Editing Glastonbury Tor (section)

===Christian settlement===
During the late Saxon and early medieval period, there were at least four buildings on the summit. The base of a stone cross demonstrates Christian use of the site during this period, and it may have been a hermitage.<ref>{{cite web|title=Late Saxon and medieval occupation, Glastonbury Tor|url=http://www.somersetheritage.org.uk/record/23604|work=Somerset Historic Environment Record|publisher=South West Heritage Trust|access-date=27 October 2013}}</ref> The broken head of a [[Sun cross|wheel cross]] dated to the 10th or 11th century was found partway down the hill and may have been the head of the cross that stood on the summit.{{sfn|Rahtz|Watts|2003|p=78}}{{sfn|Abrams|Carley|1991|p=33}}{{sfn|Koch|2006|p=816}} The head of the cross is now in the [[Museum of Somerset]] in [[Taunton]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Frome Hoard finds new home at the centre of new Somerset Museum|url=http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/archaeology/art365271|publisher=Culture 24|access-date=27 October 2013}}</ref>

The earliest timber church, dedicated to [[Michael (archangel)|St Michael]],{{sfn|Rahtz|Watts|2003|p=80}} is believed to have been constructed in the 11th or 12th century; from which post holes have since been identified.<ref>{{cite web|title=Church of St Michael, The Tor, Glastonbury|url=http://www.somersetheritage.org.uk/record/23605|work=Somerset Historic Environment Record|publisher=South West Heritage Trust|access-date=27 October 2013}}</ref>{{sfn|Rahtz|Watts|2003|p=79}} Associated monk cells have also been identified.{{sfn|Rahtz|Watts|2003|p=79}}

In 1243 [[Henry III of England|Henry III]] granted a charter for a six-day fair at the site.{{sfn|Rahtz|Watts|2003|p=83}}

St Michael's Church was destroyed by [[1275 British earthquake|an earthquake on 11 September 1275]].<ref name=bgs>{{cite web|url=http://www.quakes.bgs.ac.uk/earthquakes/historical/historical_listing.htm |title=Historical Earthquake Listing |access-date=25 December 2007 |work=British Geological Survey |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119072210/http://www.quakes.bgs.ac.uk/earthquakes/historical/historical_listing.htm |archive-date=19 November 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> According to the [[British Geological Survey]], the earthquake was felt in London, Canterbury and Wales,{{sfn|Musson|2003|pp=1.14–1.16}} and was reported to have destroyed many houses and churches in England. The intensity of shaking was probably greater than 7 on the [[Medvedev–Sponheuer–Karnik scale]], with its epicentre in the area around [[Portsmouth]] or [[Chichester]], South England.<ref name=bgs/>

[[File:St Michael's Tower on Glastonbury Tor 2.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Ruins of the second St Michael's Church]]

A second church, also dedicated to St Michael, was built of local sandstone in the 14th century by the Abbot Adam of Sodbury, incorporating the foundations of the previous building. It included [[stained glass]] and decorated floor tiles. There was also a portable altar of [[Purbeck Marble]];{{sfn|Rahtz|Watts|2003|pp=80–81}} it is likely that the Monastery of St Michael on the Tor was a daughter house of [[Glastonbury Abbey]].{{sfn|Rahtz|Watts|2003|p=83}}

St Michael's Church survived until the [[Dissolution of the Monasteries]] in 1539 when, except for the tower, it was demolished.<ref name=nhlesm/> The Tor was the place of execution where [[Richard Whiting (abbot)|Richard Whiting]], the last Abbot of Glastonbury Abbey, was [[hanged, drawn and quartered]] along with two of his monks, [[John Thorne (Blessed)|John Thorne]] and [[Roger James (Blessed)|Roger James]].{{sfn|Stanton|1892|p=538}} The three-storey tower of St Michael's Church survives. It has corner [[buttress]]es and perpendicular bell openings. There is a sculptured tablet with an image of an eagle below the parapet.<ref name=nhlelb/>