Gloucestershire's Royal Connections: Gloucester Cathedral and Westminster Abbey

By:  Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

Gloucester Cathedral

Gloucester Cathedral is very proud to have the reputation of having held the one and only coronation for a king of England outside London since William the Conqueror was crowned in Westminster Abbey, the traditional place for all coronations.



The Coronation of Henry III

 When the very unpopular King John died in 1216, London was under the control of Prince Louis of France who was trying to invade England.  In order to thwart the ambitions of the French prince, King John's heir, his nine year old son Prince Henry was hurried to Gloucester to be crowned, and the famous event is commemorated by a stained glass window in the south aisle of the nave.

The young King Henry III had a passionate interest in religion and his great hero was Edward the Confessor, a King of England from 1003 -1066,  who had had been canonized in 1161 by Pope Alexander III. King Henry decided that this rare English saint, whose tomb near the high altar in Westminster Abbey attracted huge numbers of pilgrims, should have an even more sumptious tomb in a magnificent chapel.  Over the course of 24 years from (1245 - 1269) Henry transformed the east end of the Abbey into a church which rivalled the magnificent Gothic cathedrals of France and a fitting place for future coronations.



Westminster Abbey - London

 The large area between the high altar and the beginning of the quire will provide the stage where the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton will take place on Friday 29th April.  Millions of people across the world will be tuned in to watch this royal event. So, as the television cameras record the great day, do admire the magnificent Gothic architecture and the rich decorations and remember that these are a monument to a young prince who became king in Gloucester.

and there's more...


To book a guided coach tour of the Cotswolds contact:
Anne Bartlett - Blue Badge Tour Guide