Christian legend dictates that Jesus’s great uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, came to Britain after the crucifixion 2,000 years ago bearing the Holy Grail - the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper.
He visited Glastonbury and thrust his staff into Wearyall Hill, just below the Tor, planting a seed for the original thorn tree.
Roundheads felled the tree during the English Civil War, when forces led by Oliver Cromwell (pictured) waged a vicious battle against the Crown.
However, locals salvaged the roots of the original tree, hiding it in secret locations around Glastonbury.
It was then replanted on the hill in 1951. Other cuttings were also grown and placed around the town - including its famous Glastonbury Abbey.
Experts had verified that the tree - known as the Crategus Monogyna Bi Flora - originated from the Middle East.
A sprig of holy thorns was taken from the Thorn tree by Glastonbury’s St Johns Church on Wednesday and sent to the Queen.
The 100-year-old tradition will see the thorns sit on Her Majesty’s dinner table on Christmas Day
YES WE ARE FIGHTING THE EVIL IN THE LAST DAYS...
EPHESIANS 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
“It was then replanted on the hill in 1951.”
Interesting history of the “tree”. In quotes as I’m not sure replanting some of its roots still qualifies as being a 2000 year-old tree.
However, that gives hope that the remnants of this tree will live on in spite of the attempts at destroying the tree. (A HUGE metaphor in there).
And interesting. Not to say that a “miracle” didn’t happen with the whole original planting, but it almost sounds like a seed was planted - and he used his staff to shove it into the dirt?
I love the old legends and stuff. Not that it makes a difference if it is real or not. Just interesting to ponder.