{"id":4372,"date":"2017-12-04T08:00:24","date_gmt":"2017-12-04T08:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.reading.ac.uk\/crg\/?p=4372"},"modified":"2017-12-04T08:00:24","modified_gmt":"2017-12-04T08:00:24","slug":"glastonbury-thorn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/herbarium\/2017\/12\/04\/glastonbury-thorn\/","title":{"rendered":"#AdventBotany Day 4: The Glastonbury Thorn"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Karen Andrews<\/a><\/h1>\n

Botanists are no strangers to muddy boots. Glastonbury conjures up an image today of muddy wellingtons at its famous pop music festival. The town also possesses a unique botanical heritage with a strong Christmas connection.<\/p>\n

\"Reproduced<\/a>
A first day cover featuring the Glastonbury Thorn \u00a9 Stamp Design Royal Mail Group Ltd (1986)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

History and Legend Entwined<\/h2>\n

Glastonbury is located on the Somerset Levels in England. It is steeped in ancient myths and has a tumultuous history. Today, the town is a unique spiritual centre that recognises and acknowledges all faiths and religions.<\/p>\n

Separating fact from fiction is impossible in Glastonbury. The Glastonbury Thorn suggests that there is some fact amid all the myths.<\/p>\n

Joseph of Arimathea<\/h2>\n

Legend claims that following Christ\u2019s crucifixion, his uncle came to Glastonbury. Joseph of Arimathea was weary after his long journey. He thrust his staff into the ground on Wearyall Hill. It took root in the ground, developed into a tree and flourished.<\/p>\n

The Legend Grew<\/h2>\n

During the English Civil War between 1642 and 1651, the Thorn was regarded as an ancient superstition.\u00a0 One of Oliver Cromwell\u2019s soldiers cut down the original Glastonbury Thorn with an axe. Legend suggests that one of its thorns blinded the solider in one eye.<\/p>\n

Christmas Tradition<\/h2>\n

A sprig of the Glastonbury Thorn\u2019s winter blossom has been presented to the British monarch every Christmas for centuries.<\/p>\n

Intriguing Botany<\/h2>\n

The Glastonbury Thorn is a variety of Hawthorn called Crataegus monogyna var. biflora.<\/em> Biflora <\/em>refers to its unique characteristic of flowering twice a year – once in spring and again in winter.<\/p>\n

Intriguingly, it is not a native British Hawthorn. It originates from the Middle East. Is there an element of truth in the legend? The Glastonbury Thorn will not grow from seeds or cuttings. It can only be grafted onto Crataegus monogyna<\/em>, the Common Hawthorn.<\/p>\n

\"Ken<\/a>
Glastonbury Tor in the background with the Glastonbury Thorn before vandalism. (Photo by Ken Grainger CC BY-SA 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>Each Glastonbury Thorn only lives for around 100 years. Its descendants have survived through the centuries \u2013 including the Henry VIII\u2019s Dissolution of the Monasteries which left Glastonbury Abbey in ruins.<\/p>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Holy Thorn Tree, Glastonbury
Situated on Wearyall Hill, this tree is said to have sprung from the staff of Joseph of Arimathea, the man who took Jesus’ body from the cross and placed it in a tomb. The staff subsequently became a thorn tree and has been a natural shrine for Christians across Europe. However, in December 2010, it was vandalised with its branches lopped off. Hopefully, the tree will grow again in the years to come. The town of Glastonbury can be seen behind the tree. \u00a9 Copyright David Hillas and licensed for reuse under CC BY-SA 2.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The tree on Wearyall Hill with Glastonbury Tor in the background.<\/p>\n

Vandalism<\/h2>\n

Disaster struck on Wearyall Hill in 2010. The iconic tree was vandalised with a chainsaw. The local population was outraged and devastated.<\/p>\n

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew came to the rescue with a new, grafted tree. Unfortunately, that tree was vandalised too. Glastonbury\u2019s residents were not to be defeated. They replanted.<\/p>\n

Role of Botanic Gardens<\/h2>\n

Today, the Glastonbury Thorn lives on protected in local gardens and other sites in the town, as well as at selected sites across the country. The tree\u2019s resurrection underlines the important role of botanic gardens in protecting the world\u2019s endangered plants.<\/p>\n

The Glastonbury Thorn\u2019s comeback offers a Christmas message of hope for the survival of other threatened species.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

References: <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Glastonbury Abbey: <\/strong>The Holy Thorn\/Joseph of Arimathea, <\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>web pages last accessed 26 November 2017<\/p>\n

Havarias, Adam:<\/strong> In Insula Avalonia \u2013 Wearyall Hill and the Holy Thorn<\/a>, Writing the Past Blog, 15 November 2013, Last accessed 26 November 2017<\/p>\n

Hillgrove PR:<\/strong> The Glastonbury Thorn lives on<\/a>, 15 January 2013, Last accessed 26 November 2017<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Photo credits:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The Glastonbury Thorn\u2019s 1986 Christmas Stamps Royal Mail IP guidelines: https:\/\/www.royalmail.com\/royal-mail-you\/intellectual-property-rights\/reproducing-stamps<\/a><\/p>\n

The Glastonbury Thorn by Ken Grainger [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons<\/p>\n

Holy Thorn tree, Glastonbury \u00a9 Copyright David Hillas<\/a> and licensed for reuse<\/a> under this Creative Commons Licence<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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