Glastonbury
Abbey was established as a Benedictine monastery during the years
670 to 678 AD. Prior to that time, it had existed, for many years,
as a Celtic religious centre,
According to legend, 2000 years ago Joseph of Arimathea (Christ's
uncle) is supposed to have brought the young Jesus here.
On Joseph's second visit, after Christ's death, he built the first
Christian church, at Glastonbury Abbey, (see our Glastonbury
myths and legends page). |
Glastonbury
Abbey itself is very accessible, positioned just off the main High
Street. Despite its very central position, its 38 acres make it very
spacious inside.
The main entrance where you pay admission fronts a large exhibition/museum
which is worthwhile.
From here you can explore the grounds yourself or check out when the
next costumed guide will take you on a tour, (recommended).
Nearest the entrance and museum area are the ruins of the Abbey within
which is King Arthur's grave and the Thorn Bush. Beyond that the grounds
stretch far and you will unearth nature trails and ponds within the
grounds.
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King
Arthur's Final Resting Place? |
Glastonbury
Abbey has in history been one of the most important religious places
in the UK. During the Christian era great numbers of pilgrims flocked
to the Abbey to venerate the relics of saints and sages, the most
valued relics being those of St.Patrick who ended his days at Glastonbury
in 461 AD.
In 1086, when the Domesday Book was commissioned to provide records
and a census of life in England, Glastonbury Abbey was the richest
monastery in the country.
In the 14th century, the Abbey was the second wealthiest Abbey in
Britain (behind Westminster Abbey), the Abbot of Glastonbury lived
in considerable splendour and wielded tremendous power.
In 1536, during the 27th year of the reign of Henry VIII, there were
over 800 monasteries, nunneries and friaries in Britain. By 1541,
there were none. Glastonbury Abbey was one of principal victims of
action by the King to break with the Catholic Church and establish
the more frugal Church of England without need for monks and nuns.
Glastonbury, in addition to many other places, like Tintagel, has
been linked to King Arthur. This link though, at Glastonbury, is in
death rather than life.
According to legend after Arthur's many exploits and stories concerning
his Knights, the Round Table and the Holy Grail, he was wounded by
Mordred at the battle of Camlan. This was around the year 542 and
he was then taken across the water to the Isle of Avalon for his wounds
to be healed. Glastonbury would indeed still have been an island at
that time, so it was quite possible for a boat to bring him to the
only place where any medical attention was available, which would
have been at a monastery - Glastonbury Abbey. Arthur was mortally
wounded however and it is said he was buried in the cemetery on the
south side of the Lady Chapel, at Glastonbury Abbey.
Centuries later (in 1191) prompted by hints and rumours, the monks
excavated this same spot in the cemetery and they dug down sixteen
feet, to find an oak coffin. At a depth of seven feet they found a
stone beneath which was a leaden cross with an inscription 'His iacet
inclitus Arturius in insula Avalonia' - variously interpreted to read
'Here lies King Arthur buried in Avalon'! The coffin contained two
bodies - a great man and a woman, whose golden hair was still intact,
until touched, when it crumbled away. The bodies were explained as
Arthur's and Guineveres.
Cynics say the 'find' was an elaborate trick by the monks to generate
publicity and funds after the Abbey was consumed by fire in 1184 when
many of the ancient treasures were destroyed. |
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