Treasures of Westminster Abbey
By: Tony Trowles
About This Book
The Treasures of Westminster Abbey celebrates an iconic building and its rich artistic heritage. The Abbey, one of Britain's greatest medieval buildings and among the best-known churches in the world, has a history stretching back over a thousand years. Founded as a Benedictine monastery in the mid-tenth century and with the shrine of its principal royal founder, St Edward the Confessor, at its heart, it is also the coronation church where monarchs have been crowned amid great splendour since 1066. The present church, begun by Henry III in 1245, was planned with that in mind and is a treasure house of architectural and artistic achievement on which each succeeding century has left its mark. Seventeen out of the thirty-nine sovereigns crowned in Westminster Abbey also lie buried within its walls. Their medieval and Renaissance tombs, though among the most important in Europe, form only a small part of the extraordinary collection of gravestones, memorials and monumental sculpture for which the Abbey has long been famous and which is comprehensively surveyed in this lavishly illustrated book. Many of the most significant individuals in British history are remembered here: royalty and aristocracy, clergy and politicians, writers, scientists and musicians. Ranging from the thirteenth-century shrine of St Edward and the Renaissance splendour of Henry VII's Lady Chapel, to the literary memorials of Poets' Corner and the statues of Twentieth Century Martyrs on the Abbey's west front, The Treasures of Westminster Abbey describes the stained glass, furniture, sculpture, textiles, wall paintings and many other historic artifacts found within this remarkable church.
AI Overview
Title: "Treasures of Westminster Abbey" by Tony Trowles
Overview: "Treasures of Westminster Abbey" is a beautifully illustrated book that celebrates the rich artistic heritage of one of Britain's greatest medieval buildings. The book, written by Tony Trowles, who is the head of the Abbey Collection and librarian at Westminster Abbey, provides a comprehensive survey of the abbey's art treasures.
Key Themes:
- Historical Significance: The book explores the history of Westminster Abbey, which dates back over a thousand years. Founded as a Benedictine monastery in the mid-tenth century, it has been the coronation church for British monarchs since 1066.
- Artistic Achievements: The book highlights the abbey's architectural and artistic achievements, including its stained glass windows, sculptures, textiles, wall paintings, and other historic artifacts.
- Medieval and Renaissance Tombs: The book describes the medieval and Renaissance tombs within the abbey, which are among the most important in Europe. It also covers the gravestones, memorials, and monumental sculpture that the abbey is famous for.
- Literary Memorials: The book includes sections on the literary memorials of Poets’ Corner and the statues of twentieth-century martyrs on the abbey’s west front.
Plot Summary: The book is not a traditional guidebook but rather a celebration of the abbey's treasures. It includes beautifully illustrated sections that describe the various sections of the structure, its history, and its art. The book provides information about the abbey's stained glass windows, furniture, sculpture, textiles, and wall paintings. It also details the history of the people buried or memorialized within the abbey's walls, including notable figures like Elizabeth I.
Critical Reception: The book has received positive reviews for its comprehensive and beautifully illustrated content. A book review by Patrick Treardon highlights the book's unique qualities, noting that it is not a guidebook but rather a celebration of the abbey's treasures. The review praises the book's large format and the detailed information it provides about the abbey's history and art.
Publication Details:
- Publisher: Scala Arts & Heritage Publishers Ltd.
- ISBN: 978 1 85759 660 1
- Binding: Paperback
- Pages: 176
- Size: 280 x 240 mm / 9.4 x 11 in.
- Date Published: July, 2008
- Price: UK £16.95 / US $24.95
Overall, "Treasures of Westminster Abbey" by Tony Trowles is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history and art of this iconic British landmark. Its comprehensive coverage and beautiful illustrations make it a must-read for those who want to delve deeper into the treasures of Westminster Abbey.