A Short History of Glastonbury AbbeyRomano-British History
 According to legend, the first
church on this site was founded by Jesus' great uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, in AD 63. The story, which links the life, death and
resurrection of Christ with the early history of the Abbey is impossible to substantiate, however, there are many circumstantial
details which excite the imagination! One legend suggests that Christ himself built the first church here using simple materials.
It was called the 'Vetusta Ecclesia' and is noted in our history until the 11th century. The first stone church was built in the
8th century, enclosing the earlier wooden church. Many other churches were built here across the centuries.
Saxon & Norman Times
During the Saxon period three kings were buried in the holy ground of the Abbey. Many of our monks later became archbishops,
notably Dunstan, born in the nearby village of Baltonsborough, who was raised and educated here as a young man. He re-introduced
the Rule of St Benedict and built the first cloisters. Dunstan was later canonised and his name added to the list of saints and
kings associated with this wealthy and prestigious abbey.
The Lady Chapel dates from Norman times, after a dreadful fire destroyed the ancient church along with all the other buildings in
1184. During the rebuilding after this date, a tomb believed to contain the bodies of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere was discovered.
This heralded a revival in the Abbey's fortunes and Glastonbury became a major pilgrimage destination.
Rise and Fall of the Abbey
By Tudor times Glastonbury Abbey was second only to Westminster Abbey in its wealth and influence. Abbot Bere further enhanced the
Abbey's standing with new buildings, including the Pilgrim's Inn, now the George and Pilgrim, in the High Street. Henry VII visited
in 1497.
Due to its holiness and stature, this abbey was the last to be closed by Henry VIII and the abbot Richard Whiting, was hanged on
the Tor at the time of the Abbey's dissolution in 1539.
After the Dissolution, the Abbey was plundered for building stone until early in the 20th century, when its significance was
recognized and its future secured for public enjoyment. It is now a Trust of the Diocese of Bath and Wells, dependent entirely on
ticket sales for the preservation of what was once one of the greatest abbeys in the country.
| 
