In 1399 at the request of Richard II, Pope Boniface IX elevated the Prior to status of Abbot, and thus the Priory became an Abbey. The King also granted the Abbot his own seal of a lion with a crozier and mitre - the "Bermondsey Lion". This symbol can still be seen in several places in the church today, as seen here on the side of a desk (although the crozier has unfortunately lost its top with the mitre!). This is one of a pair of desks which date from the early 20th C.
This lion is on the back of the seat in the churchwarden's pew - with complete crozier and mitre. There is another larger one set in mosaic on the chancel floor, but this is covered by carpet (which at least protects it, although it also means that it has not been seen for several years).
This page updated 23 September 2010