Christianity and Partnershipof Church and State

• Christianity 1st. reached

Before Roman Emperor Constantine 4 th. Century A.D.

Christianity across Britain

beyond

• Anglo-Saxons belonged to an older Germanic religion Paganism

• Celts (from the North and West) spread Christianity Paganism came to an end

• A number of places ending • beginning• meaning the site of a Celtic monasterie around

where a village grew.

“llan”

597 Pope Gregory sent Augustine(monk)

Lead a mission. Christianize King Ethelbert and his kingdom of Kent from paganism.

(The landing of St Augustine in Kent, as imagined in the 19th century)

Ethelbert had married a Christian princess Bertha, daughter ofhe King of Paris, who was expected to have some inferences over her husband.

601 Augustine 1st. Archbishop of Canterbury

• Little progress with ordinary people• Much progress with the King

The Court

Centres of Church

and Power

Two Cristian Churches

Celtic Church more interested in the heart of ordinary people

Roman Church more interested in authority, organisation and power

Easter Day`s Conflict between both Churches

• 663 end of conflict at Synod of Whitby• King of Northumbria gave support to

the Roman Church• Celts retreated and Christianity

extended its authority

Saxon kings helped the Church to grow

Church increased power of the kings (problem succesion)

Kings chosen by people & God

“Minsters” as centres of learning

King Alfred of Wessex Sistem of Law/ important matters