The Conversion of Britain : Religion, Politics and Society in Britain, 600-800

This book is concerned with the interaction between religion, society and politics c.600-800. Yorke compares and contrasts the circumstances in which Christianity became the religion of the four early medieval peoples of Britain. It is concerned not only with the impact of Christianity on the four peoples, but also with how ecclesiastical provision adapted itself to the needs and natures of their societies. It considers how religion has been used as part of these peoples’ identities, and identifies the major areas of similarity and contrast in their early medieval cultures. Suitable for undergraduate students studying early medieval Britain and religious history.

The Britain of 600-800 AD was populated by four distinct peoples; the British, Picts, Irish and Anglo-Saxons. They spoke 3 different languages, Gaelic, Brittonic and Old English, and lived in a diverse cultural environment. In 600 the British and the Irish were already Christians. In contrast the conversion of the Anglo-Saxons and Picts occurred somewhat later, at the end of the 6th and during the 7th century. Religion was one of the ways through which cultural difference was expressed, and the rulers of different areas of Britain dictated the nature of the dominant religion in areas under their control.

This book uses the Conversion and the Christianisation of the different peoples of Britainas a framework through which to explore the workings of their political systems and the structures of their society. Because Christianity adapted to and affected the existing religious beliefs and social norms wherever it was introduced, it’s the perfect medium through which to study various aspects of society that are difficult to study by any other means.