Address given at the Tower of London on 16th June, 2000. Featured in The Friends of Rochester Cathedral Annual Report for 2000-2001.

We are in the oldest Norman church in this country - the Chapel Royal of St. John the Evangelist. You are here because its architect was Gundulph, Bishop of Rochester, born in 1024 in France. He made a pilgrimage with William, Archdeacon of Rouen, to Jerusalem, where it is said that he was influenced by Saracenic architecture. He became a monk of Bec and followed Lanfranc to Caen and then England. He was made Bishop of Rochester in 1077 and remained such until he died in 1108. This building was started in 1078, to the north of a motte and bailey, which was just above the end of the Roman Wall that surrounded what is effectively the City of London. The lighter stone is from Caen, the darker stone is Quarr from the Isle of Wight.

This Tower commanded the first crossing of the Thames at London Bridge, and dominated the area. It said that the Normans were in total control.

The first King to live here was Stephen, and then until Queen Elizabeth I this was very much a royal residence. It offered serenity - and prestige. This chapel became a Royal Chapel, but of course, when the King went on progress a chaplain would go with him. Where we are - and notice the huge size of this building in relationship to the rest of the Tower, was the level that held Knights and Soldiers. The floor above held the Royal Family.

In its long history much has happened in this place. We can surmise that notable prisoners would have worshipped here, including John de Balliol, King of the Scots, in 1296. 50 years later David Bruce was imprisoned here and a year later John de Vienne and the twelve burghers of Calais. From 1356 for 5 years, after being captured by the Black Prince, King John of France and his son Philip were here as was Charles, Duc d'Orleans (afterwards Charles IV of France) who was captured at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 and was to remain Here for 25 years.

Wat Tyler rebellion

lebels reached t

Canterbury and Lord Chancellor, with 1 others,

mon Sudbury, Archbishen it and decapitated them on Tower here. The body of Henry VI lay here in Wakefield Tower in 1471. In 1503 the body at

, wite of Henry VIl, mother as 800 lighted candles. Her face is waft sack of playing cards. Mary Tudor wert Spain, with Count Egmont acting for

subsequently married in Winchester Cathedral. Before that worshipped here during the nine days she spent here as

unt rowned Queen. Queen Elizabeth received the sacraments here at the behest of Oueen Mary.

But Elizabeth I did not like the Tower

Traitors' gate and survives

gaving come through

live here nor has any member?si

Sudbury, Archbishonel

and decapitated them on Town he body of Henry Vi lay here in in 1471. In 1503 the body ed aces, wife of Henry Vil, mother id ichted candles. Her face is well of playing cards. Mary Tudor wert

Spain, with Count Egmont acting for

were subsequen married in Winchester Cathedral, Before that

Lad lane Grey worshipped here during the nine days she spent here as une rowned Queen. Queen Elizabeth received the sacraments here at the behest of Queen Mary,

But Elizabeth I did not like the Tower - she hated it - having come through Thaitors' gate and survived. She did not live here nor has any member of the Roval Family since. Nevertheless it remains a Royal Palace and Fortress.

At the Restoration, by Order in Council, this place ceased to be a chapel, it became a storehouse for records, and so it remained until 1857, when it was almost taken over by the Army Clothing Department. Queen Victoria, mercifully, thought otherwise. It went back to being used as a Chapel.

Today it fits into the normal pattern of worship for the two Tower Chapels. On the first Sunday of every month the 9.15am service of Holy Communion is celebrated here, as are Evensongs throughout the summer months, except August. On Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and All Saints Day we have a 7pm Communion here - always with the 12 strong adult choir. They think that they are the best in London - I think the girls are the most attractive of any choir.

The Dean of the Chapels Royal, who is the Bishop of London, always takes the Maundy Thursday service. All our services were held here for the first Sunday of the new millennium and on 11th October last year we commemorated the coronation of Henry IV in 1399, or rather the founding of the Order of the Bath.

This ceremony continued until James I1, then there was a gap and the Order was restored by George I in 1725.

And finally - a story about the Queen's visit here in November 2 years ago (having arrived somewhat out of breath asks . . .) "Who worships here?" _ "Only the very fit Your Majesty".

And so, if you want to worship at any of our services in either Chapel, simply come about 15 minutes before the service is due to start - and it will cost you nothing. 'Zeal for thy house' This is the hallmark of this place. For centuries it has been necessary to remind men - at the highest level, of the paramountcy of God. This place does that, Thank you Gundulph

Paul Abram

Resident chaplain of the Chapels Royal of the Tower of London

Officers and Member of Council

The Officers and men!

here for 25 vears rebels reached this

Canterbury and Lord

Hill a the first of many state after his munder

Queen Elizabeth, Henry Vitt, lav here in knowii as the Dueen or through a brox marriage Philip. They were subsequen

Lady lane Grey worshipped uncrowned Queen. Oueen

Wat Tyler rebellion in 1181 ion Sudbury, Archbishes it and decapitated them on tower

The body of Henry VI lay here in in 1471. in 1503 the body ad wife of Henry VII, mother if ted candles. Her face is well playing cards. Mary Tudor wer with Count Egmont acting for n Winchester Cathedral, Before #har the nine days she spent here as received the sacraments here at the behest

of Queen Mary.

But Elizabeth I did not like the Tower - she hated it - having come through Traitors' gate and survived. She did not live here nor has any member of the Roval Family since. Nevertheless it remains a Royal Palace and Fortress.

At the Restoration, by Order in Council, this place ceased to be a chapel. it became a storehouse for records, and so it remained until 1857, when it was almost taken over by the Army Clothing Department. Queen Victoria, mercifully, thought otherwise. It went back to being used as a Chapel.

The Dean of the Chapels Royal, who is the Bishop of London, always takes the Maundy Thursday service. All our services were held here for the first Sunday of the new millennium and on 11th October last year we commemorated the coronation of Henry I in 1399, or rather the founding of the Order of the Bath, This ceremony continued until James I1, then there was a gap and the Order was restored by George I in 1725.

And finally - a story about the Queen's visit here in November 2 years ago: (having arrived somewhat out of breath asks . . .) "Who worships here?" _ "Only the very fit Your Majesty".

Paul Abram

Resident chaplain of the Chapels Royal of the Tower of London

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