the most important collection of monumental sculpture anywhere in the country - and over three thousand people are buried here. Notable among these is the Unknown Warrior , whose grave, close to the west door, has become a place of pilgrimage. Heads of State who are visiting the country invariably come to lay a wreath at this grave. A remarkable new addition to the Abbey was the glorious Lady chapel built by King Henry VII, first of the Tudor monarchs, which now bears his name. This has a spectacular fan-vaulted roof and the craftsmanship of Italian sculptor Pietro Torrigiano can be seen in Henry's fine tomb. The chapel was consecrated on 19 February 1516.

Since 1725 it has been associated with the Most Honourable Order of the Bath and the banners of the current Knights Grand Cross surround the walls. The Battle of Britain memorial window by Hugh Easton can be seen at the east end in the Royal Air Force chapel. A new stained glass window above this, by Alan Younger, and two flanking windows with a design in blue by Hughie O'Donoghue, give colour to this chapel. Two centuries later in 1745 a further addition was made to the Abbey when the western towers (left unfinished from medieval times) were completed, to a design by Nicholas Hawksmoor. Little remains of the original medieval stained glass, once one of the Abbey's chief glories. The great west window and the rose window in the north transept date from the early 18th century but the remainder of the glass dates from the 19th century onwards. History did not cease with the dissolution of the medieval monastery on 16 January 1540. The same year Henry VIII erected Westminster into a cathedral church with a bishop (Thomas Thirlby), a dean and twelve prebendaries.

The bishopric was surrendered on 29 March 1550 and the diocese was re-united with London, Westminster being made by Act of Parliament a cathedral church in the diocese of London. Mary I restored the Benedictine monastery in 1556 under Abbot John Feckenham. But on the accession of Elizabeth I the religious houses revived by Mary were given by Parliament to the Crown and the Abbot and monks were removed in July 1559. Queen Elizabeth I , buried in the north aisle of Henry VII's chapel, refounded the Abbey by a charter dated 21 May 1560 as a Collegiate Church, a Royal Peculiar exempt from the jurisdiction of bishops and with the Sovereign as its Visitor. In place of the monastic community a collegiate body of a dean and prebendaries, minor canons and a lay staff was established and charged with the task of continuing the tradition of daily worship (for which a musical foundation of choristers, singing men and organist was provided) and with the education of forty Scholars who formed the nucleus of what is now Westminster School (one of the country's leading independent schools).

In addition the Dean and Chapter were responsible for much of the civil government of Westminster, a role which was only fully relinquished in the early 20th century. Thus the Abbey was reshaped and newly patterned to discharge a distinctive yet worshipful role in a modern age. Still today, a daily pattern of worship is offered to the Glory of God. Special services, representative of a wide spread of interest and social concern, are held regularly. Annual services include a thanksgiving for victory in the Battle of Britain, a service for Judges at the start of the legal year and a service to mark Commonwealth Day. In 1965-66 the Abbey celebrated the 900th anniversary of the consecration of King Edward's abbey, taking as its theme 'One People'. Such a theme seemed to be fitting for a church which, through a long history of involvement with the developing life of the British people, has become known throughout the world. In 2010 His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI became the first Pope to visit the Abbey. See also the entries under Architecture, Abbots and Deans, Benedictine monastery, Coronation Chair, Famous People and Royals on our website.

The images show a reconstruction drawing of the Norman Abbey and Palace by Terry Ball and Richard Gem. St Edward is from a modern illuminated manuscript. Photos can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library. For guidebooks see the Shop section on our website. Further reading:

Question: British monarchs are traditionally crowned in which London building?
Answer: Westminster Abbey