. The history and antiquities of London, Westminster, Southwark, and parts adjacent. volved much of its earliest history in obscurity. The furorof two state ecclesiastical reformations has lessened the evidence ofits former magnificence, by ravaging its archives, and committingto the flames, as records of popery, many documents which arenow required hi the elucidation of its history. This city, as above noticed, received its name from the abbey, orminster, situated to the westward of the city of London, which, accord-ing to several historians, was thus denominated, to distinguish it fromthe ab
. The history and antiquities of London, Westminster, Southwark, and parts adjacent. volved much of its earliest history in obscurity. The furorof two state ecclesiastical reformations has lessened the evidence ofits former magnificence, by ravaging its archives, and committingto the flames, as records of popery, many documents which arenow required hi the elucidation of its history. This city, as above noticed, received its name from the abbey, orminster, situated to the westward of the city of London, which, accord-ing to several historians, was thus denominated, to distinguish it fromthe abbey of Grace on Tower-hill, called Eastminster; but Mr. Mait-land proves this to be a mistake, by showing that the former iscalled Westminster, in an undated charter of sanctuary, granted byEdward the Confessor, who died in 1066, and that the latter wasnot founded till 1359 ; he therefore supposes, that the appellationof Westminster was given to distinguish it from St. Pauls church,in the city of London. In ancient times, this was a mean, unhealthy place, remark- VOL* IV. B r \C\. THE HISTORY OF LONDON, From hence we may that antique pile behold Where royal headsreceive the sacred gold: It gives tliem crowns, and does their ashes keep. There made tike Gods, like mortals there may sleep; Making the circle ni tlieir reign complete. Those sons of Empire, where they rise they set. Waller. CHAPTER I. Site, local divisions, and government of the City of Westminster;history of the Abbey; Coronation Ceremonies ; and lists of theAbbots and Deans. The history of Westminster is involved in that of the venerableabbey from which it derives its name. To the zeal and taste ofEnglish monachism, are we indebted for some of the finest remainsof pointed architecture, and one of the most ancient and interestingedifices in Europe ; but, unfortunately, like all other similar relicsof the piety, taste, and skill of our forefathers prior to the Refor-mation, the iconoclastic zeal and mistaken policy o
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