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Abbey's Design Tied to Coronations
- Henry III designed the Abbey with features tailored to coronation ceremonies: long transepts, galleries, and Italian Cosmati pavement.
- The shrine of Edward the Confessor was central to the coronation rituals, symbolizing sanctity and royal legitimacy.
Reformation's Impact on Abbey Art
- During the Reformation, the Abbey's shrine of the Confessor was dismantled but the church itself survived.
- Original brightly colored exterior sculptures mostly vanished due to stone decay and historical destruction.
WWII Damage to Westminster Abbey
- Westminster Abbey escaped damage in the Great Fire of London but suffered partial roof collapse in WWII.
- Bombing in the war destroyed the central lantern area but spared most of the historic church.