( Above Photo: Waltham Abbey and King Harold )
More interesting local history, just a few junctions around the M25 from Canonbury Antiques in Essex you can visit the tomb of King Harold. What is the relationship between Waltham Abbey and King Harold? The Abbey is the final resting place of King Harold, who formerly served as the Earl of Essex. Besides, Harold loved the church because, decades earlier, he had received healing from paralysis after praying here.
But the history of this particular church is much longer than its interaction with Harold before and after he became king. In 700AD, the first church rose on the site, gaining fame due to the Abbey.
(Above photo - Visit King Harold after visiting Canonbury Antiques )
Legend has it that the cross at the church led itself to the site in the company of Tovi the Proud, King Cnut's standard bearer. Once installed, the cross attracted pilgrims and other people seeking healing from all kinds of infirmities.
Before becoming King, Harold Godwinson prayed before the cross and miraculously recovered from paralysis. Later on, he paid for the rebuilding of the church.
But the story of Waltham and King Harold was not to end there. In 1066, he stopped by and prayed before going on to conquer Hastings. Unfortunately, he died at Hastings.
William I declined to allow the retrieval of Harold's body. So his lover Edith Swan Neck recovered and buried the body on Sussex Beach. Later, after healing the body, Harold's family buried it at Waltham, the family's seat.
Later on, when the monasteries in the place dissolved, the church remained standing, with Henry VIII demolishing the great tower. The parishioners sold the bells they had bought earlier to build the watch tower.
There's a life-size statue of King Harold at the Waltham Abbey's churchyard. He stands guard with a mighty broadsword pointing to the ground at his lichen-encrusted, weathered grave. It is worth visiting, given that Harold was the last of the Anglo-Saxon kings.
Harold was buried next to the Holy Cross, which meant the world to him. Even though unclear, Harold's body is believed to still lie in its original resting place. However, the destruction of the church led to the exposure of the high altar and Harold's tomb to the elements.
Waltham Abbey once hosted gunpowder mills, significantly contributing to the industry's growth. The mid-16th century saw the replacement of horsepower with water power.
In the 19th century, the government established a gunpowder factory on the site. That's why Waltham Abbey is popular in England and the world.
(Above photo - Harold Godwinson, also called Harold II, was the last crowned Anglo-Saxon English king. )
There are other attractions at Waltham Abbey which you may want to see. They include Copped Hall, a Georgian mansion belonging to a trust.
Another nearby attraction is the Great Stand that Henry VIII built in 1543. Later on, Queen Elizabeth, I renovated it and converted it into a hunting lodge. You'll learn about the forest's history and its inhabitants at the visitor center.
The Bottom Line
There are many reasons to visit Waltham Abbey, and King Harold is one of them. After all, this was the king's home and his final resting place. The vicinity also has other notable attractions, including the Copped Hall.
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