"Glass discovered at Glastonbury Abbey dates back to 7th century, researchers find" (from medievalists.net) [May 2012]
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| Glastonbury glass discoveries |
Glass furnaces recorded in 1955-7 were previously thought to date from before the Norman Conquest. However, radiocarbon dating has now revealed that they date approximately to the 680s, and are likely to be associated with a major rebuilding of the abbey undertaken by King Ine of Wessex. Glass-making at York and Wearmouth is recorded in historical documents in the 670s but Glastonbury provides the earliest and most substantial archaeological evidence for glass-making in Saxon Britain.
The extensive remains of five furnaces have been identified, together with fragments of clay crucibles and glass for window glazing and drinking vessels, mainly of vivid blue-green colour. It is likely that specialist glassworkers came from Gaul (France) to work at Glastonbury. The glass will be analysed chemically to provide further information on the sourcing and processing of materials.
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William of Malmesbury has much to say about the history of Glastonbury Abbey and demonstrates cautious historical methodology in dating its origin. His position is nicely captured in the excerpt from Geoffrey Ashe's Avalonian Quest.
The question to answer:
"What role did Glastonbury play in the early spread of Christianity in Britain?"
Glastonbury Abbey is thought by many historians to be the site of the first Christian community in Saxon Britain. The area was a key trading centre in the early Christian era, situated on the water line, and the importance Glastonbury played in the production and trade of household and decorative goods is intimated by the amount of objects found in the region. Moreover, Glastonbury wares from the same period have also been found overseas in Brittany and Northern Ireland. Geoffrey Ashe suggests that the extent of trade from Glastonbury to Europe would make it known to early Christian travellers and this might conceivably have led to the start of Christianity in Britain. However, Ashe also explains that Glastonbury was initially an insular Christian community, commencing as a monastery, and the surrounding area was not converted to Christianity until just before the Saxon invasion. Thus whilst it may have been the first religious site in Britain, Glastonbury Abbey did not play a major role in the early spread of Christianity there.
ReplyDeleteThe Glastonbury Abbey did play a partial role in the spread of Christianity across Britain. The Abbey was a popular site for pilgrimage for Christians, due to the legend that it was the site where Joseph of Arimathea visited in order to spread the word of Christianity across Britain. In addition to this, the evidence that the fragments of glass from the furnace that was situated here were actually from as early as the 7th century, demonstrates the immense wealth of this Abbey. This wealth would have had to have been raised possibly from the taxing of peasants in the area, thus suggesting that Christianity had spread to the lower class people of Britain. In addition to this, the fragments from the Abbey that have been discovered in the other parts of Europe suggests a significant amount of trade between the mainland Europe and the Abbey. This could be explained by trade between Christians in Europe and the fledgling Christian community in Britain. This would render the Abbey an important site for the spread of Christianity across Britain.
ReplyDeleteGlastonbury Abbey is thought to be among one of Britain's oldest churches, although the exact date of its origin is unknown. From the very first sources that mention Glastonbury Abbey, it was referred to as "'holiest earth' in all the land"; discovered by the Saxons after AD 658, Glastonbury was viewed as a "great and famous Celtic monastery...venerated as the holiest place in Britain." It began as a home to monks whom lived as hermits and met only to worship, with the idea of the Abbey to be a place of "inspiration and focus" for the "community church itself." With this idea in mind, the Abbey itself seemed to resonate with a force that illuminated its holy origins, whatever they might be. As such, Glastonbury Abbey was the site where Christianity in Britain "took off and stayed airborne", its survival in that era due to the fact that the Saxons who were once intent on suppressing the wave of Christianity that the Abbey had instigated were converted by the time they reached Glastonbury, leaving it "without destruction or disruption." Henceforth, we can see the immense power that Glastonbury Abbey had in the spreading of Christianity in Britain as it already had an innate holiness that permeated its walls allowing the ideas of Christianity to take hold in this holy Church and keep it as a stronghold for the religion as it gathered momentum throughout the nation.
ReplyDeleteIt is widely acknowledged among scholars and laymen alike that Glastonbury Abbey is amongst the oldest of churches in Great Britain, and garnered an almost legendary significance due to its entrenchment as the oldest Christian institution in the Isles. As such, an examination of the history of the Abbey is useful for understanding the origins and spread of Christianity into Britain and how this may have come to pass. Indeed, its origins appear to stretch so far back into unknowable history that it is affectionately referred to in early writings as the "Old Church", while Treharne notes that Glastonbury Abbey was "venerated as the holiest place in Britain". It appears that, owing to its proximity to a busy trade route between the Armorican and the Cornish coasts, where stood a wharf central to trade and culture between Roman Europe and Briton, Glastonbury Abbey was able to flourish as a symbolically rich monastic community. William of Malmesbury attributes the date of the Abbey's inception to some time in the second century, due to the possibility of papal missions to Britain around that time, and Ashe notes that by the time the Saxons arrived in 658 there was already an extensive monastic presence at Glastonbury, though a definitive date is tenuous. While ostensibly an insular community, it appears Glastonbury played a significant role in entrenching a Christian presence in Britain prior to the Saxon invasion, becoming a stronghold for the faith that eventually resonated throughout post-Saxon times and into later centuries.
ReplyDeleteThe origianl date of its conception unknown, Glastonbury Abbey is thought to have been the first British Christian Church. It continued without interruption from Celtic Britian into Anglo-Saxon England, despite previous Saxon desire to dissolve the Church, and consequently helped Christianity in Britain stay afloat and, in fact, succeed far beyond expectation. Treharne indicates that the creation took place before 658 due to its discovery by the English at this time and its already venerated state among the populace there. He attributes its creation to a "lost origin" which pre-dates the beginning of history "in this part of the land". Ashe notes the Churchs' official status since early in the fourth century when Constatine appointed it the state religion, and emphasises its importance as the presence of a "community church itself". He includes an excerpt from the earliest known source on the matter, St Dunstan, who was Glastonbury's greatest abbott, who suggests his belief that the Church was "prepared by God himself". William of Malmesbury contemplates its creation around AD 60-65, connecting it to a second-century papal mission. However, he expresses his belief that the Church could be older. This uncertainty regarding the Church's origin helped fuel the legend of it and brought about a popular, positive response in the society surrounding it.
ReplyDeleteThe Glastonbury Abby is noted as one of the oldest churches within Britain and as such would have played a role in the introduction and spread of Christianity within Britain, but the extant of its role can be interpreted in a number of ways, as the comments above allude. From the reading of Geoffrey Ashe's 'Avalonian Quest' a number of noteworthy ideas are brought up which can be used to argue either for or against Glastonbury's importance in the early spread of Christianity in Britain. Ashe's explanation of the site as quite possibly 'the first native Christian institution' is compelling for Glastonbury having played a major role in, at the very least the introduction of Christianity to the native Britons if not also, the spread of Christianity across the island. As well as this the abby is 'the only Christian site with an unbroken continuity from Celtic Britain into Anglo-Saxon England' and the Old Church on the site is of unknown origin, with Ashe pointing out that 'even the earliest hermits were not its builders' but gathered there because of it. Though there is evidence to support the argument that Glastonbury Abby didn't play a major role in the spread of Christianity, mainly the insular nature of the Christian community there, this site can be considered to have at the very least entrenched and continued to practice the Christian religion in Britain and was possibly even, partially, responsible for beginning the spread of the Christian faith across the nation.
ReplyDeleteThe Glastonbury Abbey is thought to be one of the key birthplaces of the spread of Christianity in Britain. Upon the British arrival at Glastonbury, the English discovered the monastery already established and could clearly be seen as having religious importance. This importance was extended as the church is considered the birthplace of modern Christianity – with individuals such as Saint Patrick subscribing to the religious movement. The Abbey soon housed monks that spread the word of Christianity and it seemed that many of the Saxons converted to the religion considering the importance the Abbey played in the community.
ReplyDeleteAs Geoffrey Ashe explains, Glastonbury Abbey is considered one of the oldest churches in Britain and thus is a great symbol of the ancientness of the region’s Christianity. Part of this symbolic significance is related to the mystery surrounding the origin of the church there. Whether it had been built in the 2nd century by missionaries or placed there by God himself, the church drew many visitors throughout its long history, whose existence uniquely bridged the gap between Celtic Britain and Anglo-Saxon England. The recent discovery of glass, furnaces and clay crucibles requiring specialist workers dating from the 7th century gives another insight to the significance of Glastonbury, as the site must have been highly valued for such early glasswork to be undertaken there. Towards the end of the Ashe reading, the interesting point is made about trade in the early stages of Christianity. It seems quite likely that Glastonbury’s involvement in this period (as shown by artifacts found in the area matching those found overseas) could suggest another link to the early spread of Christianity in Britain.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Hilary’s statement that Glastonbury did not play a major role in the spread of Christianity in Britain. The evidence put forward by Ashe suggests to me that Glastonbury did not play an ‘active’ but rather an indirect role in the spread of Christianity. Archaeological evidence suggests that Glastonbury was not a mission house and there is no evidence for the establishment of daughter houses by monks from Glastonbury. Therefore I believe, that Glastonbury did more to sustain the scanty fragments of Christianity in Britain rather actively spread it. Ashe states that by the 4th century there were only three bishoprics in Britain and a very small number of Christians. Later on these bishoprics were destroyed by Anglo-Saxon invasions in the 5th century. We can concur that in this environment of invasions and turmoil, permanency of any institution of community was probably very rare. However, the ‘old’ church of Glastonbury was untouched, and thus it became a place of refuge for the small number of Christians in Britain. The excerpt by St Dunstan reflects the probably thoughts of these early hermits. They believed that through God’s guidance, they had found a church ‘not built by art of man, they say but prepared by God himself...’ Thus, while Glastonbury did not play an active role in spreading Christianity, we can credit it with survival of the Christian faith.
ReplyDelete*lost my original comment when trying to post - attempt two*
ReplyDeleteGlastonbury Abbey is widely acknowledged as the first British Christian community, but its influence in the spread of early christianity in Britain is harder to ascertain.
One of the main problems is the fact that no one is sure when the Glastonbury monastery was first built. No one ever was given credit for the building of the first christian institute, and legends were told that it was in fact built by God himself. William of Malmesbury tried to base the dating of it through historical facts, stating it to be founded by King Ine of the West Saxons early in the eighth century. Yet, this was not correct and with the loss of records from that time it is doubtful if we'll ever know when it was created, and thus its early influence on Christianity in Britain.
However, archeology gives a clearer picture. It suggests that even though Glastonbury was seen as holy and the first church, it didn't necessarily imply a far reaching influence. Archeology agrees with the legends that the monastery wasn't a mission centre, and that the conversion of Somerset was late. Although there was a community, they were originally made up of monks that were isolated by lagoons and marshes.
On the other hand digs around the area have revealed a rich wealth of artefacts from different places across the country that were all found in Glastonbury, revealing that the place had widespread trade and influence overseas.
In the end, being known overseas doesn't equate to having a large influence over the spread of christianity.
(My original comment was more thought out. i lost heart after it got deleted.)
Glastonbury Abbey is widely regarded as one of the initial birthplaces of Christianity in Britain and is credited with the introduction and spread of Christianity amongst the Britons. The Abbey was once a Celtic Abbey described as the 'holiest earth in all the land', and became wealthy due to its position by the sea along a trade route between Europe and Britain. Geoffrey Ashe's description of the Abbey as potentially the first 'native christian institution' contends that the Abbey did play a major role in the evolution of Christianity in Britain. But even if this isn't completely accurate, one could say that the Abbey was a place where the insular developing Christian community could progress, and the Christianity could become entrenched in Britain and its society.
ReplyDeleteMany historians, contemporary and medieval, refer to Glastonbury Abbey as being a keystone of the christian faith in British history. Glastonbury, at that time, was located on the coast near Bristol and provided a major trading port to merchants and travellers alike. The true importance of Glastonbury however lies with the so-called 'Old Church'. George Ashely a relatively modern historian states that this most holy place was used initially as a site for hermits to stop and pray, naming it more of a retreat rather than a grand monastery used to spread the word of christ. Therefore this means that although the 'Old Church' may have stood beyond memory, and though it may be littered with relics, it is its cultural relevance that is its true measure. As Glastonbury was a isolated and not of particular relevance other than for its Christian roots, its clear to see that the spread of christianity in Britain was pushed on not by the beating heart of Glastonbury but through other centres more culturally and more than likely more economically important.
ReplyDeleteGlastonbury Abbey is widely accepted as the first British Christian community, however the exact date of its origin, and who built it, is unknown. In Britain it was seen as the holiest place in the land. This, coupled with the spread of Christianity, with people like St. Patrick making a mark, allowed the church to play a significant role in the early spread of Christianity. It appears to have remained unbroken from the time of Celtic Britain, into Anglo-Saxon England because when the Saxons took over it, they had already been converted on the way, so there was no need for them to destroy it, thus contributing to the church's influence.
ReplyDeleteNear the beginning of the Christian era the village of Godney ('Glastonbury lake-village') was an important area for trade and production goods. Wares from Glastonbury from this period have been found in Wales, Northern Ireland, and Brittany, revealing that the area was known of overseas and people had reasons to visit it. Thus, being an important area for the spread of trade, it could also have been important in spreading Christianity throughout Britain.
Glastonbury played an integral part in the spread of Christianity in britain. As Geoffrey Ashe accounts, the very first evidence of a Christian community in Britain traces back the the establishment of Glastonbury Abbey, which can be attributed to as early as AD 60 by some scholars, with the very latest inception of this church around the second century AD. Various theories can be attributed to Glastonbury's beginnings; while it was believed Christians may have crossed from mainland Europe via Dover and London, the scholar Professor Treharne details that it is very possible "traders and adventurers" may have been responsible for bringing the Christian faith across the seas. Whiel this encompasses seemingly insignificant numbers of individuals, this method may account for why there is no sure date for the building of Glastonbury Abbey, or a name for the architect themself. However, as far back as history notes this significant building, it has been a centre for saints and esteemed individuals to converge and spread the word of Christian faith.
ReplyDeleteAs the "first native Christian institution", Glastonbury played a fundamental role in the early Christianity in Britain. Just how early Christianity reached the British Isles (and thus Glastonbury, which was "the first and oldest religious house in Britain") is disputed, making it difficult to accurately assess how early Glastonbury came into significance. Tertullian clearly mentions Christianity in the Isles in around AD 200, but other sources suggest an earlier beginning. Gildas suggested that "the holy precepts of Christ" arrived between AD 60 and 65, while William of Malmesbury proposes that missionaries arrived in the second century and built the Old Church, although he also acknowledges that Christianity could have arrived earlier. Professor Treharne, in support, cites the evidence of widespread foreign trade in the region in suggesting that boats of Christian traders and adventurers could have arrived very early (in the first century). Therefore, it seems that the monastery that became Glastonbury Abbey, built before recorded history in the region, was the birthplace of British Christianity. Though it appears that the monastery's early inhabitants were "insular" monks living in solitude, the reverence in which Glastonbury was held (as the "'holiest earth' in all the land') by the Britons inspired kings and pilgrims to visit. It is likely that in this way, Christianity was spread from Glastonbury throughout Britain. Furthermore, if Treharne's theory of traders bringing Christianity is to be believed, it could be argued that Glastonbury compelled the spread of Christianity from the European continent to the British Isles merely through its existence as a trading capital.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that Glastonbury comes up in a unit about Arthur, because the similarities you could draw between the two are quite obvious - both have origins shrouded in mystery, both had a significant impact on the culture of the area, and both of them seem to baffle historians! I think the thing I took away from the readings was that Glastonbury never 'fell' because by the time the Saxons reached it they had already been converted and treated the site with reverence. William of Malmesbury suggests that missionaries built the church, but I prefer the more fanciful notion that God himself built the place and consecrated it for Christians. I think that the foreign trading in the area is greatly suggestive not necessarily of the constructers of the building (if indeed there were mortal constructers) but of the influence that Glastonbury would have had - the native people would swear by the Old Church as a very serious oath and that kind of thing coupled with the mythic qualities instilled in the area would have left a very strong impression upon traders and travellers who could then spread the tales and indeed the religion across the European continent. So, to answer the question, Glastonbury helped spread Christianity both by being in a fortituous location to propogate myths and legends about itself, and by being mysterious in and of itself (allowing superstitious locals and gawking travellers alike to label it the holiest ground in the British Isles, a poetic term that would have assisted the spread of stories greatly).
ReplyDeleteAs an endnote, I notice that I'm tackling these questions a great deal less formally than the other comments. I hope that's okay, if it isn't, let me know and I'll dress up my responses in appropriate historian language or something. :P
Glastonbury, as has been previously stated, played a large role in the early spread of Christianity in Britain. It is often referred to as the first British Christian community, as well as the 'holiest place in Britain'. Such titles infer an immense importance in the building, as well as the land itself. It is disputed how long Christianity has been present in Britain, and therefore how long Glastonbury has been a place of religious significance. Some historians claim that the building itself can be dated back to 60AD, whilst others claim it is not quite so old, placing it in the 2nd century AD instead. The location of Glastonbury and its involvement in trade with foreign countries has been responsible for the argument that the area was the birthplace of Christianity only by chance, as people came into the land from areas already converted to the religion. These people brought with them ideas that were readily taken up by the locals, and were hastily spread through the rest of Britain.
ReplyDeleteThe construction undertaken during the 7th century may show the determination of the Anglo-Saxon reign in establishing Christian influence seen through the techniques brought from the continent mentioned above. However whether these Anglo-Saxon rulers were Catholic or Arian is open to question. It is also questionable that, when St Patrick organised Glastonbury's hermits in the 5th century, what kind of Christianity were these hermits belonged to. Both cases, however showed the ideological importance of Glastonbury being the first Christian community, despite that it might be chosen to be so merely because the monks liked its scenery. Later connection between Glastonbury and the legend of King Arthur was also due to this ideological significance of linking Britain's past with the early Christian settlement of the land.
ReplyDelete