Anne Boleyn Fascinating Fact!

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Fascinating Fact #12: Westminster Abbey had humble beginnings. In 960 AD the Bishop of London and twelve monks created a small church in which to come together and worship. This small church was to be known as Thorney Island as it was built along the banks of the Thames which at the time was a very isolated and marshy area. During the reign of King Edward the monks were given extra land and the King and monks began to build a stone church. The church was dedicated in December 1065 and became known as West Minster. It was named such to distinguish this church from St Paul’s Cathedral which was then known was East Minster. Unfortunately nothing remains of this stone church except for some of its foundations which rest below the present day Abbey. 

Entrance, side of the Nave and West Towers. (Photo by me).

Sources: Trowels, T 2007, Westminster Abbey A Short Tour, Scala Publishers, Northburgh House, London.