Preview

The Spread of Christianity

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
465 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Spread of Christianity
The spread of Christianity overtime replaced the old warrior religion changing the way of life, and at the giving it new meaning. With the coming of Christianity a hope for poets also came about. As the conversion of Ireland to Christianity took place a new era known as Ireland's Golden Age began to take over. Christian munks worked hard preserving literature of the ancient world and works of popular culture. Due to the rapid growth of Christianity the Anglo-Saxon's were given a common faith, a common system of morality and right conduct, linking England with Europe.
<br>
<br>Anglo-Saxon religion was based on ethics. It was the earthly values such as bravery, loyalty, generosity, and friendship that Anglo-Saxon life was based upon. The Anglo-Saxon religion derived from Germany and was very similar to Scandinavian mythology. They had gods for any and everything that all played important roles in everyday life. Symbols like the dragon and the swastika are also a part of the religion that can't be forgotten.
<br>
<br>In 432 Celtic Ireland was converted to Christianity by Patricius. Patricius, a Romanized Briton became a bishop and gradually started converting people to Christianity. It was when the rest of Europe sank into constant warfare confusion, and ignorance that Ireland experienced a Golden Age. In Ireland Christianity was said to have, "burned and gleamed through the darkness", in the words of Winston Churchill. If it hadn't been for the Irish missionaries that converted the Anglo-Saxon kings and the constant reemergence of Christianity in Britain, even king Alfred might have failed to unify the Anglo-Saxons . The Anglo-Saxons fought hard under Christianity and Alfred to protect their people, their culture, and their church from the Danes. Eventually Christianity took over and the old warrior religion was forgotten.
<br>
<br>In the Anglo-Saxon world poets could only hope that heroic deeds would be enshrined in the society's memory. Christianity on the other

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Christianity had been adopted as Rome’s official religion. Years after this the Anglo-Saxdon’s did not want to convert to Christianity because it reminded them of the Romans. Eventually soon after the sixth century one by one they all began to convert to Christianity from worshiping the Pagan Norse God.…

    • 380 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Religion has served as an influential guide for society throughout its entire existence. Western culture, especially, has been sculpted by the Christian religion, and Christianity has remained a widely practiced religion. In the Ecclesiastical History of the English People, one of Bede’s main intentions is to illustrate the process of the spread of Christianity throughout England since its introduction in 156 (Bede 49). Though Bede doesn’t entirely agree with all of the Celtic people’s views and interpretations about Christianity, he does characterize the Celtic people as a rather accepting people who were an integral part to the spread of Christianity in England.…

    • 576 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Chapter 14 Study Guide

    • 3673 Words
    • 16 Pages

    A great religious upheaval called the Protestant Reformation ended in the centuries-long religious unity of Europe and…

    • 3673 Words
    • 16 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Once the Roman empire collapsed, Christian Europeans civilizations began to emerge in Western Europe. The Frankish rule the emerged from within Rome established a Christian state that lasted that was founded by Clovis and was continually passed down to the sons from the Merovingians founded by Clovis, the Carolingians led by Charles Martel and Pepin III, to the age of Charlemagne following Pepin’s death. Although Charlemagne’s empire was able to improve the status of Western Europe, after Charlemagne’s death divisions among the heirs to the empire and a myriad of invasions led to the collapse of the empire. The Crusades began as a concerted effort to curb the influence of Islam and increase the unity between European Christians, however they ultimately did achieve their original goals. In the 12th century Henry II instituted reforms that simplified the judicial system and establish English common law. Lastly, the Hundred year conflict between England and France destabilized Europe affecting almost all areas of society.…

    • 935 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    As the saying goes, History repeats itself, which is true about the course of Christianity from 100 CE to 1750 CE. The constant splitting of the Eastern and Western Christian churches, the expanding of the Christian church, and the fight against Islam are all constants throughout the history of the Christian faith. However the Western Christian Church further splits into both Protestant and Catholic beliefs, conversions of the Christian Church around the world was for different reasons, and the number of converts fluctuates.…

    • 699 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    HST 171 Paper 1

    • 1364 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Religion in European history is one of the most commonly changed and important institutions. Christianity went from being a persecuted religion in the Roman Empire to the most popular and recognized religion of the middle ages. Before all religions became accepted in the Roman Empire, the empire was ruled by an emperor usually aligned with the state or government. However the Edict of Milan took place, which stated that there was religious freedom for all, Christianity growing in popularity at that time.1 Bishops of important cities were now starting to rise to power.…

    • 1364 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In A.D. 312 Constantine was going to a battle with his army, and he said he saw a cross in the sky. In the sky, he also saw the words, ”In this sign, conquer.“ He believed in what he saw and had faith in God. So, he placed all of the battle and army under the hands of God. After the huge success and victory, Constantine was officially a Christian. He supported Christianity throughout his empire and made the religion grow even more. Years later, Theodosius prohibited pagan worship. The Christians persecuted the pagans and also destroyed their temples. Christianity has spread and continued improving throughout the…

    • 540 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    The contemplative question of “What would Jesus do?” has become a popular pragmatism in society today. There is an unwritten rule or sense of morality by which a properly functioning civilization may live. However, what method did early Anglo-Saxons use to remind themselves of what would be the proper thing to do in a situation? Even though they were a violent and warmongering culture as a whole, geared toward waging and winning war, they did have a moral code to honor. Anglo-Saxons prized the values, which they would have been learned by rote since childhood, including: courage and selflessness, honor, discipline and duty, hospitality, self-reliance, and perseverance. These principles of character are some of the main mores clearly displayed in the epic poem, Beowulf, a tale of the adventures and struggles of a mighty Geatish (Swedish) warrior, Beowulf, against a sinister afflicter of men, a vicious revenge seeking mother, and a fire breathing twilight-spoiler. The author of one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature is unknown; however, it is believed that the heroic poem was finally translated by monks, which may account for the reason that according to the narrative, Beowulf is seen as an instrument of righteousness called by God to perform His will for the Danes, exactly as Christ was sent to carry out His will for the Jews. Beowulf further exemplifies Christ in many ways, such as his embarking on quests, his supernatural abilities, and his victory in the salvation of his people through his death.…

    • 1638 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    During the eighth century “Beowulf” was written down. Britain at this time was mainly dominated by Christianity, organized, and controlled by an aristocratic civilization. When both Germanic and Scandinavian tribes, invaded Britain, they brought such stories as Beowulf the story of a hero. Beowulf was the first British literature discussed. The heroes of his story were his peoples ancestors, before they conquered England. A hero both controls and transforms events, a coward does not as Beowulf shows : “a coward faced with a dangerous situation, such as an uncertain fate often presents, always gives way and fails to exploit the moment of crisis to his advantage.”. Anglo-Saxons and they were converted to Christianity by missionaries from Rome.…

    • 503 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Medieval England literature all seem to follow a basic set of ideas. Although many of the plays and tales we have read so far are different in plotlines, they all possess a certain set of ideas and focus on certain concepts. In each piece of literature, not only is God mentioned, but religion almost always is a main issue in the plot. Along with holiness and religion, virtues and chivalry are also common in this type of literature, whether it be how the characters have good virtues or the characters’ lack of them.…

    • 858 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In the section of "Death of Beowulf", some of the beliefs or Anglo Saxon Culture is the craftsmanship "So gold can easily, Triumph, defeat the strongest of men, No matter how deep it is hidden". pg 57 line 776-778. The craftsmanship is highly valued in the Anglo Saxon culture. Another thing that reflects on the Anglo Saxon culture and/or beliefs is Christianity, " Life in the Lord's body, or turned/ Asides the lord's will : world/ And men and all move as He orders,/ And always have , and always will. pg 59 line 843-846. Also in line 805-807 pg 58, it talks about Christianity " For this, this gold, these jewels, I think / Our Father in Heaven, Ruler of the Earth- / For all of this, that His grace has given me.…

    • 134 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    We can then look at the Anglo Saxons, a Germanic tribe where fame and fate ruled over everything. An honorable death was the only type of death that was acceptable. In the Anglo Saxon epic Beowulf, one can see this same ideal. Beowulf a hero that depicts the glory found in dying and shows that a glorious life leads to a glorious death. After creating a peaceful, safe kingdom, he died saving his people from a dragon. In both the Celtic and Anglo Saxon cultures, it is evident that death is not considered a tragedy, but a new adventure to conquer.…

    • 712 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Christianity came into the world approximately two thousand years ago. It was persecuted at first, but atually became the official…

    • 510 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Christianity During the Roman Empire During the Roman Empire, Christianity expanded rapidly to a point that by the fourth century ten percent of the population and even fifty percent of the population in Asia Minor were Christians. Christianity emphasized the personal relationship between God and people. The religion slowly spread throughout the empire, but once it was established it was very dominating in the western culture.…

    • 1037 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Pagan Vs Christian Essay

    • 642 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The holy Catholic Religion had a drastic Christian like impact on the barbarian, Viking Pagans of the Anglo-Saxon Age in England (Elements of Literature 11). The Catholics evolved the aggressive Pagan Vikings into a peaceful society (Williams). Also, the Catholics substituted their warlike religion and after-life to a more holy and Christian like religion (Chaney 197-217). Along with the altering of the Pagan society and religion, the Catholics also transformed the Pagans dominant government style to a more civilized and unified one (Williams). The Pagans did not expect their society, religion, and government would be shifted to a Christian like style, but it did (Elements of Literature 11).…

    • 642 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays