Inside the Royal Burial Vaults in Westminster Abbey
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- čas přidán 24. 02. 2023
- #royalfuneral #royalfuneral #burialvault #westminsterabbey #funerals #burials #kings #queens #britishhistory
Where are British kings buried? Well in truth you would be hard-pushed to know - most of the sovereigns from James I to George II are buried in Henry VII's chapel in Westminster Abbey, but not one of them has a proper monument. If you look carefully you will find their names inscribed on the floor above the burial vaults where they are interred, but those names were only added in the 1860s before that time their graves were unmarked. In this video, using contemporary visual evidence, I explore the two primary vaults in Henry VII's chapel, what they look like, the coffins within and who is buried within.
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I wish I'd have know all of this when I was at Westminster several years ago. All the more reason for a return visit! Thank you for this wonderful video!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.
Fascinating insights yet again Allan. So much has changed in burial practices over the years. It seems almost unimaginable that you could have unmarked graves of kings and queens that was only rectified by the efforts of a historian clergyman in the 1860s! How moving that George II wanted his and his wife's remains to be united in death. Thanks again. It's wonderful to see your subscriber numbers growing too. A real community!
So sad, all the tiny coffins of the little babies and children who died. 🙏
Coincidentally I commented in your Dutch royal vaults video last week that I was fascinated with British royal vaults. So this is a pleasant surprise indeed
As always, thank you! Outstanding content, wonderfully presented, not to be found anywhere else. Thoroughly engaging!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 😊
It's quite amazing how simple the tombs of the later Stuarts and early Hanoverians have been. They are quite unnoticed along with Edward VI and James I.
Probably lack of space.
@@kingsmead646 in Westminster Abbey???
@colleenh7809
Yes, lack of space is indeed an issue, though at first glance it seems almost unlikely. I just finished watching a video tour of Westminster with Sir David Cannadine where he declares that there's simply no more room. There are over 3000 people interred therein, many of whom have ostentatious and grandiose tombs that inhabit a huge amount of space. I believe Stephen Hawking was one of the most recently interred but he was cremated, therefore not occupying much space in Scientist's Corner.
Fascinating to think that this family was not given identification via the floor engraving until the late 1800s. You have so much available content for more videos that I’m just dying for! Thank you so much. ❤
I have been studying 📖 my ancestors on the family tree app, and it's been quite fascinating to visit all the places they were born in. I do the videos to see what it was like in their time! It has been an amazing journey through time. I'm related to the Stuart's . I highly recommend this to anyone to do!
Me too!
'Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust'
It may seem unimportant, but I’m pleased to finally hear someone pronounce the name “Sophia” correctly.
Once again, thank you for introducing me to something new. I knew about the Stuarts and the tomb of George III and his sons; but I had blithely assumed that George II, like George I, had been buried in Hanover. Rather sad, though, that he is simply marked with a small paver providing his regnal name and year of death.
i find myself endlessly fascinated by the royal crypts, lol! I don't know why. Judging by all the comments, I am not alone! Thanks again for another interesting video!
My pleasure, thanks for watching 😊
The number of children's coffins in there are heart breaking, regardless of whose children they were.
We live in an age where we do not expect the death of our children. I'm not sure that there has ever been an age like this before. We are very unusually fortunate!
Children died all the time back then, just walk through any old cemetery.
Why? I will never comprehend why children’s deaths are more heartbreaking than anyone else’s. Better to lose one’s life before it started than someone who is already established and built a life.
@@isrulius it's the loss of innocence. For example, you've had time, losing you is less tragic than losing someone who never had their time.
@@isrulius Do you have children? If you don't, you'll never understand. If you do, I'm glad I'm not your kid. That's one of the most heartless and obtuse statements I've ever seen.
All of your videos are excellent and contain so much information. My visit to Westminster was quite overwhelming! I hope to return someday with a better understanding and your information. Thanks Allan.😊
Glad you're finding my videos helpful!
Always a treat to watch your vids. Thanks again.
My pleasure, thanks for watching!
The coffin of King Charles II, which was heavily decorated, because of course it was...mind you, I also find the sentiment of King George II very romantic! It's a beautiful idea that, just as they were reunited in the next world, so their human remains should be forever together also.
It always sticks in my throat that Mary and Elizabeth share a tomb. It insults them both. Mary wanted to be buried with her mother Catherine at Peterborough.
Mary deserves so much better. The narrative around her is just wack puritanical Lutheran propaganda. Only now in 2024 are we seeing historians working to restore the correct narrative to her life and reign
their dust mingling..i found that idea somewhat romantic as well, and said to myself, awww 🥰🤭
Absolutely fascinating video Allan- thank you. Your videos just get better and better 🙂
can't wait for you to discuss each of the memorials separately!!! :D
I own a book Westminster Abbey A Church In History edited by David Cannadine. It is a beautiful book about Westminster Abbey history. I recommend it to everyone who is interested in this topic. Martha
Just found your channel, subscribed and sent small donation. Looking forward watching the rest of your content because this is fascinating! As a kid, going to Westminster Abbey, I always figured the remains were entombed in these grand monuments themselves or buried in dirt immediately under the floor in cases of plaques. Only found out in adulthood that wasn't the case and that they are in a "basement" vault. Since no pictures or renderings are widely circulated, I imagined these vaults looked something like the catacombs of ancient Rome, but wrong again!! Nice to finally find out what is actually going on down there. Thanks! One thing though... There are clearly Queens who are monarchs in their own right contained in this video, so why only mention and tag "kings"? Poor Mary & Anne are so often passed over in the telling of history. It seems kind of wrong (and inaccurate) to continue to exclude them like this.
Another great piece Dr.Barton you never disappoint you give interesting info and details endpoint hitting the marks every time thank you
Yet another fascinating and informative guide into the royal vaults. Thank you Allan. I have just subscribed to The Antiquary Magazine and I'm looking forward to browsing my first copy.
Thank you Jayne - I hope you enjoy your first issue, I am just finishing it off ready to go the printer tomorrow.
Love your channel as it's extremely informative about the subject! Is there or have you printed a compendium book of Royal & Noble burials and matters and means of internment? Also, is groundwater an issue with some of these vaults?
Having watched this once I immediately watched it through again. My history lens has been though a narrow stretch of European "Classical" music. Much of this left me as bemused as I often see historic pictures of our present king Charles the Third looking when he was a little boy. Growing up in the Antipodes the Kings and Queens of England and Scitland for us were History. I began my study in my final year at what we called"High School" age 16/17. Sadly my lovely teacher Katherine /Catherine "Miss Dunbar" to me became too unwell to keep coming to school in person. So she issued these carefully prepared worksheets. As a not very independent learner overloaded with music exams and competitions and Sunday School teaching I failed to create any sense of a timeline in my own head. I became an expert skimmer.Andexam passer. But again I failed to win that elusive Junior Scholarship that would have brought glory to my school and financial relief to my hard pressed family. So I will be watching this video again I think.
Thank you for this video, I am fascinated by Royal burials.
My pleasure, thanks for watching!
I love your content! Just purchased a subscription to your magazine!
Thanks very much, I hope you enjoy it!
Thank you! Another interesting video.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.
Westminster Abbey is such a treasure trove of royal burials…. many thanks for another super video. The burials at Fontevrault Abbey in France could be interesting, the early Angevin and Plantagenet kings.
Also the Abbey at St Denis in Paris… French royalty.
Very interesting and informative, as usual. Thanks ‼️
Fascinating. There never seems to have been a long term vault with one after another when full.
Very well done and highly informative.
Great video! We will be making our first visit in 3 weeks!
Really informative. Thanks Allan.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.
Excellent and informative. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!
Love the video. Thanks so much !
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.
Always watching
You should do the Kaisergruft in Vienna -where all the Habsburgs are buried -an amazing place especially the tomb of Maria Theresa with husband Francis of Lorraine -surrounded by most of her children except Marie Antoinette who lost her head in Paris!
So very neat. Thank you
Thank you! I found this very interesting..
Glad you enjoyed it!
TY! so very interesting
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.
Thank you. So much
You're welcome, thanks for watching!
A fascinating record.
very interesting!
Thank you once again Allan. I don't see where Anne Hyde is buried, it says she's buried in Westminster? Is this wrong? Looking forward to all your upcoming videos.
I think it's interesting that nearly every painting or image of Henry VII, it includes his wonky left eye. Even his tomb effigy seems to have it. I know it's more true to life, but I'm just a little surprised painters and sculptors didn't really attempt to minimize it.
They probably did, it was just wonkier in real life
@@hyperactivehyperbole Possible. Though I think we have his death mask and it seems pretty close to the paintings and sculptures.
I've often wondered the same and not just with Henry VII. There are many English royals throughout history that have their "wonky eye" depicted in drawings, oils and other renderings where it seems like it would've been edited out. Even Henry's wife, Elizabeth of York had a slight wandering eye, as did their son Henry VIII. Is this a physical trait that is deemed as desirable for some reason, such as it being associated with royalty? The Hapsburgs have their chins, maybe the Lancasters & Yorks had wonky eye?
@@peteg475 I think (though I might have imagined it) that the famous bust in the V&A was made from his death mask
😆
The weight of history made me dizzy when I visited Westminster Abbey.
Allen, please clarify: are the small vessels situated alongside the coffins the repository of the bowels and other organs that are removed during a royal embalming? Also, do you suspect that the procedure of disembowelment continues into the present day?
That's exactly what they are. The tradition stopped with George III and his family.
Yes, can’t get over how much father and sons hated each other as well as certain wives
Thanks!
Thank you!
thanks
ty
I love all this :D
Glad you enjoyed it 😊
Thanks
Thank you Beverly.
Ironic that James 1st is buried with Henry VII and that his son Charles I is buried with Henry's son Henry VIII.
👋😀 Thanks 💎
Hello, would you be able to tell me which song you use for your intro?
I wish people would put out a picture of all those effigies that aren't real that are just Earl's etc that are buried in Westminster Abby.
Allan. Is a vault the same as a crypt? Is there an ancient crypt under the abbey predating the gothic structure?
Thank you very interesting. Since my lineage comes through Mary Queen of Scots and William the conquer, I find this extremely interesting. My son took me to England a few years ago first and only time. we were able to see some of the burial vaults but I never got here. My son, however was there about a month or so ago and brought back some wonderful pictures. I hope to visit someday pay my respects to relatives. 🙏🏻😊
4:38 I smiled reading "Sorry Duke of Albermarle". I read it as if it was addressed to the man himself (sorry, Sir!). Nothing will convince me that you were addressing the viewer.
😂 the curse of the missing comma!
@@allanbarton Thanks for the nice video. 🙂
It was an interesting topic. I have recently been documenting the burials inside a local church (from records and old photographs alone, as there is no way to do a proper archeological study at the site). The graves at Westminster Abbey may not be well marked, but the documentation that exists makes me really envious.
At least we were able to identify the "mystery owner" of a damaged tombstone inside the church, only the bottom three lines of which are legible. What gave away the owner was the theme of the funeral sermon, recorded on the stone, and crucially, also recorded in the parish records.
Wonderful videos, thank you. Question: when one hears the word "buried" I think the first thing that comes to mind is an earth burial. But when a body is lowered into a large family vault or placed inside a raised sepulcher, or a mausoleum, isn't "interred" the proper word to use?
OMG that lithograph of William III looks like a young Tom Baker. This proves time travel exists!!!
Nothing of this earth is forever
Interesting to hear about the dimensions of Queen Anne's coffin because our house, parts of which date from that era, has doorways that are proportionally wider and lower than the usual ratio. I wonder if there is any connection?
So spooky. You’re very prolific, deacon! I loved the last one on More’s head.
Thanks for watching, glad you're enjoying my channel!
I’m hoping very soon to subscribe to the Antiquary.
Thank you Matthew, if you like the channel you are sure to enjoy it. It's more of the same in printed form.
@@allanbarton I finally subscribed to the Antiquary yesterday. Cant wait to get my first issue here in the USA.
It appears three vaults stand empty. Any thoughts on who may use them?
Is there a complete list of names of people who are buried in Westminster Abbey available to the public?
Another fascinating video. But why did the centuries old tradition of elaborate royal tombs with effigies cease after Elizabeth II and the one James I had built for his mother Mary Queen of Scots?
10:40 judging by this and the subsequent top down view it seems like this was a different sarcophagus altogether? Rectangular with rounded corners opposed to coffin shaped? Perhaps the first one was merely a wooden shell?
Royal or common, all becomes forgotten dust.
Hi Allan! How much more meaningful would be a visit to Westminster having seen but one of your presentations. Should I ever cross the Atlantic, I know who my guide should be. Blessings to you and your family.
And to you, thank you very much!
Pardon Sir, but I believe "Sofia" is pronounced "So-fee-uh" like "Sophia". Thank you for your content. Hope you have a wonderful day :)
Are conditions so damp in those vaults that the coffins are degrading that much?
Yes, the outer wooden cases have usually fallen to bits within 200 years leaving just the inner lead shell.
@@allanbarton Remarkable . If you compare this to - say - the Kaisergruft in Vienna or the former conditions in St. Denis Paris.
@@B-Blom Made more real by the fresh flowers placed on some caskets every day.
Too bad these vaults weren't confined to the burial of sovereigns and their spouses only, maybe plus any offspring that could have been included in the same niche as their parents.
I don't know why, but I find it interesting that that no two coffins are of the same size or shape in the vault. It's a minor detail, but still...
And I do agree with you in finding the desire of George II to mingle his "dust" with that of his wife oddly romantic.
Yes, and indeed he never remarried preferring to only have the occasional mistress
Perhaps the coffins are all different shapes and sizes because the people in them were?
Interesting comment. I had the pleasure of spending an hour inside Westminster Abbey last year on the day of the Platinum Jubilee whilst we waited for the flyover to begin. I was surprised to see that the floor marker for King George II - the last monarch to be interred at the Abbey - was so simple. The inscription on the black marble square was simply this: "K. George II." Given the pomposity of so many other monuments and tombs within the Abbey, I was surprised to see such a simple and humble marker for the last King of England to lead his troops into battle.
I find it romantic as well. They must have really loved each other. ❤️
@@OdeInWessex The images of the royal coffins are basic drawings, so I'm not certain they are to scale. However, Queen Anne's coffin appears much larger than the others, which one would expect given the fact that Anne had, how do we say this in a polite way...a rather ample frame at the time of her demise. Regardless, we must agree that Dr. Barton's CZcams channel is a delight, filled with esoteric facts and other juicy nuggets of British history. Indeed, it's my belief that Allen would be a great success as host of his own TV series.
How about a discussion on Prince Alemayehu
Why wasnt henry viii buried in the lady chapel ?
The stories that a small sample of DNA from each of those coffins would throw up…
Serious question - why can’t they re-enter some of these crypts to fully document them with modern technology, take photographs, etc?
Did Catherine of Braganza go back to Portugal?
You tube can pose about war and burial vaults but I get banned for saying the word “someone died” wtf…
I don't follow you.
I don't know why rich people want their remains to molder away in permanent storage rather than returning to the Earth as is natural.
I know, it is bizarre and more than a little creepy.
Yes, but it seems to be a very ancient compulsion. Look at what lengths the Pharaohs went! I think it's fascinating that British royalty had their viscera preserved in separate marked containers just like the Pharaohs yet this was before knowledge of the Egyptian practice became known Europe.
Were the deteriorating coffins repaired? I doubt they would want the bones to be exposed.
No they were not repaired - the vault was left as it was found. It is not usual for coffins to be repaired if buried in this sort of position.
A question: why is William III always named before Mary II? She was a queen regnant, and the throne was *her's*, not his. I understand that arrangements were made whereby she ceded power to him, but it feels weird that even today, to hear Mary mentioned as if she were a mere queen consort, not the woman who held the throne by birthright.
It is more complex than it appears. William wasn't just Mary's husband in this enterprise. He also had a strong claim to the throne too, his mother was Mary, the Princess Royal, daughter of Charles I. He could easily have come to the throne in his own right, he was next after Anne in the line of succession. So together as first cousins and joint sovereigns they had a strong claim to the throne, which bolstered up the success of the coup. It was of course quite unthinkable in this period that a married woman would take precedence over her husband. Interestingly, although they were both crowned side by side, it was Mary who sat in the replica of St Edward's chair, was though invested with replica sovereigns regalia she was crowned with Mary of Modena's Consort crown.
Thank you for such a quick and thoughtful reply! I perhaps should have started my comment with, "I know little about the later Stuarts, and yet I have Very Definite Feelings that a wrong has been done to Mary II!" I am enjoying your content very much, especially the fascinating discussions of royal burial rites and traditions.
0:15 Poor Queen Anne and her wide coffin, or rather, poor pallbearers with their sore shoulders 😂
Wonder if anyone knows the burial place of the three sons of The Duke of York from 1685 James 11; they all were Dukes of Cambridge died at 3/4 years and ,I think,35 days
Yes, they are all buried in the vault below Mary Queen of Scots monument.
@@allanbarton thank you so much
I imagine but someone can confirm for me that Charles the Third will probably be buried at Windsor eventually with Camilla.
Awesome!! Thanks. Queen Anne must have been a girthy gal.
You might be a bit girthy too if you had 17 children, and a number of miscarriages.
@@ericafors6039 touched a nerve huh
@@FetchTheSled Statement of medical facts, that is all…. Just 5 lbs weight gain per child is 85 lbs additional girth. Not to mention the medical stresses and challenges on the human body this number of pregnancies and births presents, such as prolapsed uterus.
Victoria suffered from uterine prolapse after just 9 children. England lost their Queen and heir to the throne when Charlotte and her baby died. Child birth is a very dangerous proposition that often ended in death, even so today. For Queen Anne to have survived 17 births, severe gout, and other medical challenges while still exercising her royal her duties is praiseworthy and estimable.
@@ericafors6039 No it isn't. You don't magically get 'girthy' from having a bunch of kids. Biology doesn't work that way
@Erica Fors my gran had 10 kids but wasn't exactly girthy
😁
I can't be the first to say this: has anyone suggested that the funeral effigy purported to be Elizabeth of York's might in fact be Anne of Bohemia's? I know there's another that's said to hers but I find Anne's gisant far more resembles the Elizabeth effigy than her own. There is after all predecent for mis-attributing funerary equipment and tombs. The head of Elizabeth I's Line of Kings figure is sometimes inaccurately described as a funeral effigy. Meanwhile, a tomb in Winchester long thought to belong to William Rufus is now widely considered to be the resting place of Henry of Blois. Surely someone else has suggested this.
I believe sufficient documentation exists to refute that theory. Also, as noted by Dr. Barton, Queen Eluzabeth of York's effigy is in the Renaissance style. Queen Anne's is late Gothic in style.
@@timhazeltine3256 Can you describe these identifiable differences of appearance, technique, or what have you between Gothic and Renaissance effigies?
Wait a minute... I am not familiar with the English royal family but.... You said "Henry he 6th, son of Henry the 8th" . ??????
I am afraid I need some explanation 🙂
CORRECTION: I am wrong... 😳
Did I? If so it was just a slip of the tongue as I read my script. I referred to Henry VII building the chapel and his son Henry VIII completing it. Also to Henry VI, whose intended shrine was to be in it.
He said Edward VI
@@smburr1 I did refer to Edward VI, the son of Henry VIII.
@@allanbarton
So I did NOT hear it correctly (I did rewind to confirm as soon as I heard it but needed a third listen to find my mistake) Well, Maybe you can make a video about the royal family tree 🙂
Maybe you allready have....
@@allanbarton
BTW, I am Dutch and not even very familiar with the Dutch royalties....
XXXX ❤👍💗
They should open up all those old tombs, they're an untouched archaeological treasure trove. DNA testing would lead to a few surprises as well, which I guess is also a reason they want to leave them alone.
My mother is not buried or in the same vicinity I think you're all liars
Interesting watch… deserves a like and comment FOR SURE…!!! 🖤🤍🖤
Another interesting video. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.