The conversion of the British Isles
I can describe how Christianity returned to the British Isles.
The conversion of the British Isles
I can describe how Christianity returned to the British Isles.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- With the departure of the Romans and the invasion of the pagan Anglo-Saxons, Christianity had declined in Britain.
- The Pope sent Augustine to convert the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms to Christianity in 597CE, starting with Aethelbert of Kent.
- While the Anglo-Saxons settled in Britain, the Scots, a group from Ireland, began to settle in western Scotland.
- Irish missionaries had been converting Scotland and the north of England since the 6th century.
- Two forms of Christianity existed in Britain; the Synod of Whitby ruled Roman Catholic practices would be followed.
Keywords
Pagan - pagan religious beliefs and practices are those that are different from the main or recognised religions
Convert - to convert someone to a new religion means to change their religious beliefs to that of your own
Missionary - a missionary is a person sent on a religious mission, especially to promote Christianity in foreign countries
Practices - practices are ways of doing something such as religious rituals like prayer
Common misconception
Pupils might think that pagan beliefs were polytheistic and all non-pagan beliefs are monotheistic.
Though many pagan religions were polytheistic, there are non-pagan religions that are polytheistic such as Hinduism.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Kent and small parts of the South
the East Coast
the South and Midlands
Exit quiz
6 Questions
religious beliefs that are different from main religions
a person sent on a religious mission to another place
to change someone's religious beliefs