Religion in late Anglo-Saxon England

What year was the Roman Catholic Church brought to England?

AD597

What language was the Bible written in?

Old English

What is the use of Old English a sign of?

Independence of the English Church

Who could read the Gospels?

Nuns, priests, monks, wealthy and highly educated rulers of England

Where did some people gather to worship in certain parts of the country?

Around large stone crosses

Who complained that the English had too many saints?

Pope

What other ways did the English ignore or fail to live up to the Church’s teachings?

Binge-drinking, overeating, indulging in sex

What was said to be God’s punishment for people’s sins?

The Viking invasion in 1013

What was often believed to cause illness?

Devils and demons

Who was St Dunstan?

A monk from Somerset

When did St Dunstan become Archbishop of Canterbury?

AD960

What did St Dunstan do with the fortune bag he was left with?

He spent it all on improving the monasteries of England

What did St Dunstan do to improve the church?

• Worked to end corruption and greed among church leaders

• Worked to improve the education and commitment of the priests, monks and nuns

• Organised the rebuilding of churches, abbeys, monasteries

What year did St Dunstan die?

988

What happens at the start of the 11th century that prevented the continuation of Dunstan’s reforms?

Viking raid in 1011

Who did Edward the Confessor bring with him to England?

Norman priests

What year was there a power struggle?

1051-52

Who replaced Robert with a new Archbishop of Canterbury?

Stigand

What did Stigand serve as to the King and Earl Harold?

An adviser

What happened to Stigand by 1065?

He was Bishop of Winchester and Archbishop of Canterbury

What is pluralism?

Holding two church positions at once and being paid for both

What is simony?

Selling off church lists to the highest bidder

How did Stigand keep his influence?

He had the support of Harold Godwinson- gained land in 10 shires, became rich

What did the Pope insist on Stigand doing?

Give up his post at Winchester and go to Rome to receive a blessing

Who was the leader of the Church in the north of England?

Wulfstan, Archbishop of York

What were the priests in England like compared to other priests in Europe?

Poorly educated

How did Wulfstan break the rules in the Church?

By being both Archbishop of York and Bishop of Worcester