Choir and Altar

Choir and Altar. Abbey Quarter. In front of you and slightly to the right is the base of a massive pillar, or pier, which once towered 6 metres above the floor of the abbey church., Through the arch supported by this pillar and its neighbour was the presbytery or choir. This is where the high altar stood and was the most sacred part of the church for the monks who worshipped here. The monks stood in carved wooden choir stalls singing and speaking their part in the service., Royal burials , As the most important part of the church, the area near the high altar was also the most desirable place to be buried. Henry I, who founded Reading Abbey, was buried here in 1136. The most likely position for his tomb is a few metres in front of where you are standing now., Starting in 1835, a cluster of buildings began to cover this area including the Roman Catholic church of St James, designed by Augstus Pugin, a priest's house, and the schoolhouse directly in front of you., King Henry I did lots of great things in his life, including coming up with the idea of building an abbey in Reading but his last meal was not his finest moment. He had a huge dish of slimy river fish called lampreys which made him very ill. He died a few days later.