Figure 1.-- This is the site of of the Walsingham Shrine being visited by a group of Boy Scouts in the 1930s. Holy relics and plgramages to holy shrines were important to medieval Christians. Richeldis de Faverches was a Saxon noblewoman, married to the Lord of the Manor of Walsingham Parva. She was rewarded by visions of the Hilyland (1061). A Priory was built at the location of the Manor and became an important destiation for pilgrims. Pilgrims included several kings, but Henry VIII had the Priory destroyed as part of his supression of the monastaries. A reader writes, "I've made several pimgrimages there over the years. There are two chapels at the shrine--one Roman Catholic and the other Anglican. Both are popular places of retreat for English worshippers, and there are usually processions in the streets of the town with acoyltes swinging censers and priests carrying images of Our Lady under canopies. This page brought back happy memories for me."

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. Holy relics and plgramages to holy shrines were important to medieval Christians. Richeldis de Faverches was a Saxon noblewoman, married to the Lord of the Manor of Walsingham Parva. She was rewarded by visions of the Hilyland (1061). A Priory was built at the location of the Manor and became an important destiation for pilgrims (figure 1). 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 ą Becket becomes Chancellor. Henry II does penance for the murder of Becket (1174). The Pope launches the Crusades to retake the Holy Land. The only English monarch to participe was Richard the Lion Hearted. Richard becomes king (1189). He crusades in the Holy Land setting up the the the historic struggle with Saladin. Richard comes close to Jerulsalem, but is unable to seize it. 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 England (1348). The Plague has a huge impact, including economic and social. Many begin to question religion. This and the Renaissance which would follow were factors in the development of amore secular outlook. 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). The Church resists sesemination, convinced that the Bible needs cklerical interpretation. 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).

Created: 9:22 AM 4/20/2008
Last updated: 9:23 AM 4/20/2008