Chapel of Henry VII., Westminster Abbeydetails

Beyond the Confessor’s Chapel, and beyond the imposing Chantry of Henry V., is Henry VII.’s splendid chapel, in the Perlendicular style, with a richly decorated ceiling of fan tracery, and lined with the ancient stalls of the Knights of the Bath, each under its pendent banner.

The view from this chapel, looking back, shows every phase of Gothic architecture, from Henry III. to Henry VII. “The eye,” said Washington Irving, “is astonished by the elaborate beauty of sculptured detail.” This magnificent monument, as the chapel may well be called, was build by Henry VII. to contain all the glory of his race. His tomb, with that of his wife, Elizabeth of York, is in the centre of the chapel, enclosed by tall railings. Just in front lies their grandson, Edward VI., “flower of the Tudor name,” in an altar-romb by Torregiano.” (p. 151)