Editing Westminster Abbey (section)

=== Completion of the Gothic church ===
From 1376, Abbot Nicholas Litlyngton and [[Richard II of England|Richard II]] donated large sums to finish the church. The remainder of the old nave was pulled down and rebuilding commenced, with his mason [[Henry Yevele]] closely following the original design even though it was now more than 100 years out of date.{{sfn|Trowles|2008|p=10}}{{sfn|Pevsner|1973|p=405}} During the [[Peasants' Revolt]] of 1381, Richard prayed at Edward the Confessor's shrine for "divine aid when human counsel was altogether wanting" before meeting the rebels at [[Smithfield, London|Smithfield]]. In the modern day, the abbey holds Richard's full-length portrait, the earliest of an English king, on display near the west door.{{sfn|Wilkinson|Knighton|2010|pp=27–29}}

Building work was not fully complete for many years. [[Henry V of England|Henry V]], disappointed with the abbey's unfinished state, gave extra funds towards the rebuilding. In his will, he left instructions for a [[Chantry|chantry chapel]] to be built over his tomb; the chapel can be seen from ground level.{{sfn|Wilkinson|Knighton|2010|pp=30–33}} Between 1470 and 1471, because of fallout from the [[Wars of the Roses]], [[Elizabeth Woodville]], the wife of [[Edward IV of England|Edward IV]], took sanctuary at Westminster Abbey while her husband was deposed, and gave birth to [[Edward V of England|Edward V]] in the abbot's house.{{sfn|Wilkinson|Knighton|2010|p=35}} In 1495, building work finally reached the end of the nave, finishing with the west window.{{sfn|Trowles|2008|p=11}}

Under [[Henry VII of England|Henry VII]], the 13th-century Lady chapel was demolished and rebuilt in a [[Perpendicular Gothic|Perpendicular Gothic style]]; it is known as the [[Henry VII Chapel]]. Work began in 1503 and the main structure was completed by 1509, although decorative work continued for several years afterwards.{{sfn|Trowles|2008|p=11}} Henry's original reason for building such a grand chapel was to have a place suitable for the burial of another saint alongside the Confessor, as he planned on having [[Henry VI of England|Henry VI]] canonised. The Pope asked Henry VII for a large sum of money to proclaim Henry VI a saint; Henry VII was unwilling to pay the sum, and so instead he is buried in the centre of the chapel with his wife, [[Elizabeth of York]],{{sfn|Jenkyns|2004|p=53}} rather than a large raised shrine like the Confessor.

A view of the abbey dated 1532 shows a [[lantern tower]] above the [[Crossing (architecture)|crossing]],{{sfn|Rodwell|2010|p=17}} but this is not shown in any later depiction. It is unlikely that the loss of this feature was caused by any catastrophic event: structural failure seems more likely.{{sfn|Rodwell|2010|pp=23–28}} Other sources maintain that a lantern tower was never built. The current squat pyramid dates from the 18th century; the painted wooden ceiling below it was installed during repairs to [[World War II]] bomb damage.{{sfn|Jenkyns|2004|p=34}}
 
In the early 16th century, a project began under Abbot [[John Islip]] to add two towers to the western end of the church. These had been partially built up to roof level when building work stopped due to uncertainty caused by the [[English Reformation]].{{sfn|Jenkyns|2004|p=13}}

{{Multiple image
| image1            = Westminster Abbey - 51370229194.jpg
| caption1          = The north transept, completed in the 13th century during the reign of [[Henry III of England|Henry III]]
| image2            = Westminster Abbey (Interior) 05.jpg
| caption2          = The west end of the nave, designed by [[Henry Yevele]] and completed in 1495
| align             = center
| image3            = Westminster Abbey - 51369494886.jpg
| caption3          = The vault of the nave, looking west from the crossing
| image4            = Coronation portrait of Richard II, Westminster Abbey.jpg
| caption4          = Coronation portrait of [[Richard II]], on display in the abbey
| total_width       = 900
| alt1              = The inside of Westminster Abbey north transept, with a high vaulted ceiling and a rose window at the end.
| alt2              = The inside of Westminster Abbey's nave, with a high vaulted ceiling and large stained-glass window at the end.
| alt3              = The inside of Westminster Abbey's nave, with a high vaulted ceiling.
| alt4              = A painting of Richard II, wearing a crown, sitting on a grand chair, and holding an orb and sceptre.
}}