Benedictine Abbey of St. Mary
Quick Summary
The Benedictine Abbey of St. Mary, located in Glastonbury, England, was one of the wealthiest and possibly the oldest abbeys in England. While legend suggests it was founded in 166 CE, historical evidence points to its establishment earlier, with a Celtic monastery existing there before the Saxon conquest. By the 10th century, it was a significant religious and economic center.1
After a fire in 1184, the abbey was rebuilt, with construction continuing into the 14th century. Following the dissolution of monasteries in the 16th century, the abbey fell into ruin, though parts of St. Mary's Chapel and the abbey still remain. Glastonbury is also associated with legends of King Arthur and St. Joseph of Arimathea.12
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