Key learning points

1. Although Christianity declined in Britain after the Romans left, it grew stronger in Ireland.
2. Some people in Ireland had become Christian through contact with Roman Britain by the early 5th century.
3. The actions of the Roman-British missionary, St Patrick, some time in the 5th century, spread the religion more widely.
4. Risking martyrdom, he preached to the kings of north-east Ireland and set up churches.
5. He recorded his life and missionary activities in his 'Confession' which is the main evidence we have for his life.

Keywords

• Missionary - a missionary is a person sent on a religious mission, especially one sent to promote Christianity in a foreign country

• Convert - to convert means when someone changes their religious faith or other belief

• Martyr - a martyr is a person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs

Common misconception