England Photo Index - Main UK Photo Index

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This Celtic monastery is the oldest Christian foundation in England. It was founded in the fourth or fifth century and later enlarged by Saint Dunstan (Abbot of Glastonbury from 943 to 959). A fire in 1184 destroyed the original buildings. The Abbey was rebuilt over the next two centuries, but was destroyed during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539. Among the remains of the abbey are pillars, chancel walls, Gothic transept piers and the shell of the Lady Chapel, which was rebuilt after the fire of 1184. The Abbey’s choir is said to contain the tomb of Arthur and Guinevere. According to 12th century historian William of Malmesbury, King Arthur, mortally wounded in battle, sailed to the Druidic Isle of Avalon, which is thought to be near Glastonbury. The only monastic building to survive intact is the 14th century Abbot’s Kitchen. Inside this square building are four huge corner fireplaces. The eight-sided roof rises to a central lantern, which helped draw smoke up the flues. The Glastonbury Thorn stands on the north side of the Abbey. This tree, which flowers at Christmas and in May, is said to have sprouted from the staff of Joseph of Arimethea, a well-to-do merchant, who came to convert the country in Roman times. This omen inspired him to build a 7th century chapel on this site.