Tuesday, April 17, 2007

The image at left is of Cassiodorus, taken from the Codex Amiatinus, described on p. 174 of your textbook as the high point of the Northumbrian Renaissance. It now resides in the Laurentian Library in Florence. I've also posted a beautiful sample just below from the Book of Kells, which also appears in black and white in our textbook on p. 171. It is the finest example of the illuminating artistry of Irish monks, who figure so prominently in the history of Christianity in the British Isles.

As you now know, British Christianity had a mixed history, beginning with the domination of the British Isles by the Romans prior to their departure in the fifth century. The Romans brought Christianity with them, but when they withdrew, pagan practices made a comeback. The Irish and Scots, however, were able to maintain the Christian religion, and from this source, England was evangelized in subsequent centuries. There was another source of missionary activity, however, and that was Rome under Gregory the Great. Gregory sent Augustine (who would become the first Bishop of Canterbury) and his doughty group of monks to introduce Roman Christianity to the English. Eventually there would be a clash between the two traditions, Roman and Celtic, which was resolved in favor of Rome by the Synod of Whitby in 664.

The most important distinction between Roman and Irish Chrisitianity concerned the liturgical calendar, specifically the dating of Easter. Our reading tells us that without agreement on this matter, some Chrisitians would still be observing the penitential season of Lent at the same time others were celebrating the feast of Christ's resurrection. There is another aspect of Irish Christianity that differs from the Roman variety in the manner of governance: the Irish church was governed not from the urban cathedrals, but through the monasteries in the countryside, thus reflecting the indigenous political and social context in which it flourished. Even after the Synod of Whitby established the Roman rite in England, there would be significant remnants of Celtic practice on the continent as a result of earlier Irish missionary activity there. The Carolingians would eventually suppress it in favor of the Roman rite.

Here is a list of terms and questions for studying this chapter. First, the terms:

• Anglo-Saxons
• Sutton Hoo
• Augustine of Canterbury
• Columba, Columbanus
• Synod of Whitby
• Bede
• Northumbrian Renaissance
• Alfred the Great
• Vikings (of course!)

• What was the process by which the Angles and Saxons came to populate Great Britain?
• Why was the conflict over the date of Easter so important, according to our textbook?
• Describe the state of learning in England during Bede's time and thereafter, with special reference to King Alfred's contributions.
• What was the effect of the Viking raids on England? How did the English finally succeed in gaining their independence from the invaders?
• How did the status of Anglo-Saxon peasants change over time?

Homework Questions:

1. From your reading of the Laws of Ethelbert, what can you determine about the status of women in Anglo-Saxon culture?
2. Briefly describe the process by which the English were converted.
3. How was an effective governance structure established in England? What was Augustine's receiving of the pallium so important?
4. What were the arguments on either side at the Synod of Whitby? Which do you think are stronger?

Disclaimer