Glastonbury Abbey
Live view of magnificent Glastonbury Abbey, once the most important abbey in England.
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A brief history of Glastonbury Abbey
Once the most important abbey in England, Glastonbury is a magnificent ruin, testament to the ruthless dissolution of monastic life by King Henry VIII in the 16th Century. The abbey was already established as a place of Christian importance when the Saxon king, Ine of Wessex, directed that in 712AD a stone church should be built, the foundations of which now form the west end of the nave of the Abbey. Although the Danes sacked Glastonbury in the 9th Century, it rose up again under the auspices of Saint Neot. The Abbot of Glastonbury, Saint Dunstan, enlarged the Abbey church in the 10th Century. Saint Dunstan was a central figure in the 10th Century revival of monastic life, who instigated Benedictine Rule at the Abbey before going on to become Archbishop of Canterbury in 960AD. Dunstan built the new cloisters, and the Abbey began to take on the grandeur fit for the burial of kings and as a central seat of monastic life.
Within a few years of Henry’s dissolution of the monasteries, the Abbey at Glastonbury was a ruin, being described by Shakespeare as one of the “bare ruin’d choirs where late the sweet birds sang.” Its imposing ruins still stand today, and still draw visitors – and pilgrims – from across the globe. Even though its buildings no longer mark it as a holy place, its myths, legends and ancient history still strike a chord with everyone who walks though its magnificent grounds.
you can almost feel the crossing of the Mary/Michael lines on the abbey cam view!
Exile
11th Nov 2008 05:10
Yer, thic lens cud do wi a wipe-over. Werz me ladder?
rick981
28th Oct 2008 09:38
I think this place is wonderful - be good to get one of the Tor.
Wicca
15th Oct 2008 12:19
Brilliant camera spot! It´s such a peacfull place that I feel better just looking at it.
The idea of a camera on a Silver Street rooftop is a very good one. Maybe one of the B&B owners will let you put one there. They have a lovely Abbey view.
helena
10th Oct 2008 02:56
Rural Life Museum incl. nice aspects of the tor is fine but perhaps would be great to have an Abbey view from a Silver Street rooftop?
So great to be able to see Glastonbury from afar.
You are doing a lovely job - thanks!
Helena from www.mizpah.tv
agertonsax
10th Oct 2008 07:36
Do you have any ideas where some more cameras can go? The Rural Life museum has agreed to let us put a camera there as it has a great view of the Tor.
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Glastonbury Abbey
Live view of magnificent Glastonbury Abbey, once the most important abbey in England.
