Church Heritage Record 823007

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H M Tower of London: Chapel of St John the Evangelist

Name:

This is the church’s legal name as given by the Church Commissioners.

H M Tower of London: Chapel of St John the Evangelist
Record Type:

A classification of the current status of the building

Chapel
Church code:

This is a unique identification number supplied to each church building by the Church Commissioners.

823007
Diocese:

Name of diocese in which the church building is located at the time of entry.

London
Archdeaconry:

Name of archdeaconry in which the church building is located at the time of entry

Unattached or Closed Church
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

H M Tower of London: Chapel of St John the Evangelist

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Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

The decision to put a church building on the National Heritage List for England and assign it a listing grade is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is normally based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on the historic environment.

This is a Grade I Listed Building
View more information about this Listed Building on the National Heritage List for England web site
Scheduled Monument?

The decision to schedule a feature (building, monument, archaeological remains, etc.) located within the church building’s precinct or churchyard is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on cultural heritage.

There is a Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct
View more information about this Scheduled Monument on the National Heritage List for England web site

National Park

National Parks are areas of countryside that include villages and towns, which are protected because of their beautiful countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage. In England, National Parks are designated by Natural England, the government’s advisor on the natural environment.

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

Conservation areas are places of special architectural or historic interest where it is desirable to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of such areas. Conservation Areas are designated by the Local Council.

The church is in the following Conservation Area: The Tower

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Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?

The Heritage at Risk programme is run and managed by Historic England, the government’s advisor on cultural heritage. It aims to protect and manage the historic environment, so that the number of ‘at risk’ historic places and sites across England are reduced.

This church is not on the Heritage at Risk Register
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Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

Selecting a single date for the construction of a church building can sometimes be very difficult as most CoE buildings have seen many phases of development over time. The CHR allows you to record a time period rather than a specific date.

The CHR records the time period for the building’s predominant fabric as opposed to the date of the earliest fabric or the church’s foundation date.

Medieval

Exterior Image

Exterior image of the White Tower: Chapel of St John the Evangelist
Caption:

603242 

Exterior image of the White Tower: Chapel of St John the Evangelist
Description:

It seems to be the wrong photograph. Provided coordinates come up with another church on geograph.org.uk

Photograph taken 3 March 2017
Year / Date:

2011, April 06

2017
Copyright:

Keltek Trust

Archbishops' Council
Originator:

Keltek Trust

Tallie Proud

Summary Description

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Built in the White Tower for William the Conqueror, the Chapel of St John the Evangelist has served for hundreds of years as the chapel for the Royal Family in the Tower of London. It is one of the finest examples of early Anglo-Norman church architecture in the country. It sheltered the young Richard II and future Henry IV during the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, was the location of the laying in state of Henry VII’s wife, Elizabeth of York, in 1503, and was where Mary I was betrothed to Philip II of Spain.

Visiting and Facilities

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The church is open for worship.
Open to HRP Tower of London ticket holders: 9.00-16.30 Tues-Sat, 10.00-16.30 Sun-Mon (winter) or 9.00-17.30 Tues-Sat, 10.00-17.30 Sun-Mon (summer).
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Church Website

Church Website:

www.holytrinitylyonsdown.org.uk

http://www.thechapelsroyalhmtoweroflondon.org.uk/

Sources and Further Information

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R. Asquith, J. Moore & H. Mead (2017) Canon Clarke Project Research Report pages 9 to 10 [Digital Archive/Document]
Canon Clarke Project Research Report
Michel Wal (2008) Interior image of the Chapel of St John the Evangelist, London [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Interior image of the Chapel of St John the Evangelist, London
Tallie Proud (2017) Exterior image of the White Tower: Chapel of St John the Evangelist [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Exterior image of the White Tower: Chapel of St John the Evangelist
James Miles (2018) Closed Churches [Digital Archive/Data]

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: TQ 336 805

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Administrative Area

Great London Authority:

The administrative area within which the church is located.

Greater London Authority

Location and Setting

This field describes the setting of the church building, i.e. the surroundings in which the church building is experienced, and whether or not it makes a positive or negative contribution to the significance of the building.

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Church Plan

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Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

Provide as written description of the ground plan of the church building and well as its dimensions.

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Dimensions

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Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

Small (<199m2)

Medium (200-599m2)

Large (600m-999m2)

Very Large (>1000m2)

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Description of Archaeology and History

This field aims to record the archaeological potential of the wider area around the building and churchyard, as well as the history of site.

Being located in one of the most symbolic physical expressions of the English monarchy, it is not surprising that the chapel of St John the Evangelist has found itself at the heart of some of the most dramatic moments in the history of the monarchy.

During the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, the chapel played an important role thanks to the double function as a place of religion and being inside a fortress. The young Richard II and his council established themselves in the Tower for the duration of the unrest, as they discussed the best way to proceed with the revolt. Contemporary chronicles record how ‘King Richard heard mass in the Tower of London, and all his lords’. It is difficult to imagine how Richard must have been feeling, aged 14, and sheltering for his life as the city faced destruction around him. It is likely he may have found some solace in God as he prayed in the chapel of St John the Evangelist. On the second day of the rebels’ occupation of London, Richard left the safety of the Tower for the second time, to meet the rebels at Mile End. A group of the rebels who did not meet the King stormed the Tower, forcing their way inside. The Archbishop of Canterbury, who had only ‘little before’ said mass before the King according to one source, was praying in the chapel and was dragged out by the rebels as he said the words ‘Omnes sancti orate pro nobis’. He and others with him were summarily executed.

This short episode in which the chapel of St John the Evangelist played a centre part serves to remind us that the history of the English and British monarchy is intimately entangled with that of religion. Not always, however, in the large sweeping ways we associate with Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Richard II taking mass in the chapel in the White Tower, as a young and fearful boy, is illustrative of a much more personal and intimate connection.

Exterior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the exterior of the church building and the churchyard.

The sheer size of the chapel and scale of the pillars are directly in keeping with the chapel’s position in the most formidable fortress of early Norman England. Gargantuan and imposing, it is in fact ‘one of the most impressive pieces of Early Norman architecture in England’.

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

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Building Fabric and Features

This field is an index of the building and its major components

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Collapse Building Fabric and FeaturesBuilding Fabric and Features
AISLE
APSE
CEILING
CHANCEL
GALLERY (ECCLESIASTICAL)
NAVE
PILLAR
ROYAL CHAPEL (11th Century to 21st Century)
TOWER (COMPONENT)

Building Materials

This field is an index of the building’s material composition

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Interior Image

Interior image of the Chapel of St John the Evangelist, London
Caption:
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Interior image of the Chapel of St John the Evangelist, London
Description:
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Interior of the Chapel of St John the Evangelist in the white Tower at the Tower of London, taken in 2008.
Year / Date:
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2008
Copyright:
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By Michel Wal (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Originator:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Michel Wal

Interior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the interior of the church building.

The shape of the chapel is reflected throughout the height of the Tower: the nave is rectangular, flanked by aisles, and the chancel is formed of an apse. A gallery traces the shape of the chapel around its whole perimeter. The masons employed a variety of types of vaulting for the ceiling, including tunnel-vaulting for the nave and gallery, while the aisles have groin-vaulting. Twelve unornamented pillars support the gallery and roof, dividing the aisles from the nave.

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

This field is an index of the building’s internal, architectural components. This includes its internal spaces and those areas’ fixtures and fittings (building components which are securely fixed to the church or cathedral).

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ALTAR (Victorian)
LECTERN

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

This field is an index of the building’s movable, non-fixed furnishings and artworks.

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Collapse Portable Furnishings and ArtworksPortable Furnishings and Artworks
BENCH (SEAT)

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: TQ 336 805

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Ecology

This field aims to record a description of the ecology of the churchyard and surrounding setting.

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Ecological Designations

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The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this Chapel.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this Chapel.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Chapel.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

This field aims to record any evidence of the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

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Burial and War Grave Information

This field records basic information about the presence of a churchyard and its use as a burial ground.

It is unknown whether the church or churchyard is consecrated. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard is closed for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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The churchyard does not have war graves.

National Heritage List for England Designations

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There are no Listed Buildings within the curtilage of this Chapel.

There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this Chapel.

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

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Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

There are currently no Ancient, Veteran or Notable trees connected to this Chapel

Churchyard Structures

This field is an index of the churchyard’s components.

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Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Significance is the whole set of reasons why people value a church, whether as a place for worship and mission, as an historic building that is part of the national heritage, as a focus for the local community, as a familiar landmark or for any other reasons.

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Setting Significance Description:
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Fabric Significance Level:
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Fabric Significance Description:
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Interior Significance Level:
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Interior Significance Description:
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Community Significance Level:
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Community Significance Description:
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Church Renewables

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Species Summary

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All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Chapel . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all of the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.

‘Seek Advice’ Species

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If any of the following species have been seen close to the Chapel, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the Chapel, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the Chapel. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the Chapel and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this Chapel, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

The church was the centre of many people’s lives and remains a guide to their cares and concerns. Glimpses into those lives have often come down to us in the stories we heard as children or old photographs discovered in tattered shoe boxes. Perhaps your ancestors even made it into local legend following some fantastic event? You can choose to share those memories with others and record them for future generations on this Forum.

Tell us the story of this building through the lives of those who experienced it. Tell us why this church is important to you and your community.

Upload your photographs, share your videos, or compose your story below using a Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus account.

Refresh
WhoActionWhen
Julie PatenaudeModified asset dataFri 16 Jun 2017 17:38:00
Julie PatenaudeModified asset dataMon 12 Jun 2017 18:02:22
Anna CampenModified asset data - Modified the Conservation Area informationFri 31 Mar 2017 11:56:40
Julie PatenaudeModified asset data - Modified the Church Website addressThu 09 Mar 2017 17:36:12
Julie PatenaudeModified asset dataThu 09 Mar 2017 17:36:01
Julie PatenaudeAdded image of the exterior of the buildingMon 06 Mar 2017 17:48:27
Julie PatenaudeAdded fabric typeThu 09 Feb 2017 18:07:21
Julie PatenaudeAdded fabric typeThu 09 Feb 2017 18:06:14
Julie PatenaudeModified fabric typeThu 09 Feb 2017 18:05:38
Julie PatenaudeModified fabric typeThu 09 Feb 2017 18:04:23
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