The Abbey is a remarkable sight, particularly for the stunning architecture spanning 800 years of construction. Far more than St Paul's Cathedral in the City, Westminster is absolutely littered with monuments and memorials. Tombs in St Paul's are confined mostly to the crypt beneath the Cathedral, whereas those residing in Westminster occupy a great deal of floor space in the Abbey itself. Among the noteworthy are Edward I (Longshanks), who did his best to conquer Scotland in the late 13th cent and whose tomb is surprisingly simple; Mary I (Bloody Mary) and Elizabeth I, sisters who share the same memorial; Mary I (Queen of Scots); and Oliver Cromwell. Poets corner, which displays a great many memorials devoted to Britain's many literary giants, including Shakespeare, Tennison, Keats, Carroll, Shelly, and Dickens, is also quite a sight.
Parliament is a spectacular building as well, though I didn't venture inside. I'd like to save that for a day when their in session, which isn't until mid-July, I think. I did, however, witness a woman walk up to the gates and shout at Blair (who wasn't to be seen and probably is in another country at the moment) at the top of her lungs, calling him a killer with blood on his hands. Ah, democracy, so good at bringing out our best and worst.
I happened past Buckingham Palace too. The queen was home, but I didn't see her. She did have a band playing just inside the front gate. That was cool, but you'd think she could afford an iPod and cut down the racket.
Once I got home I looked up a few people in British history that I knew were important but couldn't remember why. I happened across the list of the "100 Greatest Britons," a survey done by the BBC in 2002. Probably there's some kind of cultural thing that keeps me from seeing it, but what kind of people place Princess Diana 3rd on the all-time list of greatest national heroes - ahead of Shakespeare, Newton, and Lord Nelson, whose myriad monuments are almost more prevalent than Union Jacks in the city? Actually, this is probably the same reason why Queen Elizabeth II (the current monarch) is simultaneously 24th on the 100 greatest list and 10th on the 100 worst list.
By the way, after commenting the other day about how unattractive the City appeared, Westminster is much more attractive and looks as an old world city ought, at least in my mind. I'm told that this is because much of the City had been destroyed by fire in the 1600's and then by the air raids during WW2. So, my apologies, London. You're growing on me.
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