LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Conservation staff at Westminster Abbey remove the protective covering on the Cosmati pavement surrounding the tomb of Edward the Confessor to asses it for conservation on September 24, 2012 in London, England. The highly decorative stone pavement is formed of small precious stones such as onyx and porphyry on a base of dark limestone, known as Purbeck marble. A shrine was erected in 1163 following the Confessor's canonisation and St Edward's body was brought in on October 13, 1269 to its new resting place.The Cosmati pavement provides the flooring around Edward the Confessor's tomb behind the High Altar of Westminster Abbey where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge signed their marriage register. The pavement's protective covering has only been raised a small number of times in the past 100 years. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
