Westminster Abbey: Henry III's Gothic rebuilding and royal funerary program (1245–1272)

1. Henry III chooses Westminster for a dynastic shrine

   Jan 1, 1245Labels: Henry III, Westminster Abbey, Edward the

   • Abbey History
   • Abbey History

2. New work prioritizes the eastern liturgical core

   Jan 1, 1245Labels: Eastern choir, St Edward, Transepts

   • Abbey Wiki
   • Abbey History

3. Gothic rebuilding begins under Henry of Reyns

   Jul 6, 1245Labels: Henry of, East end, Gothic architecture

   • Abbey Wiki
   • Abbey History

4. Chapter House begun as part of rebuilding

   Jan 1, 1246Labels: Chapter House, Henry of, Monastery

   • Chapter House
   • English Heritage

5. Chapter House completed for monastic governance

   Jan 1, 1255Labels: Chapter House, Monastic governance, Central column

   • Chapter House
   • English Heritage

6. Chapter House hosts the King’s Great Council

   Jan 1, 1257Labels: Chapter House, King's Great, Westminster Abbey

   • Chapter House
   • English Heritage

7. Richard de Ware becomes abbot and key patron

   Dec 1, 1258Labels: Richard de, Abbot of, Patron

   • De Ware
   • Abbey History

8. Sanctuary Cosmati pavement laid before the High Altar

   Jan 1, 1268Labels: Cosmati pavement, Sanctuary, Henry III

   • Cosmati
   • De Ware

9. New church consecrated and St Edward translated

   Oct 13, 1269Labels: Consecration, St Edward, Westminster Abbey

   • Abbey History
   • Edwardtide
   • Sermon 2019

10. Work continues, but the nave remains unfinished

    Jan 1, 1272Labels: Nave, Henry III, Old nave

    • Abbey History

11. Henry III’s program leaves a lasting royal mausoleum

    Nov 16, 1272Labels: Royal mausoleum, St Edward, Westminster Abbey

    • Abbey History
    • Abbey History

12. Henry III dies and is buried at Westminster

    Nov 20, 1272Labels: Henry III, Burial, Palace of

    • Henry III
    • Britannica