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Marriage licence of HRH Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton, 2011
Christianity in 10 objects
This very traditional looking document was only made in 2011. It is the marriage licence that was created for Prince William and Catherine Middleton, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, giving them permission to get married in Westminster Abbey. This was the most recent royal wedding at the Abbey, but the first recorded royal wedding happened over 900 years ago. Usually marriage licences are plain documents, but this licence for the royal wedding has a beautiful illuminated floral border.
Big picture
What makes this document look important?
Big picture
What makes this document look important?
This document was created for William and Catherine’s special day, so why can we see Rowan Douglas in large letters? At the time, Dr Rowan Douglas Williams was the Archbishop of Canterbury, the most important bishop in the Church of England, and he was asked to issue the licence by the Queen. As this was a royal wedding, and Prince William is the Queen’s grandson, the Queen had to give her permission. Can you spot the reference to Queen Elizabeth II?
Chronicles from an Abbey corbel
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Whether a royal wedding or not, marriage in a Christian church is a promise in the presence of God, to be with the one person you love for the rest of your lives. Many churches believe marriage is a sacrament, a particularly special sign of God’s love. Christianity teaches that a married couple should love and support each other in good times and bad. You might have heard some of the Christian wedding vows, including “for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health”. Written for the wedding day, the licence is an official document and it represents the very beginning of a Christian marriage.
Look closer
Describe what is happening in this scene from the New Testament.
Look closer
Describe what is happening in this scene from the New Testament.
See the objects in real life
Visit the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries to see Prince William and Catherine Middleton's marriage licence, and many more objects, in real life. High above the Abbey floor, come face to face with the Abbey’s greatest treasures covering over 1,000 years of faith and history. Along with worship, examine objects that teach us about the building of Westminster Abbey, its role in national memory and its relationship with royalty.
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Christianity in 10 objects
Fragments of stained glass
Gaze at the fragments of broken glass that give us a look into the world of medieval glass work. Combining artistic and engineering skill, explore the role of stained-glass windows historically at Westminster Abbey. Which pieces catch your eye?
Christianity in 10 objects
Column Capital
Stop to admire the storytelling stone work with these carved column capitals. As just one example of church architecture, discover how every aspect of a church is designed specifically to help Christians worship God. What can you see in the scene?
Christianity in 10 objects
The Litlyngton Missal
Explore the richly decorated pages of one of the largest surviving English medieval manuscripts. Illuminations made from coloured ink and gold leaf surround instructional text about celebrating Mass. How many different colours can you see?
Christianity in 10 objects
Modern Christian martyr maquette
Discover how this small maquette turns into a magnificent life-sized statue. Find out about the lives of some of the ten modern Christian martyrs. Why are they important?
Christianity in 10 objects
Nightingale monument maquette
Admire the sculpture which evolved into one of the most dramatic monuments in the Abbey and explore why memorials of people who have died are important to Christians. What do you think is happening?
Christianity in 10 objects
The Liber Regalis
Become an expert in coronation ceremonies with help from this elaborate manual, the Liber Regalis. Uncover how it has informed this Christian service, always held in the Abbey, over hundreds of years. What do you think happens at a coronation?
Christianity in 10 objects
The Westminster Retable
Examine the remains of England's oldest surviving altarpiece. Made up of painted panels of recognisable Christian characters and snapshots of Biblical stories next to empty spaces and lost stories. Can you imagine what it would have looked like?
Christianity in 10 objects
Prayer book of Lady Margaret Beaufort
Delve into the pages of this 500-year-old private book, packed full of beautiful illustrations. Find out about it's very important owner, a woman who was one of the founders of the new Tudor dynasty. Can you spot the clues?
Christianity in 10 objects
St Edward the Confessor chalice
Look closer at this chalice used during Holy Communion to see the gold figure of St Edward the Confessor. Uncover the life and legacy of the king who founded Westminster Abbey. What do you think it means to be a saint?
It’s a privilege to live and work here – the Abbey really is the heart of the country and its history.
