KATE’S IN LABOR!
First thing this morning we learned that Kate Middleton has
gone into hospital! We have all been on edge, listening for news, but nothing
so far. In fact, we were at Westminster Abbey today, when the bells began
ringing, and we all jumped out of our skins. Then we noticed it was 10AM . . .
sigh…. My roommate posted a live feed to the webcam at the hospital here.
After St. Paul’s I was ill prepared for the magnificence of
Westminster. St. Paul’s was amazing, but
Westminster is A-MA-ZING! I was immediately impressed with the architecture, of
course, but even more so by the sense of awe with which one is imbued upon entering
the space. All heads turn up, which is undoubtedly the desired reaction, as it
is, after all, a monument erected to stand in testament to God. We were not,
unfortunately, allowed to take photos inside. But I did get some outside….
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| A beautiful spire |
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| Roof of Chapter House |
Westminster REEKS of history! EVERY CORONATION (since 1066) has been held in this historic place. And all on the same chair, even! I had a hard time getting my head around the fact that I was looking at THE throne upon which all the kings and queens of England since William the Conqueror had been anointed and crowned. Granted, my knowledge of the British monarchy is largely attributable to Shakespeare (who has his own monument in Winchester in the Poet’s Corner), but that still means I was in the place wherein investiture of Elizabeth I happened . . . and King John, and the Henrys, even…shudder…R3! It was quite moving to see the tombs of the supposed remains of the two brother princes thought to have been murdered on the orders of the hunchback in the same chapel as QEI and her half sister Mary I. The little tombs are gut-wrenching.
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| Serene garden for monks contemplation |
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| Poignant memorial plaque |
Hey CZ! We talked a lot about what you mention in my Libraries as Cultural Heritage institutions class: that in America, the 250 years of history are not valued and known as much as the thousands of years of European history. I know you are exposed to the English part now, but everywhere in Europe that I have lived and visited, history is treasured and LEARNED FROM. The same, sadly, cannot be said about the US. Oh well. Love the blog!!! Please please please have fun while you're working your butt off.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying, sweetie, I'm trying....
DeleteLove the pics and the thoughts. Indeed, your sense of history comes home, not just from the place, but also the timing of the birth of another King of England-how historic and exciting. How true as well that some know better than others how to appreciate the past for the lessons and insights it provides so we can create a better future. We glance at the past as we hurl ourselves toward the future, living in the moment.
ReplyDeleteWe need to be better examples to our fellow citizens of the value of learning from & appreciating our own and others' history. I love you!
DeleteHi, Carolyn--
ReplyDeleteWestminster Abbey is at the top of my list of places to visit when I make it there. The history and events that this venerable building has witnessed in the nearly one thousand years is staggering. If those walls could speak....I feel the same way about medieval/Renaissance-era music, that it's a unique window into those times. It's so cool that you witnessed the royal birth.
Really cool - surprised the city didn't erupt in bells & whistles!
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