Hannah Poff, Jordan Mercer Religions 1, 2, and 3 Hannah Poff, Jordan Mercer British Literature 4th block September 2, 2009

Attraction of Christianity Bede’s account states that Christianity offered a life free from pain and struggle coming from the mortal world. Eternal life comes from believing in the son. Christianity was simple because there was only one god. This god was more reliable and fair than the gods before.

Conversions of Countries Britain Denmark Norway Sweden

10th and 11th Century Church Held daily church services not including the special services; Christmas, Easter, baptisms, and marriages. Collected tithes to feed the parish priest and poor Church was a way of civil service and an education system

10th and 11th Century Church Church officials and Government officials had to know how to read and write English and Latin. Power was often over-emphasized

Pagan Elements No forgiveness. In the Pagan religions it was honorable to get vengeance. Not all men were born equal. Some were destined to become great while others were destined to become poor. The raven was a symbol of the god of war and used black magic such as necromancy.

Examples of Christian elements in Beowulf The man survives only through the protection of God. All earthly gifts flow through God. Proper bearing of man was to be humble and unselfish. During the battle with Grendel’s mother he says, “The fight would have ended straight away if God had not guarded me.”

Examples of Christian elements in Beowulf God’s protection must be earned by the warrior being true to his values, such as courage, honesty, pride, and humility

Works Cited http://csis.pace.edu/grendel/projs1d/CHRIST.html http://csis.pace.edu/grendel/projs1d/PAGAN.html http://www.regia.org/church/church5.htm http://www.regia.org/church/convert.htm