Christianity and Its Role in Anglo Saxon Culture By: Michael Floyd, Lyrah Eason, and Rashawn Tindal

Christianity Background Christianity was founded in the early 1st Century A.D., with the teachings, miracles, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus. Followers of Christianity believe in God, who is the creator of all things, is transcendent, all-knowing, and all- powerful.

Pre- Christianity Before Christianity in Britain, there were the Heathens. The Heathens worshipped Gods and Goddesses who controlled pretty much every aspect of their lives. A large part of the religion was also dominated by Druidism, an Earth based religion.

The Beginnings of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England Christianity was first brought to Britain by the Romans. More specifically St. Augustine, a missionary sent by Pope Gregory. His goal was to convert the Saxons. It wasn’t until 650 CE that England was fully Christianized.

Early Christians Early Christians were greatly overzealous in their faith. Early Christian churches were local communal affairs. They refused to bow before Roman authority, which proved to be distressing to the Roman government, and many were persecuted as enemies of the state.

Christianity Gains Strength The structure of Christianity gained strength in the third century, as it now appealed to society as a whole. The church created a hierarchy, a government within a government, and its effects spread into Britain.

Persecution of Christianity Christianity did encounter persecution during its establishment, first by a Roman Emperor named Decius. He blamed the Christians’ refusal to sacrifice to Roman gods as the reason for the empire’s troubles (plague, invasions, war). But it could not be denied that Christianity had influenced so much that it must at least be tolerated.

Christianity Triumphs Christianity continued to grow even stronger, was granted official tolerance to Christianity by Emperor Constantine, who was name the first Christian Emperor. Christianity was named the official state religion, (378-395). The majority of remaining Pagan practices was outlawed, and artifacts, temples, idols, and altars were destroyed.

Christianity Relating to Beowulf was written after the Anglo-Saxons were already Christianized, but their Pagan traditions were not that far gone. Beowulf contains many references to Christianity, and is often shown in the combinations between Pagan ideas and ones of Christianity. Oddly enough, it was a Christian author who wrote the story for a Christian audience.

Christianity Relating to Beowulf The concepts of fame and heroics, which are Pagan concepts , are also presented in Beowulf, and even though they seem to contrast with certain elements of Christianity, are attributed to God. This is seen after Beowulf kills Grendel, when Hrothgar says that Beowulf’s success was done “through the power of the Lord”, and after he fights the dragon, thanking the lord “ for all the joys that he had met in the world”.

Christianity Relating to Beowulf Fate is another concept relating to Christianity in Beowulf, and is shown multiple times in the story. One being when Hrothgar wishes that “God reward Beowulf with good fortune”. Fate is also tied into Pagan concepts as is the case when Beowulf tells the King that “whoever is killed must resign himself to the verdict of God and let fate decide.” This shows his Christian and Pagan beliefs in one instance.

Christianity Relating to Beowulf The Pagan idea of vengeance is also displayed as both a Pagan and Christian concept. Beowulf displays this when he wants to get revenge against the dragon, but then thinks that this would go against the will of God. Beowulf is a great tool to use to learn about Anglo-Saxon life, and shows the connection between pagan concepts and Christianity in a clear way.

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