Frances Howard-Gordon

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Glastonbury : Maker of Myths

Glastonbury, the ancient Isle of Avalon, is known throughout the world as a holy shrine, an ancient sanctuary, a sacred centre overflowing with history, myths and legends. Within its landscape are hidden tales of ancient fertility rituals, a Neolithic labyrinth, the Cauldron of Inspiration, the Holy Grail, a faery castle, a magic mountain, a land of the Dead. King Arthur was buried here, the oldest church in Britain was founded in what later became the Abbey Ruins after the Dissolution of the Monasteries. A cutting of the Glastonbury Thorn, brought by Joseph of Arimathea from Palestine in AD63, is still sent on Christmas Day to the ruling monarch. Such is the wealth of Glastonbury's living history and legends and that is not to mention the Glastonbury Festival which has come to be regarded as the biggest and best of all the summer festivals in Britain. When GLASTONBURY was first published in 1982, there was very little written on the subject. Since its publication the book has sold over 50,000 copies. It has been out of print for around two years so it is timely to publish a new edition, substantially revised and updated in a new format with new photographs and new chapters on Glastonbury's ever-changing population and pioneering culture, its pilgrims, problems and plans for the future. "The legends of Glastonbury are closely interwoven with its landscape, monuments and natural features. They come to life in their native setting, whose subtle beauties are illustrated in this helpful companionable guide to Glastonbury's shrines and secret places" -John Michell, author of more than forty books on ancient civilisations and sacred geometry.