King Arthur

by Christopher Hibbert

Delighted to have confirmation of their ancient foundation from such a respected authority, the monks at Glastonbury made and circulated several copies of his De Antiquitate Glastomensis Ecclesiae. They went on to issue revised editions of the work, still listing William as the author but adding new material embellishing the abbey’s history and reputation. One of these revisionist accounts discussed how the abbey had been founded by “no other hands than those of the Disciples of Christ,” who had come to England in 63 A.D. to preach the Gospel. The group was led by Joseph of Arimathea, the follower of Jesus who had Christ’s body laid to rest in the sepulcher. A British king, impressed by their conduct, gave them land on which to settle at Glastonbury. There they were visited by the Archangel Gabriel, who told them to build a church, the original Vetusta Ecclesia, and dedicate it to the Virgin Mary. Gradually, as new editions of William’s book were issued by succeeding generations of monks, each hand written with considerable care and artistry, further details were added. St. Joseph of Arimathea had brought with him to Glastonbury, if not the Holy Grail itself, at least a pair of vessels, one containing the blood, the other the sweat of Christ, and these vessels had been buried with him in the abbey grounds. At the foot of Glastonbury Tor, the hill that rises above the abbey, Joseph had knelt to pray, leaning on his staff, and the walking stick had taken root and budded. Thi...