Christianity, Church And State Of Anglo-Saxon England

England was coming into being in Anglo-Saxon ages. Christianity which was reintroduced in this time influenced England deeply. There were two ways in which Christianity came into England. One was from Roma, the other Ireland. In 664, Roma Christianity had great success at Whitby synod. However, traditions of Irish Christianity were in harmony with Roman Christianity, such as paying attention to academic research and doing missionary work enthusiastically. Henceforth, parish was being formed. Having experienced invasions of Viking, monastery had a revival. In Anglo-Saxon ages, church and state cooperated intimately and influenced each other. In politics, state backed church's missionary work, influenced church's inner affairs and protected priests. The peace of state had heavy affects on church. Church promoted the unity of country, provided officers, mediated conflicted states and did diplomatic affairs for the country. In economy, state guaranteed church with tax, bestowed lots of land and the managing right on church, and built churches. Church encouraged releasing slave. In law, some new items about church appeared. Law protected and enlightened church. Law was written and Christianized by church. Priests took part in legislation. The cannon law worked in the whole society. Ecclesiastical court shared some parts with secular court. In military, the annexed and expanded war provided new territories to be Christianized. The ceremony and propriety of church provided oath-taking forms for state. Church afforded military service. In culture, state propagated Christian books and revived Christian culture. Church promoted the forming of English nation through missionary work. The reason why this type of church and state, which cooperated intimately and influenced each other was formed, is that there were the same aims and need between church and state. Both of them cooperated and backed each other. They gained mutual benefit and two-win. This type of church and state enforced the cohesion of English people and became one of the reasons that England did not break into pieces or fall into civil war in Reformation.