Figure 1.-- |
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Britania was dominated by loosely related Celtic tribes. Religious rites were conducted bt Druid priests. The Roman conquest (1st century AD) brought the religions of the Empire which overtime included Christianity. It is not well understood how widespread Christianity was established in Roman Britain, but there is reason to believe that it was fairly well established. The Legions departed and with them muh f the Roman elite (5th century). The invading Anglo Saxon tribes were pagan and drove the Romanized Celtic Britons to the westerly fringes of the island. This was a war of extinction. The Anglo-Saxons obliterated the Romanized Britons abd their cuture. Thus England was largely de-Chritianized. The Anglo-Saxon kingdoms obertime, however, were gradually converted. There were missoinaries from Catholic Ireland. Pope Gregory the Great dispached St. Augustine. under Archbishop Theodore, the Anglo-Saxons enjoyed a golden age of culture and scholarship before te arrival of the more pagan invaders--the Vikings. English missionaries, including Wilfrid, Willibrord, Lullus and Boniface would begin evangelizing their Saxon bretheran in Germany. Monastaries were oened throughout England and were a major force in the island's economy. Henry VIII brought the Reformation to England. This was not his intention. He simply wanted to control the Church. His children Edward VI and Elizabeth II would turn Britain into a Protestant country. The Angligan or established Church attempted to restrict the development of non-conforminf sects. The Puritans objected to these restrictions. One group established the Plymouth Colony as awade of evading restrictions on their worship. The Puritans played a major role in the development of the United Sttes. There remained a small and supressed Catholic minority. Over time this was increased with immigration from Ireland. Theology was a much disputed subject that was not fully resolved until the English Civil War and Glorious Revolution of the 17th century.
Britania was dominated by loosely related Celtic tribes. Religious rites were conducted bt Druid priests.
The Roman conquest (1st century AD) brought the religions of the Empire which overtime included Christianity. It is not well understood how widespread Christianity was established in Roman Britain, but there is reason to believe that it was fairly well established. The Legions departed and with them muh f the Roman elite (5th century).
The invading Anglo Saxon tribes were pagan and drove the Romanized Celtic Britons to the westerly fringes of the island. This was a war of extinction. The Anglo-Saxons obliterated the Romanized Britons abd their cuture. Thus England was largely de-Chritianized.
The Anglo-Saxon kingdoms overtime, however, were gradually converted. There were missoinaries from Catholic Ireland. Pope Gregory the Great dispached St. Augustine. St. Augustine arrived in Kent (597).
King Edwin of Northumbria is converted (627). East Anglia is converted (630).
St. Cuthbert is born (634). Mercia is converted (653).
under Archbishop Theodore, the Anglo-Saxons enjoyed a golden age of culture and scholarship before the arrival of the more pagan invaders--the Vikings. English missionaries, including Wilfrid, Willibrord, Lullus and Boniface would begin evangelizing their Saxon bretheran in Germany.
Monastaries were opened throughout England and were a major force in the island's economy.
The monastery at Lindesfarne is founded (635). St. Botolph founds the monastery at Ikenho (654).
The monastaries were centers of learning in a largely illiterate population. Boys were accepted as choristers who were educated for the priesthood. A few English schools trace their history to these monastic schools.
The history of the medieval English Church might be see to begin with arrival of the first papal legates (787). The Church was influenced by both Celtic and Romam Christianity, but the Roman Church gradualy prevailed. Litchfield was establshed as an archbishopric (788). Just as the medieval English church begins to take shape, the Viking raids begin. The Danes (Viking) raider sack Lindesfarne (793). The Danes almost overun Anglo-Saxon Christian Britain, but King Alfred drives the Danes from Wessex (877) and suceeds in becoming the first king of England (886). Withinthis political structure the English Church develops. William's defeat of Harold at Hastings (1066) results in the appoitment of Norman clerics. The Synod of Westminster settles the lay investiture dispute in Britain (1107). Henry II becimes king (1155). He comes into conflict with the Church. He appoints Thomas à Becket becomes Chancellor. Henry II does penance for the murder of Becket (1174). Richard I the Lion-hearted becomes king (1189). Richard crusades in the Holy Land. Pope Innocent III excomunicates King John (1209). The Church continues to be the central force in education. Cambridge University is founded (1209). The Jews are expelled from England (1290). The Plague (Black Death) reaches Engkland (1348). The Plague has a huge impact, including economic and social. Many begin to questin religion. John Wycliffe releases his Treatises (1375). John Wycliffe denies transubstantiation (1379) and he is condemned (1380). The first translation of the Bible into English appears (1382). A council at London condemns Nicholas of Hereford. Wycliffe dies (1384). Richard II orders the works of Nicholas of Hereford seized (1388). Nicholas of Hereford recants and is named inquistor against the Lollards (1391). Parliament passes Burning of Heretics Act (1401).
Henry VIII brought the Reformation to England. This was not his intention. He simply wanted to control the Church. Almost independent of the German Refomation was the Reformation in England, but this proved to be crucial because of the future imperial role of England. Political rather than relogious issues were to drive the Renaissance in England. It was a Defender of the Faith, Henry VIII that set the Reformation in motion in England. Henry VIII decided to divorce his wide, the Spanish princess Catherine. He was furious when Pope Clement VII refused to approve the divorce. In response he rejected papal authority over the Church in England. He founded the Anglican Church and set himself up as head of the new church (1534). While sparked by his personal life, the break with Rome had many advantages for Henry. One of the most important was the wealth of the Church was now at his disposal. Much of this he seized by closing the monestarires. Huge quantities of land were in 6the hands of the monestaries. The first tentative steps toward actual reformation was a liturgy in English and The Book of Common Prayer.
Henry's lesser known and very devout Protestant son Edward VI played a major role in the success of the Reformation in England. Elizabeth would turn Britain into a Protestant country.
The Angligan or established Church attempted to restrict the development of non-conforminf sects. The Puritans objected to these restrictions. One group established the Plymouth Colony as awade of evading restrictions on their worship. The Puritans played a major role in the development of the United States.
There remained a small and supressed Catholic minority. Over time this was increased with immigration from Ireland.
Theology was a much disputed subject that was not fully resolved until the English Civil War and Glorious Revolution of the 17th century.
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