With the conversion of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and the reintroduction of Christianity to England, a tone was set for the future of this land and those that inhabited it. It did not, however, completely change the customs of the Anglo-Saxons especially during the infancy of English Christianity. Though he became a Christian himself, Æthelberht did not compose any laws that would forbid the practice of the older pagan customs. Therefore when his son, Eadbald who did not even convert in the first place, took the throne there was a return” to pagan “cultural tradition throughout Kent with the death of Æthelberht. After paganism was outlawed in 640CE, the English form of Christianity still experienced a sort of fusion with Germanic traditions. German concepts such as or man price, were still a common idea held by the Wergeld, along with the concept of revenge for wrongdoings. This Latin-Germanic society of the seventh century with it conflicting identities can be seen as a parallel to the Anglo-Scandinavians that would emerge just a couple of centuries later with the formation of the Danelaw. The Coming of the Northmen the raid on Lindisfarne, more Danes and Norwegians made their way west, not limiting their raids to England, but instead making their way into and around the continent sailing along the coast and traversing rivers all around Europe. Men such as Olaf Tryggvason, Harald Bluetooth, along with several unnamed individuals would take part in the raiding and socio-political exchanges that marked this period, making a name for themselves and becoming historical figures of legendary status that still influence today’s culture in the form of cinematic entertainment, technological innovations (such as Bluetooth), literature and so on. These men and women from northern Europe and their activities had affected the very political structure of empires such as those forged by the Byzantines and the Carolingians. Yet the focus of this work will be on what these people did to influence England’s character and how the circumstances
With the conversion of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and the reintroduction of Christianity to England, a tone was set for the future of this land and those that inhabited it. It did not, however, completely change the customs of the Anglo-Saxons especially during the infancy of English Christianity. Though he became a Christian himself, Æthelberht did not compose any laws that would forbid the practice of the older pagan customs. Therefore when his son, Eadbald who did not even convert in the first place, took the throne there was a “cultural return” to pagan tradition throughout Kent with the death of Æthelberht. After paganism was outlawed in 640CE, the English form of Christianity still experienced a sort of fusion with Germanic traditions. German concepts such as Wergeld, or man price, were still a common idea held by the along with the concept of revenge for wrongdoings. This Latin-Germanic society of the seventh century with it conflicting identities can be seen as a parallel to the Anglo-Scandinavians that would emerge just a couple of centuries later with the formation of the Danelaw. The Coming of the Northmen the raid on Lindisfarne, more Danes and Norwegians made their way west, not limiting their raids to England, but instead making their way into and around the continent sailing along the coast and traversing rivers all around Europe. Men such as Olaf Tryggvason, Harald Bluetooth, along with several unnamed individuals would take part in the raiding and socio-political exchanges that marked this period, making a name for themselves and becoming historical figures of legendary status that still influence today’s culture in the form of cinematic entertainment, technological innovations (such as Bluetooth), literature and so on. These men and women from northern Europe and their activities had affected the very political structure of empires such as those forged by the Byzantines and the Carolingians. Yet the focus of this work will be on what these people did to influence England’s character and how the circumstances
Novko_Honors_Thesis.docx