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Synopsis
The mission of St Augustine of Canterbury and the subsequent conversion of the pagan Anglo-Saxons to Christianity had dramatic political, social and cultural implications as well as religious ones. The arrival of St Augustine in 597AD redefined England's relations with the continent on one hand and with the Celtic lands on the other; it led to new social mores; it added a new dimension to the political organization of the land; and it imported new forms of culture, notably book production and manuscript illumination. The story of this momentous process is told here in a series of interlinked chapters, written by experts in the field who shed light on a crucial period in the early development of England and its church. The 16 chapters consider the achievement of Augustine, examine his commemoration and cult, reassess the role of Gregory the Great, explore the phenomenon of conversion itself, and evaluate its broader cultural implications. The consequent revolution in art and architecture, and the rise of fine book production and decoration have bequeathed a legacy of monuments and manuscripts of the highest importance, which are studied here in detail.
