[This is one of six reports covering past Antiquarian Society lectures for which the Consoc newsletter had no space at the time. We caught up in Newsletter 141. —Ed.]

A talk by Tim Hopkinson-Ball

Glastonbury is often viewed in terms of esotericism and independence in terms of the connection with the mother church, but there are also strong strands of dependency and orthodoxy running to its very origins, Tim Hopkinson-Ball said in his lecture to Glastonbury Antiquarian Society.

      The earliest evidence from the Abbey site shows occupation in the Roman and sub-Roman periods and maintenance of contact with the Byzantine world. When the original British lost control, the Saxon king Caedwal was baptized in Rome.

   Ine, the King of Wessex 696–726, also went to Rome. He became an enthusiast for the cult of St Peter and founded a hospice in the Saxon quarter, the Schola Saxona. The hospice had a church of which St Mary was patron. King Ine built the first stone church at Glastonbury, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. It is conceived as very much an outpost of the Roman church.

      In the early middle ages, the journey to Rome took six weeks to three months and could be hazardous. But many, such as Dunstan, and later abbots and monks, made the journey. Papal letters and privileges show that contact and business between Rome and Glastonbury was commonplace.

      The connection with Rome and dependence on the Roman church continued the heritage of an origin in Romano-British Christianity. The role of Rome in the liturgy was absolute, and seen in the great store of relics at Glastonbury, one of the largest collections in England. Many of the relics directly connected to the city, so that a pilgrimage to Glastonbury was seen as almost a form of pilgrimage to Rome itself. Glastonbury was called Roma Secunda by William of Malmesbury. Glastonbury did not produce any heretical books, and rather had a very impressive library containing many orthodox works. Contact continued until the Reformation.

   Rome provided inspiration to visitors from Glastonbury such as Abbot Beere. He saw the architecture and works such as Michelangelo’s Pietà [which was made in 1498–99, so it was new when Beere saw it in 1503]. On his return to Glastonbury, Beere embarked upon a building spree including the Loretto and crypt chapels.

   In the political struggles of the age, Glastonbury’s origins and status were used to bolster England’s independence. But in fact Glastonbury never challenged Rome’s authority, and was perhaps rewarded by the beatification of three of its martyrs in 1895.     [2013 May 17]