“Imagine yourself transported back to the 11th century. Today we are standing before St John’s Chapel. It is a beautiful chapel with Norman architecture. St John’s Chapel is in the White Tower of the Tower of London.
St John’s Chapel was built in 1080. It is the oldest surviving complete chapel from the early Norman period. Today, it functions as a chapel royal. The Canon of the nearby castle Church of St Peter ad Vincula oversees it. He is the chaplain of the Tower.
Let’s delve into the history of St John’s Chapel. It was built as part of the original layout of the White Tower. The White Tower was constructed from 1077 to 1097. It served as a keep or citadel. It was the oldest part of William the Conqueror’s fortress.
St John’s Chapel was constructed from Caen stone. This stone was imported from France. The chapel has a tunnel-vaulted nave with groin-vaulted aisles. An east apse and a gallery curve above and around. Thick, round piers support unmoulded arches. These arches are notable for their simplicity. Simple carvings of scallop and leaf designs provide the only ornament.
King Henry III expanded the decoration. He ordered three stained glass windows to be installed in 1240. St John’s Chapel is unique. Other Norman churches in England date later from the mid-12th century. Construction on St John’s Chapel began in 1080.
Services are held in St John’s Chapel periodically during the year. From 1100 to about 1312, Knights of the Bath were inducted here. They underwent a purification ceremony that involved taking a ritual bath. They held vigil here the night before a royal coronation. The knights would then escort the monarch from the Tower to Westminster Abbey the following day. This ceremony was likely later observed in the larger church subsequently established in the Tower ward.
Now, consider a darker moment in the chapel’s history. During the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, a mob gained access to the tower. They found Archbishop of Canterbury and Chancellor of England, Simon Sudbury, at mass in the chapel. The mob dragged him outside to Tower Hill to execute him.
Think about the weight of history held within these walls. St John’s Chapel has witnessed royal ceremonies. It has seen moments of both great reverence and terrible violence. As we leave St John’s Chapel, remember its enduring presence. It is a testament to the passage of time and the enduring power of faith.