So how can archaeology shed light on the question of Glastonbury’s origins? Research led by the University of Reading has reassessed the full archive of excavations that took place at Glastonbury Abbey throughout the 20th century. Any archaeological evidence for an early church would have been destroyed by the later construction of the crypt beneath the Lady Chapel. The Lady Chapel that was consecrated in 1186 commemorates the old church and still stands today at Glastonbury Abbey. The old church was the first structure to be rebuilt – a new chapel was erected on the site of the old church that had been destroyed by fire.
Centre for the Study of Christianity, Culture University of York, Author provided Avalon: A Real Island Obscured by Legend, or Just a Legendary Island?.Researchers Claim Glastonbury Ancient Legends Made Up By Cash-Strapped Monks.But this revered and ancient church was destroyed by a devastating fire in 1184, along with much of Glastonbury Abbey. It was still standing in the 12th century, described by the historian William of Malmesbury as “the oldest of all those that I know of in England”. Historical accounts describe an “ancient” church on the site in the tenth century. The myth that Jesus visited Glastonbury remains significant for many English Christians today and is immortalised in the country’s unofficial anthem, Sir Hubert Parry’s hymn, Jerusalem, based on William Blake’s 1804 poem. In the 19th century, a popular West Country folk tale claimed that Christ had visited Britain with his great uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, in pursuit of the tin trade. Joseph of Arimathea Preaching to the Inhabitants of Britain. Later stories connected Glastonbury directly to the life of Christ. For 800 years, Glastonbury has been associated with the romance of King Arthur, the Holy Grail and Joseph of Arimathea. The legend emerged that Joseph had travelled to Britain with the Grail, the vessel used to collect Christ’s blood. According to the Gospels, Joseph was the man who donated his own tomb for the body of Christ following the crucifixion.īy the 14th century, it was popularly believed that Glastonbury Abbey had been founded by the biblical figure of Joseph.
Many Christians believe that Glastonbury is the site of the earliest church in Britain, allegedly founded in the first or second century by Joseph of Arimathea. New archaeological research on Glastonbury Abbey pushes back the date for the earliest settlement of the site by 200 years – and reopens debate on Glastonbury’s origin myths.
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