Editing Edward the Confessor (section)

==Westminster Abbey==
[[File:BayeuxTapestryScene26.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|Edward's funeral in [[Westminster Abbey]] (left), where he is buried, as depicted in [[Bayeux Tapestry tituli#26|scene 26 of the Bayeux Tapestry]]]]

Edward's Norman sympathies are most clearly seen in the major building project of his reign, [[Westminster Abbey]], the first Norman [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] church in England. This was commenced between 1042 and 1052 as a royal burial church, consecrated on 28 December 1065, completed after his death in about 1090, and demolished in 1245 to make way for Henry III's new building, which still stands. It was very similar to [[Jumièges Abbey]], which was built at the same time. Robert of Jumièges must have been closely involved in both buildings, although it is not clear which is the original and which is the copy.{{sfn|Fernie|2009|pp=139–143}} Edward does not appear to have been interested in books and associated arts, but his abbey played a vital role in the development of English Romanesque architecture, showing that he was an innovative and generous patron of the church.{{sfn|Mortimer|2009|p=23}}