To add to visitors enjoyment in 2008 whilst they visit Glastonbury Abbey, we have living history characters (actors) here. We started some seven or eight years ago with one actor, just for the summer months, playing the part of the Abbots Guest Master from 1538, doing three performances a day.
This has grown, due to public demand, and now, from March to October, we have two actors on site daily, ranging from monks to pilgrims, lowly kitchen maids and even a IGngs' Commissioner.
They will tell visitors of the history and legends of this once great Abbey and of the monastic life of this place; in particular the food and drink that was dispensed to the monks and the Abbots guests - as the menu for both was quite different!
We use the appropriately named Abbots Kitchen as a setting for these tales and over the years we have gradually tried to enhance the 'Kitchen' as a backdrop to these stories.
Huge tables are set up to show how food was prepared, what herbs and spices would have been used and how bread was baked in the existing bread oven.
We even have jugs and bowls made using authentic glazes, made for us by local potter Eddie Daughton, and many other local craftsmen have contributed with their specialist knowledge, so that we can show just how a Tudor Kitchen would have looked, and how different it is from our modern kitchens today.
Our latest addition is a full size roasting spit, complete with suckling pigs; again this was made by a blacksmith, employing ancient skills.
As time goes on we aim to completely equip our impressive four hearth kitchen, which once was used to feed important visitors to this world famous Abbey.
Abbots Kitchen Glastonbury Abbey approx 1940 - photo presented with the kind permisssion of www.grumpystumpy.com
Glastonbury Abbey approx 1940 - photo presented with the kind permisssion of www.grumpystumpy.com
St Mary's Chapel Glastonbury Abbey approx 1940 - photo presented with the kind permisssion of www.grumpystumpy.com
The Cross Glastonbury - photo presented with the kind permisssion of www.grumpystumpy.com
The Abbey is set in 37 acres of beautifully
peaceful parkland in the centre of the ancient market town of Glastonbury.
It is traditionally the first Christian Sanctuary in Great Britain, visited,
so legend has it, by Joseph of Arimathea and Saints David and Patrick.
Many believe that the Holy Thorn tree that can be
seen in the grounds originated from Joseph of Arimathea's staff and
others are convinced that King Arthur was buried in the Abbey beside
his lovely wife Queen Guinevere.
Glastonbury Abbey presents itself as "traditionally the oldest above-ground Christian
church in the World" situated "in the mystical land of Avalon".
Avalon is a legendary island somewhere in the British Isles where King Arthur was taken to recover from
his wounds after his last battle at Camlann, and where his sword Caliburn (Excalibur) was forged.
www.glastonburyabbey.com |
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