The Legend of Glastonbury & King Arthur

Reckoned as a place of mystic and magic, the Glastonbury folklore transcends many generations. Tucked in Somerset, England, the most famous legend that revolves around this location is that of King Arthur. The story dates back to the 5th and 6th century during the Medieval era. Legend has it that King Arthur and his Queen Guinevere were buried in the monastery of Glastonbury. It is believed that after King Arthur’s final battle, where he was fatally injured, he was taken to the magical land of Avalon to recover. Many theories suggest that Glastonbury was indeed the mystical Island of Avalon. An intriguing aspect of the legend surfaced in the 12th century when the monks at Glastonbury Abbey claimed to have discovered the graves of Arthur and Guinevere. These claims were widely accepted and the place rapidly became a prominent pilgrimage site. In 1191, the monks delved further into the grave to find a leaden cross inscribed with the words: ‘Here lies buried the famous King Arthur with Guinevere his second wife, in the island of Avalon’. Presently, the grave is marked by a simple square memorial stone. Coincidentally, the Arthurian legend also connects to the Tor in Glastonbury. The Tor is believed to be the home of Gwyn ap Nudd, the Lord of the Otherworld, and the King of the magical folk, the Tylwyth Teg. As many stories intertwine and give birth to new ones, Glastonbury continues to spark questions and intrigue, thus making it a fascinating spot of folklore.

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