The Making of England · Summer Term

The Conversion to Christianity

The mission of St Augustine and the blending of pagan and Christian traditions in Anglo-Saxon England.

About This Topic

The conversion of the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity was a slow and fascinating process that blended old pagan traditions with new Christian beliefs. For Year 4 students, this topic focuses on the mission of St Augustine, sent by the Pope in AD 597 to convert King Ethelbert of Kent. It explores how the Church became a powerful partner for kings, offering them the prestige of the Roman world and a new way to organise their kingdoms.

Students will see how Christian festivals were often timed to match old pagan ones (like Yule becoming Christmas) to make the transition easier for ordinary people. This topic aligns with the KS2 History focus on 'the spread of Christianity'. It highlights the cultural shift from a warrior-based religion to one based on written scripture and international links. This topic benefits from active learning where students can compare pagan and Christian symbols and role-play the meeting between Augustine and the King.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the motivations behind Anglo-Saxon kings' decisions to convert to Christianity.
• Analyze the ways the Church provided support to Anglo-Saxon kings in governing and unifying their territories.
• Compare and contrast key pagan beliefs and practices with those of early Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England.
• Identify specific examples of how Christian traditions were integrated with or replaced existing pagan customs.

Before You Start

Anglo-Saxon Society and Kingdoms

Why: Students need a basic understanding of the political structure and social customs of the Anglo-Saxons before learning how Christianity impacted them.

Introduction to Religions

Why: A foundational understanding of what religion is, and the concept of different belief systems, is necessary to compare paganism and Christianity.

Key Vocabulary

St. Augustine of Canterbury	A Benedictine monk sent by Pope Gregory the Great in AD 597 to lead the Christian mission to England. He became the first Archbishop of Canterbury.
King Ethelbert of Kent	The Anglo-Saxon king who converted to Christianity, influenced by his Christian wife Bertha. His conversion was a significant step in the Christianization of England.
Paganism	A term used historically to describe polytheistic religions, often referring to the pre-Christian beliefs and practices of the Anglo-Saxons, which involved worship of multiple gods.
Monastery	A community of monks living under religious vows. Monasteries became centers of learning, worship, and administration in Anglo-Saxon England.
Syncretism	The blending of different religious or cultural beliefs and practices. In this context, it refers to the merging of pagan traditions with Christian ones.

Active Learning Ideas

Role Play: The Meeting at Canterbury

Students act out the first meeting between St Augustine and King Ethelbert. The King insists on meeting outside because he is afraid of Augustine's 'magic'. Students must debate the benefits for the King of becoming a Christian (e.g., better links with Europe, learning to read and write).

⏱ 45 min·Whole Class

Generate mission

Inquiry Circle: Blending Traditions

In small groups, students look at images of Anglo-Saxon objects (like the Franks Casket) that show both Christian stories and pagan myths side-by-side. They must identify the different 'clues' and discuss why the Saxons didn't want to give up their old stories entirely.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: The Power of Writing

Students discuss how the arrival of Christian monks, who could read and write Latin, changed how a King could rule. They pair up to think of three things a King could do with writing that he couldn't do before (e.g., sending secret messages, making permanent laws).

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Real-World Connections

Historians studying the Anglo-Saxon period use archaeological evidence from sites like the Sutton Hoo ship burial to understand the transition from pagan burial rites to Christian practices. This helps us interpret the material culture of the past.

The establishment of cathedrals and parish churches across England, many built on ancient sites, demonstrates the lasting impact of this conversion. These buildings continue to serve spiritual and community functions today.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Everyone became Christian overnight.

What to Teach Instead

It took over 100 years for the whole country to convert, and many people kept their old pagan beliefs in secret. Using a 'conversion timeline' helps students see the slow, uneven pace of religious change.

Common Misconception

The old pagan gods just disappeared.

What to Teach Instead

We still use their names every day! Peer discussion about the 'days of the week' (Tiw's day, Woden's day, Thor's day, Frige's day) helps students see the lasting legacy of paganism.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine you are an Anglo-Saxon villager. Would you find it easier to accept Christianity if some of your old festivals were kept, just with new Christian names? Why or why not?' Encourage students to use examples discussed in class.

Quick Check

Provide students with a T-chart labeled 'Pagan Beliefs' and 'Christian Beliefs'. Ask them to list at least two characteristics or examples for each side based on the lesson. Review charts as a class to check for understanding of key differences and similarities.

Exit Ticket

Ask students to write two sentences explaining one reason why an Anglo-Saxon king might have wanted to become Christian, and one sentence explaining how the Church helped the king rule his kingdom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was St Augustine?

St Augustine was a monk sent from Rome by Pope Gregory the Great in AD 597. His mission was to bring Christianity to the Anglo-Saxons. He landed in Kent and eventually became the first Archbishop of Canterbury, which is still the most important job in the Church of England today.

Why did Anglo-Saxon kings want to become Christian?

It wasn't just about religion; it was about power. Being Christian connected them to the powerful kings of Europe and the memory of the Roman Empire. The Church also brought 'literacy' (reading and writing), which helped kings keep better records and make stronger laws.

How can active learning help students understand religious change?

Role-playing the meeting between a monk and a pagan king helps students understand the 'negotiation' involved in conversion. It wasn't just about 'believing'; it was about what the new religion could offer the kingdom. This 'political' view of religion is a key historical skill that active learning makes much clearer.

What happened to the old pagan temples?

The Pope told the monks not to destroy the pagan temples but to turn them into churches. He also told them to let the people keep their traditional feasts but to celebrate them for Christian reasons. This clever 'blending' made it much easier for people to accept the new religion.