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The Westminster Retable, 1259-69
Christianity in 10 objects
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Zoom in
Here you can see two figures from the feeding of the five thousand
Zoom in
Here you can see two figures from the feeding of the five thousand
Look Closer
Look at the orb. Which biblical story does it show?
Look Closer
Look at the orb. Which biblical story does it show?
See the Westminster Retable in real life
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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 and devotional prayers. 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 and paten 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 and became a saint. What do you think it means to be a saint?
Christianity in 10 objects
Prince William and Catherine Middleton marriage licence
Marvel at the beautifully inscribed marriage licence of Prince William and Catherine Middleton from 2011. Think about how this formal document represents the promise of marriage to each other and in the presence of God. Which words jump out at you?
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 who have been remembered and how they stood up for their faith. Do you have any idea who this might be?
Christianity in 10 objects
Lady Elizabeth and Joseph Nightingale monument maquette
Admire the sculpture which evolved into one of the most dramatic monuments within the Abbey. Discover how the monument changed when being designed and 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?
The biggest challenge we face is actually time – getting all our work done alongside the daily routine of the Abbey as a working church, visitor attraction and home to 1,000 years of history.
