Vicki
Vicki asked K.R. Richards:

I loved the Lord of the Abbey. It was wonderful. Wow what a story! It was brilliant on all levels. I loved the romance and the history as well as the archaeological aspects. Was this all imagination or are there some secrets in that area? Is that town real?

K.R. Richards Thank you so much, Vicki! I appreciate the feedback. It's not all imagination, though I can't say it is documented fact either. There are myths and legends that go way back in Glastonbury. It is a real place in somerset England, just as the abbey was real, now in ruins since the dissolution of the abbeys in the 16th C. Jesus and Joseph of Arimathea coming to Glastonbury has been speoken about for centuries, though there is no concrete proof. Many of the ancient historians wrote about it. Glastonbury Abbey is listed as the "Domus Dei" (House of God) and Secretum Domini (Secret of our Lord) in the Domesday. No other Abbey in the Domesday shared that distinction. Many Kings from earlier centuries are buried on the Abbey grounds, and it is even believed that St. Patrick was buried there (though it's more likely he was bruied in Ireland, yet he did visit Glastonbury). Glastonbury Abbey has been a pilgrimage site for a very long time. If you look up "Jesus in Glastonbury" in your browser, you will find a whole host of things. Some are more far-fetched than others, but there is a basis for truth to all the legends and myths. I am not alone in thinking that Jesus did vist Britain. Juluis Caesar did write about the Druidic colleges in Britain, and many wealthy Romans & Greeks sent their sone there for education. It has long been believed Glastonbury was one of those locations. The Glastonbury Tor and the tower of St. Michael are real, and it is long believed Jesus built a wattle and daub (mud and wood) chapel to honor his mother at the present day site of the Lady Chapel ruins. In fact, a few of the ancient historians visited the site when part of the original chapel was preserved in lead after a new structure was built. It is even mentioned in the Bible, in Luke, I believe (forgive me for not looking it up - working on a personal deadline to finish first draft of book1 of next Avalon Society Series, the Quest for the Shroud series) but I digress, back to what I was saying - that Joseph of Arimathea was "Nobelis Decurio" (could be spelled wrong), which translates as Minister of the mines, and we do know The Romans and Greeks were mining in Britain at that time. As Joseph was wealthy, it adds to the argument that this was true. The Romans needed lead and tin. It is believed Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin, and many believe he was Jesus' uncle, as only the head male family member could arrange burials in Jesus' time. You must check out Glastonbury, Somerset, England sites too. Glastonbury is often referred to as Avalon, and there are many who believe the Tor was Avalon, and there are many references to King Arthur, such as were mentioned in Lord of the Abbey. St. Brigid's Chapel really stood also, and though there is nothing left today, the place is still called St. Bride's Mound. The Chalice Well (Red Spring) and White Spring are real as well, and it is believed they were named white & red spring because it represented the blood and sweat of Christ. And because many believe the "Holy Grail", chalice used at the Last Supper was brought by Joseph to Glastonbury and that he hid it in the Red Spring, that the Red Spring became known as Chalice Well. The well's waters are of course known for their helaing powers. There is no manor house on Stonedown Lane where Rowen's home, Stonedown Manor, stands but there were standing stones along the lane centuries ago, and I thought it was a perfect place for Rowena to live. Abbey Grange, however, is based on Abbey House, which does still stand at the edge of the Abbey, and was built either late 18th or early 19th century, but a Manor was torn down to build the newest one, and was the seat of the Lords of Glaston after the dissolution of the abbey. That's probably more answer than you wanted. If you continue with the series, you will also visit the locations in Cornwall where it was believed Jesus & Joseph visited also. Thank you again for your lovely reviews on Goodreads & Amazon. I really appreciate them. If you have any more questions as you read, please let me know. I will be happy to answer them. The next series is set in Scotland, where it is believed some of the Knights Templar escaped before they were arrested and brought much of the Templar Treasure with them - including the Shroud, and possibly Shroud copies. ;) That is what I am working on now, and also Book 2 of my Contemporary Paranormal series, the Decker Brother s Trilogy.

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