Mr D and I recently decided it was about time we visited Westminster Abbey. I have lived in London for eight years but had still never seen one of London’s most popular tourist destinations. This had to be remedied.
Before I tell you all what it was like, let’s get outfit details out of the way. It was rather chilly that day so I was wearing a red 50s cardigan, vintage men’s Givenchy trousers, a 60s tartan cape, vintage brogues, cap from Oasis, and bag from The Leather Satchel Co. The cape is a favourite of mine – it was a gift from Mr D, and because it is a lightweight wool, it is perfect for in-between seasons.
Now to the Abbey. I didn’t like it. Beyond that, it actively repelled and angered me. Which is why there are no pictures – I didn’t think it was beautiful, I thought it was awful.
I have only ever felt this way at one other tourist attraction, which was seeing the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London. They are meant to impress people, but it instead made me so sad and angry that this kind of ostentatious wealth was being flaunted during a time when people were dying from poverty.
Similarly, the Abbey is enormous and over-the-top – filled with carvings and altars and gilding and colossal artworks. And, most of all, it is filled with graves for those who could afford to buy their way into the place, or who lent some kind of status by association. You would not recognise most of the names there, because they were not chosen based on merit and achievement, but money and power. For some reason this makes it worse when you get to the famous Poet’s Corner and see people who really DID do things worth remembering, being held up like a kind of trophy. It was all unspeakably vulgar.
I can’t really explain why I had such a strong reaction to it all, but it seemed to me the deepest hypocrisy that a religion which extolls virtues such as humility and charity should have created this vast shrine to wealth and power. I really couldn’t recommend it as a London attraction worth seeing in any shape or form. Save your money and go see one of the many fabulous and free museums in London instead.
The only photo we took at the Abbey was of these school students sitting on the railings like a row of fat pigeons.
1960s polka dot mod dress by Berketex
1970s green and red tartan knit jumper dress
1960s black and white check blanket dress
1970s floral print hippy smock dress by Emanuelle
I originally thought this was going to be about why you hated your cape – poor cape, I apologise, it’s a beauty. But I do completely agree with a lot of the anger you feel and often wonder how such inequality sits in what are meant to be progressive times. Gah, pass me my soapbox.
Is that a problem with most historic, cultural things? I love a good stately home, or a good Cathedral (especially on the continent) but it always comes with the knowledge that plenty of lowly minions have suffered and/or died to enable it to be built.
Look at Venice. Churches built around every corner ostensibly to celebrate God but in reality, to boost the ego (and a certain amount of phallic boasting) of wealthy, debauched men.
Yes I know, I agree, and I really can’t explain why in this instance it angered me so much more than any other time I’ve seen a big fancy house or vast cathedral. Perhaps the outrageous entry price had something to do with it, HA!
“deepest hypocrisy that a religion….should have created this vast shrine to wealth and power”
Just the facts of life unfortunately. Religion historically [and currently] is mostly a tool in which to gain power, look at the history of the Catholic church!
I do also find it difficult to comprehend morally, but then I am an extremely strong atheist! It’s why I do often find it difficult to enjoy visiting historical places. And museums aren’t really that much better, look at the British Museum, gloriously interesting but a full-on ode to colonialism since the majority of the artefacts within were originally stolen from their countries (the mummies in particular come to mind).
At the end of the day, at least you can rest in the knowledge that such wealth and power gave opportunity to artisans and craftspeople, who otherwise would never have survived. All those stonemasons and glass blowers had to eat at some point.
This hasn’t really changed much if you think about it…
I’m with you on the atheism Anushka ;) Most often I can push such qualms away when visiting historical places, but this was so much more in-your-face than usual that I couldn’t ignore it. I did wonder whether it was just me finding it a bit horrid and I didn’t want to affect Mr D’s enjoyment so said nothing to him – until he stopped and told me that he was finding it all a bit off. Which at least made me glad it wasn’t just me.
I think Abbey’s, by nature , are over the top. That’s the point of them in many respects. The grander the representation of worship – the harder God patted you on the back.
Whilst I agree, in part, to the entry fee’s being so high – it is not all that different than any other large historical building up and down the UK, that is not owned by a Trust of some kind. And, not being Christian, that is how I have always viewed it. Just a historical building that has seen a whole lot :)
As for the people buried there, whilst they may have paid to gain entry, in many cases you have to pay to be buried *anywhere*. If they could afford it, through hereditary (eg Royalty) or hard working means (eg Dickens) – then I do not see that as vulgar. It reflects their status.
To be in the presence of the graves of historical people such as Elizabeth and Mary 1st (buried next to each other if I remember rightly – oh – how they would hate that! ha!) Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, William Wilberforce, Livingstone, Tennyson, not to mention the Unknown Soldier makes it was well worth a visit for me. But, having seen it, I can’t say I would return. It has been ticked of me list.
Also – loving your wide-legged strides :)