First bibliography of all printed material concerned with Westminster Abbey, from parliamentary papers to guide books.
Westminster Abbey is one of the most significant ecclesiastical institutions in Britain and occupies a unique position in the life of Church and Nation. Founded as a Benedictine monastery c.960, it is the coronation church and a royal mausoleum, a place of worship and an architectural masterpiece, a national shrine whose collection of monumental sculpture is of international renown. The Abbey's history is inextricably linked with that of both Westminster School [governed directly by the Dean and Chapter of Westminster until 1868] and of St Margaret's church [built by the Westminster monks for the local community, and closely associated with the Abbey ever since].
Thisfully-indexed bibliography is the first of its kind dedicated to a major church, and is a fundamental contribution to the historiography of Westminster Abbey. It provides full bibliographical details of more than 3300 printed works, including parliamentary papers, editions of archival sources, guide books, theses, historical monographs and journal articles. Covering a huge range of subjects from art and architecture to poetry, sermons and Westminster School grammars, it is an indispensable reference work for anyone seeking to know more about this remarkable institution.