St George's Chapel, Windsor

This magnificent building at Windsor Castle, dedicated to the patron saint of the Knights of the Garter, ranks with Henry VII’s Chapel in Westminster Abbey and Kings College Chapel at Cambridge as the finest example of perpendicular Gothic in all of England. It was built between 1478 and 1528 and is made up of two sections, the nave and the choir, separated by a Gothic screen. Buried here are Henry VIII, Queen Jane Seymour and King Charles I (centre aisle of the choir), and most of the sovereigns from George II onward. The choir, with its exquisite fan vaulting and intricately carved stalls, is where the present queen attends divine services while in residence at Windsor. Above the stalls hang the banners, swords and helmets of the present Knights of the Garter. At the back of each stall are ancient enamelled plates telling in Norman French the arms and titles of the first knights of the order who occupied the seat. The chapel is open to the public most days except during services.

See also