Westminster

Name: Westminster
Author: Walter Besant

By Walter Besant

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History - British History - Religious

About This Book

A collection of illustrated essays traces the precinct around the Abbey and royal palace from marshy beginnings to a complex urban borough. It describes ecclesiastical and courtly institutions, the Abbey’s services, monastic life, sanctuary rights, and the vanished palaces and ceremonial functions held there. The author examines why civic institutions did not develop, the area’s trades and printers, the layout of streets and households, and the monuments and architecture that mark social and political life. Several chapters reconstruct buildings and customs, blending antiquarian research with observations of streets, people, and ceremonial rites.

About the Author

Walter Besant

Walter Besant was a British novelist and historian, known for his vivid portrayals of London and its social conditions. His works often explore themes of social reform and the lives of the working class. Among his notable titles is "All Sorts and Conditions of Men: An Impossible Story," which critiques the disparities of Victorian society. Besant's writing is characterized by a blend of fiction and social commentary, making significant contributions to the literary heritage of the late 19th century. He was also involved in various philanthropic efforts and was a prominent figure in the promotion of literature and the arts.