St Mary Undercroft, Medieval chapel in Palace of Westminster, London, England
St Mary Undercroft is an underground chapel within the Palace of Westminster with five vaulted bays supported by columns of polished Purbeck marble. The ceiling displays carved dragons and angels that embellish the vault structure.
The chapel was built in 1297 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It survived the great fire of 1834 that destroyed most of the Palace of Westminster.
The chapel holds the status of Royal Peculiar, operating directly under the monarch's authority rather than under a bishop's jurisdiction.
The chapel is accessible by reservation for ceremonies such as weddings and christenings through the office of the Lord Great Chamberlain. Visitors are advised to check ahead regarding availability and access arrangements for their visit.
In 1911, suffragette Emily Davison hid in a cupboard within the chapel to record the House of Commons as her census address. A memorial plaque has commemorated this unusual act since 1999.
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