Page 4 Advertisements Column 3

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 13, 10 July 1911, Page 4

H. J. GILBERT SEEDSMAN FLORIST and FRUITERER **** ALL SEEDS THOROUGHLY TESTED BEFORE SELLING. COFFEE PALACE BUILDINGS, Deyon Street.

WESTMINSTER ABBEY. The historic abbey church in wnich King George and Queen "Mury wore crowned last, month is the most famous of all the great buildings that have withstood the ravages of time. The early history of Westminster Abhev is shrouded in obscurity. " The first church on Thorney Island was built by Sebert, the first Christian King of the East Saxons, but the name '"Westminster" probably icferred to an abbey which is believed to have been founded about 700, and refounded bv King Edgar. The exact date of the re-establishment of the abbey is not known; the only copy of Edgars charter that has been found being obviously inaccurate, but it was probably the year 071. This abbey was called West Minster to distinguish it from the older St. Paul's. Edward the Confessor lived chieflv at Westminster, and he rebuilt the church, which was consecrated in 1065. Tt is probable that TTarold was crowned there, and the story of the coronation of William the Conqueror in the building is well authenticated. Henry ITT. commenced building a new church, and the work was carried on by successive kings, but it was not completed until 1735, when the western towers were added. Tn "Westminster Abbey the crown has been placed upon the head of almost ail the rulers of the nation since the days of William I. The historic walls enclose the tombs of sixteen of the great British Sovereigns, the first being the tomb of Edward the Confessor and the last that, of' George IT. The five Sovereigns who Tiave followed George all lie in St. George's Chanel, Windsor, together with Ilejiry yfll. and Charlefs I. Edward the Confessor was buried within the church he