We interrupted our recent theatrical pilgrimage to old London Town to have a gander around Westminster Abbey. Regular viewers will know I’m a sucker for an old ecclesiastical pile, and King (and Saint) Edward the Confessor’s ‘West Minster’ is arguably the most famous ecclesiastical pile in the realm. Generally thought to have been founded in the mid-10th century as a Benedictine monastery, the church was rebuilt by the saintly king about 100 years later to serve as his royal burial chamber. What Edward the Confessor actually fessed up to is anyone’s guess.
The Abbey
" data-orig-size="1000,955" data-id="37700" data-image-title="oppo_32" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/westminster-abbey-e1731418138442.jpg" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"Picasa","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_32","created_timestamp":"1730295950","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"101","shutter_speed":"0.00048995590396864","title":"oppo_32","orientation":"0"}" width="1024" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/westminster-abbey-e1731418138442.jpg?w=300" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/11/30/getting-the-abbey-habit-2/oppo_32-52/" alt="" height="977" class="wp-image-37700" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/westminster-abbey-e1731418138442.jpg?w=700" />
Bell Towers
" data-orig-size="1000,1191" data-id="37701" data-image-title="oppo_32" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/abbey-towers-e1731418114357.jpg" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"Picasa","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_32","created_timestamp":"1730295744","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"101","shutter_speed":"0.00052137643378519","title":"oppo_32","orientation":"0"}" width="860" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/abbey-towers-e1731418114357.jpg?w=252" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/11/30/getting-the-abbey-habit-2/oppo_32-53/" alt="" height="1024" class="wp-image-37701" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/abbey-towers-e1731418114357.jpg?w=700" />Following the Norman victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William the Conqueror (or ‘the Bastard’ as he was affectionately known) was crowned King of England at the abbey on Christmas Day that same year; just to make sure everyone knew the old bastard was now in charge. Extended and remodelled down the centuries, the church has been the site of royal coronations ever since. The 14th-century coronation chair sits behind bars to prevent we plebs from getting above our station.
The Nave
" data-orig-size="1000,1333" src="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave-2.jpg" data-link="https://perkingthepansies.com/?attachment_id=37708" data-image-title="oppo_32" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave-2-e1731417955796.jpg?w=225" data-image-description="" data-url="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave-2.jpg?w=768" data-id="37708" data-comments-opened="1" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/11/30/getting-the-abbey-habit-2/oppo_32-58/" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave-2-e1731417955796.jpg" alt="" data-height="4000" srcset="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave-2.jpg?strip=info&w;=600 600w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave-2.jpg?strip=info&w;=900 900w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave-2.jpg?strip=info&w;=1200 1200w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave-2.jpg?strip=info&w;=1500 1500w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave-2.jpg?strip=info&w;=1800 1800w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave-2.jpg?strip=info&w;=2000 2000w" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_32","created_timestamp":"1730290542","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"256","shutter_speed":"0.03030303030303","title":"oppo_32","orientation":"1"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave-2-e1731417955796.jpg?w=700" />
View from the Cloisters
" data-orig-size="1000,1333" src="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-abbey.jpg" data-link="https://perkingthepansies.com/?attachment_id=37704" data-image-title="oppo_32" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-abbey-e1731418058677.jpg?w=225" data-image-description="" data-url="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-abbey.jpg?w=768" data-id="37704" data-comments-opened="1" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/11/30/getting-the-abbey-habit-2/oppo_32-54/" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-abbey-e1731418058677.jpg" alt="" data-height="4000" srcset="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-abbey.jpg?strip=info&w;=600 600w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-abbey.jpg?strip=info&w;=900 900w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-abbey.jpg?strip=info&w;=1200 1200w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-abbey.jpg?strip=info&w;=1500 1500w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-abbey.jpg?strip=info&w;=1800 1800w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-abbey.jpg?strip=info&w;=2000 2000w" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_32","created_timestamp":"1730294862","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"101","shutter_speed":"0.00083402835696414","title":"oppo_32","orientation":"1"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-abbey-e1731418058677.jpg?w=700" />The Crypt
" data-orig-size="1000,1333" src="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-crypt.jpg" data-link="https://perkingthepansies.com/?attachment_id=37707" data-image-title="oppo_32" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-crypt-e1731417979152.jpg?w=225" data-image-description="" data-url="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-crypt.jpg?w=768" data-id="37707" data-comments-opened="1" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/11/30/getting-the-abbey-habit-2/oppo_32-57/" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-crypt-e1731417979152.jpg" alt="" data-height="4000" srcset="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-crypt.jpg?strip=info&w;=600 600w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-crypt.jpg?strip=info&w;=900 900w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-crypt.jpg?strip=info&w;=1200 1200w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-crypt.jpg?strip=info&w;=1500 1500w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-crypt.jpg?strip=info&w;=1800 1800w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-crypt.jpg?strip=info&w;=2000 2000w" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_32","created_timestamp":"1730294811","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"1200","shutter_speed":"0.03030303030303","title":"oppo_32","orientation":"1"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-crypt-e1731417979152.jpg?w=700" />The Nave
" data-orig-size="1000,1333" src="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave.jpg" data-link="https://perkingthepansies.com/?attachment_id=37709" data-image-title="oppo_32" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave-e1731417922797.jpg?w=225" data-image-description="" data-url="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave.jpg?w=768" data-id="37709" data-comments-opened="1" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/11/30/getting-the-abbey-habit-2/oppo_32-59/" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave-e1731417922797.jpg" alt="" data-height="4000" srcset="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave.jpg?strip=info&w;=600 600w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave.jpg?strip=info&w;=900 900w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave.jpg?strip=info&w;=1200 1200w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave.jpg?strip=info&w;=1500 1500w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave.jpg?strip=info&w;=1800 1800w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave.jpg?strip=info&w;=2000 2000w" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_32","created_timestamp":"1730291255","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"243","shutter_speed":"0.03030303030303","title":"oppo_32","orientation":"1"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-nave-e1731417922797.jpg?w=700" />The Cloisters
" data-orig-size="1000,1333" src="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-cloisters.jpg" data-link="https://perkingthepansies.com/?attachment_id=37705" data-image-title="oppo_32" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-cloisters-e1731418026746.jpg?w=225" data-image-description="" data-url="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-cloisters.jpg?w=768" data-id="37705" data-comments-opened="1" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/11/30/getting-the-abbey-habit-2/oppo_32-55/" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-cloisters-e1731418026746.jpg" alt="" data-height="4000" srcset="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-cloisters.jpg?strip=info&w;=600 600w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-cloisters.jpg?strip=info&w;=900 900w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-cloisters.jpg?strip=info&w;=1200 1200w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-cloisters.jpg?strip=info&w;=1500 1500w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-cloisters.jpg?strip=info&w;=1800 1800w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-cloisters.jpg?strip=info&w;=2000 2000w" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_32","created_timestamp":"1730294323","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"175","shutter_speed":"0.03030303030303","title":"oppo_32","orientation":"1"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-cloisters-e1731418026746.jpg?w=700" />Ladies Chapel
" data-orig-size="1000,1333" src="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/henry-7-lady-chapel.jpg" data-link="https://perkingthepansies.com/?attachment_id=37710" data-image-title="oppo_32" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/henry-7-lady-chapel-e1731417897154.jpg?w=225" data-image-description="" data-url="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/henry-7-lady-chapel.jpg?w=768" data-id="37710" data-comments-opened="1" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/11/30/getting-the-abbey-habit-2/oppo_32-60/" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/henry-7-lady-chapel-e1731417897154.jpg" alt="" data-height="4000" srcset="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/henry-7-lady-chapel.jpg?strip=info&w;=600 600w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/henry-7-lady-chapel.jpg?strip=info&w;=900 900w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/henry-7-lady-chapel.jpg?strip=info&w;=1200 1200w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/henry-7-lady-chapel.jpg?strip=info&w;=1500 1500w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/henry-7-lady-chapel.jpg?strip=info&w;=1800 1800w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/henry-7-lady-chapel.jpg?strip=info&w;=2000 2000w" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_32","created_timestamp":"1730292234","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"216","shutter_speed":"0.033333333333333","title":"oppo_32","orientation":"1"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/henry-7-lady-chapel-e1731417897154.jpg?w=700" />Grand Statues
" data-orig-size="1000,1333" src="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/grand-statues.jpg" data-link="https://perkingthepansies.com/?attachment_id=37706" data-image-title="oppo_32" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/grand-statues-e1731418004484.jpg?w=225" data-image-description="" data-url="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/grand-statues.jpg?w=768" data-id="37706" data-comments-opened="1" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/11/30/getting-the-abbey-habit-2/oppo_32-56/" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/grand-statues-e1731418004484.jpg" alt="" data-height="4000" srcset="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/grand-statues.jpg?strip=info&w;=600 600w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/grand-statues.jpg?strip=info&w;=900 900w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/grand-statues.jpg?strip=info&w;=1200 1200w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/grand-statues.jpg?strip=info&w;=1500 1500w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/grand-statues.jpg?strip=info&w;=1800 1800w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/grand-statues.jpg?strip=info&w;=2000 2000w" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_32","created_timestamp":"1730290546","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"791","shutter_speed":"0.03030303030303","title":"oppo_32","orientation":"1"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/grand-statues-e1731418004484.jpg?w=700" />Chapter House
" data-orig-size="1000,1333" src="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chapter-house.jpg" data-link="https://perkingthepansies.com/?attachment_id=37713" data-image-title="oppo_32" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chapter-house-e1731417837640.jpg?w=225" data-image-description="" data-url="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chapter-house.jpg?w=768" data-id="37713" data-comments-opened="1" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/11/30/getting-the-abbey-habit-2/oppo_32-61/" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chapter-house-e1731417837640.jpg" alt="" data-height="4000" srcset="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chapter-house.jpg?strip=info&w;=600 600w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chapter-house.jpg?strip=info&w;=900 900w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chapter-house.jpg?strip=info&w;=1200 1200w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chapter-house.jpg?strip=info&w;=1500 1500w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chapter-house.jpg?strip=info&w;=1800 1800w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chapter-house.jpg?strip=info&w;=2000 2000w" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_32","created_timestamp":"1730294608","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"103","shutter_speed":"0.022222222222222","title":"oppo_32","orientation":"1"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chapter-house-e1731417837640.jpg?w=700" />
The abbey’s Gothic splendour soars heavenwards while history drips from every statue and every stone. As well as being the most famous house of God in the land, it’s also the most popular. The crowds were too much, particularly when trying to catch a fleeting glimpse of the first two undisputed Queen Regnants* of England – the first Mary and the first Elizabeth – half sisters, one Catholic and one Protestant at a time when you had to pick a side. These two old queens – one Catholic and one Protestant – inched and jostled past the tombs. Of the 16 or so other monarchs buried at the abbey, the tomb of Mary, Queen of Scots is perhaps the most poignant, given her life and times.
*That is, a queen reigning in her own right rather than a queen through marriage to a king.
Mary Queen of Scots
" data-orig-size="1000,750" data-id="37718" data-image-title="Mary Queen of Scots" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mary-queen-of-scots-e1731417725798.jpg" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_0","created_timestamp":"1730292337","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"325","shutter_speed":"0.03030303030303","title":"oppo_0","orientation":"1"}" width="1024" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mary-queen-of-scots-e1731417725798.jpg?w=300" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/11/30/getting-the-abbey-habit-2/oppo_0-18/" alt="" height="768" class="wp-image-37718" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mary-queen-of-scots-e1731417725798.jpg?w=700" />Mary Queen of Scots
Mary I
Elizabeth I
" data-image-title="Elizabeth I" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/elizabeth-i-e1731417768961.jpg" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_0","created_timestamp":"1730291975","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"1391","shutter_speed":"0.03030303030303","title":"oppo_0","orientation":"1"}" width="1024" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/elizabeth-i-e1731417768961.jpg?w=300" loading="lazy" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/11/30/getting-the-abbey-habit-2/oppo_0-19/" alt="" height="768" class="wp-image-37719" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/elizabeth-i-e1731417768961.jpg?w=700" />Elizabeth IThe list of the dead and commemorated is a veritable who’s who of Britons past: a galaxy of big brains – Newton, Hawking, Darwin; a symphony of composers – Purcell, Vaughan Williams, Handel; a company of luvvies – including Laurence Olivier; and a society of dead poets and writers – Chaucer, Byron, Lewis Carroll, Dylan Thomas, DH Lawrence, et al.
Darwin
" data-orig-size="1000,764" src="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/darwin.jpg" data-link="https://perkingthepansies.com/?attachment_id=37725" data-image-title="oppo_32" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/darwin-e1731417701239.jpg?w=300" data-image-description="" data-url="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/darwin.jpg?w=1024" data-id="37725" data-comments-opened="1" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/11/30/getting-the-abbey-habit-2/oppo_32-63/" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/darwin-e1731417701239.jpg" alt="" data-height="1968" srcset="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/darwin.jpg?strip=info&w;=600 600w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/darwin.jpg?strip=info&w;=900 900w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/darwin.jpg?strip=info&w;=1200 1200w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/darwin.jpg?strip=info&w;=1500 1500w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/darwin.jpg?strip=info&w;=1800 1800w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/darwin.jpg?strip=info&w;=2000 2000w" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"Picasa","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_32","created_timestamp":"1730290802","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"438","shutter_speed":"0.03030303030303","title":"oppo_32","orientation":"0"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/darwin-e1731417701239.jpg?w=700" />Hawking
" data-orig-size="1000,900" src="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/hawking.jpg" data-link="https://perkingthepansies.com/?attachment_id=37726" data-image-title="oppo_0" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/hawking-e1731417673558.jpg?w=300" data-image-description="" data-url="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/hawking.jpg?w=1024" data-id="37726" data-comments-opened="1" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/11/30/getting-the-abbey-habit-2/oppo_0-20/" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/hawking-e1731417673558.jpg" alt="" data-height="2486" srcset="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/hawking.jpg?strip=info&w;=600 600w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/hawking.jpg?strip=info&w;=900 900w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/hawking.jpg?strip=info&w;=1200 1200w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/hawking.jpg?strip=info&w;=1500 1500w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/hawking.jpg?strip=info&w;=1800 1800w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/hawking.jpg?strip=info&w;=2000 2000w" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"Picasa","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_0","created_timestamp":"1730290829","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"450","shutter_speed":"0.03030303030303","title":"oppo_0","orientation":"0"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/hawking-e1731417673558.jpg?w=700" />Chaucer
" data-orig-size="1000,788" src="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chaucer.jpg" data-link="https://perkingthepansies.com/?attachment_id=37727" data-image-title="oppo_0" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chaucer-e1731417642603.jpg?w=300" data-image-description="" data-url="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chaucer.jpg?w=1024" data-id="37727" data-comments-opened="1" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/11/30/getting-the-abbey-habit-2/oppo_0-21/" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chaucer-e1731417642603.jpg" alt="" data-height="1957" srcset="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chaucer.jpg?strip=info&w;=600 600w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chaucer.jpg?strip=info&w;=900 900w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chaucer.jpg?strip=info&w;=1200 1200w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chaucer.jpg?strip=info&w;=1500 1500w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chaucer.jpg?strip=info&w;=1800 1800w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chaucer.jpg?strip=info&w;=2000 2000w" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"Picasa","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_0","created_timestamp":"1730292778","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"1808","shutter_speed":"0.03030303030303","title":"oppo_0","orientation":"0"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/chaucer-e1731417642603.jpg?w=700" />Composers
" data-orig-size="1000,1618" src="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/composers.jpg" data-link="https://perkingthepansies.com/?attachment_id=37728" data-image-title="oppo_32" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/composers-e1731417596614.jpg?w=185" data-image-description="" data-url="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/composers.jpg?w=633" data-id="37728" data-comments-opened="1" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/11/30/getting-the-abbey-habit-2/oppo_32-64/" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/composers-e1731417596614.jpg" alt="" data-height="3571" srcset="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/composers.jpg?strip=info&w;=600 600w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/composers.jpg?strip=info&w;=900 900w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/composers.jpg?strip=info&w;=1200 1200w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/composers.jpg?strip=info&w;=1500 1500w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/composers.jpg?strip=info&w;=1800 1800w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/composers.jpg?strip=info&w;=2000 2000w" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"Picasa","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_32","created_timestamp":"1730290777","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"1664","shutter_speed":"0.04","title":"oppo_32","orientation":"0"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/composers-e1731417596614.jpg?w=633" />Dead Poets
" data-orig-size="1000,1333" src="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/poets-and-writers.jpg" data-link="https://perkingthepansies.com/?attachment_id=37729" data-image-title="oppo_32" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/poets-and-writers-e1731417532764.jpg?w=225" data-image-description="" data-url="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/poets-and-writers.jpg?w=768" data-id="37729" data-comments-opened="1" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/11/30/getting-the-abbey-habit-2/oppo_32-65/" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/poets-and-writers-e1731417532764.jpg" alt="" data-height="4000" srcset="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/poets-and-writers.jpg?strip=info&w;=600 600w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/poets-and-writers.jpg?strip=info&w;=900 900w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/poets-and-writers.jpg?strip=info&w;=1200 1200w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/poets-and-writers.jpg?strip=info&w;=1500 1500w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/poets-and-writers.jpg?strip=info&w;=1800 1800w,https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/poets-and-writers.jpg?strip=info&w;=2000 2000w" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_32","created_timestamp":"1730292825","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"681","shutter_speed":"0.03030303030303","title":"oppo_32","orientation":"1"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/poets-and-writers-e1731417532764.jpg?w=700" />There is also a parliament of politicians – many either forgotten or best unremembered.
And, lest we forget, the abbey also contains the grave of the Unknown Warrior, commemorating the terrible slaughter of the First World War. It’s the only floor stone on which it’s forbidden to walk. Be warned. Lest you forget.
