‘Under the shadowe of the Church’? The Abbey and the town of Westminster 1530–1640

Westminster Abbey's transformation during the 16th and early 17th centuries was intricately linked to the profound changes in its surrounding town, particularly post-Reformation. The study reveals that the Abbey's role, organization, religious functions, and interior decoration underwent significant shifts, mirroring the broader societal transformations in Westminster. These included the rise of the royal court, London's urban expansion, and alterations in the town's population and social structure. The research highlights how the Abbey's dean and chapter actively sought to retain their secular power and influence amid these changes, shaping both the Abbey's development and its relationship with the evolving town. This study focuses on the interplay between the Abbey's environment and its institutional efforts to maintain prominence during a pivotal period of British history.

(Ed.). (2018). ‘Under the shadowe of the Church’? The Abbey and the town of Westminster 1530–1640. Westminster Abbey Reformed, 168–198. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315198248-15