Anglo Saxon conversion to Christianity

​Anglo Saxon and Scot conversion to Christianity

•LO: I can explain the work of some of the saints who were influenced in converting

the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity and I know about some of the important
Christian buildings that they founded.

• SS: I can take notes and answer questions to show I understand the saints who helped

to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity.

• I can produce my own historical guide about a famous Christian building.

Anglo-Saxon Religion

The early Anglo-Saxons were Pagans but over the course of approximately one hundred
years, they were converted to Christianity.

With your partner discuss the following questions:

Open Ended

What is Paganism?

Open Ended

What are the similarities and differences between Paganism and Christianity?

Changing Religions

When the Romans were in Britain many people had become Christians, but when the

Anglo-Saxons invaded and settled, Christians only carried on in places where the

Anglo-Saxons did not live.

The Anglo-Saxons brought their pagan religion with them to Britain and Christianity

ceased to be the main religion.

Multiple Choice

Christianity continued throughout the country following the departure of the Romans.

• True

• False

Christian Mission

In 597AD, Pope Gregory the Great from Rome
sent a Roman monk called Augustine (early 6th
century – 604AD) to Britain to tell the
Anglo-Saxons all about Christianity, and
persuade them to become Christians.

Augustine arrived in Kent and set about his
work. King Ethelbert, who was the king of Kent
at the time, allowed him to preach to the
people to teach them all about Christianity.

Augustine converted King Ethelbert of Kent to
Christianity soon after his arrival. Ethelbert was
baptised and became the first Anglo-Saxon
Christian king.

On Christmas day 597AD, Augustine baptised
10,000 of the kings’ subjects. The mission was
proving to be a great success!

Augustine was made a saint after his death in
recognition of his work.

Multiple Choice

Which king allowed Augustine to preach Christianity?

• Earthalbert

• Bertethel

• Herod

• Ethelbert

Canterbury Cathedral

Augustine founded Canterbury
Cathedral and became the first
Archbishop of Canterbury. The
cathedral had to be rebuilt in
1070AD following a major fire. It is
thought that Augustine’s original
building is located under the nave
of the cathedral.

Today the Archbishop of Canterbury
is also the head of the Church of
England and Canterbury Cathedral
is one of the most important and
famous Christian buildings in the
world.

Spreading the Word

The kingdom of Kent was the first
Anglo-Saxon kingdom to convert to
Christianity, but over the next hundred
years the rest of Britain gradually
converted to Christianity too. Other
missionaries spread the word about
Christianity around the country and more
and more people were converted to the
religion.

Celtic Christianity

• Before St. Augustine even arrived in

• By the early 6th century, many Irish

people were already practising the
Celtic form of Christianity and there
were lots of monasteries in Ireland
teaching the religion.

• Missionaries from Ireland were sent to

Scotland and England to preach
Christianity and encourage people to
follow the religion.

Britain there were places where
Christianity was growing and thriving.

Multiple Choice

Missionaries from which country were sent to preach Christianity?

• Scotland

• Ireland

• Wales

• England

St. Columba and Iona

A famous Irish abbot (head monk from a monastery) called Columba
(521AD – 597AD) was particularly successful in introducing
Christianity to Scotland.

In 563AD, Columba left Ireland and founded a very important and
influential abbey on the Island of Iona, just off the west coast of
Scotland. Then, around 565AD, he converted the Northern Pictish
King, King Bridei to Christianity.

The remains of Columba’s abbey are still visible on Iona
today and Columba’s missionary work earned him the title
of saint after his death in 597AD.

Oswald and Aidan

• Oswald (born 604AD) was the King of

Northumbria from 634AD until he was
killed in battle in 642AD. Oswald did a
lot to promote the spread of Christianity
and he is regarded as a saintly king in
the writings of the historian Bede.

• In 635AD Oswald asked the monks at

Iona to help him teach the people of
Northumbria about Christianity.

• A monk called Aidan (590AD – 651AD)

was sent from Iona to Northumbria to
help with the mission. Oswald made
Aidan a bishop and gave him the island
of Lindisfarne where he founded a
monastery.

• Oswald and Aidan are both revered as

saints.

Lindisfarne Priory

• Aidan established his priory on

the island of Lindisfarne, which
is also known as The Holy
Island of Lindisfarne or just
Holy Island.

• Lindisfarne Priory became a

very influential place. Using the
priory as a base, the monks
from Lindisfarne were
successfully able to promote
the spread of Christianity
across the North of England.

• Aidan worked hard to teach the

people of Northumbria all
about Christianity and he was
known for his gentle,
understanding approach with
all the people he talked to.

Anglo-Saxon Conversion

to Christianity

Your challenge is to complete the Anglo-Saxon Conversion to Christianity Sheet to
show you understand about the work of the men who were important in spreading

Christianity to Britain.

Historical Guide

Work with a partner to research and produce a guide about one of the following places:

• Canterbury Cathedral

• Iona Abbey

• Lindisfarne Priory

Include details about the history of the building, explaining why it was built and who lived
or worked there and why it is significant in the history of Christianity. You can then go on
to explain about the building as it is today and what visitors can expect to see when they
visit.

Include pictures or drawings in your guide and ensure your information is presented
neatly and carefully.

Be ready to present your guide to the rest of the class.

Success Criteria

Aim

• I can explain the work of some of the saints who were influenced in converting

the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity and I know about some of the important
Christian buildings that they founded.

• I can take notes and answer questions to show I understand the saints who helped

to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity.

• I can produce my own historical guide about a famous Christian building.