Westminster Abbey Museum facts for kids

The Westminster Abbey Museum was a special place located deep inside Westminster Abbey in London, England. It was in an old, arched room called an undercroft, which was once part of the monks' sleeping area. This part of the Abbey is very old, almost as old as the church itself, which was started by Edward the Confessor in 1065. The museum first opened its doors in 1908.

What Was Inside the Museum?

The museum held many interesting items, especially a unique collection of royal effigies. These were like life-sized models or statues of kings and queens, often made for their funerals.

Royal Effigies and Treasures

You could see the funeral saddle, helmet, and shield that belonged to King Henry V. There were also other amazing treasures. These included pieces of old medieval stained glass and parts of sculptures from the 1100s.

The museum also displayed the coronation chair used by Queen Mary II. Plus, there were copies of the Crown Jewels, which are the special items used when a new king or queen is crowned.

Famous Figures on Display

Many other royal effigies were on show. These included models of King Edward III, King Henry VII and his wife, Elizabeth of York. You could also see effigies of King Charles II, King William III, Queen Mary II, and Queen Anne.

The Ancient Westminster Retable

A very special item added to the museum was the Westminster Retable. This is a beautiful, old panel from the late 1200s. It is England's oldest altarpiece, which is a decorated artwork placed behind the main altar in a church. It was probably made for the Abbey's main altar. Even though it had been damaged over many centuries, experts carefully cleaned and fixed it.

Where Did the Museum Go?

The Westminster Abbey Museum closed its doors. Its exhibits were moved and replaced by the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries. These new galleries are located in a different part of the Abbey, high up in the triforium area of the main building.