Glastonbury
Glastonbury is a small town in Somerset, England believed to have been inhabited since Neolithic times. There have been many leaders and important figures whose histories are intertwined with the town and Glastonbury Abbey. Since its founding, Glastonbury Abbey has been the site of many King’s coronations and also the burial place for many significant men.
In 1066 the Norman Conquest enriched Glastonbury overall and it soon became known as one of the richest locations in England. Glastonbury was well known for its commerce and the building of the Glastonbury Canal further aided the towns business. In the 19th century the town became depressed because of issues with the canal and competition from the local railway systems. Therefore, the canal was destroyed. Between the 19th- 20th century Glastonbury became a well-known tourist destination (mainly due to its connection with Arthurian Legends).
Today the small town thrives like most others and even hosts its own festival. The Glastonbury Festival is a five- day event that takes place the last week of June and is very much like Austin’s own ACL.
Interesting Geographical Points Related to Arthurian Legends:
Fata Morgana- The damp ground of the Glastonbury hills in known to produce interesting light and visual effects. This process occurs because rays of light from the sun are sharply bent as they pass through multiple layers of air and temperature produced by the area’s climate. The name is derived from Morgan le Fay (Morgana) who was a sorceress often in opposition with King Arthur and Guinevere.
The River Brue- King Arthur was said to build a lake south of where Glastonbury stands, believed to be the home of the Lady of the Lake. The River Brue is also believed to be the lake Sir Bedivere threw Excalibur into after King Arthur fell at the Battle of Camlann.
Glastonbury Abbey and Multiple Middle Age’s Legends:
Glastonbury Abbey is a monastery believed to be founded in the 7th century and has since been rebuilt and enlarged various times. It has often been recorded as being the most powerful and richest monastery in England. This is largely due to the fact that from at least the 12th century the abbey has been associated with various Arthurian Legends.
Christians believe that Glastonbury Abbey was founded by Joseph of Arimathea in order to house the Holy Grail. It is said that Joseph arrived in Glastonbury and stuck his staff into the ground. Once his staff was rooted into the ground it then flowered into a plant called Glastonbury Thorn (the plant still grows there today). This legend is tied to Robert de Boron’s version of the Holy Grail. It is even suggested that as a young boy Jesus visited Glastonbury with Joseph.
Giraldus Cambrensis was one of many whom believed King Arthur and Queen Guinevere were buried in the cemetery at the abbey and he gave an account of this in his book De principis instructione (“Instruction of a Prince”). It was said that Abbot Henry de Sully commissioned a search for the graves and thus uncovered a large tree trunk containing two skeletons. It was reported by Giraldus that an inscription was etched on the covering stone: “Hic jacet sepultus inclitus rex Arthurus in insula Avalonia” (“Here lies interred the famous King Arthur on the Isle of Avalon”). There have been multiple stories about the uncovering of Arthur’s grave and many historians today dismiss these claims. Scholars believe that propaganda and financial issues played a large role in the myths.
There are many other legends surrounding Glastonbury. Some believe that Glastonbury itself is Avalon and others that Lancelot went there to live after Arthur’s death. No matter if you believe one of the above myths or all of them, the fact remains that Glastonbury is surrounded by Arthurian Legends making it what it is today.
