Westminster Abbey: Anglo-Saxon Masonry Below the Cosmati Pavement

Abstract

View related articlesConservation of the Cosmati pavement in Westminster Abbey included the compilation of a record of remains first revealed in -. Study of these showed two phases of building dating to the mid-eleventh century and the reconstruction of the Abbey in the mid-thirteenth century. Parts of the plan of the mid-eleventhcentury eastern end and the presbytery were recovered, including details of the pier bases. A reconstruction of the profiles show that there must have been two steps between the presbytery and the sanctuary.

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

“…The absolute depths at which time slices were extracted were determined on the basis of maximum absolute definition of the features visible. The regularity of the Abbey and have been drawn and described (Blockley 2004). Time slices extracted from the 3D data block illustrate the regular distribution of these remains beneath the Sanctuary Pavement, suggesting that they may remain in situ (Fig.…”

“…This is most probably part of a wall or an associated pillar. The location of a few pillar bases from the earlier abbey, below the floor of the present building, are known elsewhere in the Abbey and have been drawn and described (Blockley 2004). Time slices extracted from the 3D data block illustrate the regular distribution of these remains beneath the Sanctuary Pavement, suggesting that they may remain in situ (Fig.…”

“…Approximately a century later, King Henry III enlarged and re-built the first stone church in commemoration of his illustrious ancestor for whom he also built a new more elaborate shrine. The present church dates primarily from Henry III's church (i.e., the mid-13 th century) although remnants of the Confessor's church can also be found below ground (Blockley 2004).…”