Anglo Saxon religion Flashcards
(17 cards)
When did the Roman Catholic Church come to England and what followed?
-The Roman Catholic Church came to England in AD597 and the pagan Anglo-Saxons gradually converted to Christianity.
What role did missionaries from Ireland play in the north of England?
-Missionaries from Ireland had come to the north of England and had spread different ideas, and forms of worship and art.
How did the English Church differ from the Church in Europe regarding Latin?
- Unlike the Church in Europe, which followed Rome’s insistence that only Latin should be used, the English Church often used English during Mass.
How was the Church’s individual character shown?
- The individual character of the Church, with its Roman Catholic and Celtic influences, was reflected in the religion of the people.
What continued to influence people’s religious beliefs?
-Many pagan (pre-Christian) beliefs and customs influenced their beliefs.
What are some examples of beliefs that continued among the people?
-The priests made sermons saying that we drink and do too much and that we’re sexually immoral.
“I can’t read. Very few people can. So Bibles are only for the priests, even if they’re in English.”
“We have lots of local, English saints. The Pope doesn’t like it – he thinks only he can make people saints.”
Who was St Dunstan and what did he do?
-Dunstan was a monk who became Archbishop of Canterbury in AD960. He was a pious man (and a skilled artist and musician) who devoted himself to the Church. A rich woman left Dunstan a fortune, and he spent it on improving monasteries.
What were St Dunstan’s reforms?
- Dunstan set high standards for the Church by:
Ending corruption among Church leaders
Improving the education of monks, nuns and priests
Forbidding priests to marry
Rebuilding churches, abbeys and monasteries
What happened after Dunstan died?
-After Dunstan died in 988, English Church leaders made him a saint, but his reforms were not continued because the Vikings began their raids on England again. In 1011, much of Canterbury was destroyed.
What ended the reform of the Anglo-Saxon Church?
-The Vikings disruption ended the reform of the Anglo-Saxon Church. Although the Danish kings who ruled England from 1014 to 1042 were Christian, the Church did not recover.
What was Edward the Confessor’s role in church appointments?
-Edward the Confessor was a devout Christian. When he became king, he brought Norman priests to England.
Who was Robert of Jumieges ?
-Robert of Jumièges became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1051. He tried to reform the Church, but the English did not want change.
How did Harold Godwinson respond to Robert?
- During 1051–52, Harold Godwinson resented Robert’s power and forced Edward the Confessor to replace Robert with a priest called Stigand.
What kind of priest was Stigand?
-Stigand was a skilled administrator but was not particularly religious. He concentrated on advising the king, rather than Church reform.
What was Stigand accused of?
- He broke several Church rules. He held two Church positions at once (pluralism) and sold off Church posts for money (simony).
Why was Stigand allowed to keep his position?
- Stigand became very rich because Harold Godwinson supported him.
What did the Pope think about the English Church?
-The Pope was unhappy, as he thought that the English Church was backward and corrupt. He insisted Stigand be replaced, but England took no notice.
