Background
The spread of Christianity to England is seen as one of the most important periods in the nation’s history and has had a huge impact on the legal, cultural and religious development of the country. Christianity was brought to England by the Romans, who first invaded the country around the year 43AD and who, in the fourth century, declared Christianity the official religion. Over the following centuries, different forms of Christianity would gradually become established in England, allowing for the formation of a unified Christian Church. The spread of Christianity to England was a slow process, with the faith being brought not just by the Romans, but by missionaries from abroad and English kings who converted from paganism.
Missionaries
One of the main factors in the spread of Christianity to England was the arrival of missionaries from abroad. Chief among these was Saint Augustine, a monk from Italy who arrived in England in 597. Saint Augustine is thought to have been sent by Pope Gregory the Great, his mission being to bring Christianity to the people of England. He established a monastery in Canterbury, which eventually became the centre of the Church of England. Other missionaries, such as Saint Cuthbert, would follow in his footsteps, helping to spread Christianity to the more remote parts of England.
Kings and Dynasties
The conversion of kings to Christianity was another crucial factor in the spread of the faith to England. The first Saxon king to do so was Ethelbert of Kent, who converted in 597 – the same year as Saint Augustine’s arrival. Ethelbert’s conversion was quickly followed by that of other kings in the region, such as Saebert of Essex, whose conversion in 607 helped to spread Christianity among the aristocracy. This process was continued by later Saxon kings such as Aethelwulf of Wessex, who had converted by 836.
Roman Influence
While the arrival of missionaries and the conversion of kings were important factors in the spread of Christianity to England, the Roman Empire also played a significant role in the process. The Romans first arrived in England in 43AD, and while they did not initially introduce Christianity to the country they did bring with them many of the ideas and practices that would form the basis of the Christian faith. This included the adoption of many Roman customs, such as the use of Latin for the celebration of the mass. By the fourth century the Romans had officially declared Christianity to be the faith of the empire, and had begun to introduce it to their territories in England.
Paganism
Although Christianity was slowly gaining ground in England, it was still competing with the established pagan religions of the time, such as Norse mythology. This posed a challenge for Christian missionaries, who were often met with resistance from those who held to their pagan beliefs. Moreover, even when rulers accepted Christianity they often continued to practice some aspects of paganism. It was only in the eighth century, when the Saxon King Offa of Mercia issued an act of uniformity which mandated the acceptance of the Christian faith by all of his subjects, that paganism as a religion began to decline in England.
Other Factors
The spread of Christianity to England was not only the result of the mission of Augustine and other missionaries, or the conversion of kings to the faith. It was also aided by books, such as the Bible and The Rule of St. Benedict, that were translated into the English language, thus making the Christian faith more understandable and accessible to the common people. As well as this, the development of cities such as Canterbury and York, which became important centres of learning and were associated with prominent Christian figures such as Saint Thomas Becket and Saint Wilfred, helped to spread the faith throughout the country.
Role of Literature
Apart from the missionaries and the conversion of kings that helped spread Christianity in England, the written works also played a significant role in the spread of the faith. By the medieval period the majority of the population was literate, allowing them to become more familiar with the teachings of the church. This was crucial in helping to spread the Christian message, as it was no longer just the clergy and upper class that had access to the teachings and beliefs of the church.
Role of Education
Education was also important in the spread of Christianity to England, as it helped to spread knowledge of the faith among the people. The beginning of the Anglo-Saxon period saw a great expansion of education, with schools being established in almost every village. This not only increased the level of literacy, but also allowed people to become more familiar with the teachings and beliefs of Christianity. Furthermore, monasteries, which played a key role in the spread of Christianity, often served as centres of learning, thus helping to spread the religion to more isolated areas of England.
Societal Impact
The spread of Christianity to England had a profound impact on the country, revolutionising its culture and legal system. It changed the way people thought and acted, as Christianity brought with it a new set of ethical principles that were not seen in the pagan religions of the time. This had a profound effect on the social structure of the country, as the Christian beliefs of equality, charity and mercy were adopted by the English people. As well as this, the Church played a major role in the legal system, helping to establish what had become known as the “Common Law” which still influences the laws of England today.
