J. Scott (ed.), The early history of Glastonbury: an edition, translation and study of William of Malmesbury's De antiquitate Glastonie ecclesie (Woodbridge, 1981), 42-5, quotes Freculph on St Philip's preaching in Gaul and continues: `Desiring to spread the word of Christ further he sent twelve of his disciples into Britain to teach the word of life. It is said that he appointed as their leader his very dear friend, Joseph of Arimathea, who had buried the Lord. They came to Britain in 63 A.D. ...'.