The Anglo Saxons conversion to Christianity is an important part of the history of the British Isles. The earliest records tell us that there was a Christian presence in Britain by the time of the Romans, but Christianity wasn’t truly embraced as the dominant religion until Anglo Saxon times. This conversion was a long and complicated process, and here we will try to look at when and why it happened.
Not a lot is known about the pre-Christian beliefs of the Anglo Saxons. It is believed that the Anglo Saxon people held a polytheistic belief system, with gods and goddesses representing different aspects of life, such as the sun, marriage, fertility, war and death.
The key factor that impacted their conversion, however, was the arrival of the Christian Roman Empire in Britain. This began with Augustine of Canterbury, who was sent by Pope Gregory the Great to Britain in 597. He was instrumental in introducing Christianity to the Anglo Saxons, although initial success was limited.
The process of conversion was slow, but a turning point came in 664, when Oswiu, the King of Northumbria, organised a conference at Whitby. The conference was to debate the issue of ‘Celtic Christianity’. This referred to the differences between the form of Christianity practiced by the Celts in the North – which followed the ancient traditions of St Columba, an Irish monk – and the version practiced by the rest of the Christian world.
During the conference, Oswiu eventually sided with the Roman view and instituted it as the official religion in Northumbria. This had a huge influence, and other parts of the Anglo Saxon world soon followed suit. By the end of the eighth century, conversion was almost complete, and Christianity had become the universal faith in Britain.
But why did the Anglo Saxons convert to Christianity? One key factor that influenced this conversion was a desire for status and legitimacy. The Roman Empire was seen as a powerful and sophisticated political entity, and the Anglo Saxons wanted to be seen as part of this, by adopting its religion.
It is also thought that conversion was helped by the fact that Christianity was seen as a more sophisticated religion than pre-Christian beliefs. It is also believed that conversion was helped by the fact that Christianity offered the Anglo Saxons a more complex social structure, which enabled them to garner larger levels of control. This was important, as the Anglo Saxons were coming off the back of the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, and needed something to help them regain their stature.
Aftermath Of Conversion
The impact of the conversion to Christianity had a huge effect on the Anglo Saxon world. One immediate effect was the growth of literature in the vernacular language, which facilitated the spread of Christianity. In addition, new religious buildings and centres were established, providing a base for the religion to develop.
The conversion also had a political effect, as it enabled the Anglo Saxons to become more closely allied with the Roman Empire, which improved their power and prestige. This, in turn, helped to bring about stability in Britain, and enabled the Anglo Saxons to establish their own kingdom.
In many ways, then, conversion to Christianity was a huge factor in the emergence of the Anglo Saxon kingdoms, and enabled them to become one of the most powerful and influential cultures in Europe.
Influence Of Monasteries
Another important factor in the conversion to Christianity was the emergence of the monasteries. These were highly influential Christian centres, and many were created in the former Roman towns of Britain. Monasteries were places of learning and scholarship, and provided a place of refuge for both the destitute and the elderly.
The presence of the monasteries was hugely influential in enabling the conversion of the Anglo Saxons to Christianity. Monks helped to spread the teachings of the faith, and helped to promote its values and beliefs. They also helped to spread its culture beyond the confines of the traditional Anglo Saxon world, and enabled it to spread across the continent.
In addition, the monasteries were important centres of learning, and enabled a more sophisticated understanding of the faith. This helped to strengthen the religious beliefs of the people, and enabled them to practice a more sophisticated form of Christianity.
The influence of the monasteries should, therefore, not be underestimated. They were important factors in not only the conversion of the Anglo Saxons to Christianity, but also in the development of the faith itself.
Cultural Changes
The conversion to Christianity also led to significant cultural changes in the Anglo Saxon world. Previously, Anglo Saxon culture had been very much focused on the natural world, with gods and goddesses representing different aspects of life. However, this changed with the introduction of Christianity.
One of the biggest changes was the adoption of a new literary tradition. Monks began to write in the vernacular language, creating stories, poetry and religious works that helped to spread the faith. This helped to spread Christianity beyond the confines of the traditional Anglo Saxon world, and to also provide a more sophisticated understanding of the religion.
The adoption of Christianity also had an effect on art and architecture, with churches and monasteries becoming important centres of creativity. This was a far cry from the pre-Christian beliefs, which had seen art largely focused on the celebration of the natural world.
In addition, the conversion to Christianity also saw major changes in terms of the social structures. A hierarchical social structure, based on a more sophisticated understanding of the faith, was adopted. This was hugely influential in terms of the emergence of the Anglo Saxon kingdoms, and enabled them to develop a more orderly and structured society.
Views of Contemporary Scholars
The conversion of the Anglo Saxons to Christianity is a hugely fascinating subject, and is one that has been widely debated by contemporary scholars. Some argue that conversion was largely motivated by a desire for status and legitimacy, while others believe that it was the complex theological argument of the day that convinced the Anglo Saxons to embrace Christianity.
The views of contemporary scholars are, of course, varied, and depend on the individual. However, it is clear that the conversion of the Anglo Saxons to Christianity was a huge factor in the history of the British Isles, and has had a huge impact on the culture and society of the region.
Impact on Indigenous Religions
The influence of Christianity on the religious beliefs of the Anglo Saxons should also not be underestimated. Christian beliefs soon became the dominant faith in the region, and the pre-Christian religions of the Anglo Saxons became largely relegated to the background. This was largely due to the fact that the new faith was seen as more sophisticated, and was supported by the Roman Empire.
However, some of the pre-Christian beliefs continued to be practiced in a limited way, although they were often combined with Christian beliefs and practices. This is evident in the folk tales and stories of the period, which often contain elements of both pre-Christian and Christian beliefs.
At the same time, some of the pre-Christian practices, such as the worship of trees, were outlawed as part of the conversion process. This had a huge impact on the culture and beliefs of the Anglo Saxons, and can still be seen in the culture of the British Isles today.
Conflict between Pagan and Christian Beliefs
The influence of Christianity also led to conflict between pagan and Christian beliefs. This was particularly evident in the early days of the conversion process, as there was a fear of Christian beliefs overriding the pre-Christian beliefs. This led to some heated debates and arguments, as people sought to protect their own beliefs and ideologies.
These conflicts eventually subsided, as Christianity became the dominant faith and pagan beliefs were relegated to the background. However, the legacy of these early debates can still be seen in the culture of the British Isles today, with a strong emphasis on religious tolerance and freedom of expression.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear that the conversion of the Anglo Saxons to Christianity had a huge impact on the history of the British Isles. It enabled the emergence of the powerful and influential Anglo Saxon kingdoms, and helped to spread the faith beyond the confines of the traditional Anglo Saxon world. It also had a major impact on culture and society, leading to a more sophisticated understanding of the faith and the emergence of a hierarchical social structure.
