End of Glastonbury Abbey

Photo of the Ruins of Glastonbury Abbey

Archaeological excavations suggest Christian structures dating to the 5th century and the site may have been sacred to pagans before that. While the origins of Glastonbury Abbey are shrouded in mystery, the end is not: Henry VIII dissolved the abbey in 1539 and hung the last abbot, Richard Whiting. After being owned by the crown briefly, it was sold to and kept in private hands to be used as a quarry until little remained. In 1908 the Church of England bought it and preserve it today.