Christianization of the Anglo-Saxons, c. 597-700, The

By Marilyn Dunn

Book Description

This scholarly exploration delves into one of history's most profound spiritual transformations: how an entire people shifted from ancient pagan beliefs to embrace Christianity. Marilyn Dunn examines the Anglo-Saxon conversion not as a simple replacement of old gods with new, but as a complex process of religious evolution that unfolded over more than a century.

At the heart of this transformation lies a fascinating intersection of faith and mortality. Dunn reveals how epidemic disease between 664 and 687 became a pivotal testing ground for the new Christian faith, as communities grappled with fundamental questions about death, the afterlife, and the soul's journey beyond physical existence. The author demonstrates how Christian teachings gradually reshaped deeply held beliefs about what happens when we die and how the living should honor the departed.

Through careful analysis of burial practices and archaeological evidence, this work illuminates how spiritual communities navigate the tension between cherished traditions and transformative new understandings. The study explores how different groups within society, including varying responses between men and women, adapted to or blended Christian concepts with existing spiritual frameworks.

For readers interested in understanding how profound spiritual change occurs within communities, this book offers valuable insights into the challenges and complexities that arise when established worldviews encounter radically different approaches to the sacred, death, and human purpose.