Guide to the Muniments of Westminster Abbey Available to Purchase

Westminster Abbey is a Peculiar place. Literally and legally; the Benedictine monastery founded by St Dunstan in the tenth century was granted, in 1222, direct jurisdiction by the Pope rather than the Bishop of London and the Archbishop of Canterbury. At the Reformation the church became a Royal Peculiar by Acts of Parliament. Documents like the papal charter and the acts, together with other deeds, leases and charters, are called Muniments, because they are used to defend the right of ownership or action. The Abbey Muniments have been kept in a specific room, possibly purpose built above the east cloister...