Henry VII Lady Chapel | A late-medieval Tudor masterpiece

What is the Henry VII Lady Chapel?

Like other chapels built in honor of the Virgin Mary in the 13th century, this chapel was also dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and hence called the Lady Chapel.

Described as 'the miracle of the world' by 16th-century historian John Leland, the Henry VII Lady Chapel is better known as the Henry VII Chapel or Lady Chapel. Situated in the far eastern end of Westminster Abbey, this is also the burial place of 15 kings and queens. History and architecture buffs visit from near and far to marvel at its gorgeous interiors - the unique pendant-style fan vaulted ceiling and high stained glass windows.

Henry VII Chapel at Westminster Abbey in London was built in 1503 at the request of Henry VII, England's first Tudor Monarch for a huge, bank-breaking sum of £14,000. Interestingly though, the Henry VII Chapel was intended to be a shrine to Henry's half-uncle, Henry VI who was tragically murdered. Ironically enough, it went on to actually become the tomb of Henry VII and his wife after their passing.

Quick facts about the Henry VII Chapel

• Official name: Henry VII Lady Chapel
• Address: Westminster Abbey, 20 Dean's Yard, London, SW1P 3PA
• Year of opening: 1516
• Timings: 9:30am to 3:30pm from Monday to Friday and 9am to 3pm on Saturday
• Architects: William Vertue and Robert Vertue
• Architectural style: Tudor architecture and Perpendicular Gothic architecture
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: 1987
• Number of visitors per year: Over 1.6 million visitors
• Function: Chapel

Brief history of the Lady Chapel

• Built between 1503 and 1516, the Henry VII Chapel was paid for by the will of King Henry VII. Henry VII Chapel was essentially an homage to and a keepsake of the Tudor dynasty.
• The spectacular chapel was built as the resting place for Henry VI who was expected to be canonised. This was actually a plot by Henry VII to secure his throne as king that ultimately failed. The canonization did not occur and the tomb intended for Henry VI became the resting place for King Henry VII and his wife.
• Henry VII Chapel was also an attempt to replace the older, simpler structures dedicated to the Virgin Mary with a much more grand and elaborate chapel.
• The chapel was also envisioned to be a mausoleum for England's royalty, a religious legacy for King Henry VII, his family and his heirs. Through the years though, several people not of royal descent were buried here. They were, however, disinterred after restoration.