During the dangerous time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries (1532 onwards), Richard Whiting, Abbot of Glastonbury sent an emissary to Henry VIII. He sent a pie, in which were baked the deeds of a dozen manor houses, owned by the Abbey (it was bribe, you see). The emissary was one John Horner. After the Dissolution, from which Glastonbury was not spared, John Horner took up residence at one of those manor houses - at Mells. Richard Whiting was hanged for a treason he probably contemplated, but scarcely had a chance to enact. In fact, he was hung, drawn and quartered on Glastonbury Tor. "Hopton, Horner, Smyth and Thynne, When Abbotts went out, they came in." This episode is also credited with inspiring the nursery rhyme, Little Jack Horner:- "He stuck in his thumb, And pulled out a plum, And said, 'What a good boy am I!'" |
