explaining some of the stories, legends, possibly even myths about glastonbury abbey, which is so strongly associated with the foundationf christianity and therefore, of course, of christmas. so glastonbury is one of the oldest sites associated with christianity in the united kingdom, and this tree is fundamentally important. i wonder if you could explain why the glastonbury thorn is at the heart of all the stories and legends about glastonbury? >> sure. well, the thorn tree here is tied up in the legend of glastonbury foundation. many monasteries and holy sites have a foundation legend as part of their legitimacy, how they became a holy, special place and the holy thorn. and the story of it is one of glastonbury, as it's tied up in the story of a man called joseph of arimathea, a biblical figure some say later authors say , possibly even the authors say, possibly even the great uncle of mary, or even related to christ himself. the story goes that he came to glastonbury in this case after the crucifixion. he may be coming to escape persecution in the holy land. he arrives in the southwest up through the bristol channel