Window on Westminster: A Canon's Diary, 1976-1987
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Author Description
Trevor Beeson was a Canon of Westminster Abbey for nearly eleven years and for five of these was also Rector of St Margaret's Westminster and Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons. The diary he kept during this time provides unique insights into the day-to-day workings of two world-famous churches and the Anglican Church's involvement in Parliament. This book is full of surprises and not lacking in waspish comments on people and situations. He was at the Abbey for the funeral of Earl Mountbatten and the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of York, and was involved closely in many other national events. The Falklands War dominated his early weeks as Chaplain to Speaker George Thomas, who encouraged him to develop a wide-ranging ministry among the MPs and staff of the House of Commons. The diary also reveals how a priest who was deeply committed to reform and renewal in both church and society coped with the many compromises required in work at the heart of the ecclesiastical and political establishments. The facts and the tensions are compellingly revealed.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This diary chronicles a decade of significant events and personal reflections from a clergyman at the heart of British religious and political life. Trevor Beeson served as Canon of Westminster Abbey and Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of church and state. The entries detail his involvement in national events, from royal weddings to the Falklands War, while also exploring his commitment to reform within the established institutions. The book reveals the tensions and compromises inherent in navigating ecclesiastical and political spheres.
THE SCOPE MAP
- A personal diary spanning eleven years (1976-1987) from a Canon of Westminster Abbey.
- Insights into the daily operations of Westminster Abbey and St Margaret's Westminster.
- The Anglican Church's engagement with the British Parliament.
- Observations on national events including the funeral of Earl Mountbatten and the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of York.
- The role of the Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons during the Falklands War.
- Reflections on reform and renewal within the church and society.
- Waspish comments on people and situations encountered within the establishment.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
The book offers a candid and often sharp-witted look at a pivotal period in British history through the eyes of a clergyman deeply embedded in its institutions. The author's position provided him with a front-row seat to both major national events and the intricate workings of Parliament and the Church of England. Readers can expect a blend of historical observation and personal commentary, revealing the challenges of enacting change from within established structures. The diary format promises an intimate and revealing account of a unique life at the nexus of faith and power.
Page Count:
336
Publication Date:
2001-01-01
Publisher:
SCM
ISBN-10:
033402854X
ISBN-13:
9780334028543
History
Non-Fiction
Religion
Politics
Biography
