Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History, has written more than 50 books specializing in British Christianity. These books include: The Monastery Murders, clerical mysteries; Lord Danvers Investigates, Victorian true-crime; The Elizabeth and Richard series, literary suspense; and Glastonbury, The Novel of Christian England. She loves research and sharing you-are-there experiences with her readers.
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Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History
A traveling researcher engages people and places from Britain's past and present, drawing comparisons and contrasts between past and present for today's reader.
Thoughts on The Crown of Thorns
By Donna Fletcher Crow ~ April 14, 2017
One of the legends of Glastonbury that influenced my writing of the epic of the same name was the story of Joseph of Arimathea taking refuge in Britannia after the Crucifixion of Christ, bearing with him a staff cut from the very tree from which the Romans had fashioned the Crown of Thorns used to pierce Jesus' brow as he hung on the cross. 
The story is that as Joseph stood on the brow of Wearyall Hill, exhausted from traveling, he leaned on his staff and it miraculously sprouted green leaves, a symbol of the new Life this band of Christian missionaries was bringing to the land we now call England.
The tree flourished atop its windswept hill for centuries until it was cut down during the English Civil War in the 17th century. It was replanted and flourished again until it was attacked again in 2010.
Fortunately, there are several thorn trees in Glastonbury propagated from the original, one of them in front of St. John the Baptist church in Glastonbury.
This is the tree from which a sprig is cut every Christmas and sent to the queen to decorate her breakfast table.
Uniquely, this species blooms twice a year, at Christmas and in the springtime near Easter. A symbol of new life, indeed.
You can read the legend in its fullness in "The Coming of the Light" the first section of Glastonbury, The Novel of Christian England.
Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History, has written more than 50 books specializing in British Christianity. These books include: The Monastery Murders, clerical mysteries; Lord Danvers Investigates, Victorian true-crime; The Elizabeth and Richard series, literary suspense; and Glastonbury, The Novel of Christian England. She loves research and sharing you-are-there experiences with her readers.
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