Medieval church dedicated to St. Erasmus rediscovered in Westminster Abbey: what was the macabre purpose of it?

A 15th century church which paid tribute to St. Erasmus, also known as St. Elmo, has been rediscovered on the grounds of Westminster Abbey. The structure was originally demolished in 1502 and despite its macabre reasons for existing only received “fleeting mentions” in history books, an expert stated.

“Very little attention has been paid to this short-lived chapel,“ John Goodall, of the Westminster Abbey Fabric Advisory Commission, reveals. “It receives only passing mention in abbey histories, despite the survival of elements of the reredos. The quality of workmanship on this survival (remains of a site) suggests that investigation of the original chapel is long overdue."

Though only a skeleton compared to its grandeur appearance after construction, the Medieval church was said to house ornate alabaster carvings behind the pulpit and numerous, gory paintings based around the martyrdom of St. Erasmus after being tortured by the Romans around 303AD.

The royal devotion to St. Erasmus led to the construction of the chapel, which also housed one of the alleged teeth of the saint and the wife of Edward of York, Elizabeth Woodville was given the unofficial title of the ‘White Queen,’ was known to worship at the church’s altar. The life of Elizabeth Woodville would later become a BBC ten part series, The White Queen, starring Rebecca Ferguson in the titular role.

Its removal from the grounds of Westminster Abbey came in 1502 under the order of Henry VII to make way for his own and his wife’s chantry and burial place. It was replaced by The Lady Chapel, though a statue underneath that roof dedicated to St. Erasmus was said to be a nod to the original building’s construction and devotion to the patron saint of sailors and stomach pain.

Ironically, it was through disembowelment by the Romans that led to Erasmus’ cannonisation as a saint. It has been said that his ascension to saint status comes from a tale that despite a thunderbolt striking directly next to him, he fearlessly continued his sermon. This prompted sailors, who were in danger from sudden storms and lightning, to claim his prayers . Any electrical discharges at the mastheads of ships during this time were referred to as Saint Elmo’s Fire, a sign of his protection during their voyages.

Westminster Abbey visitors can view the remains - including the intricately carved frame - by looking above the entrance to the chapel of Our Lady of the Pew in the north ambulatory. Though only the ornate frames of the church remain, it is still a macabre piece of British history to investigate in London.