The Henry VII Chapel

The Henry VII Chapel at Westminster Abbey

After briefly looking at the Chapter House, during a quick exploration of the exterior of Westminster Abbey at the end of a weekend in London, the next stop was the Lady Chapel – built by Henry VII between 1503 and 1519 to replace the 13th century chapel.

A Google Earth view of Westminster Abbey

The well developed Perpendicular Gothic style of architecture seen here contrasts strongly with the rest of the abbey and, looking at it from a distance, the building stones seen here are quite different to the Chilmark stone that has been extensively used for the Chapter House.

The south elevation of the Henry VII Chapel

My first impression is that the bulk of the masonry seen here is Bath stone, which has developed a distinct dark honey coloured patina in the polluted London atmosphere, with bands of white Portland limestone used for the decorated parapets.

A view of the north elevation of the Henry VII Chapel

From 1802-1822, the Henry VII Lady Chapel was extensively restored under the supervision of the architect James Wyatt and the mason Thomas Gayfere, with the latter identifying Kentish ragstone, as well as Huddlestone stone – a dolomitic limestone from West Yorkshire – Caen stone and Reigate stone elsewhere in the fabric.

 The plinth to the north elevation of the Henry VII Chapel

Moving closer to the east end, although the iron railings prevent close examination, the friable nature of the stone to the plinth can be readily seen beneath the later Bath stone. From both its green/grey colour and its precisely squared blocks, I had assumed that this was another example of Reigate stone – which I had seen at the Tower of London and the church of All Hallows by the Tower; however, further research suggests that this is in fact Kentish ragstone.

A detail of an inscription above the plinth

Continuing in an anti-clockwise direction around Westminster Abbey, views of the north elevation of the Henry VII Chapel were obscured by trees and portakabins but the hoardings were decorated with some fine photos of carvings produced during this latest phase of restoration.

A hoarding with photos of recent restoration to Westminster Abbey