St. Augustine’s mission to Britain in 597 CE marks a pivotal moment in the history of Christianity in England. This ambitious endeavor, known as the Gregorian mission, was initiated by Pope Gregory the Great with the aim of converting the pagan Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. The mission’s success would have far-reaching consequences, shaping the religious and cultural landscape of England for centuries to come.
The Origins of the Mission
The roots of Augustine’s mission can be traced back to the fall of Roman Britain in the 5th century. As the Roman Empire withdrew from the island, pagan Anglo-Saxon invaders gradually took control, pushing the remnants of Romano-British Christianity to the western fringes of the island. By the late 6th century, much of England had reverted to paganism, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for the Roman Church.
Pope Gregory I, also known as Gregory the Great, recognized the potential for spreading Christianity to this pagan land. In 595, he chose Augustine, then a prior at the Abbey of St Andrew in Rome, to lead an unprecedented mission to England. Augustine’s selection was likely based on his administrative skills and deep knowledge of the Bible, qualities that Gregory had observed during Augustine’s time at the abbey.
Departure and Early Return
The mission party, consisting of Augustine and about 40 other monks and priests, left Rome in 596. Among them was Laurence of Canterbury, who would later succeed Augustine as Archbishop of Canterbury. Despite Gregory’s long-held vision for this mission, historical evidence suggests that the practical preparations were somewhat lacking.
As the group journeyed through Gaul (modern-day France), the missionaries learned of the fierce reputation of the Anglo-Saxon warriors and became fearful for their lives. This fear was so great that Augustine was sent back to Rome to request that the Pope abandon the mission. However, Gregory refused and instead sent Augustine back with letters of encouragement, urging the missionaries to persevere.
Arrival in Kent
After overcoming their fears, Augustine and his companions finally landed on the Isle of Thanet, off the southeast coast of England, in the spring of 597. The choice of Kent as their destination was strategic. King Æthelberht of Kent was one of the most powerful Anglo-Saxon rulers at the time, and his influence extended beyond his own kingdom. Moreover, Æthelberht’s wife, Queen Bertha, was already a Christian, which the missionaries hoped would work in their favor.
The exact landing site of Augustine’s mission has been debated, with some evidence pointing to Richborough as the likely location. A chapel later dedicated to Augustine within the walls of the fort at Richborough lends weight to this theory.
Meeting with King Æthelberht
Upon their arrival, Queen Bertha ensured Augustine and his companions were granted an audience with King Æthelberht. This meeting was crucial to the success of the mission, as the conversion of the king was Augustine’s primary strategic goal. The missionaries approached this encounter with considerable formal authority, having been consecrated as a bishop in Arles during his journey.
Æthelberht received the missionaries with interest but cautiously, he actually met them outside as he was afraid of their sorcery. While he did not immediately convert to Christianity, he welcomed Augustine and his fellow missionaries, granting them land on the east side of Canterbury, just outside the city walls. This generous gesture allowed the missionaries to establish a base of operations and begin their work in earnest.
Establishing a Foothold
The missionaries were given permission to use the ancient church of St Martin’s, where Queen Bertha already worshipped. This church, dating back to Roman times, provided a crucial link to the Christian past of Britain and served as an initial center for Augustine’s mission.
In addition to St Martin’s, Æthelberht’s grant of land allowed Augustine to found a new monastery dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. This monastery, later known as St Augustine’s Abbey, would become a significant center of learning and played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity in England.
The Conversion Process
Augustine and his companions began their work of evangelization in earnest. They preached to the local population, conducted baptisms, and gradually introduced Christian practices and teachings. Queen Bertha played a key role in this process, acting as an interpreter between Augustine and the king, and likely using her influence to promote the new faith.
The conversion of King Æthelberht himself was a watershed moment for the mission. While the exact date of his baptism is not recorded, it is believed to have taken place in 597. This royal conversion had a ripple effect throughout the kingdom, as many of Æthelberht’s subjects followed their king’s example.
In a letter to the Patriarch of Alexandria in 598, Pope Gregory claimed that more than 10,000 people had been baptized as a result of the mission. While this number may be exaggerated, it nonetheless indicates that a significant mass conversion took place in a relatively short time.
Challenges and Adaptations
Despite its initial success, Augustine’s mission faced numerous challenges. The missionaries had to navigate complex cultural and political landscapes, balancing their commitment to spreading Christianity with the need to respect local customs and traditions.
One of the key issues Augustine grappled with was how to approach the existing pagan temples and practices. In response to Augustine’s queries, Pope Gregory advised a pragmatic approach. Rather than destroying pagan temples, Gregory suggested that they be cleansed and consecrated for Christian use. Similarly, he recommended that pagan festivals be repurposed as feast days for Christian martyrs.
This adaptive approach helped to ease the transition from paganism to Christianity, allowing for a degree of continuity that made the new faith more palatable to the Anglo-Saxon population.
Expansion and Organization
As the mission grew, Augustine worked to establish a formal ecclesiastical structure in England. In 601, Pope Gregory sent additional missionaries, books, and sacred vessels to support the growing church. He also outlined a plan for two metropolitan sees in Britain, one at London and one at York, each with twelve suffragan bishops. However, this plan was not fully realized in Augustine’s lifetime.
Augustine’s efforts were primarily focused on Kent and the surrounding areas. He attempted to extend his influence to the British Christians in the west, who had maintained their faith since Roman times. However, these efforts were largely unsuccessful, as the British clergy were unwilling to submit to Augustine’s authority or adopt Roman practices.
Legacy and Impact
Augustine’s mission had a profound and lasting impact on the religious and cultural landscape of England. By the time of his death, likely in 604, Christianity had gained a firm foothold in Kent and was poised to spread throughout the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
The mission established Canterbury as the primary seat of Christianity in England, a position it maintains to this day. The monastery Augustine founded became a center of learning and played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting knowledge throughout the medieval period.
Moreover, Augustine’s mission marked the beginning of a new era of connection between England and continental Europe. It re-established links with Rome that had been largely severed since the fall of Roman Britain, paving the way for increased cultural and intellectual exchange in the centuries to come.
