Royal Peculiar facts for kids

A royal peculiar is a special Church of England church or parish. It is not controlled by the local bishop or diocese. Instead, it answers directly to the monarch (the King or Queen).

What is a Royal Peculiar?

Long ago, in Saxon times, many churches were built by lords on their own land. A "peculiar" church was one that did not have to follow the rules of the local bishop. There were many reasons for this. Sometimes, a church was controlled by a powerful church leader from another area. Other times, it was under the direct control of the monarch, another archbishop, or even a cathedral's leaders.

An archbishop's peculiar is controlled by an archbishop. A royal peculiar is controlled directly by the monarch.

Most of these special churches continued after the English Reformation (a big change in the church). However, most peculiars (except for royal ones) were later stopped in the 1800s. They then came under the control of their local diocese. A few non-royal peculiars still exist today. Most royal peculiars that are left are in London.

Royal Peculiars Today

In London

Westminster Abbey is a very famous royal peculiar.

• The Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster, usually called Westminster Abbey, is a very famous royal peculiar. It holds coronations and royal weddings.
• The Chapel Royal is not just one building. It is a group of priests and singers who serve the spiritual needs of the monarch. Even though these chapels are in London, the Bishop of London controls them as the Dean of the Chapel Royal, not as the local bishop.
  • The Chapel Royal at St James's Palace.
  • The Queen's Chapel, also at St James's Palace.
  • The Chapel Royal at Hampton Court.
  • The Chapel of St John the Evangelist inside the Tower of London.
  • The Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula also inside the Tower of London.
  • The Queen's Chapel of the Savoy is a private chapel for the monarch. It is the chapel for the Royal Victorian Order, a special group of people honored by the monarch.
• The Chapel of St Mary Undercroft is a chapel under the Palace of Westminster. It is managed by officials like the Lord Great Chamberlain.
• The Royal Foundation of St Katharine was started in 1147 by Queen Matilda. It was a religious community and hospital for sick people near the Tower of London.
• Temple Church

In Edinburgh

• Chapel Royal at Holyrood Palace.

In Cambridge

• The Church of St Edward, King and Martyr, Cambridge.

In Windsor

• St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, which is the chapel for the Order of the Garter, another special group honored by the monarch.
• Royal Chapel of All Saints (located in the grounds of the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park).

Former Royal Peculiars

Many churches used to be royal peculiars but are not anymore. Here are a few examples:

• St Michael's Collegiate Church in Penkridge (until 1548).
• Holy Trinity, Minories, London (until 1730).
• Wimborne Minster (until 1846).
• St Peter's Collegiate Church, Wolverhampton (until 1846).
• Dorchester Abbey (until 1837).

Non-Royal Peculiars

Some churches are still "peculiars" but are not controlled by the monarch. They are controlled by other church leaders or groups. Here are some examples:

• St Mary-le-Bow, City of London.
• The Parish of Hawarden, Wales.
• Charterhouse chapel, London.
• The Peculiar of Masham, North Yorkshire.
• Christ Church, Oxford.
• All college chapels at the University of Oxford.
• Chapels of the Inns of Court (legal societies in London), such as Lincoln's Inn Chapel and Gray's Inn Chapel.

See also

In Spanish: Royal Peculiar para niños