St Stephen's Chapel

St Stephen's Chapel was a chapel in the old Palace of Westminster. It was largely lost in the fire of 1834, but the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft in the crypt survived. St Stephen's porch and hall, of the new Palace of Westminster, were built in the same location, and are accessed via St Stephen's Entrance (the public entrance).

History

According to Cooke (1987), King Henry III witnessed the consecration of the Sainte Chapelle in Paris in 1248, and wished to construct a chapel in Westminster to rival it. Work continued for many years under Henry's successors, to be completed around 1297.

When the Palace of Westminster ceased to be a royal residence, St Stephen's Chapel became the debating chamber of the House of Commons. In subsequent centuries, various changes to the chapel's original gothic form were made by Sir Christopher Wren and others. The crypt below St Stephen's hall, the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft, is still used today. In particular children of Peers, who would usually possess the title Honourable (Hon), have the exclusive privilege of being able to use it as a wedding venue. In addition, MPs & Peers are legally able to use the chapel as a christening venue.

References

* Cooke, Sir Robert. (1987). The Palace of Westminster. London: Burton Skira.
* [http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/G11.pdf House of Commons Information Office. (2004). "The Palace of Westminster."]

External links

* [http://www.explore-parliament.net/nssMovies/11/1111/1111_.htm explore-parliament.net] - shows various views of the chapel, notably [http://www.explore-parliament.net/nssMovies/11/1111/1111_62.jpgthis image] .