Christianity first reached Britain before the 4th century AD and spread across the country through both Celtic missionaries and the conversion of Anglo-Saxon kings. In 597, Pope Gregory sent Augustine to Britain to convert the kingdom of Kent to Christianity. The king of Kent, Ethelbert, had a Christian wife who influenced him to convert, establishing Christianity at the court. However, the Celtic and Roman churches disagreed over Easter and authority, until the Synod of Whitby in 663 ended the conflict by supporting the Roman church. Saxon kings then helped spread Christianity across Britain in exchange for the church increasing the kings' power.

1. Christianity and Partnership
of Church and State

2. • Christianity 1st. reached
Before Roman Emperor Constantine
4 th. Century A.D.
Christianity across Britain
beyond

3. • 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”

4. 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)

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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