The Central Somerset Gazette reported on the reoccurring smell of
incense in 1910. The smell, described as deeply scented woods and balsams,
happened mainly in *Ivythorne Manor, which is in a secluded area, situated near
to Glastonbury.
Ivythorne (or Ivythorn, in later spellings) Manor was built in the
medieval period and was rebuilt by Abbot Selwood as his country residence in
1488. He was also overseeing the running of Glastonbury Abbey and Ivythorne
Manor was under ownership of the abbey. You can imagine that religious ceremonies
could’ve been carried out in the property and there’s talk of when Henry VIII called
for the dissolution of the monasteries, those monks, who no longer had a home
or work place, would secretly meet in Ivythorne to continue their religious offices.
The then tenant of Ivythorne Manor, Mr James Dunn and his family had
started to notice this sweet odour when they recently moved to the property.
The areas in the house that the phantom incense was mainly noticed was the
hall, the drawing room, a couple of the bedrooms and on the staircase.
Every visitor remarked on the incense smell when visiting the property.
At Christmas time, the phantom odour was strong and persistent.
The tenants before Mr Dunn, were also asked if they had experienced the
incense odour and they had, particularly at nighttime. One person was staying
in one of the bedrooms, when they were suddenly awoken by a subdued sound of
chanting, as if a procession of monks were passing through the room. This sound
was also accompanied by a strong smell of the beautiful incense.
It would appear that this sweet smelling phantom odour was not just confined
to Ivythorne Manor, but it was also smelt on the streets in Glastonbury. It had
been noticed in the then Post Office building and St. John’s church. One lady
followed the scent and traced it to an old tomb in the graveyard, but only for
the odour to disappear. It had also been smelt in Magdelene Street and also
around the area of Glastonbury Abbey.
* More history about Ivythorne Manor
Ivythorne
Manor was first reference in documents from the abbey in 1189. After the dissolution,
Ivythorne Manor became a separate dwelling from the abbey. A wing was added in
1578 but later demolished. The house was partly ruinous in 1834 but was
restored and a gatehouse built circa 1904. There were further alterations
including the West wing of 1938. The rectangular stone dovecote in the grounds is
said to have been built in 1578.
The building and
vast grounds are for sale here- https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/151129835#/?channel=RES_BUY
