-Lets look at this century by century-
Prior to the 5th century:
The native people were Celts in Britain.
Roman and Celtic paganism were the main religions.
There were some practices of Christianity going on, but not much.
5th century Britain:
There was a ‘Barbarian Movement’ going on.
Barbarians were trying to take over Western Europe.
There was no more Roman ruling in Britain.
The Britons were being invaded by Barbarians-
So Britons asked the Germanic tribes (the Angles, Saxons, and jutes
Who were pagans) to help aid them against the scots and picts.
The Germanic Mercenaries took over the Britain’s themselves and the
Angelo-Saxon period began.
6th Century Britain:
During this time we had the merging of
every group, that either settled or conquered Britain.
There was still very little written evidence that displayed “pre-Christian” Practice.
547AD- The Yellow Plague struck. The Saxons seem to be immune to it.
7th Century Britain:
The country was divided into three large kingdoms; Northumbria, Mercia,
East Anglia and Essex (they were east saxons).
Wessex ( West Saxons) and also kent and Sussex (South Saxons).
Around 597AD- St. Augustine (a believer in ‘Roman Christianity’)
Was sent by Pope Gregory in order to convert the Saxons.
St. Augustine lands in Kent where the Queen in Christian but
(King Aethelbert) is not. Augustine converts the king and his court
He founds a monastery in Canterbury. Augustine was proclaimed Archbishop of Canterbury.
King Sledda of Essex dies and his son Saebert takes over.
Saeberts uncle, King Aethelbert of Kent convinces him to convert to Christianity.
Aethelbert also establishes the cathedral church of St. Paul, and St. Mellitus
Becomes the Saxon Bishop.
Aethelbert and Saebert dies in 616. Saebert’s sons end up taking over and convert
Kent and Essex back to paganism. They also throw out the Christian missionaries.
This type of power shift was happening in other kingdoms as well as soon as the converted
Christian rulers died or were overcome, the successors would often convert to paganism.
In 634, Northumbria is introduced to Christianity by King Oswald.
St. Birinus travels to Wessex in order to convert as well, starting with King Cynegils.
Birinus also builds a church in Winchester.
Around 674, Norhtumbria takes over Mercia’s King Wulfhere and army. Mercia now submits to
Northumbria ways.
Around 729, the Northumbria sign a peace treaty with the picts.
Christianity was enforced all over Britain.
8th century Britain:
The Vikings, also known as the Danes, raid Britain.
Anglo-Saxons have become Christianized.
9th century Britain:
The Vikings eventually conquered Northumbria and East Anglia.
In the Vikings efforts to conquer Wessex, they were stopped by King Alfred.
Alfred made a treaty with the Danes and allowed them to settle there.
Although the Christian conversion was successful, Anglo-Saxons had adopted the views of
Christianity and blended them with their already existing Germanic pagan view. This is seen in
Literature during this time (Pagan and Christian influences).
10th century Britain:
England is finally under on rule. There are no more separate kingdoms.
1066- Anglo-Saxons England fell to William the Conquerer in the Battle of Hastings.
***The story of King Alfred’s life (King of the Anglo-Saxons) and how he dealt with the
remaining pagan followers is a great link. It can be found at:
**Here’s a thought!!
After Germanic Tribes established their form of Paganism, it was said that some of the paganistic
Gods survived in the names that hold the days of the week, names that we use today.
Tiw was the God of sky and war. (Tiw’s day= Tuesday)
Woden was the ruler from Valhalla (Woden’s Day= Wednesday) *notice the place
of the silent letter “d”.
And Thor was the God of thunder (Thor’s day=Thursday)