Edward The Confessor's Chapel, Westminster Abbey: The Origins of the Royal Mausoleum and its Cosmatesque Pavement

Abstract

It has hitherto been argued that Edward the Confessor's Chapel at Westminster Abbey, built by Henry III in 1246–59, was established as the royal mausoleum only from the 1290s. In 2005 a ground penetrating radar survey of the chapel floor revealed many anomalies, some of which can be interpreted as grave cists. A re-examination of the written and physical evidence for subfloor burials in the chapel suggests that, among other early burials, at least five of Edward I's children were interred here in the period 1264–84. It thus appears that the chapel was used as a family mausoleum before 1290 and was not originally exclusively reserved for the monarchs and their consorts. New light is also thrown on the vexed question of the date of the Cosmatesque floor in the shrine chapel, which is here redated to the 1290s.

The shrine of Edward the Confessor: a study in multi‐frequency GPR investigation

“…This is not a surprising result, however, given that the Shrine Chapel has been a sacred burial area reserved for royal personages, their close relatives and advisors since the Abbey was constructed. In addition, some months after the GPR surveys were carried out, historical research revealed information indicating that these are likely to be graves of royal children, most probably those of Henry III’s son, Edward I (Badham 2007). Although there are reliable historical records indicating the burial of a number of courtiers and royal relations, including children, no visible mark or memory remained to suggest the location of these graves prior to the GPR survey.…”

“…This chapel lies behind (i.e., to the east of) the present High Altar, separated from it by a 15 th century stone screen. On his death in 1272, Henry III is thought to have been buried within the same large vault formerly used by his ancestor until such time as a suitable royal tomb had been constructed for him (Badham 2007). This same tomb was re‐used once more in 1290 when Queen Eleanor of Castile, the wife of Henry III’s son and successor, died suddenly.…”

The shrine of edward the confessor: A study in multi-frequency gpr investigation

“…7]. These are likely to be graves of royal children, most probably those of Edward 1 [3]. Although there are historical records indicating the burial of a number of courtiers and royal relations, including children, no visible mark or memory remained to suggest the location of these graves prior to the GPR survey.…”

“…This can be seen also in Figures 4,5 & 7. It is therefore likely that the burials identified by both the 400MHz and 4GHz surveys are being detected because of their associated voids. Subsequent to the survey, it has been possible to put names to some of these burials and suggestions for the identities of others although the original occupants may have been removed [3].…”

“…This chapel lies to the East of the present High Altar, separated from it by a 15 th Century stone screen. On his death in 1272, Henry III is thought to have been buried within the same large vault formerly used by his ancestor until his own tomb had been constructed [3]. With the passage of time and the rebuilding of the Church, the precise location of this royal tomb has been lost.…”