Glyn Dwr, Owian 299Further reading:Theophilus, On Diverse Arts: The
Treatise of Theophilus,trans. John G. Hawthorne and Cyril
Stanley Smith (Chicago: University of Chicago Press,
1963); John Baker, English Stained Glass of the Medieval
Period(London: Thames and Hudson, 1978); Sheila Blair
and Jonathan M. Bloom, The Art and Architecture of Islam
1250–1800(New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press,
1995); Alan Macfarlane and Gerry Martin, Glass: A World
History(Chicago: University of Chicago, 2002); Museum
of Fine Arts, Boston, Catalogue of Medieval Objects: Enam-
els & Glass(Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, 1986); Rachel,
Tyson, Medieval Glass Vessels Found in England, AD
1200–1500(York: Council for British Archaeology, 2000).
Glastonbury Abbey It was the oldest Celtic abbey in
England and has been linked with King ARTHUR and
JOSEPHof Arimathea. No real archaeological or literary
evidence has supported the presence of a religious com-
munity at Glastonbury before the late seventh century.
The identity of its founder thus remained unknown.
Always associated with the Crown throughout its history,
it was important in the monastic reform of the 10th cen-
tury, through its abbot, DUNSTAN. By the time of the Nor-
man Conquest in 1066 it was the richest religious house
in England. The monks violently resisted its first NOR-
MANabbot, and later there was a dispute with the bishop
of Bath, who attempted unsuccessfully to annex Glaston-
bury to his see. From the 12th century, the history of
WILLIAM OFMALMESBURY and the “discovery” of King
Arthur‘s bones in 1191 led to the identification of Glas-
tonbury as the source of all Christianity in Britain and its
link with King Arthur’s Avalon. This made it a major pil-
grimage center and increased its already great wealth and
status. In 1539 at the dissolution of the monasteries by
Henry VIII, the abbot and two monks were hanged, the
abbey was dissolved, the massive library was dispersed,
and its properties and site were sold for cash.
Further reading:Lesley Abrams, Anglo-Saxon Glas-
tonbury(Woodbridge: Boydell and Brewer, 1996); James
P. Carley, Glastonbury Abbey: The Holy House at the Head
of the Moors Adventurous(New York: St. Martin’s Press,
1988); N. E. Stacy, ed., Surveys of the Estates of Glaston-
bury Abbey, c. 1135–1201 (Oxford: Oxford University
Press for the British Academy, 2001).
Glossa Ordinaria The Glossa Ordinariawas the stan-
dard medieval commentary on the BIBLE. It was drawn up
chiefly from extracts from the FATHERS OF THE CHURCH,
and was arranged in the form of marginal and interlinear
glosses. Its composition was begun in the school of
ANSELMof Laon. Anselm wrote the gloss on the Psalter,
the Epistles of Paul, and the Gospel of Saint John; his
brother, Ralph, wrote on the gospel of Saint Matthew.
Gilbert the Universal (d. 1134), who taught at Auxerre in
1120 before becoming bishop of LONDON(r. 1128–34),
was responsible for the Pentateuch, Joshua, Judges, the
four Books of Kings, the Great Prophets, and Lamenta-
tions. The compilers of the gloss on the other books have
remained uncertain, but the whole Bible was glossed by
the middle of the 12th century The quality and history of
these glosses varied from book to book. The gloss on the
Pauline Epistles had a long and complicated later history.
The gloss on Acts of the Apostles was almost entirely
compiled from the commentaries of HRABANUSMAURUS
and BEDE.
Further reading:Glossa ordinaria (Pars 22, In Can-
ticum canticorum),ed. Mary Dove (Turnhoult: Brepols,
1997).glossaries Glossaries in the Middle Ages gave the defi-
nitions or brief explanations of obscure or difficult Latin
or vernacular words or expressions. Sometimes they grew
into expanded explanations or commentary on the source
texts. They could be written in the margins or between
the lines. They were fundamental lexicographical and
educational tools and sources for grammar and vocabu-
lary when dictionaries, as we know them, were rare or
unavailable. Some were written and intended as orna-
mentation to the text or as opportunities for authors to
display their knowledge. Words in an alphabetical glos-
sary might be intended to explain to students unfamiliar
plants, animals, houses, ideas, and people. Many glos-
saries were produced during the Middle Ages for school-
masters and for legal scholars and lawyers.
Their main sources for unusual vocabulary were
compilations from classical antiquity or bilingual phrase-
books for students of Latin or Greek. By the time of the
Carolingian Renaissance scholars and teachers such as
JOHNScotus Eriugena and ÆLFRIChad commented on
school texts by classical grammarians and authors such
as Priscian (fl. 500) and other authors such as MARTIANUS
Capella and BOETHIUS. They were complied throughout
the Middle Ages.
See alsoISIDORE OFSÉVILLE,SAINT.
Further reading:Michael Lapidge, “The School of
Theodore and Hadrian,” Anglo-Saxon England15 (1986):
45–72; Michael Lapidge, “Glossaries, Latin,” EMA1.611;
W. M. Lindsay, Studies in Early Medieval Latin Glossaries,
ed. Michael Lapidge (Aldershot: Variorum, 1996); Patri-
cia Lendinara, Anglo-Saxon Glosses and Glossaries(Alder-
shot: Variorum, 1999).gluttony SeeSEVEN DEADLY OR CAPITAL SINS.Glyn Dwr, Owian (Owen Glendower, Owain ap
Gruffydd Fychan)(ca. 1354–1415)Welsh national leader
Owen Glendower, also known as Owain ap Gruffydd
and Glyndyfrdwy, lord of Glyndwr and Sycharth, was
born about 1354 and claimed descent from Bleddyn ap