Throughout the 7th and 8th centuries, the conversion process continued, with many Anglo-Saxon kings playing an instrumental role in the spread of Christianity. Kings such as Penda of Mercia and Cenwalh of Wessex initially resisted conversion, but eventually, many embraced Christianity, often after military defeat or the influence of Christian missionaries.

For example, Penda, one of the most formidable pagan kings of the Anglo-Saxons, was eventually defeated by the Christian forces of Oswiu of Northumbria at the Battle of Winwaed in 655 CE. This defeat marked the end of Penda's pagan kingdom and the rise of Christianity in Mercia. Penda’s death and the subsequent Christianization of Mercia highlighted the close relationship between warfare and religious conversion. In the world of the Anglo-Saxons, the sword often paved the way for the cross.

The Final Stages of Conversion and the Viking Age

By the 8th century, most of Anglo-Saxon England had been converted to Christianity, with the exception of some more remote areas. The conversion of the Anglo-Saxons had profound effects on their culture, from the establishment of monasteries and churches to the development of Christian art and literature. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, for example, began to be written in the 9th century, reflecting the Christianized worldview of the Anglo-Saxon elite.

However, the Viking invasions of the 9th and 10th centuries presented a new challenge for the Christian Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. The Vikings, who initially raided and later settled in parts of England, were largely pagan, and their invasions brought not only warfare but also a reminder of the old ways of life. Despite this, the Viking Age also contributed to the further consolidation of Christianity in England. By the end of the 10th century, the Viking-controlled areas of England, including Danelaw, had largely been brought into the Christian fold, often through military means.

Conclusion: A Cross and a Sword

The conversion of the Anglo-Saxons was a long and complex process, one that combined warfare, politics, and religion. The arrival of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England was not a peaceful mission, but a battle fought both on the battlefield and within the hearts and minds of the Anglo-Saxon people. The sword and the cross were inseparable during this time, as Christian kings used their military might to enforce religious change, while the faith itself gradually reshaped the social and cultural fabric of Anglo-Saxon England.

The process of conversion ultimately transformed the Anglo-Saxon world, but it was a transformation that came with great effort and at times, great cost. The coming of the cross, with sword in hand, marked the end of the old pagan world and the beginning of a new Christian England. shutdown123