The Mission of Saint Augustine: the Reintroduction of Christianity to England

The Mission of St. Augustine stands as a pivotal moment in the history of Christianity in England, marking the beginning of a new era that would shape the religious and cultural landscape of the British Isles for centuries to come. This monumental undertaking, initiated by Pope Gregory the Great in 596 CE, not only brought Christianity to the Anglo-Saxons but also reconnected Britain with the wider Christian world and the legacy of Roman civilization.

The Origins of the Mission

The story of Augustine’s mission begins with Pope Gregory I, also known as Gregory the Great. In 596 CE, Gregory decided to send a group of missionaries to convert the Anglo-Saxons of Britain to Christianity. This decision was motivated by several factors:

1. The pope’s desire to expand the reach of Christianity
2. The political vacuum left by the fall of the Western Roman Empire
3. The presence of pagan Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in Britain

A famous legend, recorded by the 8th-century monk Bede, tells of Gregory’s encounter with fair-haired Anglo-Saxon slaves in the Roman market. Upon learning they were Angles, Gregory reportedly quipped that they were “not Angles, but Angels,” inspiring his mission to convert their people.

The Journey Begins

In 597 CE, Augustine, a Benedictine monk and prior of St. Andrew’s monastery in Rome, set out with a group of about 40 companions, including fellow monk Laurence of Canterbury. The journey was not without its challenges. Soon after leaving Rome, the missionaries halted, daunted by the task ahead. Augustine returned to Rome, seeking permission to abandon the mission. However, Gregory refused and sent Augustine back with letters of encouragement.

Arrival in Kent

The missionaries landed in Kent in 597 CE, choosing this kingdom for several strategic reasons:

1. Kent’s King Æthelberht was married to Bertha, a Christian Frankish princess
2. Kent had established trade relations with the Franks, facilitating communication
3. Æthelberht was the most powerful Anglo-Saxon ruler at the time, with influence extending beyond Kent

The Meeting with King Æthelberht

Upon their arrival, Augustine and his companions were granted an audience with King Æthelberht. This meeting, which has taken on legendary status, is said to have occurred outdoors at the king’s insistence, as he remained wary of the newcomers.

Bede’s account, written about 150 years after the event, describes the missionaries approaching the king while holding up a silver cross and explaining their mission. Although not immediately convinced, Æthelberht welcomed the monks with hospitality and granted them freedom to preach, as well as the use of an old Roman church, St. Martin’s, for their services.

Early Successes

Augustine and his companions quickly set to work, preaching and converting the local population. Their efforts bore fruit rapidly:

1. King Æthelberht’s conversion: While the exact date is unknown, Æthelberht converted to Christianity sometime before 601 CE.
2. Mass baptisms: On Christmas Day in 597 CE, Augustine is said to have baptized thousands of converts.
3. Establishment of a monastery: Soon after his arrival, Augustine founded the monastery of Saints Peter and Paul (later St. Augustine’s Abbey) on land donated by the king.
4. Creation of an episcopal see: Augustine established his episcopal see at Canterbury, laying the foundation for what would become the center of English Christianity.

Expansion and Challenges

As the mission progressed, Augustine faced both successes and challenges:

1. Additional missionaries: In 601 CE, Pope Gregory sent more missionaries along with books, relics, and other items for the new churches.
2. Establishment of new sees: Roman bishops were established at London and Rochester in 604 CE.
3. Founding of a school: Augustine arranged for the creation of a school to train Anglo-Saxon priests and missionaries.
4. Tensions with British Christians: Augustine’s attempts to persuade the native British bishops to submit to his authority were unsuccessful, highlighting the cultural and ecclesiastical differences between the Roman and Celtic Christian traditions.

Legacy and Impact

The Mission of St. Augustine had far-reaching consequences for England and beyond:

1. Conversion of England: By the time of the death of the last missionary in 653 CE, Christianity had been firmly established among the southern Anglo-Saxons.
2. Cultural transformation: The mission brought not only Christianity but also literacy, a connection to wider European civilization, and the shaping of a distinct English culture.
3. Ecclesiastical structure: Augustine’s work laid the foundation for the Church of England, with Canterbury as its primary see.
4. Educational legacy: The King’s School, Canterbury, allegedly founded by Augustine, claims to be the world’s oldest school.
5. Linguistic influence: The mission contributed to the preservation and development of the English language through the translation of religious texts and the establishment of scriptoria.

Conclusion

The Mission of St. Augustine represents a turning point in English history, marking the beginning of the island’s reintegration into the wider Christian world after the fall of the Roman Empire. Through persistence, diplomacy, and the support of key figures like King Æthelberht, Augustine and his companions succeeded in planting the seeds of Christianity that would grow to define much of England’s cultural and spiritual identity for centuries to come.