By the 11th century, London was beyond all comparison the largest town in England. Westminster Abbey, rebuilt in the Romanesque style by King Edward the Confessor, was one of the grandest churches in Europe. Winchester had previously been the capital of Anglo-Saxon England, but from this time on, London became the main forum for foreign traders and the base for defence in time of war. In the view of Frank Stenton: "It had the resources, and it was rapidly developing the dignity and the political self-consciousness appropriate to a national capital." COUNT 5
QSN1 Who rebuilt Westminster Abbey? ANS1 King Edward the Confessor QSN2 By which century had London started becoming a prominent capital city? ANS2 the 11th century QSN3 What architectural style was Westminster Abbey rebuilt in? ANS3 Romanesque QSN4 What historian was quoted as saying that London had all the necessary characteristics to be a major capital city? ANS4 Frank Stenton QSN5 Prior to the 11th century, what was Anglo-Saxon England's capital? ANS5 Winchester