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Poet’s Corner: Their final chapter in Westminster Abbey

Published on March 28, 2025April 10, 2025 by Rita MLeave a comment

Is Westminster Abbey just a church to you? Or simply a must-visit in London?

Let me tell you, it’s far more than that.

Apart from being one of the most famous and historically significant churches in England, this thousand-year-old abbey is a perfect blend of history and mystery. It’s where Queen Victoria’s coronation took place, and for hundreds of years, the kings and queens of England have been crowned beneath its grand vaulted ceilings.

It’s the coronation church of England…. linked to the heart of the British Monarchy.

But is that all? Of course not.

Westminster Abbey is also a living monument to Britain’s literary past. Yes, the Abbey has a special corner. The Poet’s Corner.

Tucked away in the South Transept of Westminster Abbey, just a stone’s throw from the main altar…there it lies. Don’t worry, it’s not hard to find at all…after all, it is filled with tombs and memorials.

I agree, the corner isn’t that large… but none can deny the amount of cultural and literary significance it holds.

It\’s not every day we get to feel the presence of literary legends like Chaucer, Dickens, Austen, and Wordsworth beyond the pages of books. So when you get the chance, why miss it?

How did it all begin?

Do you know…the tradition of honoring writers in Westminster Abbey actually began by accident?

Yes, it started with the burial of Geoffrey Chaucer, father of English Literature and poetry. Back then, Westminster Abbey served as the final resting place for monarchs, noble families, and high-ranking clergy rather than poets and writers.

So, why did they make an exception for Chaucer? Well, they didn’t.

The very first poet to be buried here wasn’t given the honor because of his literary brilliance, but because of his government position. He worked as Clerk of the King’s Works and happened to live within the Abbey precincts. Therefore, when he died in 1400, it was convenient to bury him near Westminster Abbey. His grave was completely unmarked at first… until 150 years later, a fellow poet, Nicholas Brigham commissioned an ornate tomb for Chaucer in the South Transept.

This sparked a trend…

In a way, the posthumous recognition of Chaucer as the \”Father of English Poetry\” turned his grave into the foundation of Poets’ Corner. From then on, the practice of honoring poets, playwrights, and writers here continued. Some were buried in the Abbey itself, while others were granted commemorative plaques.

Today, Poet’s Corner stands as a reason to visit Westminster Abbey.

So, who are buried under the Abbey?

There are over 100 individuals memorialized in Poets’ Corner, but only about 50 are actually buried there. The rest have plaques or statues in their honour but interred elsewhere.

Though the tradition of Poet’s Corner started with Chaucer…the next literary burial came more than a century later in 1599. It was Edmund Spenser, the man behind The Faerie Queene.

You know, some say that his unpublished works still rest beneath the stone sealed away forever.

Legend has it… mourning poets of the time gathered around his tomb, slipping their own verses into his grave as an offering.

What an eerie offering! I just hope none of them got a reply from the grave.

Anyway, the tradition went on…

In 1637, Playwright and poet Ben Jonson was laid to rest here. Then, in 1700, came dramatic opera writer John Dryden…in 1721, it was British poet and diplomat Matthew Prior\’s turn…in 1784, the creator of the first comprehensive English dictionary, Dr. Samuel Johnson, joined them. And so, it continued.

You know, in 1870 when English novelist Charles Dickens died, all he wanted was a quiet burial. But, it was the public demand that brought him to this Poet’s corner.

And in case of Thomas Hardy in 1928, his ashes were interred here…but his heart is buried in Dorset.

Other than them, today, you can also see the burials of Rudyard Kipling, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Robert Browning along with many others including actors and historians who have also found their final resting place within Poet’s Corner.

Where’s Shakespeare?

Ah, sorry to disappoint you, but the most famous writer in the English language is not buried here. Instead, he rests far away from this abbey…beneath the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Why so?

Well, it’s because of the time when he died.

In 1616, Poet’s Corner wasn’t yet an established tradition for literary burials. It didn’t fully take shape until the 18th century. At the time, Westminster Abbey was still a place for royalty, noblemen, and high-ranking clergy, not playwrights. And, back then Shakespeare was still seen as a respected playwright and wealthy businessman.

By the time, literary burial in Abbey became a tradition, it was too late… Shakespeare had been resting in Stratford for over 100 years and moving his remains would have been considered disrespectful. Also, come on?

So, Shakespeare remains in his hometown Stratford-upon-Avon…

But, Shakespeare was too important to be left out entirely. In 1740, over 120 years after his death, a large statue of Shakespeare was added in Poets’ Corner in honor of his contributions to English literature. This marble statue shows Shakespeare leaning on a pile of books, with an inscription taken from The Tempest:

“The cloud-capp’d towers, the gorgeous palaces,

The solemn temples, the great globe itself,

Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve”

So, you can say…

Even in death, Shakespeare remains uniquely untouchable. His body in Stratford, his words in Westminster, and his legacy everywhere.

Who else has memorials but no burials?

Let me break the news upfront…. Just like Shakespeare…Jane Austen, Lord Byron, John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, T.S. Eliot, Ted Hughes, and Philip Larkin are not there.

In the Poet’s Corner, these literary figures have only been memorialized.

Jane Austen did not achieve widespread fame during her lifetime when she died in 1817. Her novels including Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility gained immense popularity long after her death.

But, the rebellious Romantic poet Bryon was denied burial in Westminster Abbey when he died in 1824. I believe it is due to his controversial reputation and life of scandal…Actually, Byron never cared for the rules of society, and even in death, it took 145 years for Westminster Abbey to welcome him….

145 years, can you believe it? Long enough for Bryon to be reborn twice!

Now, it seems his epitaph rightly states,

“But there is that within me which shall tire,

Torture and time, and breathe when I expire.”

But, what about Keats and P.B.Shelly?

Well, these two Romantic poets died young and far from England. Keats died of tuberculosis at just 25 years old in Rome and Shelley drowned in a shipwreck off the coast of Italy at 29 years old.

Even though they rest beneath the Italian sun, the poet’s corner has brought them close to the heart of England.

It’s possible that you won’t find your favorite writer or artist here, but let me tell you, the tradition of memorializing great writers in Poets’ Corner continues even to this day.

And, it means that literature’s always been an evolving legacy.

What they rarely talk about

Ever heard about Ben Jonson? This famous English dramatist was buried standing up due to lack of space. Maybe, that’s why on his tombstone…one can find “O Rare Ben Jonson\”

And, who knows…maybe for this reason, some visitors claim to have seen a shadowy figure near Jonson’s burial site.

Is it possible that his restless spirit is still looking for a better resting spot?

Let me tell you, the graves of Dickens and Chaucer aren’t any less haunted…as per rumors. It is believed by many that on every death anniversary, Charles Dickens comes to visit his tomb, and close to Chaucer’s it feels as if someone is reciting lines from The Canterbury Tales.

Of course, the Abbey officially denies these stories, but let’s be honest…would they really admit it if the poets were still hanging around? But, what couldn’t be denied so easily were those rumors about unexplained chills near certain graves.

So, it’s true that when you are in that poet’s corner you will feel these literary elites’ presence in one way or another.

And before I leave…

You already know Westminster Abbey is famous for royal burials…there are not just any royal, monarchs as in kings and queens are buried under this abbey.

The first royal burial in the Abbey started in 1066 with Edward the Confessor and continued till James VI & I in 1625. In the graves, you can find Elizabeth I, Mary, Queen of Scots, Henry III, Edward I…and many significant historical figures.

Beyond the royals, there’s a scientist’s corner as well…where you can find Sir Isaac Newton, right next to him there are Charles Darwin and Stephen Hawking.

When you leave Poet’s Corner you will realize that even in death poets are alongside scientists, politicians, and respected royals. As they were in life.

So, try not to miss them while in Abbey.

If you need more convincing…I am there for that. Always. Simply, keep an eye out for my upcoming blogs.

That Green Bridge of London: Story of Westminster Bridge

Published on March 17, 2025April 10, 2025 by Rita MLeave a comment

If you think of London, I know the first thing that comes to your mind is Big Ben. But what comes next? Obviously, the thing that catches your eye, right?

The Westminster Bridge, of course.

That spooky green bridge stretching across the River Thames allows you a stunning view of Big Ben and the London Eye in the distance. And hardly anyone would believe you if you say…you didn’t fantasize about taking a classic Instagram-worthy photo on this bridge keeping Big Ben in the backdrop. Seeing those Uber boats gliding under the bridge, I bet everyone will wish they were on one of them.

And just like that, this bridge clears up your mind on where to go next… London eye? South bank walk? Or a cruise on the River Thames.

But, yes…when my turn came…instead of choosing anything else, I decided to spend a little longer on the bridge. Why?

Well, the bridge struck me differently than any other landmark in London.

Of course, it was the perfect place for sunrise and sunset photography, but I was more intrigued by how the bridge has been breathing over the centuries or what it has witnessed. I felt something different standing there…and that’s why my curiosity led me to do more research on this landmark…and hence, coming up with this blog.

I know, many out there would argue that years of hype around Big Ben has made westminster bridge england really famous. Is that really the case?

To answer this question let me take you back to November 1750.

A Bridge Born to unite London

Yes, the story of Westminster Bridge begins in the early 18th century. It’s that old…probably older than your great-grandfather’s grandfather.

Back then, the only way to cross the Thames in central London was via the medieval London Bridge, which was miles away. With time, the growing population and commercial activity in Westminster made it clear that the city needed a new passage over the river. But, of course, not everyone was thrilled by the idea. The watermen who ferried passengers across the river didn’t like any such proposition …. they feared losing business of course and therefore, put up a strong resistance delaying the bridge’s construction for years.

But, fate had other plans…South Bank wasn’t supposed to stay lonely forever. Hence, after many heated arguments over tea, the construction of Westminster Bridge finally began in 1739. And, after 11 years, in 1750 the bridge was ready opening up access to the South Bank of London.

However, with the turn of the century, it needed something more than a renovation….a complete rebirth. This time, with the help of Victorian Engineering from the architectural masterminds of then London…the westminster bridge design had seven graceful arches and a cast-iron structure which made the bridge stand the test of time for several centuries. For a finishing touch, the bridge chose a striking green hue for itself…perhaps, deciding to be just as iconic as its famous neighbor big ben.

… and it was ready.

Strategic Importance of the Bridge

Well, it was not just a crossing for tourists seeking the best view of majestic Big Ben or the House of Parliament’s sunset on the River Thames. The bridge was born to play crucial roles in the history of London.

It physically linked Westminster—the political heart of the United Kingdom—to the bustling london south bank. In the last 300 years, this bridge has witnessed countless royal possessions, farewells, revolutions, and reconciliations. During World War II, the bridge stood unshaken through the Blitz.

In 1953 during the coronation, Queen Elizabeth II along with the Duke of Edinburgh crossed the bridge in the grand Gold State Coach waving to the cheering crowds lining the streets. Then again in 1977, Westminster Bridge once again took center stage in the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Queen’s reign.

Looks like, the bridge has a soft spot for the British Royal family.

Not only this, once upon a time, William Wordsworth famously stood on Westminster Bridge and the bridge didn’t fail to inspire him to write his sonnet. Even today, artists come to the bridge, set their easels, and try their best to capture the beauty of Big Ben in its sunset glow.

And what about tourists?

Do you think tourists love this bridge just because it gives a perfect shot? Well, no. There’s more to it.

I know, you have guessed it.

Westminster Bridge is a gateway. Cross it, and suddenly, the entire South Bank is at your feet. There, greeting the South Bank Lion, tourists can stroll along the Queen’s Walk… where they pause for a while…unable to choose whether to pop into the London Dungeon or visit the SEA LIFE Aquarium.

But, finally, they decide to hop on the London Eye… eager to see the city from above. They love the view of the Golden Big Ben, Parliament House, and of course the green Westminster Bridge in the backdrop of blue London Sky.

Believe it or not, a bridge like this can set the mood for tourists.

Next time, when you are there…I would ask you to take a moment’s pause, forget about the next stop, and soak in the vibe of London from Westminster Bridge. Lean against those green railings and watch the birds fly past this bridge. As you spend some time watching that small white flight flying above Big Ben, a red double-decker bus might roll by or a cruise boat may glide under the bridge beneath you.

But despite those sounds of hurried footsteps around you, you will find a strange sense of calm…just like other thousands of people who choose to walk on this bridge every day.

But…other than all these, you may be feeling something else as well, especially after sunset or before sunrise.

Legends that linger

Being the oldest of its kind, Westminster Bridge has its fair share of myths and eerie tales as well.

Let’s start with the less spooky ones.

It’s known to many that the green color of the bridge was chosen to match the benches in the House of Commons. But, conspiracy theorists argue that the shade was chosen based on an ancient Celtic tradition, where green symbolized protection from malevolent spirits.

Do you think those Victorians knew something that they didn’t bother to tell us?

I don’t know whether there’s any spiritual motive behind choosing the color…but yeah, I must say that it was a very wise decision to add a green bridge to London’s aesthetic.

Anyway, let’s move on to other interesting facts.

Do you know…many say that the mood of the bridge is different during times of national crisis and great celebration? Yes, they even claim to feel it in the air while walking on it.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to feel anything of this sort while I was there.

But from Londoners, I heard something else…some old legends, which sent a shiver down my spine. The bridge was spookier than I could imagine.

There are some legends they strongly believe and locals say there are real witnesses.

Have you heard about the infamous serial killer Jack the Ripper? Well, the legend is about him. Many believe that he threw himself into the Thames from westminster bridge england. On foggy nights, as the clock nears midnight, some claim to have seen him in a shadowy form lurking on the bridge.

I can simply wonder how the ghost of such an infamous serial killer can be if those people are telling the truth…Someone, please tell me that the story is made up to scare people only.

The next one’s quite sad though. It’s the tale of the weeping woman. Many talk about her appearing sometimes at the bridge’s edge in those old Victorian attire. She sobs inconsolably and when anyone approaches her…she throws herself into the River Thames disappearing before hitting the water. Some say she was a heartbroken lover who ended her life at the bridge, while others believe she is trapped in an endless loop repeating her final moments again and again. But, I am yet to reveal the most terrifying part of the tale…she whispers something, that no one could understand ever.

I remember when I first heard about this legend…Of course, I won’t admit that I was scared. But, it was really difficult for me that night to keep the lights off.

You know, there’s more of such stories. Let me tell you another.

There’s the tale of a Headless monk who appears on the bridge at midnight and vanishes into thin air in a twinkle of an eye. But, it is widely believed that his appearance is only a premonition of an impending disaster for the city.

Well, I have just told you a few…there’re still more. Many more.

But, there’s no concrete evidence behind these tales. These are just part of urban legends I believe.

Anyway, don’t worry at all…none of the ghostly activities (even from those legends) start before midnight. So, as long as you catch the last bus or the tube, you’ll leave Westminster Bridge with nothing but beautiful memories. After all, there are much better things to do in London at night.

And lastly…whether you come to Westminster Bridge for views, history or simply to chase the ghosts, one thing is sure….this iconic bridge will leave an impression on you.

And on that note, I’ll wrap up here today. Stay tuned for my next London Blog!

Cheerio!