The Glastonbury Thorn
No other tree in the world has as much history, legend, and mythology associated with it as the Glastonbury Thorn.
The origins of this legend date back to ancient times. According to the legend, Joseph of Arimathea arrived in Glastonbury after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and established the first Christian church in England.
The Early Chapters
The narrative begins with Joseph of Arimathea, who, according to some accounts, was related to Jesus Christ and came to Glastonbury. At that time, Glastonbury was nearly an island. It was surrounded by an inland sea, with narrow land on its eastern edge connecting it to the rest of England. The Mendip Hills surrounding the Glastonbury Tor area were known for their metal ores. Legend has it that Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy tin merchant who often came to the area on business. In some versions of the story, Joseph took Jesus Christ with him on one such trip.
By the 17th century, the Holy Thorn was well known in the Glastonbury area. According to Sir William Brereton’s account from 1633, the tree was well-established and attracted many people on Christmas Day. Brereton described the tree’s location as being half a mile from the town, near the highway towards Bridgwater.
The Thorn and the Civil War
The period between 1642 and 1651 was marked by the turmoil of the English Civil War. The king was killed, and the monarchy was temporarily replaced by the Commonwealth of England (1649–1653) and the Protectorate (1653–1659). During this time, Cromwell became the ruler of the country. During this time, one of Cromwell’s soldiers decided to cut down the Holy Thorn because he believed it was merely a symbol of superstition. However, as the tree fell, its thorns struck his eye, blinding him. Of course, not every good story has a definitive ending. Thus, the local population continued nurturing the tree in secrecy, awaiting the moment when its new history would begin.
A Tree Like No Other
The Glastonbury Thorn, a unique type of hawthorn, is known as Crataegus monogyna ‘Biflora.’ It is believed to be a species native to the Middle East. This type’s peculiarity lies in its ability to bloom twice a year: once in the spring, like any other hawthorn, and again in the winter when the berries produced from the first bloom remain on its branches. The tree’s usual lifespan is about 100 years, though some have survived for centuries.
Many attempts have been made to cultivate new Glastonbury Thorn plants using seeds or cuttings, but none have produced a genuine Holy Thorn. To grow the Glastonbury Thorn, one must graft it to the rootstock of a regular hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). It is only through such painstaking grafting that the species has managed to survive for centuries.