To be busy with the history of Glastonbury Abbey, you have to differentiate between the
early history and the time after the Norman conquest. Especially on closer inspection of
the early history a big problem takes place: All traditions like architecture, written and
painted sources have been destroyed by the big fire of 1184. That is why the today known
early history of Glastonbury Abbey is only based on myths and sources that had been
written after the fire.
The most important is the “De Antiquitate Glastonie Ecclesie” by William of
Malmesbury.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The meaning of the vetusta ecclesia for the new prestige of Glastonbury Abbey according to William of Malmesbury’s „De Antiquitate Glastonie Ecclesie”
2.1 The situation of crisis in Glastonbury after the Norman conquest
2.2 William of Malmesbury and the “De Antiquitate Glastonie Ecclesie”
2.3 The legend of the prehistoric church “vetusta ecclesia”
2.4 The meaning of the vetusta ecclesia for the Abbey
3. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This paper examines how the narrative of the "vetusta ecclesia" was utilized by Glastonbury Abbey in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest to establish institutional prestige and historical legitimacy through the writings of William of Malmesbury.
- The impact of the Norman Conquest on Anglo-Saxon monastic traditions.
- The historical and symbolic function of William of Malmesbury’s "De Antiquitate Glastonie Ecclesie".
- The legend and origin story of the "vetusta ecclesia".
- The strategic construction of monastic identity and claims to antiquity.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 The situation of crisis in Glastonbury after the Norman conquest
The Norman conquest had extreme effects on all of England. This is especially to understand by the extreme changes of the monastery everyday life in Glastonbury. The old Anglo-Saxon aristocracy was changed into Norman upper class, they had to speak French, native literature, prayers, songs and law disappeared and the Norman brought liturgies and a new holy calendar. All these changes led to a big loss of individuality for the monastery. For this reason the monks decided to hold on to their tradition and history and tried to keep as much as possible. There was also always a little rivalry with the other abbeys. Osbern (historic writer of Canterbury) wrote in his chronic that Dunstan would have been the first abbot of Glastonbury, which would mean that the abbey was not as old as they told it would be. So they monks wanted to give their monastery new and more prestige by the glory of its history, and so they instructed William of Malmesbury to write a chronic about the history of the monastery and the lives of the most important saints.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter highlights the challenges of researching Glastonbury Abbey's early history due to the fire of 1184 and introduces the primary source, William of Malmesbury’s work.
2. The meaning of the vetusta ecclesia for the new prestige of Glastonbury Abbey according to William of Malmesbury’s „De Antiquitate Glastonie Ecclesie”: This chapter sets the stage for analyzing how the Abbey sought to reclaim its status following the Norman invasion through historical documentation.
2.1 The situation of crisis in Glastonbury after the Norman conquest: The section describes the political and cultural upheaval brought by the Normans and the monks' subsequent need to solidify their historical identity.
2.2 William of Malmesbury and the “De Antiquitate Glastonie Ecclesie”: This part explores the commission of the chronic by the monks and William of Malmesbury’s role as a historian in defining the institution's past.
2.3 The legend of the prehistoric church “vetusta ecclesia”: The chapter details the hagiographic accounts and legendary origins attributed to the primitive chapel.
2.4 The meaning of the vetusta ecclesia for the Abbey: This section investigates how the physical and spiritual legacy of the "Old Church" served as a cornerstone for the Abbey's prestige.
3. Conclusion: The conclusion evaluates the significance of the "vetusta ecclesia" as a symbol of origin, even acknowledging the ambiguity of its historical existence.
Keywords
Glastonbury Abbey, William of Malmesbury, De Antiquitate Glastonie Ecclesie, vetusta ecclesia, Norman Conquest, Monasticism, St. Patrick, Joseph of Arimathea, Historical Legitimacy, Anglo-Saxon, Middle Ages, Monastic History, Institutional Prestige, Church History.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this research paper?
The paper examines the historical and strategic significance of the "vetusta ecclesia" (the Old Church) at Glastonbury Abbey as depicted in William of Malmesbury’s chronicles.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The core themes include monastic institutional history, the impact of the Norman Conquest on English cultural memory, and the creation of myths to establish historical authority.
What is the main objective of this study?
The goal is to understand how Glastonbury Abbey used its purported early origins and the "vetusta ecclesia" to secure prestige and defend its historical significance against external political pressure.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses historical-critical analysis of medieval source material, specifically comparing the chronicle "De Antiquitate Glastonie Ecclesie" with historical context and secondary literature.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body discusses the crisis post-1066, the role of William of Malmesbury, the legends surrounding the church's founding by the disciples of Christ, and the symbolic importance of the structure.
How would you describe the work with these keywords?
The work is defined by the intersection of hagiography, institutional survival strategies, and medieval historiography at Glastonbury Abbey.
Why was William of Malmesbury specifically chosen by the monks?
He was seen as a politically neutral observer due to his mixed Norman and British origins, making his chronic appear more objective and authoritative.
How did the monks handle the loss of their historical records in the fire of 1184?
They relied on existing copies of William of Malmesbury’s work and oral traditions to maintain the narrative of their antiquity even after the physical structure was lost.
- Citar trabajo
- Anonym (Autor), 2006, The meaning of the vetusta ecclesia for the new prestige of Glastonbury Abbey according to William of Malmesbury's De Antiquitate Glastonie Ecclesie, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/161740
