Back in Time: A royal visit to Glastonbury

By Guest 16th Jul 2021

Glastonbury is a place full of history, whether that be going back hundreds of years or a handful of decades.

Today we launch a new Back In Time feature, where Glastonbury Nub News looks at people, places and events that have shaped our town.

In the first article, Laura Linham takes a look at a royal visit in the early 1900s.

Central Somerset has paid host to its fair share of royal visitors over the years, but check out the pomp and ceremony from 1909 when the Prince and Princess of Wales - who later became King George V and Queen Mary - popped by.

The royal duo were in Glastonbury to mark the restoration of the abbey to the Church of England.

The ceremony took place on June 22, 1909, and marked the official handover of the site to the Church.

Held at the abbey's western end, it involved an archbishop, 30 bishops and two deans attended by their chaplains: 300 clergy in all.

With them came the Mayor of Glastonbury, plus the mayors of six other towns with their respective councillors, accompanied by a platoon of West Somerset Yeomanry.

Behind came half a dozen dukes and earls with their retinues, and it was at just after 3.45pm that the royal couple made their appearance, escorted by a detachment of Somerset Light Infantry.

Eager to catch a glimpse of the future king and queen, enthusiastic crowds lined the street, and hung out of windows in the High Street.

The royal duties included opening the "new" abbey entrance, before the dignitaries moved into the abbey for the official Restoration Ceremony.

Some were lucky enough to have a seat in the choir costing 10/-, 5/-, or splashed out for a seat in the nave at a 1/-. Standing room was 6d.

The deeds of the abbey were formally presented by Dr Kennion to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Davidson, before their Royal Highnesses, the bishops and a large congregation.

Small wonder that many thought this heralded the start of a new era for Glastonbury.

     

CHECK OUT OUR Jobs Section HERE!
glastonbury vacancies updated hourly!
Click here to see more: glastonbury jobs

     

Can we count on you? Local news is the heartbeat of Glastonbury and Street
— it needs your support.

For less than the price of a cup of coffee each month,
you can help us keep telling the stories that matter to Glastonbury and Street.
Support local journalism. Protect your community.

Thank you to those of you that have already contributed.
Monthly supporters will enjoy:
Ad-free experience

Share:


Sign-up for our FREE newsletter...

We want to provide glastonbury with more and more clickbait-free news.

     

...or become a Supporter.
Glastonbury and Street. Your Town. Your News.

Local news is essential for our community — but it needs your support.
Your donation makes a real difference.
For monthly donators:
Ad-free experience