Rescuing a King’s Jewel House

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 27, 2 February 1937, Page 10

Rescuing a King’s Jewel House

One of the last acts of King Edward 111. in 1337—the year he died—was to acquire from the Abbey of Westminster a tower which became the King’s Jewel House. This tower is still perfectly preserved, but, being hidden by buildings on all sides, few people have ever set eyes upon it (says the Daily Telegraph). If, however, the proposed site for King George, V.’s memorial is cleared, this old building will again be visible—more so, in fact, than when it was shaded by the trees which grew in the Palace below it in mediaeval times. The tower, which is only three stories high, is shaped like an L. On its north side there is a projecting stair-turret, but the lower stairs have been removed, and a modern staircase inserted. The ground floor has a stone-vaulted roof has a stone-vaulted roof in perfect preservation. Just to the west to the Jewel House, in a canon’s garden, are some still more ancient remains, which very few people have seen. They comprise a wall, windows, and parts of columus which belong to tho Chapel of St. Katherine, built above 1150, as the chapel oS the Abbey Infirmary. Soon after this chapel was built it was the scene of a conflict between tho Archbishops of Canterbury and York, as to whom should sit on the righ hand of the papal legate at a meeting there. Cantcibury, being the first to arrive, took the coveted place, and York, finding him unwilling to move, sat in his lapl He was dragged off by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s attendants, and a free fight ensued, in which tho York party got the worst of it. The legate fled! An appeal to King Henry 11. was decided in favour of Canterbury.

Near by is another little-known building, the Infirmarer’s Hall, which is now part of a private house. Out of sight behind the great cloister is a portion of the-Abbey’s pantry, and the beautiful archway that connected it with-the refectory, or dining hall, is still perfectly preserved. How many have ever heard of the Chapel of St. Dunstan which adjoins the Abbey Museum on the east? It is now used as the school armoury. Originally it was probably a sort of domestic chapel of the monks, and adjoined their common-room. Although many of the numerous little-known parts of the Abbey cannot be opened to the public, the clearing of the memorial site will certainly reveal much that is of great interest, as well as new and beautiful views of the church.