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 � 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).
Re-Christianization of England
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).
Viking Invasion
Chrustian England was almost overrun again by pagans, this time the Vikings (8th century). They were raiders from Norway and Denmzrk, but usually reffered to as the Danes in Englsnd. Occassiinal raids gradually increased in numbers and intensity. And finally turned into an actual invasion, destroying most of the Anglo-Saxon kindoms.
The Danes almost overran Anglo-Saxon Christian Britain, but King Alfred drove the Danes from Wessex (877) and suceeds in becoming the first king of England (886). Within this political structure the English Church and state developed.
English Church
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).
Norman Church
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).
Control of the Church
The Church of England during Noirman times developed considerable independence from Rome. This was part of a struggle that developed and played out differently in each European country. The English Church developed more independence from Rome than many continental Catholic churches in France, Spain, Italy, etc. There were many conflicts with Rome over conrol of national churches. The most importahnt was the the conflict between Holy oman empeors and popes. Great Britain, being an island, was more insular than its neighbors across the
channel. The issue reached a climax in England in the dispure between King Henry II and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. et. Henry II had become (1155). He appointed his close personal friend, Becket, his Chancellor. After Henry came in conflict with the Church, he appointed Becket Archbishop of Canterbery--the head of the English church (1162). He assumed Becket would follow the royal line (1162). Henry saw Becket as 'king's man' and would support him in conflicts with the church which because of growing land ownership was a source of great wealth. Becket did not want the appointment, but apparently once installed, religious concerns began to take precedent over political loyalties and ge began to resist Henry's candidates for church positions. Becket was killed in Canternury Cathedral (1170). Henry had to pay penance (1174), but the crown gradually emerged in control of the Church of England. The Crown thus by the late middle ages was accustomed to largely control the english Church, but did not meddle in theology. The controversy did not end with Henry and Becket. Pope Innocent III excomunicated King John (1209). Kings came to appoint bishops and ratification of these appointments by Rome were often extremely problematic. Relations between the English church and the Pope were thus often difficult and strained. Ironically a young King Henrry VIII who supported the papacy against Protestabt reforners on the continent was awarded the title, 'defender of the faith' by the pope.
The Crusades
The Pope launched 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.
Ireland
Henry II of England invades Ireland (1171). This would bring the Celtic Church which was associated with Rome more directly under the control of the Roman Church. Over time, England expanded its control of Ireland. At first it was limited to the Pale. Enlish control of Ireland became a religious issue after thge Reformartioin when England became Priotesrant and Ireland remained Catholic.
Education
The Church continues to be the central force in education. Cambridge University is founded (1209).
Jews
Some Jews arrived in England soon after the Norman conquest (1066). These Jews were from William's possessions in Normandy. Jew there and other Christian principalities lived very constrained lives. One of the few occupations allowed was money lending. Jews were prohibited from owning land and engaging in the trades. Finance was an area open to them because the Church ruled that charging interest on loans was usury and sinful. Thus lending money was a rare area open to Jews. William of Malmesbury reported that William I invited a group of Jews from Rouen (1070). He reportedly thought that their commercial skills would help make his new possessions more profitable. Not a great deal is known about the Jews in Norman England. While we know some Jews accompanied William, it is not known just what their status was. It is believed that some were involved with William's finances. At first they were needed and received protection from William. There is no actual documentatiin such as a charter issued by William to confirm their actual status. After William their status appears to have been essential alienes in a Christian realm. This was initially something as an advantage in Feudal Europe in that their lives were not hemmed in by the Feudal system. They could inherit property and actually had more rights than peasants tied to the manor. Norman sources show that Jews wre working as doctors. [Jacobs, p. 269.] Norman documents also confirm that considerable superstion was associated with Christian attitudes toward Jews. [Jacobs, p. 153.] Anti-semitism developed in England as in the rest of Western Europe. The accusation of the Blood libel appears to have originated in England (12th century). We are not entirely sure as to the origins of the anti-semitism. It is likely that the Church paid a major role. Merchants who competed with the Jews may have also been involved. The fortune of the Jews of England deteriorated very rapidly. The monarchy which had borrowed from the Jews began to tax them. Henry II (1154-89) instituted a tillage of one quarter of their possessions was on London Jews. As hostility developed against the Jews, their situation deteriorated. Finally their assets were expropriated and they were expelled after only two centuries. Edward I was one of England's great warrior kings. As a prince he helped win the Barons War (1263-67) for his father. As king he sought to britain all of Britain under English control. He conquered Wales, but a quick victory in Scotand was stopped by William Wallace. The result was a long, costly war. The need for money appears yo have been a major factor in Edward's decesion to confiscate the property and expel England's Jews (1290). Many Jews were robbed and even killed during the expulsion process. Thus for nearly four centuries there were no Jews permitted in England, although a small number apparently practiced their religion in secret. Irinically, Edward also played a major role in the development of English law and is also known as Edward the Lawgiver. England became an example of anti-semitism, despite the virtual absence of Jews in the country to revile.
The Plague
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.
Disention within the Church
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).
