History or legends may draw you to visit the Tor, but a large part of what makes the site so special is the walk the visitor will take in green and vibrant natural surroundings. 1509-1547 CE) and his Dissolution of the Monasteries.

Evidence of monastic activity on the hill can also be found in a charter written by Henry III of England (1216-1272 CE) in 1234 CE which permitted a fair to be held “at the monastery of St Michael on the Tor.” The last abbot of Glastonbury Abbey, Richard Whiting (1461-1539 CE), together with two of his monks, was hanged, drawn, and quartered here in 1539 CE when the abbey was suppressed during the reign of King Henry VIII of England (r.

The discovery of a wheel-headed cross establishes a Christian presence in the 11th century CE. Archaeological finds and Celtic sagas show that this stone church was built on top of a previous wooden church and that the Christian connection to the hill continued for many centuries.

Michael's Tower, is the remains of the stone church constructed in the 14th century CE. The tower now standing on top of the Tor, known as St. What can be historically proven is Glastonbury's function as a monastic site, which faced hardship during the Protestant Reformation of the English church in the 16th century CE.

Origin legend grail glastonbury tor