Reading Abbey

Important Visitors: Henry and Heraclius

If when standing in the ruins of the south transept of the Abbey Church the walls could rise again to their full height, the stone arches again take the weight of the roof and echo back the singing of the monks, and light could strike in shafts coloured by stained glass across the walls and grey flagstones on the floor, what sights would we see of great occasions and famous visitors in the nave and choir in front of us?

The first would be in 1136, the slow movement of a richly decorated coffin surrounded by monks and officers of the royal court, the body of the king and founder of the Abbey, Henry I, brought to lie in state and for burial before the High Altar. Afterwards a life-size effigy is erected as a memorial to the king for all visitors to the Abbey to see. The building of the church . takes over 40 years to complete and the official opening and Hallowing is in 1164, carried out by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, in the presence of the founder's grandson, Henry II. The next meeting of archbishop and king is in the conflict between them leading to Becket's murder in Canterbury Cathedral.

Henry II is in the Abbey again in 1185 receiving a delegation with swarthy complexions and exotic touches to their clothing. This is the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Heraclius, and his retinue, come to Europe seeking a champion to protect their city, the prime religious site in Christendom, from the attacks of the Mohammedans. If the most powerful king in Europe, Henry II of England, with his possessions stretching from Scotland to the Pyrenees, will accept the crown of the city its future will be safe. Henry declines but this international exchange takes place here amongst the limestone walls of Reading Abbey.

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